THE CAUSE OF HIGH RATES.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 704, 3 February 1922, Page 4

THE CAUSE OF HIGH RATES.

The Real Estate Board of New York, which acts for apartment and records, declared recently (says the New York World) that revelations before the Legislative Housing Committee on certain phases of labour activities have an important bearing on the vexed question of rents., “The domination of labour unions has for years been a familiar story to builders and contractors who produce housing fop the public,’’ said the Board. “Those who occupy these houses now have an opportunity to see why the cost of housing construction has steadily increased and why, even on a lower material market, the major factor cost still remains at pre-war levels. The revelations of the past few days emphasise the nenecessity for State supervision of labour union methods through incorporation and a •crret s'nke ballot publicly suoervisec’i. These two requirements were recommended a year ago to .the Joint Legislative Housing Committee by the Real Estate Board through its Boa'd of Governors during its investigation into

the activities of Robert B. Brindel. They are as timely to-day as ever. We urge the Joint Legislative Housing Committee ,to look into the advisability of requiring the incorporation of labour unions and of a secret ballot, superintended by proper election authorities, to be taken by labour unions before ( the calling of strikes, and that, if these proposals be favourably considered, it frame legislation to put them into effect.-’