But the Guild Socialists were hot disheartened. They decided to adopt new measures to establish their system. There was plenty of money about at the time and a great shortage of commodities. Thousands of people were clamouring for houses. Thousands more warnted to replace their worn out furniture. Private building firms were contracting to build houses for Municipal Housing Committees at prices hitherto unheard of. From £750 to £1000 was being paid for the erection of cottages that could have been built for £150 in pre-war days. The plant necessary for the erection of small dwelling houses is neither very elaborate or expensive. The Guild enthusiasts saw in these conditions an opportunity to start in bus-mess for themselves as a National Building Guild," and hoped for such success as would ultimately eliminate the speculative builder from the industry.
A little capital was soon obtained from various sources, the chief
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.