Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-27
ATTACKS PAY CUT
PLAN FOR lob AID
Couzens Calls on U. S. Cham
Der for Expression on Sub
ject at Convention.

Scouting the feasibility of helping
the business depression and unemploy-
ment situation through the medium of
wage reductions, Senator Cou1enS, Re-
publican, OF Michigan, has addressed
an open letter TO the United States
Chamber Of Commerce asking for an
expression, at the organizations forth
coming convention IN Atlantic City. on
the several phases Of the whole subject
which he presented. The letter also
contained suggestions as to matters to
be considered at this conference.
The Senator's letter was based on a
recent statement by Julius Barnes, for
mer president Of the chamber and head
Of the Hoover Business Conference
Committee, in which Barnes suggested
that the so, 0OO, 900 now being paid
daily 10 10000, 900 workers be spread
over the entire IS 1000, 900, usually en-
ployed.
Saying he had not yet received a
promised invitation TO address the
meeting. Couxens, writing to william
Butterworth, president Of the chamber.
reiterated the hope the chamber would
not advocate wage reductions, but
would consider various forms of unem-
ployment insurance, security Of work
ers' income, pooling of reserves to
stabilize income Of employees. and cur
tailment Of the orgy" Of installment
sales.
Thinks Labor Would Bear Burden.
Space does not permit me to go
into the matter at the same length that
would had received an invitation
However, ! have submitted this In the
form Of an open letter so all of your
delegates may have an opportunity OF
considering these questions"
Then citing the statement by Barnes,
who now 10 chairman OF the board of
directors Of the chamber. he asked:
Does this not place the entire bur-
den Of unemployment on the wage earn
ers and relieve capital of any expense
in taking care Of the 100000 unem-
pioyed2
what Il causing the failure of business
TO recover Is the instability Of the in
come OF those already working?
Does the chamber realize that this
some forty million workers in self
preservation must conserve every dol
lar possible in fear OF having their in
comes reduced or cut Of entirely by
further unemployment?
Does the chamber realize that those
employed only on part time cannot play
any part in bringing around the re-
Expression Il Asked.
will the chamber at its convention
please 60 on record whether it believes
In q reduction In wages or a possible
increase or at least q maintenance of
existing wage scales2
Does the chamber realize that to
reduce wages would simply bring
around Q nnaladjuStment of the dis
tribution Of the earnings OF capital and
labor that existed before the depres-
sion?
How will q reduction In wages in
erase the purchasing power. which is
so badly needed at this time?"
Senator Couzens quoted Barnes fur
ther to show $4,000, 900 persons normal
ly employed received approximately
$50 900 900 daily and that the 10000,
600 still employed received $4,000, 900,
which he suggested be spread over the
entire $4,000, 900 persons.
Couzens contended that thus, under
the Barnes proposal, there Is to be
taken from those employed approx
nately $4,000, 900 daily to be distributed
In wages tor employment Of those now
unemployed"
This would place the entire burden
Of unemployment on the wage earners
he added.