Registry No. 1635-1-0} 

NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION 

CODE OF FAIR COMPETITION 

FOR THE 

LINOLEUM AND FELT BASE 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 

AS APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1933 

BY 

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT 

WE DO OUR PART 

1. Executive Order of President Roosevelt 

2. Report of Administrator 

3. Report of Deputy Administrator 

4. Text of Code 

r I ( 

1 

( U Jll'ED S~ATES 

WASHINGTON : 1933 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. Price 5 cents 
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EXECUTIVE ORDER 

CODE OF FAIR COMPETITION' FOR LINOLEUM AND FELT BASE 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 

An application having been duly made, pursuant to and in full 

compliance with the provisions of title I of the National Industrial 

Recovery Act, approved June 16, 1933, for my approval of a Code of 

Fair Competition for the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturing 

Industry, and hearings having been held. thereon and the Administrator having rendered his report containing an anlysis of the said 

code of fair competition together with his recommendations and findings with respect thereto, and the Administrator having found that 

the said code of fair competition complies in all re. pects with the 

pertinent provisions of title I of said act and that the requirements 

of clauses ( 1) and ( 2) of subsection (a) of section 3 of the said act 

have been met: 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the 

United States, pursuant to the authority vested in me by title I of 

the National Industrial Recovery Act, approved June 16, 1933, and 

otherwise, do adopt and approve the report, recommendations and 

findings of the Administrator, and do order that the said code of 

fair competition be, and it is hereby approved. 

Approval r commended : 

Hum-I S. JOHNSON, 

Adminisfrator. 

The WHITE HousE, 

S epte1nber 18, 1933. 

FRANI(LIN D. ROOSEVELT. 

(ID) 
·r O the PRESIDENT : 

This is a report of the hearing of the Code of Fair Competition 

for the Linoleuim and Felt Base Manufacturing Industry, conducted 

in Washington on September 1, 1933, in accordance with the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act. 

The following exhibits are included and attached: 

1. Code as finally proposed 

2. Notice of hearing 

3. Statement of procedure 

4. Statistical analysis by Research and Planning Division 

5. Transcript of record 

6. Report ~f Deputy 

CONDUCT OF THE HEARING 

In the conduct of the hearing opportunity to be heard freely in 

public was afforded to every person who had filed a request for 

appearance, and all statutory and regulatory provisions were 

observed. 

The Code which is attached was presented by the duly authorized 

and qualified representatives of the Linoleum and Felt Base :Manufacturing Industry, representing, it is claimed, 100 percent of the 

industry. 

No one spoke at the public hearing in protest of any pro.vision of 

the Code proposed for this industry. 

RESUME OF CODE PROVISIONS 

Any member of the industry is eligible for membership in the 

Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturers' Association, proponents of 

the Code. · 

Th1embers of the industry will render to the Administrator reports 

relative to hours of labor, wages, volume of production, and fiinished 

stocks on hand, and such additional reports as may be required. 

The Code provides that no member of this industry shall cause 

or permit any employee except executives and their personal secretaries, salesmen, research technicians, foremen, and assistant foremen, to work un average o:f more than 40 hours per week in any 

26 weeks' period ( i.e., not over 1,0:!0 hours in any 26 weeks' period) 

and in no event, except shipping crews including truck drivers, 

more than 48 hours in any one week. In cases o:f emergency, laboratory technicians and mechanics engaged in repair work shall be 

exempt :from the maximum hour limitations. 

No member of this industry shall employ any minor under the 

age of sixteen years. 

The minimum -wage to be paid to any employees in this industry 

shall be at the rate of 40 cents per hour for male employees and 

(IV) 
V 

35 cents per hour for female employees. Female labor will receive the same pay as male labor for performing the same work 

under similar conditions. 

EFFECT OF CODE ON WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT 

The provisions of the proposed Code relating to wages and hours 

were put into effect by every concern in the industry on August 

1, 1933,. with the following results: 

The number of wage earners increased 55 percent above the 

average number employed during the first six months of 1933. 

More than 2,000 employees were added to the payroll, bringing the 

number engaged in the industry to 5,888, a total that is slightly 

above the average number employed in 1929 in all plants now 

operating. · 

The total pay roll per hour for the entire industry increased 82 

percent above the average paid during the first six months of 1933. The average wage rate for male factory employees rose 18 percent 

to 511⁄4 cents an hour. This· is 4 percent less than the average wage 

rate in effect in 1929. 

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ON CODE 

The Code has the approval of the Legal Division of this Administration, the Industrial Advisory Board, the Consumers' Advisory 

Board, and the Division of Economic Research and Planning. 

In giving approval of this Code the L abor Advisory Board makes 

a recommendation that statistics on overtime work in this industry 

be required. 

Findings 

I find that: 

(a) The Code complies in all respects with the pertinent provi-

~ions of Title I of the Act, including, without limitation, subsection 

(a) of Section 7 and subsection (b) of Section 10 thereof; and that 

(b) The Linoleum and F elt Base Manufacturers' Association imposes no inequitable restrictions on admission to membership therein, 

and is truly representative of the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturing Industry; and that 

( c) The Code is not designed to promote monopolies or to eliminate or oppress small enterprises, and will not oper ate to discriminate against them, and will tend to effectuate the policy of Title I 

of the National Industrial Recovery Act. 

R ec01n1nendation 

I hereby recommend the approval of the Code of Fair Competition 

for the Linoleum and Felt Base I\1anufacturing Industry. 

Respectfully submitted. 

HuoH S. JOHNSON, Adminisfrator. 
To the An1,nNISTRATOR: 

This is a report of the hBaring of the Code of Fair Competition 

for the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturing Industry, conducted 

in Washington on September 1, 1933, in accordance with the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act. 

The following exhibits are included and attached: 

1. RepoTt of the Industrial Advisory Board. 

2. Report of the Consumers' Advisory Board. 

3. Report of the Labor Advisory Board. 

4. Report of the Legal Di vision. 

5. Report o:f the Research and Planning Division. 

CONDUCT OF THE HEARING 

In the conduct of the hearing opportunity to be heard freely in 

public was afforded to every person who had filed a request for 

appearance, and all statutory and regulatory provisions were 

obs0 rved. 

The Code which is attached was presented by the duly authorized 

-and qualified representatives of the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturing Industry, representing, it is claimed 100 percent of the 

industry. 

No one spoke at the public hearing in protest of any provision of 

the Code proposed for this industry. 

CONDITIONS IN THE INDUSTRY 

Production in the Linoleum and F elt Base Manufacturing Industry reached a total of 158,542~000 square yards in 1929, of which 

46,513,000 square yards was linoleum, and 112,029,000 square yards 

was felt base. In 1932 this production dropped to a total of 

'94,527,000 square yards, a total decrease of 41 percent. Of this 

decrease, 16,125,000 square yards, or 71 percent, was lost in the linoleum branch of the industry. Felt-base production fell to 74,404,000 

square yards in 1932-a decrease of 29 percent in that branch of the 

industry. 

In 1929 the average employment in the industry was 5,768 wage 

earners. During the following three years the number gradually 

decreased so that in 1932 the average employment was but 3,975, a 

total decrease of 31.2 percent. 

The average number of employees on hourly rates in the industry 

during the first half of 1933 was 3,783. For the last half of 1933, 

with the proposed provisions of the Code in effect, it is estimated 

that the average number of emplov~es on hourly rates will be 5,380, 

representing an increase of more than 42 percent. 

(VI) 
VII 

NATURE OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS 

A majority of the many operations entering into the manufacture 

of linolem11 and felt base involve chemical processes. Typical examnles include the oxidization of linseed oil. the manufacture of linoleum cement, the seasoning of linoleum composition, the drying of 

coating compositions, the hardening of print paints, etc. It has been 

found by experience that most of these processes are affected by atmospheric conditions of temperature and humidity, as well as by 

unknown factors, and that the periods required for completion may 

vary widelv. 

The proposed Code, therefore, avoids a rigid limitation upon the 

maximum hours of workers in any one day, since it would interfere 

with the normal completion of a process and would endanger the loss 

of goods in production, where for unknown or unavoidable causes, 

the chemical process was not completed within the normal time. 

Also such operations as the inlaying of linoleum involve the use of 

elaborate machinery. A considerable part of each day's run is required to adjust such equipment for operation and to clean up after 

completion of the run. Unavoidable interruption during the run 

would mean lost production and goods partially processed would become wasted and the cost of operation would become excessive. 

RESUME OF CODE PROVISIONS 

• 

Any member of the industry is eligible for membership in the 

Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturers' Association, proponents oi 

the Code. 

Members of the industry will render to the Administrator reports 

relative to hours of labor, wages, volume of production, arid finished 

stocks on hand, and such additional reports as may be required. 

The Code provides that no member of this industry shall cause or 

penrut any employee, except executives and their personal secretaries, 

salesmen, research technicians, foremen, and assistant :foremen, to 

work an average of more than 40 hours per week in any 26-weeks 

period (i.e., not over 1,040 hours in any 26-weeks period). and in 

not event, except shipping crews, including truck drivers, more than 

48 hours in any one week. In cases of emergency, laboratory technicians, and mechanics engaged in repair work shall be exempt from 

the maximum-hour limitations. 

No member of this industry shall employ any minor under the age 

of 16 years. 

The minimum wage to be paid to any employees in this industry 

shall be at the rate of 40 cents per hour for male employees and 35 

cents per hour for f emale employees. F emale labor will receive the 

same pay as male labor for performing the same work under similar 

conditions. 

EFFECT OF CODE ON WAGES AND EMPLOYJ'IIIENT 

The provision of the proposed Code relating to wages and hours 

were put into effect by every concern in the industry on August 1, 

1933, with the following results: 
VIII 

The number of wage earners increased 55 percent above the average 

number employed during the first 6 months of 1933. More than 

2,000 employees were added to the pay roll, bringing the number 

engaged in the industry to 5,888, a total that is slightly above the 

average number employed in 1929 in all plants now operating. 

The total pay roll per hour for the entire industry increased 82 

percent above the average paid during the first 6 months of 1933. 

The average wage rate for male factory employees rose 18 percent 

to 511⁄4 cents an hour. This is 4 percent less than the average wage 

rate in effect in 1929. 

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ON CODE 

The Code has the approval of the Legal Division of this Administration, the Industrial Advisory Board, the Consumers' Advisory 

Board, and the Division of Economic Research and Planning. 

In giving approval of this Code the Labor Advisory Board makes 

a recommendation that statistics on overtime work in this industry 

be required. 

Findings 

I find that-

(a) The Code complies in all respects with the pertinent provisions 

of Title I of the Act, including, without limitation subsection (a) 

of Section 7, and subsection (b) of Section 10 thereof; and that, • 

(b) The Linoleum and Felt Base i1anufacturers' Association 

imposes no inequitable restrictions on admission to membership 

therein, and is truly representative of the Linoleum and Felt Base 

:t\1anufacturing Industry; and that, 

( c) The Code is not designed to promote monopolies or to eliminate or oppress small enterprises, and will not operate to discriminate against them, and will tend to effectuate the policy of Title I 

of the National Industrial Recovery Act. -. 

Rec01nmendation 

I hereby recommend the approval of the Code of Fair Competition 

f or the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturing Industry. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Approved: 

BARTON w. MURRAY, 

Asswtant Deputy Administrator. 

W. L. ALLEN, Deputy Administrator. 
CODE OF FAIR COMPETITION FOR THE LINOLEUM AND 

FELT BASE INDUSTRY 

For the purpose of complying with the provisions of Title I of 

the National Industrial Recovery Act, and effectuating the policy 

of Congress as declared in said Act, in so far as a pp lies to the 

within Industry, the following conditions and principles are adopted 

as a Code of Fair Competition (hereinafter referred to as the 

"Code") for the manufacturers of Linoleum and Felt Base 

Products. 

ARTICLE I-DEFINITIONS 

(a) " National Industrial Recovery Act", means the National 

Industrial Recovery Act approved by the President on June 16th, 

1933. 

(b) "Act", means National Industrial Recovery Act. 

( c) " President ", means the President of the United States of 

America. 

( d) "Administrator", means the duly appointed representative 

of the President to administer the Industrial Recovery Act. 

( e) "Association", means the Linoleum and Felt Base Manufacturers Association, of New York City. 

(f) "The Industry", means and includes the business of manufacturing and selling Linoleum and Felt Base Floor Covering 

products. 

(g) "Effective Date", means the second Monday after this Code 

is duly approved by the President. 

ARTICLE II-MEMBERSHIP 

Any member of the Industry is eligible for membership in the 

Association, and there shall be no inequitable restrictions on mem- bership. The provisions of the Code shall be applicable to all members of the Industry. 

ARTICLE III-CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT 

APPROVAL 

This Code and all the provisions thereof are expressly made sub- ject to the right of the President, in accordance with the provisions 

of Clause 10 (b) of the National Industrial Recovery Act, from time 

to time, to cancel or modify any order, approval, license, rule, or 

regulation issued under Title I of said Act, and specifically to the 

right of the President to cancel or modify his approv[ll of this Code 

or any conditions in1posed by him upon his approval thereof. 

12107°-133-37-33 (1) 
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ARTICLE IV-Houns OF LABOR, MINORS, RATES OF PAY, AND OTHER 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

SECTION 1. Hours of labor.-On and after the effective date no 

member of this Industry shall cause or permit any employee, except 

executives ancl their personal secretaries, salesmen, research technicians, foremen, and assistant foremen, to work an average of more 

than 40 hours per week in any 26 weeks' period ( i.e., not over 1,040 

hours in any 26 weeks' period) and in no event, except shipping 

crews, including truck drivers, more than 48 hours in any one week. 

Provided that in cases of emergency, laboratory technicians and 

mechanics engaged in repair work shall be exempt from the maximum 

hour limitations above provided. For the purposes of this Section, 

the first 26 weeks' period for each employee in the employ of any 

member of this Industry at the effective date of this Code shall begin 

with that date, and the first 26 weeks' period for any employee thereafter employed by any member of this Industry shall begin with the 

elate of employment of such employee by such member. 

SEc. 2. Minor Labor.- On and after the effective date, no member 

of this Industry shall employ any minor under the age of sixteen 

years: Provided, however, that where a State law specifies a higher 

minimum age, no member of this Industry shall employ within such 

State any person below the age specified by such State law. It has 

not been the custom in this Industry to employ child labor. 

SEc. 3. Minim,um, Wage Rates.- On and after the effective date, 

the minimum wage which shall be paid by members of this Industry 

to any employee except office employees, shall be at the rate of 40¢ 

per hour for male labor and 35¢ per hour for female labor. The 

above minimum rates of pay shall not in any way be considered 

as a discrimination by reason of sex and where in any case women 

do the same work, or perform substantially the same duties as men 

during the hours that they are legally permitted by State laws to 

be employed they shall receive the same rate of wage as men receive 

for doing such work or performing such duties. The minimum. 

wage paid to any office employee shall be at the rate o:f $14.00 per 

week. Rates paid for hourly labor in excess o:f the minimum rates 

shall be increased in :fair relation to the above minimum hourly 

wage rates. Said minimum hourly wage rates shall be maintained 

regardless of whether the employee is compensated on the basis of 

a time rate or on a piece-work performance: Provided, however, 

that when a State law specifies a higher minimum wage no member 

of this Industry shall employ within such State any person at a 

rate below the wage specified by such State law. 

SEC. 4. Employee organization and bargaining.-( a) Employees 

shall have the right to organize and bargain collectively through 

representatives of their own choosing, and shall be free from the 

interference, restraint, or coercion of employers or their agents, in 

the designation o:f such representatives or in sel:f-organization, or in 

other concerted activities :for the purpose of collective bargaining 

or other mutual aid or protection. 
3 

(b) No employee, and no one seeking employment in the Industry, 

shall be required a-s a condition of employment, to join any company 

union~ or to refrain from joining, organizing, or assisting a labor 

organization of his own choosing. 

( c) Employers shall comply with the maximun1 hours of labor, 

minimum rates of pay, and other conditions of employment, approved 

or prescribed by the President. 

ARTICLE V-REPORTS, STATISTICS 

With a view to !.:eeping the President infoTmed as to the functioning of this Code of Fair Competition, and whether the Industry 

is adopting and maintaining appropriate action to effectuate the 

declared policy of the Act, and to provide for making available to 

the Administrator and members of the Industry information to 

assist in effectuating the policy of the A.ct, each member of the 

Industry shall furnish to the Administrative Agency hereinafter 

provided for or to the Administrator, reports relative to hours of 

labor, wages, vohune of production and sales in units and/or dollars, 

and finished stocks on hand. :Members of the Industry shall furnish 

such additional reports and data as may be required by the Administrator or by the Association subject to the approval of the Administrator and otherwise in the form and manner as hereafter may be 

directed by the Administrator or the Association, subject to the 

approval of the Administrator. All of such reports and data shall 

be duly certified if requested by the Administrator or the Association. 

ARTICLE VI-VERIFICATION OF REPORTS 

All reports required by the Code to be filed with the Association 

shall be subject to verification by a competent and disinterested 

person, at such time or times, and by such person or persons as may 

be determined by the Association, subject to the approval of the 

Administrator. Provided, that if it should appear that any reports 

were not filed when and as required by the Code, or were inaccurate, 

the expense of such verifying work, subject to the approval of the 

Administrator, shall be paid by the member of the A sociation so 

in default. 

ARTICLE VII-ADJHINISTRA'IIYE AGENCY 

The Linoleum and Felt Base 1\1:anufacturers Association is hereby 

designated the Agency to cooperate with the Administrator in adn1inistering, supervising, and promoting the performance of the provisions of this Code by the members of the Linoleum and Felt Base 

Industry. 

ARTICLE VIII-A.}.IIENDl\-IENTS 

Such of the provisions of this Code as are not required to be 

included therein by the National Industrial Recovery A.ct 111ay, with 

the approval of the President, be modified or eliminated as changes 

in the circumstances or e:s:peri.ence may indicate. It is contemplated 
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3 1262 08584 7761 

that :from time to time, supplementary provisions to this Code or 

additional Codes will be submitted :for the approval o:f the President 

to prevent un:fair competition in price and other un:fair and destructive competitive practices and to effectuate other purposes and policies o:f Title I o:f the National Industrial Recovery Act consistent 

with the provisions thereo:f. 

Approved by all o:f the members o:f the Industry as :follows: 

ARMSTRONG Comr. COMPANY, J. C. D UNN & Co., 

BrnD & SoN SALES CoRPORA.TION, MANNINGTON J\1ILLS, !Ne., 

BoN-A-FrnE MILLS, !Ne ., THE PARAFINE CoMPANIEs, INc ., 

CARTHAGE MILLS INCORPORATED, THE CoTT-A-LAP CoMPANY, INc ., 

CoNGOLEUM-NArnN, !Ne., SANDURA CoMPANY, lNc., 

DELAWARE FLOOR PRODUCTS, l Nc., SLoANE-BLABON CORPORATION. 

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