Evening star., 1935-12-25
Taps for the N. II. A.

On the eve of the opening Of Congress
President Roosevelt sounded taps for the
first of the New Deal experiments, the
N. R. A. BY executive order the Presi-
dent transferred to the Department of
Commerce and the Department of Labor
the remnants of the organization set up
for industrial control. It's life had been
cut short by unanimous decision of
the Supreme Court of the United States.
But still for months the framework of
the N. r. A. and most of its employees
were retained by the administration, for
the purpose of working out voluntary
agreements with industry and for re-
search and report The President, in
letters to Senator Harrison of Mississippi
and Representative Doughton of North
Carolina just before the close of Con-
gress last Summer, suggested that it
might be necessary to work out sub
stitute legislation, continuing or re-
vamping the N. R. A. Apparently that
idea has been abandoned.
Certainly the recent effort of Maj.
George L. Berry, who had been placed
in authority by the President in the
N. r. A, to revive interest proved COM
plete failure. Industry turned its back
1t had had enough of dictatorial control.
The Blue Eagle, child of the Hugh
johnson administration of the N. r. A.,
folded its wings long since. Industry
generally throughout the country gave
its support to the N. r. A. in its early
stages. Reforms were undertaken look
ing to the elimination of unfair prac-
tees. 1t was claimed that due to the
N. R. A. child labor had been elm
mated, a desirable end. There is testi-
mony, however, that child labor had
ceased largely to exist, especially in the
textile mills, before the N. r. A. came
into being The Federal Trade Com
mission, set up in the days of woodrow
Wilson, designed to conform to the
American idea and the Constitution, had
long been working to tear down unfair
business practices, and in many instances
had been successful. 1t will be relied
upon in the future to take care Of that
particular job for the people.
Innumerable regulations governing in
dustry were written by the admins
traitors of the N. r. A. 1t was this dele
cation of authority to which the Supreme
Court took particular exception. The
Government of the United States must
continue to be a government OF law,
and not of officials placed in control by
executive order.
American industry and business, over
long period of years. had proved itself
successful. 1t had brought about high
standard of living for workers in this
country which was the marvel OF the
world. Faced with a disastrous depres-
sion and uncertain of the future, busi-
ness and industry faltered. There were,
however, signs of revival, even before
the election of President Roosevelt.
What would have happened had there
been no N. r. A. remains controversial
question. Involved in it is also the ques-
ton of the ability of industry and busi-
ness to revive If there had been no threat
of other New Deal experiments.
There still exist today other expert
ments of the New Deal, which extend the
strong arm of the Federal Government
over the activities of the American peo-
pie. The people are awaiting with the
keenest interest the final determination
of the legality of these experiments. The
era of work and industry, which ap-
peared to be halted, shows signs OF
revival.