Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-10
Roosevelt Message on Code
Declares Child Labor Abolished in Cotton Textile
Works-Commends Industry for Leadership in
Signing First of Recovery Acts.

The full text of President Roose-
velt's statement, after signing the
cotton textile code. and the order
In which he put it into effect. plac-
ing the industry under supervision of
the National Recovery Administra-
ton. are:
II have just approved the cotton
textile code, subject to certain mod
flying conditions, clarifying, but not
greatly affecting, the proposals as
submitted.
Many significant circumstances
attend this result:
Child labor in this industry is
here abolished After years Of
fruitless effort and discussion, this
ancient atrocity went out In a day.
because this law permits employers
to do by agreement that which none
Of them could do separately and live
in competition.
In the eyes of the whole public.
there was great conference among
the very leaders of our industry.
labor and social service, presided
over by Government. 1t considered
the most contrOverted question in
the whole economic problem-wages
and hours of labor-and 1t brought
that question to a definite conclu-
sion. 1t dealt with facts and facts
only. There was not one word OF
accusation. And, most remarkable
OF all. it arrived at solution which
has the unanimous approval OF these
comforting leaders on all three sides
of the question at issue.
Regarded Great Achievement.
II know of nothing further that
could have been done 1 can think
of no greater achievement Of CO.
operation, mutual understanding
and good will.
1T would be unfair to omit
word of commendation Of this great
industry 1t has proved itself the
leader. Of new thing in economics
and government That took faith
and courage and patriotism Of the
highest order They have their
reward in the result they have
achieved and the example they have
given"
The code approved by the Presi-
dent is subject to the following In
terpretationS and conditions:
I'D Limitations on the use OF
productive machinery shall not ap-
ply to production of tire yarns or
fabrics for rubber tires for period
OF three weeks after this date.
"(2D The Planning Committee OF
the industry, provided for in the
code. will take up at once the ques-
ton OF employe purchase of homes
in mill villages, especially in the
South, and will submit to the ad-
ministration before January /. 1884,
plan looking toward eventual en-
ploye h0me-ownership.
"t3 Approval of the minimum
wages proposed by the code is not
to be regarded as approval OF their
economic Sutticiency, but is granted
In the belief that, in view Of the
large increase in wage payments
provided by the code, any higher
minima at this time might react to
reduce consumption and employ
ment. and on the understanding
that If and as conditions improve
the subject may be reopened with .
view to increasing them.
Office Employees Included.
90 That office employees be in
cluded within the benefits Of the
code.
"t5) The existing amounts by
which wages in the higher-paid
classes, up to workers receiving $50
per week, exceed wages in the lowest
paid classes, shall be maintained.
"t6) While the exception OF re-
pair-shop crews, engineers. electri-
clans and watching crews from the
maXimum-ho provisions Is APP
proved. it is on the condition that
time and one-half be paid for over
time.
"t1 While the exception Of clean
ers and outside workers is approved
for the present. it is on condition
that the Planning and Supervisory
Committee provided by section pre-
pare and submit to the administra-
ton, by January l. 1884. schedule
OF minimum wages and Of maximum
hours for these classes.
"(8) 1t is interpreted that the
provisions for maximum hours es-
tablish a maximum OF hours OF
labor per week for every employe
covered, so that under no circum-
stances will such an employe be en-
ployed or permitted to work for one
or more employers in the industry
in the aggregate in excess OF the