Evening star., 1941-02-26
Fort Meade IsCited
By Army as Example
OF Increased Costs
Huge Labor Turnover
And Rising Materials
Prices Are Included
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Army cited Fort George G
Meade, Md, as an example before
Congress today of increased costs
encountered in the construction of
camps throughout the Nation.
A rise in costs of materials,
changes in plans after construction
got under way and increased la
Dor costs, all we're included in the
example of expenditures higher
than original estimates.
The question of union fees charged
to workers hired for Army construc-
ton projects also was discussed in
the Army's report, made public
today in published records Of hear
ings on supplemental defense ap-
preparations before a House COM
nittee
This job has carried as high as
$4,000 men," the Army reported in
discussing labor at Fort Meade. "Of
these. around 1000 were carpenters.
The total carpenter registration in
Baltimore is about 100 men.
There are number of civilian
projects going on, including the
Glenn Martin aircraft plant, besides
the Government projects at Aber-
deem and Holabird in this area.
Labor Costs Increased 400.
ut is obvious that a great short
age, not only of carpenters but all
trades existed. Self-designed me-
chanics' swarmed in by the thou
sands. There was only one way,
that was to try them out.
Under these conditions. the
scarcity OF competent leadership in
the subSupervisory positions, such
as foremen. also became acute and
continual changes could not be
avoided as new leadership had to
be developed. The turnover was
terrific with its resultant loss. not
only In time but in money. 1t is
a cost factor of increase difficult
to determine, but considered judg-
ment places it at about 40 per cent
IN added labor cost.
1t was necessary in certain
trades that Baltimore men be paid
transportation to and from the lob.
This was rs cents per day per man
for about 5000 men over a period
OF close TO four months, or 8 cents
per hour"
100000 Men Employed.
An Army spokesman told the
committee that about 100000 men
have been employed on Army con-
struction projects of all kinds with
some contractors hiring four times
as many workers during the course
of job as they needed because so
many were found incompetent.
And when those fellows have
earned the money that was re-
quired to pay their dues in the
union, they have lost their jobs in
a good many cases?" a committee
member asked.
Yes, sir: unquestionably that has
happened" the Army witness re-
piled. In other words, the two
things have occurred at the same
time whether by design, or not,
however, is open to very serious
question"
A member of the committee ex-
pressed a belief there was "a kind
of wholesale operation of that kind
at this Meade outfit"
In answer, the Army spokesman
said there have been a great many
men provided by the labor unions
who were not competent in any
way and had be to be discharged
In expanding their forces, con-
tractors have had to take on people
whose capacity was uncertain and
who had to be discharged after the
trial period, the committee was told
Difficulties Cited.
The Army's report also declared
81. Clearing and grading-A re-
quirement was set up that cleared
plain area be left available for air.
craft landing field which compelled
using the site at the rear of the
reservation in the hills. This in
creased immeasurably the costs OF
construction. Fifty old dilapidated
World War buildings had to be re-
moved to clear the site.
20. Railroad, required 1.57 miles
Temporary spurs required to get
materials in, pending permanent
trackage.
IS. Roads and walks, required 20
miles-As the site of the camp is
at the far end of the reservation,
additional mileage of roads to con-
meet to the main arteries is neces-
sary. The difficult road sit
uation delayed building operations
and increased the cost enormously.
Sewer System Expensive.
Il. Sewer system, required 23.7
miles-Hilly site, many deep cuts, 25
and 80 feet in places. One tunnel
700 feet long required through hill.
IS. Water system, water lines re-
quired 237 miles-Water storage
tank 100000 gallons; pumping
station, $50 gallons per minute with
duplicate pumps for breakdown
service.
"6. Electric, heat, power, tele-
phone, electric service lines re-
quired 345 miles-to reach the hos
pital location an extra l II miles Of
13,0O0-volt transmission line was re-
quired. Considerable extra expense
was required to provide temporary
lighting for night work.
'7. Fences-the rear of the bar
rack is close to Annapolis highway.
Protection of Government property
and general safety requires fencing.
Overtime Work Costly.
"8. Buildings-troop capacity in
creased 5000 men. Heavy slopes at
many sites required foundations as
high as IS feet for some of the
buildings. Speed being the
essence, much overtime work was
required, both on Saturday and
Sunday, as well as night work. Es-
Inmates indicate this overtime item
as an increase of 20 per cent in
labor cost.
Lumber costs in many items
show an increase in price over
prices prevailing prior to beginning