Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-01

Building construction costs will
probably never fall below their pres
ent level; not sufficiently, at least, to
warrant building and financial inter-
ests in postponing contemplated con-
struction projects" in the opinion of
William j. Tracy, secretary-treasurer
of the building trades department Of
the American Federation of Labor.
In an article on the Building Out
look for 1927" published in the jan
uary issue of the American Builder
Economist Mr.. Tracy said that high
wages had not retarded building but
had been stimulant to national pros
perity. He urged better building and
said that labor fully realized the i'm
portannce Of cooperation with capital
adding:
Throughout 1927 it will be my pur-
pose to do everything that is humanity
possible toward creating feeling of
sincere friendship and harmony be-
tween financial and banking interests
and the building trades department of
the American Federation of Labor.
when it is considered that con-
struction is one of the greatest factors
of our national wealth-that building
is preceded only by agriculture, among
the industries of this country--it be-
hooveS all of the various elements,
either directly or indirectly identified
with the construction industry, to use
every honorable means to promote its
influence and prosperity. This is a
duty which should be shared equally
with the financial interests, which
supply the capital, the architects, the
engineers, the contractors or builders
and the building material interests.
Stand for Better Building.
1--WE, Of the building trades, stand
for a better building program, for I'M
proved building laws and codes, for
the protection of the investing public
and home owner for the legitimate
builder, for the skilled and qualified
mechanic, and, as a guarantee against
inferior workmanship, for a safe, san
itary and durable building erected by
master craftsmen. Naturally, we do
not favor cheap construction or So
called 'hurry-up' jobs, for after their
completion these prove unsatisfactory
to their unfortunate owners, are con-
stantly in need of repair and, in short,
are menace to the entire building in
dustry.
I'VE are opposed to destroying the
morale of our mechanics, who have
served from four to five years as APP
prentices In order to become masters
Of their trades, by permitting unscru-
pulous employers to compel them to
install or erect work In an inferior
manner. Fortunately such employers
are in the very small minority. We
are as much concerned about the me-
chanical and trade skill Of our mem
bership as the minister, the priest or
the rabbi is about the morals of his
congregation.
''The executive council Of the build.
ing trades department has asked the
cooperation of the affiliated interna-
tional unions in the important matter
of vocational education and appren.
ticeship OF the young men actually
working at the building trades. In
stead of restricting apprentices, we
want to supply the industry with as
many new workers as the different
elements will absorb.
1.-THE building trades have been
wrongfully accused Of limitation of
output. There is ample evidence that
the productivity of the building work.
err is constantly increasing, and during
the last year it has been an impor.
tant factor in keeping down the cost
of construction"
Employers View Stated.
The building trades employers view
of the Building Outlook for 1927"
was expressed in the American
Builder Economist, by A. w. Dick
son, executive secretary of the Ma.