Evening star., 1933-06-21


200 newspaper men late yesterday that
his organization was not going to rush
pell NELL into all phases of the work.
He has requested industry to submit
trade agreements that relate solely to
wage scales and working hours
'Of course" Johnson added. "the
major problem is to try to get people
back to work. That is what is on
everybody's mind. It is what is worry
ing everybody. If we can do that we
can get out Of the hole we are in
He said the Government is going to
do everything possible to prevent trade
agreements made under the act from
limiting top wages. He declared he was
anxious to have industry accept codes
of fair competition fixing minimum
wages, but. if he can help 1t, organized
labor's recurring contention that mini
mum wages often become maximums
will not be borne out at this time
Johnson summed up his reaction to
that argument in this sentence:
There was a minimum wheat price
during the war that became the maxi /,
mum, and the farmers haven't gotter:
over that yet"
He added that he would fight any at
tempt to repeat the wartime wheat
price mistake.
The administrator said he was will
ing, however. for other industries to
follow the cotton textile trade and fix
minimums that vary with localities.
The cotton code, which will be opened
TO public hearing next Tuesday, sets a
$40 minimum in Southern plants and
Sl1 for Northern workers.
Living Costs Vary.
There are differences in living costs. "
johnson explained. In the common
labor rate between Moline and Chicago
there is difference of about cents.
Yet I think the people in Moline are
better on than the people in Chicago
They live in smaller town, better ad-
yantages for children-there Is a differ
ence in the economic structure that we
cannot disturb.
Il think, however. we also recognize
that there are some differences that
arise from exploitation, where people
are living and working at less than a
living scale. We can't have that. We
can help there. The thing to do is
to lift these wages up where it is
practicable, and If we can get every
body to do it we will be CARRYING out
the purposes OF the act as expressed
by the President"
Johnson was asked how this adjust
ment fits in with the move on the part
Of railroads to cut wages
1T doesn't fit in at all he replied
Asked II ne was going to do anything
about the proposed railroad reduction
johnson replied that something must
be done to coordinate efforts"
Not an Orga nizer.
In response to another query, he said
the recovery administration Is not
going to be used as machine for
unioniZing any industry" even though
the law permits collective bargaining. -
The men can organize, but l am
neither going to organize industry OF
labor" he said. My business is tc
pass upon these agreements as they
are presented. The law gives the au-
thorization to bargain collectively
have law to execute, and am going
to do it
While asserting the emergency phase
of his job was to get several million
persons back to work soon, johnson
said he could promise nothing There
has been too much promising and toe
little action throughout this depression,
he added
He said the plan was that eventually
all industries, including newspapers,
should come under the scope Of the
act, adding; If anybody gets srouno
| this. it will be my fault, but l am not
going to begin thinking any one is
| trying to get around it."
| Public hearings on all the codes art
| planned, with all parties Of interest
! getting a chance to speak We are
! going to have to do this job in q
goldfish bowl the administrator said.