The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-03
MINIMUM PAY
PLAN BOOSTED
IN HOUSE QUIZ
Organized Workers as Well
as InduStriaIiStS Back
Wage Limit Idea.
BY RUTH FINNEY
Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON, May 3.-Organ-
lied workers and industrialists have
joined in demanding a minimum
wage provision in the short work
week bill, as hearings before the
house labor committee draw near
their close.
Thomas F. Mcmahon of the
United Textile Workers of America
has gone on record before the COM
mittee in opposition TO the stand
taken by the American Federation
of Labor, and strongly in favor of a
minimum wage for men, women and
children.
mo one-surely not the govern
ment-would place wages as low as
they now are in fixing a minimum, "
said Mcmahon. THE average wage
in the textile industry is now $40
a week for so hours labor"
At the same session Colonel T. H.
S. johnson of the Botany WOrsted
Mills, Passaic, N. j., said that the
textile industry lis suffering from
irregularity of house and labor in the
various states, and from wages
which in many instances are so
shameful that it is an outstanding
example of why there should be a
minimum wage for both men and
women"
Coercion Is Charged
A sheaf of letters from workers,
charging that they are being coerced
into signing petitions opposing the
short work week, was placed before
the committee Tuesday by Chair
man Connery.
The letters, many of them from
Indiana and Illinois, asked the COM
mittee to disregard false n d
forced petitions" and inclosed
copies Of form letters being distrib-
uted among them, and a memoran-
dunn attempting to inflame workers
against "confiscatory attempts" to
prevent them from earning a living.
Walter Teagle of the Standard Oil
Company Of New Jersey, who headed
the voluntary share the-Work move
ment of year ago, urged the COM
mittee to extend the thirty-hour
week bill to cover every kind of
worker except in agriculture and
domestic labor.
Apply to Public Employees
In order to give adequate relief
from unemployment, Teagle urged
that government employees of cities
and states as we'll as the United
States, policemen, f1remen and all
others, should be put on the short
work week.
He. too Endorsed the proposal Of
Labor Secretary Frances Perkins for
establishment of minimum wage
boards las a practical method Of
safeguarding the interests of the
worker"
Still another suggestion for tight
ening povisions of the bill was made
by Ernest M. Hood, treasurer of the
Pequot mills, Salem, Mass. Hood
urged limits for machine shifts, tC
prevent increased use of machinery
E. j. Mcmillan, president of Berk-
shire Fine Spinning Associates, Inc.
suggested that if industrial plants
all run ION Christian principles there
will be no more trouble" Asked
about conditions in his own plant
he admitted employees are now work
ing flfty-f1ve hours a week, that the
average wage for women is from $1G
to $13 week, and from $18 to SIC
for men, with SO to $40 for begin
ners, some of whom never advance
higher.
Just what is your idea OF Christian
methods of operation?" said Repre-
sentative Wood Dem, Mo-.
IF you would visit our plant you
would find us all just happy fam
lily" Mr.. Mcmillan answered.
II can imagine how happy the
women workers are, getting $12 for
fifty-five hours work" Representa-
tive Wood retorted.