Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-09
RETAILERS J0LTED
BY DEATH Of N.R.A.
Digest Made for President
Reports Price Wars Are
"Spotty."

h6ldll lIdutS dlt ChPcllCithis oiiS
first general shocks in the price struc-
ture since abandonment of N. r. A.
codes, according to daily digest
prepared for the President at N. R. A.
The digest details ay-by-day
changes in prices. working hours.
wages and fair trade practices. 1t
is built from reports coming to N.
r. A. from merchants, State labor
commissions, individual workers and
N. R. A. employees in the field.
The report is the first step on the
new road pointed out by the Presi-
dent in his recommendation to Speak
er Byrns and House committee chair
men, which foreSaw:
:" ," A small staff in Washington
to summarize information now in pos
session of N R. A.. relating to the
results of code administration. and
to collect information in regard to the
effects on industry, both employers
and employees of the abandonment by
the Government of code enforcement
and requirements
So far the price cutting centerS
around the items of merchandise which
we're used AS loss leaders in the
prem. R. A. days, the report says.
Price Wars Spotted
They include cigarettes, tooth paste,
lotions. soap and cosmetics. The
changes in prices are taking place
all over the country, but the tidal
IS &c t11NVinU
uniformly. Price wars are "spotty.
"A survey by the National ASsocla-
tion of Manufacturers at New York
City elected the almost unanimous
response from 1872 individuals and
trade groups that N R. A. wages,
hours and standards were being main
tanned Al the same time large
number of manufacturing firms
pledged that wages would not be
slashed or hours heightened for the
present0
Cleveland. scene of the most active
drug store price war. according TO
reports to N. r. A, is buying some
of its drugs at prices which are so to
IS per cent below code minimumS.
Cigars are selling Is per cent below
code prices.
Reports from other cities show stores
selling leaders in some instances
below the price of production; sham
poos. which cost 50 cents to produce,
are offered at 40 cents. lotions, which
cost So cents. at 50 cents. and soaps,
which cost IL cents at IL cents.
"Trade-in" Allowances "Shot."
Gasoline wars have started in Sev-
eral cities. with one selling the fuel
at 8la cents gallon.
Trade in allowances IN the auto
mobile industry are shot according
to N. R. A. Allowances vary as much
as sl00 on a car in one city. Also. in
several cities auto statesmen have been
shifted to a straight commission basis
with no minimum salary guaranteed.
In the fur industry. discounts which
amount to reduced prices are being
increased from to Is per cent
Dropping prices have resulted in a
1ood of protests to N. R. A. from small
merchants who say they cannot hold
out against such competition.
N. R. A. officials say they fear a
lUNeIeu DllIc CLl may 4CShlL AA
wage cutting.
Many such reports are on file al
ready, although most of the changes
in working conditions so far have
come in the form of orders to report
for longer working hours. N. r. A.
officials point out the reports are
not investigated, but many come from
reliable sources.
Child Labor Returning.
The following are briefs of such in
formation:
The first sign of a return to child
factories which are reported hiring
girls under Is years of age.
A Southern manufacturer is re-
ported rutting wages 30 per cent and
increasing hours from "a to SIS week
Employees for one large furniture
concern have been notified to report
for an l1-hour day instead Of the old
8-hOur schedule.
One large amusement company has
changed its working schedule to IA
hours day. Four hundred protests
were made about this company alone.
One State grocers' association was
negotiating with a union for 49,
hour week when the Supreme Court
decision declared N. r. A. unconsti-
tutional, Now grocers employed by
members of the association are work.
ing 81 hours a week. and the food
handlers, SO hours week
Clerks for one large shipping con-
Germ have been ordered to report for
work on Sundays.
Chorus girls employed on four diff
ferent circuits have had wage cuts