The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-03-02

automobile disputes.
All the presidents labor boards
have had trouble, due to defiance
by big industries, A. F. of L. in
capacity to strengthen the labor
position or F. DIS failure to back
them up.
As against evidence that the
administration has turned right"
some significant developments
came in the other direction.
SWINGS FROM FRIGHT"
Among them we're:
Roosevelt's order cutting hours
in the cotton garment industry
from 40 to SO, with proportionate
wage increase-a very important
precedent.
Reorganization of NRA, new
emphasis on code enforcement,
and Roosevelt's decision to make
NRA a permanent body, with
power to impose codes.
A federal report on the auto
mobile industry, revealing hellish
conditions of employment.
Federal law for railroad retire
ment pensions affecting 100000
employees, along with bills for gen.
eral old age and unemployment
pensions.
Also, introduction for bills pro-
vidin2 close federal control Of
banking and credit policies and
for dissolution. of holding COM
panies, federal control of tele-
graph, telephone and ,radio-with
an investigation of American
Telephone and Telegraph, worlds
largest corporation.
Appointment of Mariner S.
Eccles, liberal, as Federal Reserve
board governor.
Departure of Lew Douglas as
budget director and continued
disregard of banker-business de-
mand for balanced budget and re-
lief cut. -,
Decision to give all employables
iobs-of some kind.
Current Roosevelt troubles are
of varying Importance.
Millions of wage and salary
earners are restless in the face OF
mounting prices and living costs.
If their earnings are no higher
than year ago, they're worse
off. The A. F. of l.. says the av-
erage weekly wage increased 81
per cent last year while the price
of food rose 11.3 per cent ana
that of clothing and house fur
nishingS 1873 per cent.
Industrial profits increased 90
per cent or more while real wages
were declining about two per
cent. :,
Snags in congress especially
the senate, are fretting Roosevelt
They are important chiefly as
they represent change in popu-
lar enthusiasm.
The work relief bill has arous-
ed fears in many quarters. Con-
fusion has been caused by Roose-
velt's failure to take advice from
NIRB, National Labor Relations
board, Federal Aviation commls,
sion, social security experts ana
others.
The fire on Jim Farley, Roose-
velt's political boss, grows hotter'
Small scandals crop up ana SEN
ate munitions revelations indicate
the White House and its person
mel have not kept free OF contact
with lobbyists for battleship Duiio-
ers.
Liberals are incensed because
of the AAA "purge," RooseVelt
attitude toward labor, failure TO
back up section IA the Ickes-
Moses incident. Farley's continr-
ance in power, and many other
items. Roosevelt's efforts 10 pay
q middle course between rignt
and left, placating first one and
o. fbo other, has become in
Swimming up, three bright spots
seem TO stand out in the second
YEA Farmers as a whole are mueh
sc Their income rose IN
overy state except Oklahoma -
vS the drouth hit cotton hard
VIC Increasing % per cent in South
Atlantic states, and 26 per cent
III No. than a third of the total
oma U from five to six billion
l Iier.s was in benefit payments
oOd tenth came from payments
any anu drouth livestock. Although
Ion Of the gain represented
mos ,o,v a shift of national pur-
NH power from consumer to-