The Washington times., 1922-11-07
POWERS
Of BOARD
QUASHED
Chairman Will Start on an Ap-
peal to Supreme Court at
Once-His Views.

There will be no changes in
wages paid women in Washing
ton-at least at the present time
AS a result of the decision of
the District Court of Appeals
yesterday. The court declared
the minimum wage law uncon-
stitutional in a decision rendered
by Justice Van Orsdel.
: Conference On Plans.
M. ID. Rosenberg, general coun'
eel for the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association. and Charles
j. Columbus, secretary OF the or
ganization will hold conference
tomorrow morning and decide on
what steps to take.
The opinion Of Mr.. Columbus and
Mr.. Rosenberg, IL was said today,
probably will be accepted by mem:
bers of the organization, most or
whom are affected by the minimum
wage law.
while there is nothing definite
I can say at this time" said Mr..
Columbus, Il feel sure that l will
be right in predicting that the
wages of women and girls in this
city, affected by the minimum wage
law, will not be reduced at this
time"
The decision of Justice Van Ors-
dels will result in carrying the
case to the United States Supreme
Court.
Jesse c. Adkins, chairman of the
Minimum Wage Board, has called
n conference of the board tomor.
row. The board tomorrow VIII
make an official decision on ap'
pealing the case to the highest
court in the land.
Quashes Boards Powers.
Mr.. Adkins said today that the
decision of Justice Van Orsdel. Tor
the present, practically takes away
all powers of the wage board. ne
said the board cannot now enforce
its wage decisions.
= But the women and girls affected
by this law and who. by any chance.
would suffer reduction in wages
because of Justice Orsdels decisioa.
will have recourse. il the United
States Supreme Court finally up.
holds the minimum wage law, SAID
Mr.. Adkins.
"These employees may then sue
their employers for back pay, or
the difference in the wage set by
the board and tina; wage given oy
the employers" -,
Members of the board, it was said
today, do not feel that any reduction
in wages will come at the present
time.
Reduction Recently Refused.
There are 800 girls and women
affected by Justice Van Orsdeis de-
cision that the wage law Is uncon'
stitutional. These girls ana women
are now receiving about $l5 or slo
a week, while before the wage law
became effective they were getting,
some of them, less than $40 week.
The wages of women and girls
as set by the board, are: employees
in mercantile establishments, $3.50
a week; hotels, restaurants, slO.oo'
printing trades, $3.50, and laun'
dries, SIS.
An attempt was made some months
ago to reduce the wages Of employees
of stores. The wage board ncld "A
hearing, considered the request OF
the employers, and finally refused to
make a change in the wages.
Expects Fight In Court.
Officials of Washington's trade
bodies other than the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association today
withheld comment on the Van Orsdel
decision.
'"I should consider 1t improper to
make any statement upon matter
still in litigation" said Thomas
Bradley, president of the Washing
ton. Board of Trade. II and other
officers OF this organization feel
deep interest in the minimum wage
question, but ! am sure that as 1t
promises to go to the Supreme Court
for final settlement, comment would
be out of place"
Speaking for the Washington
Chamber of Commerce. A. Il. Sey.
mour, secretary, declared the mem
bers Of this body are not directly
concerned In the decision.
II hardly think there will be any
statement made" he declared,
though something may be said
about Il at tonight's meeting of the
hoard of direCtOrs "