Evening star., 1928-04-23
Local Labor Congestion.

Local Labor Congestion.
II is to he hoped that warning of
the industrial situation IN Washington
will broadcast through labor organ
isstions and otherwise 10 prevent any
further drift to this city on the part
of artisans seeking employment here
on the strength Of the Governments
public building program. In The Star
yesterday appeared an account of the
conditions which showed that already
numbers of workers, both skilled and
unskilled finding employment slack
elsewhere. have come to the Capital in
the hope of securing engagements here
In connection with the great construc-
tion plans that have been authorized
by Congress and that are now in the
frst stages Of execution. This report
Of the situation reveals a distressing
amount of idleness here on the part
OF competent and willing workers. par
ticulsrlv in the construction trades
who have been at best able to get only
psrt-tinle Jobs for several months. Pri-
vste constructions have not been as
active here as for several years past
and the promise of lsrge-scsle opera
materialized Nevertheless. there have
been numerous arrivals from other cities
on the score OF the projected works
which. though they will cost, accord
ing To the appropriation limit set by
Congress, ultimately at least $50, ,000. 900.
will be spent over a period of years
and viii not be In full neadway for
perhaps another season.
The works that have been actually
started at present give employment to
only a few men. while IL will be q num-
Der of months before others will be
instituted. and those already begun
have reached the point of full manning
II is, therefore. imperative that warn
ing be sent as conclusiyely and as
widely as possible throughout the coun-
try that there is no field here for i'm
mediate or even early employment Of
construction artisans.
Ii ali OF the buildings authorized by
Congress in the Federal housing pro-
gram we're 10 be started at once and
carried through to completion within
the shortest possible time consistent
with good construction, there would
doubtless be need of many more work
ers than Washington could supply. But
that is not the practice that is 70 be
pursued There are now only three
buildings actually in hand-those for
the Departments of Agriculture and
Commerce and that for the Internal
Revenue Bureau Only one of these,
the first named, lis in the building stage
The sites for the other two are not yet
prepared-tlat for the last named. In
deed. has not actually been acquired
by the Government.
Public building construction is sub
ject TO delays that do not occur in
private work Of this character In this
particular program Of constructions the
situation has been especially yexatious
Although already owned by the Gov
eminent, the site for the Department of
Commerce Building was not fully avail
able when the time came 10 erect. Ger
tain units OF the District government
occupied provisional quarters there and
could not be moved until space had
been made for them elsewhere The
same was true OF the Internal Revenue
Building, occupying one OF the war
time" structures on the site. In the
esss Of the Internal Revenue Building
Itself. a large part Of the land had
70 be condemned and that procedure
is even yet continuing. There is no
definite assurance as 70 when the title
viii pass TO the United States and ex-
csyatlons can begin for the construc-
tAon.
II these facts can be laid before the
construction artisans Of the country
VINO are nov out ef employment. they
viii b. spared much expense Of travel
and much distress in disappointment.
ior Washington nov holds more than
enough men " carry on the Govern
naents building work a. iX present
stage