The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-30
EPOCHAL MOVE
TO AID LABOR
IS UNDER WAY
Conference to Launch Drive
to Frame National
Work Policy.
LEADERS WILL ATTEND
Secretary Frances Perkins
to Hear Views of All
Classes.
BY MAX STERN,
Times Special Writer


WASHINGTON, March 30.-A
national labor policy, both for the
emergency and for reconstruction
days, vii be evolved in a series
of important conferences, the first
Of which is to take place here Fri
day on call of Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins.
This meeting is not only the first
of its kind in America, but. because
OF its broad-gauge agenda and its
PERSONAL, it is expected to write
industrial history.
Some siXty-five leaders, econo-
miStS, and social workers have beer
invited, with labor leaders predcm-
lating. Among the latter will be
those of different shades of faith
including the conservative Amer
lean Federation of Labor chieftain
William Green, and his staff Of
vice-presidentS, the progressive raj
brotherhoods' spokesman, and the
ultra-liberal Amalgamated Cloth
ing Workers able president, Sidney
Hillman.
1t is hoped that all these may
unite upon a looking pro-
gram that the Roosevelt admin
istration can support.
Program Is Outlined
The emergency measures on
a genda Unemployment relief
public works; short work hours; in
crease of the purchasing power OF
Americas wage earnerS; security
through unemployment insurance or
reserves; home mortgage relief for
workers and joblesS; methods of
reabSorbing labor into normal jobs
Permanent measures to be dis
cusSed include: The setting of in
dustrial standards now threatened
with breakdown, including indus
trial accident, workmen's compenSa-
ton, industrial disease and SANTA
ton measures; methods for settling
disputes; rail organization; old age
pensions; child labor abatement;
employment exchanges; the rela-
tons between states and federal
government in achieving labor's
ends.
With the emergency relief pro-
gram launched in the Costigan-La
Toilette Wagner bill and the Roose-
welt forestation project, the greater
part of Fridays discussion prob
ably will center on the questions of
public works and other means of
restoring buying power to the
masses.
Wants Public Works
Labor is united for a great public
works program. The statement by
President Roosevelt that he will not
consider emergency relief in his
plans for balancing the current
budget encourages labor in the faith
that he will back its ambitious pub
lie works plans as the next phase
of his relief program.
Such projects as decreasing
elimination, slum abatement, school
buildings, federal public works and
other projects of needed work will
be discussed.
The short Work-day and short
week issue is before congress in the
Black thirty hour week bill. The
conference, however. will discuss
other methods of reducing work
hours to absorb the jobless, state
laws, agreements between workers
and employees, contracts, and inter
state compacts.
Minimum Wage Urged
Minimum wage laws will be urged
to increase purchasing power. The
Importance of this issue to Amer
lean recovery is shown by the 1880
census, revealing that one in every
three persons normally employed is
a wage learner.
Under security the conference
probably will indorse compulsory
state unemployment insurance laws.
and possibly federal aid, as pro-
vided for in the Wagner bill.
Labor is anxious that the Presi-
dents plan for farm mortgage re-
lief extend to the small home own
err of the city as we'll
Question Of reabsorbing workers
into industry will bring up a dis
cussion of industrial training, new
industries, and other means of TAX
ing care of the temporary and tech
nologically jobless.