The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-19

The house labor committee,
which reported the original
limited bill favorably on two
different occasions, proposes
to hold extensive hearings,
starting Monday, on the new
administration bill.
Chairman Connery Dem, Mass.)
Is suggesting to his committee today
that such industrialists as Henry
Ford, Gerard Swope, owen D. Young
and others be invited to express
their views.
Such hearings threaten indefinite
delay. and probably will make it
necessary for the President to give
his militant support if the bill is to
be enacted.
Control of production, as proposed
in the bill, is intended as a further
protection to employers against cut
throat competition, and for this rea-
son will be Endorsed by part of in
dustry and fought by part.
Curb OverprOductiOn
The amendment along these lines,
submitted to the committee by La
Dor Secretary Perkins, provides that
wherever too great activity in any
industry is preventing a fair bal
ance of production and is bringing
about unfair competition in inter
state commerce., with consequent
hardship to other plants and injury
to the public welfare, the secretary
of labor shall be authorized to limit
the total hours during which the
offending plants may work.
If a suggestion from her, and
publicity for offenders. does not
bring about the desired results, the
products of such factories may be
barred from interstate commerce.
Fines and Imprisonment are pro-
vided for violations of this and
other sections of the bill.
Radical Changes Made
The labor secretary could exer-
else considerable stabilizing con-
troll over mines as we'll as manufac-
lures. She could prevent over
expansion of over-activity at any
season which might prevent other
plants from maintaining steady
production
Unlike other sections of the meas
IRE designed to create immediate
employment for those who are with
out jobs at present. this section
looks to regularity and permanency
of employment.
1t generally is regarded with favor
by those who have advocated modi-
f1cation of the antitrust laws, and
also by those anxious for govern
ment economic planning.
Other sections also are changed
radically by administration amend
mentS.
Elastic Limitations
Secretary Perkins proposes that
the limitation on working hours be
made more elastic by provision that
for ten weeks in any year industries
upon proper showing of need may
work as much as forty hours a week.
During the rest of the year thirty
hours would be the limit.
Regulation of working hours and
of lust and reasonable" wages is
to be in the hands of boards APP
pointed by the secretary and con-
tanning representatives of employers,
workers and the consuming public.
Wages and working hours thus
might be different in different in
dustries, and this elasticity would
60 far toward making the bill ac-
ceptable in the sight of the supreme
court, its advocates believe, while
fiat minimum wage, fixed for the
entire country, probably would be
frowned upon.
Figures on employment in the
United States during March, re-
leased today by Secretary Perkins,
supplied additional argument in
favor of prompt action to relieve
unemployment and maintain worker
incomes.
Decrease in Employment
Though a small seasonal increase
is usual in March, figures for last
month show a decrease of 40 per
cent in employment in manufactur-
ing industries and 80 per cent in
pay rolls. Employment was l4.6 per
cent lower than during March a
year ago, while wages we're 30.7 per
cent lower.
The pronounced decreases in EN-
ployment and pay rolls in manufac-
turing industries between February
and March, 1888, almost entirely are
attributable to the bank holiday"
the labor department said.
The California earthquake and
strikes in Massachusetts, also con-
tributed to the decline, while the
Leverage industry showed gain in
anticipation of the return of beer.
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