The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-06-28

Determined to enforce the Sherman
and Clayton acts. the Department of
Justice Is concerned over the situa-
ton. It fears a number Of Industries
will attempt this plan-far more effec-
tive, 1t believes, than ever were the
famous Judge Gary dinners, at which
the steel trade fixed prices by mutual
consent, thus getting around the law.
All the government agencies. Incl
dentally, are Interested, notably that
Of Public Works Administrator Ickes,
who lets out loud blasts every now and
then attacking agreements by produc-
ers of this or that commodity sold to
the government.
Just what lckes would say II the
cement industry had a common selling
agency is not hard to imagine. One
lawyer. studying the problem for an
industry. having nothing to do with
cement, commented with a grin that
his industry would take pains to have
| different bids submitted by the various
units whenever the government want
ed any of its products. Thus, he
thought, 1t could avoid running afoul
Of Ickes and all the departments ex-
cept that presided over by Homer s.
| Cummings.
Meanwhile industry generally takes
no satisfaction whatever out of the
Harrison amendment to NRA extern
| sion. As some of the business men
here observed, 1t gives business the
| right to do everything 1t could do al
| ready without congressional approval,
and denies It the right to violate any
law.
Question Of Power
Not even in the hottest days Of dis
sension between Gen. Hugh s. johnson
and Donald r. Richberg were the
friends Of the two men further apart
than they are right now over the solu-
ton to the problem presented by the
Supreme courts ~invalidating the Blue
Eagle.
Richberg's followers are all demand
ing an amendment to the Constitution.
That. they contend. is the only way to
meet the situation.
Johnson's friends are insisting that
there Is a perfectly constitutional
method Of solving the whole problem.
The real difference between the two.
which would appear to be a matter for
constitutional lawyers to determine, Is
actually not that at all, hut a differ
ence In powers desired for the federal
| government, with the ~Richberg crowd
being for absolute federal powers.
And with the President. very vigorous
ly, siding with the Richberg crowd,
but giving the johnson crowd a chance
| to show what 1t can do.
Hence the Stanley bill. This little
| publicized so far document. is
threatening to attract a good deal of
attention before congress adjourns. It
imposes. under the taxing power of
the Constitution, an excise tax Of 81
a year on every person, firm. corpora
ton. or other form Of business enter
prise engaged In or whose business
| directly affects commerce among the
states or with foreign nations.
It fixes a 4O-hour week, for general
practice, noting exceptions. It fixes
a minimum wage OF. so cents an hour.
saying that piece workers pay shall
be graduated 30 that the lowest will
not fall below the 5O-cent-an-hour
minimum It fixes an eight-hour day.
II provides for time and a half for
overtime In emergency work. It pro-
vides for collective bargaining.
Richberg Idea
What Is in the minds Of the Rich
berg group Is clearly shown by some
quotations from the language Of the
bill: For example:
defined Is hereby declared to be In
the nature of a public utility: and
every such enterprise engaged therein
shall In respect thereto. and In con-
nection with the payment Of the ex.
else tax herelnabove provided and ap-
%purtenant thereto. be subject to regu-
latiOn and control In the manner and
with respect to the matters herein
after provided"
Also:
1.-THE congress hereby finds as q fact
and declares that the employment Of
children In the trades and industries
within the Jurisdiction Of this act, and
underpayment Of employees and the
working Of employees for excessive
hours and under conditions which are
hazardous in nature Or dangerous to
health. the denial or obstruction to
employees Of the right to bargain col.
lectively with respect to their wages.
hours and other working conditions,
and, unfair practices or methods. of
competition affect directly the flow Of
interstate commerce =: and that. to facil.
itate and promote the full utilization
of the nations productive capacity
and tho frpp flow of sneh m II