Evening star., 1933-06-25


Coming as the result of the cabinet
meeting tomorrow.
30 Codes Submitted.
Meanwhile. it was reported yesterday
that 80 tentative codes proVldlng Ioi
increases in wages and greater employ
ment had been submitted to Johnson
during the week. However the i.
major industries upon which Johnson
counted to lead in the industrial regu-
lation movement were not prominent
in the list of those reported to nave
submitted covenants.
Members of the National Retail Dry
Goods Association reported they mac
received copies of the tentative code
which would be submitted to the ad-
ministration this week. The agreement
provides a 48-hour working week II
retail dry goods, department stores
mail order and speciality shop estaohsh-
ments with exception OF two weeks pc
fore Christmas and two days a year 1ol
inventory purposes.
The minimum wage scale for~ male
employees over 18 years Of age with one
years experience in retail store Is sci
at S18 for 48-hour week within metro
politan areas of over l 100000 popu-
lation, SIS a week within areas of from
25O.OO0 to 100000 and $l2 In the en-
tire balance OF the country.
Minimum Wage for Women.
The minimum wage for women Is
set at $12 for a 48hour week within
METROPOLITAN areas Of more than 1,000,-
600 population, S11 within areas OF
25o,oOo to 100000 population and s1o
in other areas of the country.
The minimum wage scale for Junior
employees Of both sexes under the age
of Is years." is set at $11 in areas OF
more than 1000, 900 in population; SIC
for less than 100000 and above ESQ.,
600. and 50 for areas Of less than ESQ.,
600. -,
The code also stipulates that it will
be unfair competition for any dealer
to sell any merchandise at less than
the net invoice cost plus 10 per cent
to insure that labor cost shall at least
be partially covered. Another provision
guards against advertising whoch would
misrepresent merchandise, values OF
services.
Another section stipulates that re-
tailers shall be free to advertise their
own goods, their own service and their
own prices, but references to goods,
services or prices of competing retailers
shall be regarded as unfair practice.
Underselling Forbidden.
Underselling and to offer for sale
any product of a penal institution are
included in the provisions.
In Chicago, the coal operators from
II Middle Western States were consid-
ering what minimum wage and maxi
mum hour togms to present to johnson
and in New York steel operators were
conferring upon the question.
There were definite indications,
though, that many industrial leaders
preferred to await the hearings upon
textiles before completing their codes,
From this hearing, over which johnson
himself is to preside, they hope to get
a clear-cut idea of the administration S
attitude, particularly as to what busi-
ness is to obtain as compensation fol
increasing wages and spreading employ
ment through shortened work weeks.
With code drafting awaiting in some
instances Johnson's attitude on price
fixing, Senator King, Democrat, OF
cution through Attorney General Cum
mings of wholesalers and retailers whom
he said were hiking prices without
reason"
King asserted there had been can
unwarranted increase in commodity
prices, without benefit to the producer u
He cited particularly rubber products
bread and other commodities, and said
he would ask prosecution under the
antitrust laws.
Asks Workers to Unite.
william Green, president Of the
49, n~ia o@n nf O
public his letter. appealing to unor-
ganized workers of the Nation to unite
to obtain "all the rights and benefits
Of the national recovery legislation.
THE hour has arrived when labor
can be free to organize" he said. Con
gress has established your legal right
to organize. Workers everywhere should
avail themselves of the opportunity
Green referred to the provision that
labor was entitled TO the right of bar
gaining collectively, and that no bal
should be raised against attempts t
organize employees in any industry.
Meanwhile, the public works admin
istration wound up its first full weel
of activity with plans for widespread
future doings to scatter jobs through
out the land.
Already it had allocated $638,000 00t
for highways and battleships. The bal
ance Of the $4,000 100000 fund still
remains to be put into Federal, State
city and county projects, after com
pletion Of the administrative set-up her
and in the States.
A requirement that they supply onl
10 per cent of the funds for a projec
before starting actual construction ap
peared certain for State and local polit
ical subdivisions whose credit an
finances were adequate.
An informal opinion by Henry ]
Hunt, chief counsel of the administra
ton, given to Senator Clark, Democra
Missouri, presented this interpretatio
Of the laws provision for the Govern
ment TO supply 80 per cent of the COS
of materials and labor on city, count
and State work.
St. Louis Project Studied.
Hunts ruling, which he explaine
was not binding on the cabinet boar
In charge of the public works program
headed by Secretary Ickes was mac
after a request by IckeS and Clark G
a proposed St. Louis project estimate
to cost upward of 12,000, 900.
Clark and Charles NJ. Hay, st. Lou
city counselor. who raised the questiC
Of when and how the political uni
would get the 80 per cent, informt
Federal officials that st. Louis had
10 per cent on hand and could ha'
men at work in 80 days
Their specific question was wheth
st. Louis would have to put up 100 p
cent Of the cost and then be rein
burSed by the Government for the
per cent share allowed, or whether Il
Government would supply the 80 p
cent when st. Louis put up seve
tenths.
Hunts opinion was that St. Lor
would only have to offer 10 per ce
and the Federal allotment would
forthcoming with the condition that
contract be entered into giving t
public works administration supervise
over the program and stipulating tn
the 5o-hour week or other labor polict