The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-22
DRIVE TOOPEN
ON V|OLATORS
OF NRA CODE
Survey Will Be Launched
by National Officials
Within Week.
PENALTY TO BE SEVERE
Many Complaints Received;
Local Probe Agencies
May Be Formed.
BY RUTH FINNEY
Times Special Writer


WASHINGTON. Aug. 22.-The re-
covery administration will start
checking up on violations of the blue
eagle agreement within a week.
Machinery is being whipped into
shape in the branch of the NRA in
charge Of temporary complement
for investigating complaints of
"chiseling" and evading terms of the
Presidents unemployment agree
ment. 1t may take the form of a
number of local agencies, presided
over by some nationally known man.
General T. S. Hammond. execu-
tive director of the PRA, believes the
time has come for action. During
the first few weeks of the. blue
eagle drive, Administrator Hugh S.
Johnson said he thought it was i'm
portant to concentrate all efforts on
bringing employers under the blue
eagle agreement and that punish
ment of violators would come later.
100000 Employers Sign
Now it is estimated that at least
100000 employers have signed the
blue eagle code One hundred thirty
industries have pledged themselves
to operate under the agreement,
with slight notifications. Four
teen industries are under perma-
nent codes of fair competition. in
Guiding four of the biggest indus
trial groups.
A constantly swelling tide of
complaints that blue eagle firms are
violating the spirit if not the letter
of the PRA has been manifest here
and there is a general feeling that
unless the accused firms are either
punished or cleared of guilt. general
distrust of the blue eagle may re-
suit
So far. complaints received here
have been investigated only by
writing or wiring the accused en-
ployer and asking him if charges
against him were true. No en-
ployer has confessed to a violation.
The new machinery will provide for
actual investigation of complaints
Violations Are Charged
Workers have charged, among
other things:
That men and women receiving a
wage higher than the minimum were
dismissed and hired back on the
same day at the minimum wage. The
agreement specifically forbids salary
reductions.
That work hours are being stag
gered to avoid employment of addi-
tional workers under the short-hour
provisions of the code.
That workers are being required
to take three-hour lunch periods.
That restaurants have been charg-
ing employees for meals. in effect re-
ducing wages that apparently we're
raised.
That business concerns of which
members of the recovery admins
tration are directors are not living
up to the terms of the agreement.
That stores have been shorten
ing hours of operation to avoid hir-
ing more workers.
Reprimands Are Issued
Administrator Johnson already
has issued several sharp reprimands
in connection with these practices.
A general order a few days ago
called to the attention of restaurant
owners the fact that meals must
not be charged for unless it were
a practice to do this before June 16.
Indiana retailers were warned spe-
officially about early closing hours.
General Johnson has left no
doubt, in his various public utter
ances. that violators of the blue
eagle agreement. when found guilty
after a thorough investigation, will
meet with severe punishment-loss
of the blue eagle and resultant
economic DEATH