Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
BUILDING METHODS
CHANGES SOUGHT
hWre Business Basis" for
Construction Industry
Urged.

Revolutionary changes in methods
Under which, it is estimated. $3000,-
100000 Is spent annually in the United
States for construction operations Nere
advocated by convention of the Asso-
ciated General Contractors Of America
held in Chicago last week. Affecting
both public and private projects. these
changes are being sought as a means
of placing the construction industry
"upon a more businesslike basis" ac-
coTding to D. A. CARRIER, Washington,
general manager of the sponsoring
organization.
Mainly, the proposals are directed
against INSCRIPTIONS and incapable
builders whose operations saddle direct
losses upon the building public through
defaults and delays, the convention was
told by Alan j. Parrish, Paris, Ill. In
addition" Mr. Parrish said, these
'skin-deep contractors upset the entire
industry by forcing their way into COM
petition with responsible builders. In
short, the industry is loaded down with
men who can't make money for them
selves and prevent others from ham
ding work on sound business principles"
False Credits Fought.
In the field of private construction
operations, the convention advanced a
plan under which bankers, nanufac-
turers and jobbers of construction
equipment and materials, general con-
tractors. bonding agencies, subcontrac-
tors and other elements of the industry
vii cooperate to eliminate extension of
false credits.
George B. Walbridge, Detroit, stated
this plan already had been successfully
operated in several large cities, and
outlined methods under which the sys-
TEN is to be made Nationwide in scope.
''As matters stand" declared Mr.. Wal
bridge, lit is almost possible for green
grocer with few dollars in his pocket
to put in ridiculously low bid. secure
the award and have all the construction
equipment and materials he can think
of placed in his hands.
Unfair Competition.
'In other words, present chaotic con-
ditions place men with little experience
and virtually no ability to pay their
bills in obviously unfair competition
with men possessing responsibility and
financial standing"
The campaign for improvement of
affairs relating to highway and public
works construction holds quite the same
objective as the movement initiated to
stabilize private building.
It is proposed that public officials
determine the abilities and financial
status Of prospective bidders before re-.
ceiving any offers. This is in contrast
with the generally prevailing method,
under which qualifications are studied
after the bids are made.
S. NJ. Williams, Washington. declared
adoption of the plan throughout the
country would eliminate nine-tenths of
the defaults and delays now experienced
in handling highway and public works
operations. He quoted Federal highway
officials as stating recent use of pre-
qualification has encouraged COMPETE
ton by attracting bidders who previous
~ refused to make offers rather than
attempt to offer prices lower than
those submitted by incapable or ire
sponsible persons.
H. S. Sisson, former State highway
commissioner of New York, declared
public savings would be gained and the
construction industry would be stabil-
ICED If 'the financial standing, business
character and past records of bidders"
were studied in advance by pubic off,
Gals.