14
Costs Down in Most Localities.
Hong Kong Builder
entirely
Official Union Wage Scales England-New York *
If the home building industry were unionized and these extreme demands met, there would be an absolute stoppage of residential construction in New York and everywhere else in the United States. It is significant that the bulk of residential construc- tion is still carried on by non-union workers. In those areas where the unions have had complete control, building costs have stifled activity. The large specula- tive builders, such as those on Long Island, have Concreters effectively resisted unionization and have thus kept Carpenters their costs down within reach of the consumer's ability to buy. The same is true of the smaller operators in small towns and in rural communities.
The obvious lesson is not that there should be no unions in the building industry but that the unions must act as they have in England, with a higher degree of consideration for the welfare of their own industry. It should also be added that building material manu- facturers should adopt the same policy. Their business and the industry of the entire country will be better served by low prices and large volume, than high prices with a consequent small volume of construction.
Rates in American Currency.
Asphalters (Roofers) Bricklayers
Glaziers
N.Y.C. $1.60
Great Britain
42c
40c
1.88-4/7
40c
1.75
40c
1.75
40c
1.88-4/7
40c
1.75
40c
1.50
40c
2.00
40c
2.00
Slate and Tile Roofers Stone Setters
40c
1.86
42c
1.95-4/7
40c
1.68-3/4
30c
1.14-2/7
30c
.95
30c
1.42
Machinists
Painters Plasterers
Plumbers
Tile and Terrazzo
Bricklayers Helpers Excavating, etc., Laborers Plasterers Helpers
New York City.
The moral of this tale of three cities is first, let us try to keep our building costs down; second, let us not try completely to reform our labour and social conditions overnight; third, assurance that the national *Source: Building Trades Employers Association of budget will be balanced will create a confidence that will revive all industry and have a particularly beneficial effect on home building; fourth, housing and slum clearance should be strictly limited to people of low incomes, should be kept low in price, and must not compete with private builders. Such housing should be planned, built and operated locally.
"The American Builder"
"DRAGON"
BRAND
PORTLAND CEMENT
MANUFACTURED BY
THE INDO-CHINA PORTLAND CEMENT
COMPANY, LIMITED.
HAIPHONG.
PORTLAND
CEMENT
WORK ON THE CANTON-HANKOW
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH
BRAND CEMENT WAS EXTENSIVELY USED.
IN
INDE-CHINA PORTLAND S
GEMENT
HAIPHONG
#7
SOLE AGENTS FOR
HONG KONG & SOUTH CHINA
JOHN MANNERS & Co., LTD.
MERCANTILE BANK BLDG.
HONG KONG.
3RD FLOOR
CONSTRUCTION RAILWAY
"DRAGON
When answering advertisement please mention the Hong Kong Builder.
Page 10Page 11