Evening star., 1918-04-17
ARGUE FOR A BOARD
ON MINIMUM WAGE
Witnesses Tell Senate Com
mittee 1t Is Only Practi-
cal Plan.
D. C. MERCHANTS FAVOR 1T

That intelligent investigation by an
impartial board into such questions as
minimum wages, and determination by
the board following such an investiga-
ton, is the only fair way of dealing with
such matters, was the testimony given
today before the Senate District com
mittee on the Trammell bill to establish
a minimum wage commission for women
and minors employed in the District.
Senator Hollis of New Hampshire,
member of the Senate District subcom-
mittee which is handling the johnson
antf-prof1teering rent bill. questioned
Felix Frankfurter. secretary OF the
Presidents mediation commission, in
regard to this matter. Mr.. Frankfurter
insisted that such a plan was the safest
and best method of handling such prob
lens, and that a hard and fast law
usually was found to do injustice to
some parties.
Bears on Rent Bill.
Three of the senators present, in
cIuding myself are members of sub
committee considering a measure to
handle the question of fair rents in the
District Of Columbia" said Senator
Hollis. "and we are Interested in this
question"
Mr. Frankfurter expressed the gen.
eral opinion that 1.-The only salvation
lies in disinterested investigation" by
an impartial commission, and that
hard and fast law worked injustice
The Johnson anti-proflteering bill pro-
vides for a hard and fast law limiting
rents. The Senate committee has been
urged by many persons here to give
its approval to bill providing for
rent administrator.
Speakers at the Hearing.
The great need of establishing a
minimum wage commission for women
and minors in the District of Columbia,
particularly during these war times.
was emphasized by the speakers today.
They included Senator Trammall,
Charles ]. Columbus, secretary of Mer-
chants and Manufacturers, Association:
Mrs Florence Kelley. Louis Brownlow,
commissioner of the District of Column
bia: DR.. w. c. Woodward. health officer
of the District; Edward A. Filene Of
VIM. Filene's Sons Company of Boston,
director and chairman of the war ship
ping committee of the U. S. Chamber of
Commerce.
Mrs. Frances Axtell. formerly a mem
Der of the retail store wage board of
the state of Washington and now
member of the United States Employees
Commission; Dr.. Arthur
n Holcombe, a member of the Massa-
chusetts minimum wage eommission
Efficiency Commission: H. N. McLartn:
president Of the Federal Employees
Union; Miss Mary O'Sullivan, a former
salesgirl OF Washington; Miss iss.hl Julia
setts Telephone Operators Union and
member of the brushmakers' and retail
store wage boards of Massachusetts,
the employees William II
Of Defense.
Attitude of Merchants.
Mr.. Columbus assured the committee |
that the merchants and manufacturers !
regard the Trammell bill with favor. The !
board of directors of the organization. he |
said. has favored it. and many individual
members Of the association nave ex- |
pressed their approval
''The attitude Of your organization"
suggested Senator Hollis; ought to de-
termine the fate Of the bill
chants and manufacturers liked the |
commission idea. with power to ar
bitrate and Ak wage scales as condi- |
tions may arise.
trict has been put in an unfortunate |
light in recent attacks upon it. He
pointed out that business must have !
an efficient organization. and that meant |
ceed.- He said he believed the Tram |
NELL bill was workable.
District Commissioner Brownlow told |
the committee of war conditions as they |
exist in Washington and said he be- |
lieved the Trammel1 bill should be en-
acted into law, since its tendency
would be to give fair wages to women |
and minors employed here and to re-
strict the number of persons coming |
here at this time for employment in |
stores and manufactures.
Results of Wage Legislation.
Mr., yrankfurter told the committee |
that ths question Of minimum wage |