Evening star., 1933-07-24
STORE GROUP HERE
BACKS PRESIDENT.
Approves Employment Code
and Is Making Plans to
Follow II.

The department store group Of the
Merchants and Manufacturers ASSocia-
tion announced its complete approval
Of the Presidents code on employment
at noon today, following an executive
meeting Of department store executives
at the associations headquarters.
Details Of the operation Of the code
department store fields was to be dis
cussed 1T meeting of department store
controllers later in the afternoon. Fol-
lowing this second meeting, it was ex-
planned. data on the number OF store
employees whose salaries would be In
creased, and. possibly. the manner in
which, the working hours of employees
might be brought into compliance with
the codes provisions, will be available.
Edward D. Shaw, executive secretary
OF the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, said that at this mornings s
session 1t was shown that on the Sum-
mer schedule embracing the Saturday
closing the 40-hour week is enjoyed by
all store employees. For the most part.
too. Mr.. Shaw declared. the Washing
ton department stores salary rate com
plies with the minimum set forth in the
code.
Some May Get Raise.
However. 1t appears now that such
employees IS bundle wrappers and others
In similar lesser positions may receive
pay increase. The code establishes
$3.50 week as the minimum wage
Tor clerks and this provision is met
already BY most stores, Mr.. Shaw said
One Of the problems confronting de-
partment store operators in complying
with the code. Mr.. Shaw said following
this mornings meeting, Is the estab-
lshment of . 40-hour week the wear
around while, at the same time, keeping
the stores open at least so hours a
week: This probably will be discussed
1t this afternoons meeting of con-
trollers
Action Of the department store group
OF the Merchants and Manufacturer
Association today was in line with opin-
Ions expressed throughout Washing
TONS industrial field following an
ho1ncement OF the code Friday
Leaders in the fields of public utili-
ties. beverage manufacturers. iron works
mining and commercial printing have
given their approval of the code and
the spirit which prompted its framing
Practically an promised wholehearted
cooperation and most point out that
their wage scales already are above the
code level.
Printers in Accord.
Gerald A. Walsh. secretary of the
lypotnetae OF Washington, a group req
resenting about 80 per cent OF the
commercial printing production in
Washington. expressed hearty accord
with the Presidents objectives" and
promised to do everything possible to
cooperate with his program" He fore
cast early plans for the Inauguration of
35-hour week.
Aoner Drury, vice president of the
brewing concern bearing his name. be-
heves the code "Opens the road to re-
covery for the Nation" His companys
week already Is on . 4O-hour schedule,
and the wage is above the code level.
O. w. Forsberg. owner of the Fors-
berg Machine. Boiler and Foundry
Works, said that not only Is his con-
Germs wage schedule above the codes.
but that I'VE intend to hold it there"
Being q repair shop. however. he said
nours week for convenience Of Gus
toners. but wherever possible I'VE will
abide by the 40-hour- week clause
Sees No Hardship. 49,.
Similar approval Is given by Karl F.
JorSS. wee president OF the JOrSs Iron
Works, who told The Star that the re-
duced hours will not work hardship on
manufacturers"
Howard l. wilkins. president of the
Wilkins-Rogers Milling Co., expressed
belief that the working week should re-
ceive certain exceptions, contending that
. firm that has maintained its 1929
wage level Throughout the depression
should not now be required to shorten
its week. His firm, he explains. works
its employees 60 hours q week and while
much Of the labor Is mere machine
tending" the employees are well paid
for their labor" Reduction Of the work.
ing week to 40 hours, he said, would
obltge the firm to reduce the wages
materially in proportion to the curtail-
ment."
John A. Remon. general manager for
the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
Co.. promised cooperation with the ad-
ministration. asserting that the COM
pany has conducted its business lin ac-
cordance with the principles of the re-
covery act for some time"