CHAPTER IV 



LABOR AND CONTRACTS 

 DAY LABOR VERSUS CONTRACT WORK 



THIS is a broad question. A few general remarks, 

 however, can be made in this connection which may 

 be of service. 



Park work involving the use of elaborate machinery can 

 be done cheaper by contract. This applies to such opera- 

 tions as steam-shovel work, pile driving, bridge construc- 

 tion and the erection of large buildings. 



Grading work and masonry construction can generally 

 be done cheaper by contract, as can sewer construction and 

 the laying of water pipe. 



The smoothing of the topsoil and its preparation for 

 planting should be done by day labor if a well-organized 

 superintendent's force can be gotten together. All garden- 

 ing operations can be done much more satisfactorily by 

 day labor. 



Occasionally, however, some of the heavier engineering 

 operations may be executed by day labor under good organ- 

 ization. Grading, path and drive construction, and even 

 light masonry work have been done in this way. 



It is a well-known fact among contractors that they can 

 get much more work out of men than can municipal and 

 park departments. The reason is obvious. The contract- 

 ing firm is better organized usually with one man at the 

 head who gains or loses financially on each contract. A 

 laborer who is inefficient is immediately discharged. 



74 



