Evening star., 1933-06-27

tirely with the deputy administrator,
witnesses being presented for question
ing by him, and by no one else, un-
less he shall SO direct.
Regarded as Witnesses.
IS. There is no restriction upon
representation of parties in these pro-
ceedings by attorneys or specialists, but
such representatives so far as heard in
these proceedings should regard them
selves at witnesses subject to the ques-
tioning of the deputy administrator
and not as counsel conducting law
suit"
Acting upon the request of Johnson,
the code left general business practices
to a later agreement, and covered only
the labor questions.
Prior to the hearing. leaders of the
industry sought to iron out some re-
naming difficulties. These centered on
elimination of child labor, and modifi-
cation of the "stretch-out" system
under which there is no limit to the
number of machines a worker may be
compelled to attend. This has been
regarded by labor as the outstanding
weakness Of the code submitted by the
manufacturers.
Operators were reported receptive to
a modification of the system.
The opening of the hearing threw di-
rectly into action one of the greatest
emergency machines ever created by
the Government, with its goal the rails
ing, of wages and purchasing power,
and general stabilization of industry.
Sloan Fellows Richberg.
Following Richberg, Sloan led off for
the textile code by reading it Slowly
to show that under it one of Americas S
greatest industries offered under Gov
ernment supervision to fix a minimum
wage for unskilled employe5-exce5t
apprentices and outside workers - of
$40 per week in the South and $11 ir
the North, the difference being based
upon higher living costs in the North
The code also Stipulates that no en-
ploye would be worked more than 40
hours week and that productive ma
chlnery would not operate more thaa
two shifts Of 40 hours each per week:
that returns would be made to the
President every four weeks showing
actual hours worked by the various
occupational groups of employees and
minimum rates of wages.
In addition, machinery data would
be presented regularly and reports OF
production. sales stocks and orders.
AS required by the law, the employees
were guaranteed the right to organize
and bargain collectively through repre-
sentativeS of their own choosing and be
free from interference, restraint or CO.
ercion of employers of labor
Industry Highly Competitive.
Sloan pointed out that the industry
was highly competitive with many
units and many small mills.
Many communities are dependent on
it, he said, and high investment cost
is present and it suffers from great
mechanical overcapacity.
There are 30,000,000 Spindles in place
in the country and on a three-shift
basis the countryS consumption can be
taken care of by less than 100000
spindles.
Reduction in mechanical operations
to two daily shifts would do much to
eliminate the threat of overcapacity, in
Sloan'S opinion He estimated the re-
duction in hours to 40 weekly would
provide employment for more than
100000, thereby bringing the total in
the industry to figure above the 1929
level.
The textile representatives were eau
toned by w. L. Allen, deputy admins
traitor. who had taken Jonnson's place,
presiding, that criticisms invited at the
meetings on the code must have no
animosity."
Attempt at Partnership.
He defined the true spirit of the
meeting as IAN attempt at a partner
ship between industry and the Govern
ment," adding that the spirit of CO.
operation and partnership has been
displayed to the utmost by the cotton
textile group"
Without citing the tariff as such, he
made it plain the industry would ex-
pect to be protected against loss of
markets because of cost increases due
to the code.
by other activities of the Govern
ment We are faced with an increased
cost Of raw materials" he said.
While it is desirable to increase the
purchasing power of the cotton farmer.
we must be sure the increased costs
are not curtailing consumption"
Allen asked about small mills which
Sloan had mentioned as concerned
about the code
Are there many small mills in the
list?" Allen asked.
There are, SIR Sloan replied. "The
problem worrying them the most is how