t637-G Registry No. 17 48-3-05 

NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION 

PROPOSED CODE OF FAIR COMPETITION 

FOR THE 

PLAY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY 

AS SUBMITTED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1933 

The Code for the Play Publishing Industry 

in its present form mereJy .reflect.s the proposal of the above-mentioned 

industry, and none of the provisions contained therein are 

to be regarded as having received the approval of 

the Nat.ional Recovery Administration 

as applying to this industry 

UNITED STATES 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1933 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. - - - - - - Price 5 cents 
SUBMITTED BY 

XATIOXAL AS '0 IATION OF PLAY PUBLISHERS 

(II) 
A BUSINESS CODE FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

OF PLAY PUBLISHERS 

ARTICLE I-PURPOSES 

SECTION 1. This code is adopted pursuant to Title 1 of the -National Industrial Recovery Act. 

SEc. 2. The purposes of the code are to effectuate the policies of "Title 1 of the National Industrial Recovery Act as it is applicable to 

-.the business of publishing and distributing Plays and other Entertainment :material throughout the United States. TheN ational Asso- .ciation of Play Publishers, representing a trade established in the 

United States almost 100 years ago, recognizes the necessity of full 

and effective compliance and cooperation with the National Industrial Recovery Act in presenting a code to establish principles of 

fair competition within its trade as well as to promote the maximum 

possible increase in employment; it desires to call attention to the 

fact that during the years 1929 to 1933 the record of their trade 

shows that wages have not generally been reduced and that in but 

few instances have such wage cuts as were instituted equalled the _generally accepted percentage of reduction in the cost of living. 

The National Association of Play Publishers, representing 

approximately between 90% and 95% of this trade, both in numbers .and in bulk of trade, have signed or have indicated their intention 

of signing the blanket code, wish to call attention to the fact that 

their trade differs in so many ways from other types of publishing .and trade distribution that they feel a separate code is imperative for 

-the proper conduct of their business. Not only is the type of material 

unique but the market reached differs from that of any other type 

of publishing and trade distribution. Furthermore, there are 

marked differences in merchandising and an unusual combination of ·distributing and retail selling which differentiates their trade from 

that of other types of publishing and distribution. The use of directby-mail selling as the principal outlet of their product is significant. 

Despite the specialized and seasonal nature of the labor in the Play 

Publishing trade which makes the addition of permanent work -exceptionally difficult, we pledge ourselves to create new jobs in 

every feasible and equitable way. 

Feeling that their record in matters of sustained wage levels and 

-ethical competition is exceptionally good at the present time, they 'have confined themselves in the code submitted herewith, to: 

1. A confirmation of the present high-wage levels and an effort to 

maintain the present wage schedule and other aims set forth in .the labor provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act. Further, it is our desire to increase the present wage levels as trade con- ·ditions warrant. 

2. Regulation of unfair competition. 

3. Regulation of advertising statements. 

9656-33 (1) 
4. A practical method of administering and enforcing the codifications of the three foregoing sections, as referred to in Article 7, 

this code. 

ARTICLE 2-LABOR CODE 

The Play Publishing trade employs no unskilled labor, and virtually all its employees are engaged in clerical work. No labor 

abuses, child labor, or sweat-shop conditions, obtain in the trade. 

SECTION 1. No employee and no one seeking employment shall be required as a condition of employment to join any company union or to 

refrain from joining any labor organization of his own choosing. 

SEc. 2. Employers shall comply with the maximum hours of labor, 

minimum wage rates, and other conditions of employment determined by the President of the United States. 

ARTICLE 3-HOURS OF LABOR 

The maximum number of working hours per week for any em~ 

ployee shall not exceed 40. This regulation shall not apply to 

executives who receive more than $35.00 per week. 

ARTICLE 4-MINIMUM CoMPENSATION 

SECTION 1. Not to pay any of the classes of employees mentioned 

in paragraph 2, President's Reemployment Agreement, less than 

$15.00 per week in any city of over 500,000 population, or in the 

immediate trade area of such city; nor less than $14.50 per week in 

any city of between 250,000 and 500,000 population, or in the immediate trade area of such city; nor less than $14.00 per week in any 

city of between 2,500 and 250,000 population, or in the immediate 

trade area of such city; and in towns of less than 2,500 population 

to increase all wages by not less than 20%, provided that this shall 

not require wages in excess of $12.00 per week. 

SEc. 2. No distinction shall be made as between male and female · employees. 

SEc. 3. Part-time employees shall receive in the case of every 

company a minimum compensation of 35¢ per hour, unless they be· on full time, in which case the minimum rates above stated will 

apply to them as well. 

ARTicLE 5-UNFAIR CoMPETITION 

Any adverse reference to the goods, services, or prices, whether of· books or of royalties of the plays, or volumes, of any competitor 

will be regarded as unfair competition. 

ARTICLE 6--UNFAIR ADVERTISING 

SECTION 1. The use of any reduced price, whether of a published:. 

play, book, or royalty, as an advertising feature or "selling point,. shall be regarded as unfair advertising. 
3 

SEc. 2. The members agree in all their advertising, neither directly 

nor indirectly, to issue untrue or misleading statements of fact 

regarding the play or book advertised. 

ARTIOLE 7 

It shall be the duty of the EweC1J;tive Oo1nmittee to consider and 

adjudicate all cases of alleged violations of Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 

in the code adopted by the National Association of Play Publishers 

in accordance with the provisions of the National Industrial 

Recovery Act. 

(Signed) HARRY C. ELDRIDGE, President. 

L. L. SERGEL, Secretary-Treaswer. 

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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 

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