The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-26

CdIlIlIIlS IIluuSCIy.
Then, if the charges are
proved substantially true, the
NRA faces the problem of
what, if anything, can and
should be done about it.
Mr.. Morgan who lives at Austin
Ind. and whose canning plants dot
south-central Indiana, has not been
operating under a blue eagle during
the last few months, as have prac-
tically all the other Gamers of the
state and nation. Mr.. Morgan did
not sign the Presidents re-employ-
ment agreement.
Preliminary part of the inquiry
into the Morgan firms alleged
practices is in the hands OF Frank
Healey. chief Of the blue eagle Sec
ton of the NRA.
Charges Are Impressive
Mr.. Healey is acting on informa-
ton supplied yesterday by Clay
Batcholder, indianapolis attorney,
and Edgar Ashby, Ladoga, who said
they were members of a committee
of three designated by the organized
Gamers of Indiana to file a bill OF
complaints against the Morgan firm.
A third member of the committee,
Ollie Gilliat of the VincenneS Pack
ing Company, president of the Indi-
ana Gamers Association, was &C.
cupied with business connected with
the permanent Gamers code yester-
day and could not be present at the
conference with Mr.. Healey.
The Gamers representatives
brought an impressive list of charges
against Mr.. Morgan, alleging that he
has been employing children rang
ing in ages from to Is. in oppoSi-
ton to the PRA, which fixes the
minimum age at 16.
Other Charges Flung
They also told Mr.. Healey that
Mr.. Morgan has ignored the PRA
schedule for maximum work hours
a week and has been working en-
ployeS as much as Seventy-two hours
a week and in one instance, as much
as ninety-six to 100 hours a week.
The unfair practice charge against
Morgan includes the allegation that
he has been engaging in ''cut-throat
competition" by buying produce
specifically tomatoes, grown by
farmers under contract to other
Gamers.
There is no precedent to indicate
what the NRA could do to punish
Mr. Morgan, even if it is found the
charges are true, as he never has
signed the NRA and has not been
operating under a blue eagle.
However, it is pointed out, when
the permanent canning code be-
comes effective, Mr. Morgan will
have to come under the blue eagle
or market his products only through
retailers who are not blue eagle
members.
Adolph Fritz. member of the state
MIRA recovery board and secretary
of the Indiana State Federation OF
Labor. revealed today that he has
not had an answer from Mr.. Nor
gan to q request Sept. IS for infor-
nation on conditions at the Morgan
plant.
Mr.. Fritz said he had written Mr.
Morgan asking him to affirm or
deny charges that the Morgan COM
pany had arranged with school au-
thorities in the Morgan district to
postpone school opening to Oct 2
so children could be used in the
Morgan plant.
Mr.. Fritz inquiry said in part:
ut goes without saying. as secretary
of the Indiana State Federation of
Labor, II this charge is true, We will
surely condemn this kind of proce-
dure. Do not misunderstood me. ]
say if true"
Francis Wells. Indiana recovery
director. said today that he had
written Mr. Morgan twice to ask
him about signing the PRA agree
ment.
Mr.. Wells said that the letters
had been sent several weeks after
the inauguration of the NRA pro-
gram at which time he waited sew
eral weeks without reply from
Mr.. Morgan.
In September. according to Mr..
Wells, he telephoned Mr.. Morgan at
his plant and spoke TO him regard
ing his failure to sign the Presi-
dents covenant. At that time. Mr..
Wells said Mr. Morgan admitted
that he had not signed the FRA
agreement, but insisted he was pay
ing his employees more than the
minimum required.
Mr.. Wells said that Scottsburg.
home Of Mr.. Morgan. has no COM
pliance board. Formal complaint TO
NRA officials against Morgan was
made by the Indiana Gamers AS
ISOLATION through Mr.. Wells Office
In IndianauOliS