Evening star., 1939-09-27
A. LA. Proposes
Building Trades
Industrial Union
Organization Would
Include loborers
And Architects

Include Loborers
And Architects
The American Institute Of Archi-
tects resolved today to study the
possibility Of forming an industrial
union for the building trades which
would include all workers, from
common laborers to architects.
The convention, now in its third
day at the Mayflower Hotel, re-
solved that committees of both its
national and local organizations
should study building labor prob
lens with an eye to possible estab-
lishment of new kind of building
union in which all laborers-
ing architects-will have a place"
The resolution was passed on mo-
ton of Past President Robert D.
kohn OF New York. Mr.. Kohn, in
speaking on the motion, emphasized
the problems raised in the building
industry by jurisdfctional strikes
and was applauded when he de.
clared them to be senseless.
One member leaped to his feet
and declared that any one who has
courage to speak out on the labor
problems of the construction indus.
try deserves three cheers"
Asks Liberal Housing Policy.
Institute officials stated that anv
study OF the labor situation will be
done effectively and without any
idea OF antagonizing unions.
Most building trade laborers who
are organized belong to unions
affiliated with the A. F. of L. The
c. I. o. recently launched a drive to
create "one big union"-an industrial
organlzatlon-in the construction
field.
Another resolutions adopted today
asked liberalization of low-cost
housing policies and suggested that
the United States Housing Authority
If need be, initiate move to amend
the Federal Housing Act of 1887 to
the end that those most in need of
housing be supplied"
A resolution urging the Govern
ment to review scientifically the eX-
perlence of housing authorities
throughout the country in order TO
improve future policy was adopted.
and the convention declared itself
convinced that sufficient :ndica-
tions OF so-called rackets in the
building industry have been given
to warrant full investigation there
OF by the Office of the Attorney Cen
eral.'
A resolution approving city plan
ming was referred back to commit
tee Ito make sure it is understood
we mean real planning fer human
needs and not just assignment of
the location Of street car tracks"
Bergstrom to Head Institute.
BY acclamation, Edwin Bergstrom
OF Los Angeles was named presi-
dent OF the institute. since his nom
ination was unopposed, although
elections were not to be announced
until tomorrow.
Sir Raymond Unwin. past presi-
dent of the Royal Institute of Brit
lsh Architects, said today that the
British housing program, which has
brought construction of over 4.OOO.-
600 houses since the end of the
World War, faces disaster" in the
present conflict.
AL our bricklayers and carpen.
tiers are being sent off to the front:
it will not be possible to continue
the yearly subsidy of s85 $40 900 for
the cottage and garden program. and
II the war lasts as long as the pre-
vious one did, there will be few
skilled laborers to start our indus
try up again after the peace treaty"
he said.
Our statesmen made the mistake
OF dreading war rather than forming
a long-range policy to prevent war.
hope that you Americans can
benefit from our experience so that
you will not likewise face the de-
struction of your plans for internal
progress"
Sir Raymond declared that British
experience showed that national
prosperity cannot come unless the
housing industry is operating on
the basis of constructing homes for
each income group proportionately to
its size. For many years he was
chief architects officer for the Brit
lsh Ministry of Health, in charge of
all housing and town planning.
Annual Banquet Tonight.
At present a visiting professor at
Columbia University, Sir Raymond
Will be one OF the speakers tonight
at 8 o'clock when the convention
holds its annual banquet in the
main ballroom of the Mayfiower.
Frederick B. Lyon, acting chief of
the division of international con-
ferences of the State Department,
and DR.. William Emerson. dean
emeritus of the School of Agriculture
at Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology, also will address American
and foreign delegates.
Americas great construction In.
dustry will boom as the result of a
lengthy European war-if we stay
notwithstanding to Travis G.
Walsh OF Cleveland, vice chairman
of the Committee on Industrial Re-
lations of the institute.
He said yesterday that stimulus
will come to the industry as the,
United States becomes an "interna-
tional commissary, furnishing goods
to warning nations, Mr.. Walsh be-
lieves. He said this would make for
A "hl111 market -