The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-12
new DENUNC[ATI0N
Of NRA CODES AND
METHODS LAUNCHED
barrow Returns to Attack on
Johnson's Arbitrary Ex.
ercise Of Power
RAPs MILITARIsTIc TREND
Recovery Chief Labels Charge
Ridiculous; Will Answer
in Due Time

Washington, June 12.-(ReA new
denunciation Of NRA methods and
codes, filed with President Roosevelt
by the barrow review board, contain
ed . demand for searching inquiry
into alleged arbitrary exercise Of
power" by Hugh 8. johnson.
Saying the rule Of the military
commander Is totally unsuited to the
genius, habits. traditions or psyche
logy Of the American people, and
wholly Intellectual in meeting the
present national crisis" The board
found that the retail trade code had
been in . stealthy manner ruined" by
NRA by changes made after 1t was
submitted by the industry.
At q press conference. johnson Ia
belled this charge ridiculous" He
said probably so per cent Of the codes
had to be changed before going to the
president and that in every case the
industry had been informed.
He had not yet read the report. he
said, but would answer 1t as he did the
first which created sensational con-
troversy on publication . month ago
with Johnson's answer attached.
Report Leaks Out
The report. supposedly confidential
until released by the president, was
slipped out In advance 50 Tuesday
Chairman Clarence Darrow gave out
official copies.
Besides the retail trade code attack,
the Darrow group assailed the luni-
Der code, demanding removal Of in
dustry and government officials con-
nected with it; the retail food code
and the boot and shoe manufacturers
agreement. Others also were hit. but
complaints lodged against the cleo
trical manufacturing and hand EN-.
broidery codes were dismissed.
The report also complained Of high
handed monopolistic practices by the
lumber code authorities, both under
and around code authorizations.
The retail code changes denounced
involved insertion Of the word I'm
accurately" into . prohibition Of adj
vertistng claiming to undersell COM
petitors.
r. H. Macy and Company Of New
York had waged campaign for that
qualification, contending its general
undertaking claim was legitimate and
should not be interferred with.
Raps Mark Up Change
Another barrow protest was against
suspension in the original code Of q
provision requiring flat 10 per cent
markup on all prices to cover labor
costs. The 10 per cent has since been
instituted by executive order, follow
Ing an investigation.
Other notifications Of prohibitions
on various types Of advertising, most
~ by insertion Of the same word. Tin.
accurately" were denounced.
OF the retail food and grocery code,
the board protested permission for
big retailers to sell ct Z lower cost
than little ones, because Of their low
er-priced purchases.
I'm this respect" the board said,
the interests Of the consumer would
seem ct first to be disregarded but
It Is to be remarked that 1t present
the real interest Of the consumer Is |
that the small enterprise shall live
md not die"
Other complaints filed by the
board:
That the coffee code requires mark
Ing Of Ill blends In which cereals are
added to the ground coffee, but does
not require this Of blends mixed with
which it alleges u used by
the larger companies.