THE NEW EUROPE

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 11

THE NEW EUROPE

ready for skyscrapers. OLD TRADITIONS GIVING WAY. Mr G. E. J. Pistor, treasurer of the American institute of Steel Construction, Inc., returned to New York recently from Europe with ideas for the introduction of skyscrapers in the principal cities on the Cdhtihent and Great Britain. ' , . European cities are still hampered in building tall structures by antiquated codes and traditions, but these are fast disappearing, he said. Mr Pistor found everywhere, he continued, an interest in skeleton frame lmiklim/s, where each . Hoor supports its own wall instead of the European method of building by which the weight of each wall is maintained from the foundation. In England the builders are handicapped by a oode concerning ‘‘ancient lights” as it is called, which forbids the construction of houses above a certain height. . . A sentiment in favour of revising this code is growing fast iti England, Mr Pistor said, and it will pave the way toward the acceptance Of Skyscrapers. “It is my belief,” the steel man continued, "that economy and convenience will demand a more modern style in any rebuilding pro-

gramme. To have elevators In the six and seven story buildings which can be used only for ascending and requiring the public to walk downstairs is not only inconvenient but out of date.’” w Mr Pistor added that the steel for the rebuilding of the European business centres Will Undoubtedly come from the mills in the various countries and that this new activity would restrict exportation of steel, thereby benefiting the American product for the world market. In Liege, Belgium, he attended the International Congress of Metallic Structures and in London the meeting of the British Steel Workers’ Assocaition.

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