Evening star., 1934-09-20
TRADE EXECUTIVES
DISCUSS RECOVERY
Praise and Criticism Is Di.
rected at N. R. A. in Con-
ference Here.

Both praise and criticism Of the
National Recovery Administration and
a demand that business plan for itself,
keeping the best features and drop
ping those provisions that have not
resulted in immediate benefit, were
voiced today at the opening session OF
q three-day convention of the Amer
ican Trade Association Executives at
the Shoreham Hotel.
The meeting-attended by more
than 200 delegates-was opened by
an address by Paul S. Collier, presi-
dent, who outlined the problems that
have arisen for business as result OF
N. r. A.
Ralph E. Flanders. president OF
Jones & Lamson Machine Co. and
member of the Business and Planning
Council of the Department of Com
merce made a plea for the restoration
of competition without too much re-
striction by the Government.
"Our problem is to preserve the So
cial fruits of vital competition with
out laying burdens thereby on the
mass of the population" he said.
Criticism Of Unions.
Flanders criticized trade unions
saying success Of union policy has
delayed recovery in business as a
whole and has kept its individual
membership out of work"
I'VE can say" he continued, "that
the labor union may be good thing
If it isn't too successful according t.
its own standards.
He added that "the same thing Is
true of the trade association, or OF in
dustry organized under the codes"
There was a clear intent in the
drafting of the recovery act to permit
a lessening of competition and an in
crease in agreement and cooperation
to a degree previously illegal. In re-
turn for a socially desirable minimum
wage provision on the one hand and a
socially dubious support of trades
unions on the other. Trades union
theory and industrial organization
theory were to be put on a parity
with the expectation that a luSty re-
covery would be the natural offspring
of the curious alliance. "''
Opposes Shorter Hours.
Flanders listed a number Of fea-
lures of N. r. A. that should be re-
tained, such as the abolition of child
labor, minimum wage clauses and
some of the unfair trade practices
provisions. He opposed further short
ening of hours and demanded open
prices.
Flanders was followed by Charming
E. Sweitzer, managing director of the
National Retail Dry Goods Associa-
ton, who also leveled fire of criti-
cism at some provisions Of N. r. A.
Harper Sibley, president of Sibley
Farms, Inc, and Charles j. Brand
secretary treasurer of the National
Fertilizer Association, discussed N. r.
A. from the point Of view of agricul-
ture.
Earlier, Dr. Claudius T. Murchison,
director of the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, made brief ad-
dress welcoming the delegates to
WdcIluls UOIl d1lO O1lCAAAl6 tAIC NO-0PSAo q
ton of his bureau to the business
executives.
"Self-Government" Is Topic.
An afternoon session was held at
which the topic for discussion was
self Government in Industry" The
speakers were Blackwell Smith, legal
adviser Of N. R. A.; Charles P. Garvin
secretary and general manager OF
the National Stationers' Association
Preston Mckinney, a member Of the
Industrial Advisory Board Of N. r,
A.; Roud McCann, director Of the
American Dry Milk Institute, and c. A.
Pickett, secretary-treasurer of the
Texas Trade Association Executives.
Tonight there will be an executive
session for discussion of the days
program.
There will be morning and after
noon sessions tomorrow with the an
nual banquet and convention dance at
the Shoreham in the evening.
Saturday morning there will be a
golf tournament at the Burning Tree
Country Club with the closing meeting
off