The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-15
SUPPORT FOR
MINIMUM PAY
PLAN GROWING
Powerful Congressional
Backing for Roosevelt
Short Week Program.
BOTTOM TO BE SET
Held Only Way to Protect
Both Industry, Workers
in Cut Throat Trade.
BY RUTH FINNEY
Times Special Writer

BY RUTH FINNEY
Times Special Writer
WASHINGTON, April l5.-Power-
full congressional support for the
administration minimum wage
amendments to the thirty-hour
work week bill developed today.
President Roosevelt let it be
known that he wants to see some
thing done along these lines if
constitutional method can be found,
both as a protection for workers
and for industry threatened with
cut-throat competition in wage
scales.
Labor Secretary Frances Perkins
announced that she had suggested
minimum wage plan to the house
labor committee for inclusion in the
thirty hour week bill, declared that
she feels the whole question of fix
ing a bottom to the fall Of wages
during the present emergency is of
greatest importance"
Senators Urge Program
Four senators called at the White
House to discuss with the President
minimum wages. the short work
week and public works program,
and reported when they left that
they had had most sympathetic
hearing
Numerous other members of the
senate and house expressed anxiety
to have the federal government
adopt some sort of minimum wage
plan.
In the group that called at the
White House to urge quick action
on the Perkins program for put
ting men to work were Senators
Robert F. Wagner Dem, N. ",
Robert M. La Toilette (Rep., Wis.,,
Edward P. Costigan Dem, Col),
and Bronson M. Cutting Rep.,
N. M.
We have greater power under
the Constitution than many people
believe" Senator Wagner said after
ward, discussing the minimum wage
plan favored by the President.
Set Up Wage Boards
Il regard the minimum wage as
an essential accompaniment of the
five-day week, and I believe that the
same sentiment is growing rapidly
throughout the country and in con-
greSs."
Senator La Toilette indicated that
the group favorS minimum wage
machinery similar to that urged on
the President Thursday by rep
reSentatives Of the railroad brother
hoods, amalgamated clothing work
ers, and the National Women's
Trade Union League, speaking for
the Perkins labor conference.
He declared that the government
should fix bottom for wages,
and then should establish minimum
wage boards in each industry to adj
just wages according to it's special
conditions.
The senatorial delegation did not
urge specific figure for public
works construction at this time, but
indicated that Nthey favor a large
program.
See Falling Pay as Danger
They advocated liberalization of
the Reconstruction Finance Corpo-
ration act, also, to permit govern
ment loans for other than self
liquidating projects
Substantially this same program
is favored by Labor Secretary Per-
kinS, she indicated Friday. in order
that the unemployment problem
may be attacked simultaneously from
several directions.
Secretary Perkins, like the Presi-
dent, feels that falling wages and
purchasing power constitute a Sc
rious danger to industry as we'll as
to those employed by industry.
She called attention to the fact
that Utah. as we'll as New York, has
enacted a minimum wage law APP
plying to women and children with
in the last few weeks. and found
this, as we'll as the Endorsement of
federal legislation by Governor Ely
of Massachusetts and factory own
ers and workers of that state very
encouraging.
Black Endorses Plan
Senator Hugo Black Dem. AlaO -,
author Of the thirty-hour week bill
pending in congress, has declared
his hearty support of Miss Perkins
position, and said he would offer a
minimum wage amendment himself
If the senate should vote to recon-
slider his bill. passed last week.
Senator Henry F. AShurst Dem,
Ariz), chairman of the judiciary
committee, added his hearty in
dorsement today. Minimum wage
provisions would seem to me TO be a
necessary part of the short work
week bill" he said, and if reduc-
ton of hours meant permanent re-
duction of wages. should doubt the
wisdom of passing the thirty-hour
week bill at all"
Senator David I. Walsh Dem.
Mass.), chairman of the labor COM
mittee, said: L feel that three
things should be done in seeking to
increase employment
81. We should pass a national
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