Evening star., 1933-06-27

first giving careful study to the ques-
ton" ByrneS said.
1T is manifest that an employe
working on improved machinery and
with a fine grade of cotton can operate
a greater number of machines than the
employe working upon old machinery
and with an inferior grade of cotton
IT have therefore suggested that a
committee be appointed by the admins
traitor. representing labor and the manu-
facturers, to Immediately make an in
veStigation and report to the admins
traitor with recommendations as to the
restrictions that should be placed in the
code to make certain that the object
of this agreement is not thwarted and
nullified by the extension Of the
stretch-out system
Early Action Urged.
''I realize the Importance to the in
dustry of putting this code into effect
at the earliest possible date.
Il believe that a sufficient survey can
be made and report filed in time for
the administrator to make provision for
this all-important factor before the
code is put into effect, and the commit
tee shoul. - instructed to report by
that date.
However, if for any reason it should
be deemed impossible, then before this
code gees into effect there should be
inserted provision that the maximum
machine load as of a certain date be
retained until the administrator has re-
ceived the report of the committee and
determined the maximum machine load
1T cannot be contended that in max
ing this request in behalf of the en-
ployes of the textile industry that we
seek to restrict inventive genius so far
as the textile industry is concerned.
Eve do, however, say that during this
emergency, when the object is to put
men back on jobs, that there should be
no opportunity for some manufacturers
to defeat that object by stretching the
machine lead of employees in order to
put men out of Jobs
Condemns Three Shifts.
Immediately after Sloan's testimony,
Amory condemned the operation of
three shifts with consequent midnight
work in the cotton industry as an anti
social practice.
Workers of the third shift" he con-
tinued, 'can be re-employed in other
mills in the daytime or afternoon"
Hailing the industrial recovery act
as a law which gives the textile in
dustry an opportunity to put its house
in order, he declared:
"Our first objective is to increase en-
ployment and to eliminate that type OF
competition which succeeds by cutting
wages or working long hours at low
wages.
"Our objective is to base competition
on sound merchandising and good
manufacturing. The act calls for uni
form hours throughout the country
that more people can be employed anc
no one locality hog the business by
running over long hours.
Il believe that 40 hours per shift
with a maximum of two shifts fol
producing machinery which is spin
ming and weaving will permit the needs
of the country to be taken care of with
out any shortage which might cause
unreasonably high prices. Any less
than two shifts might easily cause such
a shortage"
Discussing the fact that the industry
has agreed upon minimum wage o1
$40 in the South and S11 in the North
Amory explained that in the North
minimum wages would most largely
dueCL 1IdIllc Ildluo, 0Ol1Cloy
hands and the like.
Require Dexterity.
These" he went on, "are light jobs
but require considerable deXterity anc
quickness of hand. They are particu-
larly suited for girls who might bt
expected to live with their parents
These jobs are not easily handled by
grown men, heads of families.
II know of one instance where heads
of families would be expected to work
at the S11 minimum wage. BY paying
these present weekly wages for 40
hour week, production cost and price oi
goods would be increased considerably
''The average weekly wage would be
in the neighborhood of SIS. The aver
age hourly wage would be almost three
times as much as was paid in 1909
1914 The average hourly wage re-
sulting from this code permitted by the
industry would be about 81 per cent