Montana labor news., 1933-05-11
PRESIDENTS
WAGE PLEA
D|SAPPO|NTS

WASHINGTON - (FP) - Presi-
dent R~oosevelt's request to the dele
gates in the annual meeting of the
U. s. Chamber of Commerce, that
they voluntarily stabilize wages and
gradually increase wages in proper
ton to any rise in the cost of living,
was a keen disappointment to the la
Dor and progressive elements in
Washington.
Coming Immediately after the
Chambers own arefully-disseminated
propaganda to the effect that Ameri-
can employers have experienced a
change of heart and were eager to
establish a living wage and to stamp
out the sweatshop plague, Mr.. Roose-
velt's mild suggestions furnished a
distinct anti-climax. They served no
tice upon the labor organizations and
the Presidents own progressive back
ers that he would furnish no substi-
tute for the Black 30-hour legislation,
with its minimum wage amendment
proposed by Secretary of Labor Per-
kins. The Chambers spokesman had
indicated that organized business was
ready to offer to Congress imme-
diately a definite plan for Federal
control Of production of factories and
mines. 1t was understood that this
bill would provide for Federal regu-
lation Of hours, minimum wage scales
and production totals, the Federal
power being applied only after trade
associations maintained by the sew
eral industries had failed to enforce
fair standards.
This outline of the concessions
which American employers, through
the Chamber, were willing to make in
order to avoid direct Federal regula-
ton as proposed in the Black-P Perkins
Bill, was based on the assumption that
President Roosevelt intended to go
before the Chamber with an indus
trial ultimatum. 1t was assumed
that the President was alarmed at the
steady growth of unemployment
since he took office, and that he would
tell the Chamber that unless it quick
ly established discipline among EN-
ployers and restored a living wage
with shorter hours, he would join with
congress in the present session in
undertaking the job. He was expect
ed to point out hat a minimum wage
and shorter hours were absolutely es-
sential to the unemployment of mill
lions now idle and dependent upon
public relief funds for their mainten-
ance.
Mr.. Roosevelt said nothing so de-
cisive. His requests to the employ
ers had none of the tone of an emer-
gency, such as the Chamber itself as
sumed he recognized as existing.
When the delegates realized the drift
of his remarks, there was an imme-
diate cooling off of the enthusiasm
for Federal control of wages and
hours, even with cooperation with
the employers.
A few hours before addressing the
Chamber, the President had sent to
Congress a bill providing for co-or-
dination of the railroads. The effect
of this legislation, if enacted, is pre-
dicted by leaders Of real labor to be
a further reduction in employment
without any compensating stability of
jobs for those who will remain in the
service.
General Atterbury, President of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in a
luncheon speech to the Chamber on
the same day, had declared for rail
consolidation and coordination with
out guarantee of employment to the
men now in rail jobs. He had insist
ed, however, that investors in rail Sc
c%urities be safeguarded against loss.
He had demanded long-term low-rate
financing of the railroads by the Gov
eminent and had denounced any pro-
gram of government ownership as
likely to lead to extravaganza in wage
rates.
30-HOUR WEEK MAKES JOBS