Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-10
Compromise Extension to
April | Favored at Sem
ate Conference.
ROBINSON DECLARES
CHANGES UNLIKELY
Shorter Work Week for Industry
and Two.Year Continuance
Amendments Rejected.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

In an effort to wind UP the con-
gressional session some time in July
Senate Democrats. in party confer
ence today. decided to push for early
action on the resolution to continue
N. r. A. until next April. with intra-
state business excluded from the
codes. rather than attempt to broaden
the scope Of the resolution.
Majority Leader Robinson Of Ar
kansas. chairman of the conference,
said number of proposed amend
ments were discussed, but that the
general view was that changes prob
ably would not be practical in view
of the short time remaining before
the N. r. A. law expires June Is.
Among amendments considered and
rejected we're inclusion of the shorter
work week for industry and continual
ton of N r. A. for two years instead
of one.
Senator Robinson predicted the Sen
ate might be able to finish its work
the early part of July. In this con-
nection he made a plea for speeding
up legislative wheels in the Senate,
suggesting that otherwise longer daily
sessions and sessions on Saturday soon
will be necessary.
1t is not expected that the N. r. A
debate will begin in the Senate. how
ever before Monday.
THE conference considered the ne
cessity of speeding up the work of the
Senate" Robinson stated. There was
unanimous concurrence in the pro-
posal of the chairman that all men,
bers of the conference cooperate to
that end in so far as they are able.
At best, it is believed the Senate can
not finish its labors prior to some
time between the 1st and the 18th of
July. All Senators would like to see
an earlier conclusion, but it does not
appear that that is probable.
Specific Consideration.
The extension of the N. r. A. was
| the subject matter of specific con-
sideration. Some Senators expressed
themselves personally in favor of
amending the resolution in certain
particulars All, however. agreed that
in view of the limited time between
now and the date of expiration, June
10. it is probably impracticable to do
so. Specific amendments we're sug-
geSted as follows:
Extension for two years instead of
till April /. A large majority took the
view this would be calculated to pro-
long debate and might endanger final
action on the subject before June Is
Another amendment was sug-
gested relating to the provision that
no code Of fair competition shall be
applicable to any person whose bust
ness is wholly interstate. While a
number of members of the confer
ence thought the incorporation of
this provision may result in confusion,
it was decided not to press an amend
ment to the same in the Senate.
Six-Hour- Day Bill.
"A third proposal. to amend by in
cooperating the six-hour-day bill. 1t
was recognized generally that it is
impracticable to determine the issues
in that bill in connection with the
N. r. A. joint resolution
There was no discussion of the ad-
visibility of attaching the Wagner
labor relations bill to the N. r. A.
resolution. nor did the conference
take up the other major problems of
the session, including social security
and the banking bill.
Plans for drastic revision of N. r. A.
to conform with expected congress
sional clipping of the Blue Eagles
wings were disclosed meanwhile by
Donald r. Richberg to the Associated
Press.
Only those industries indisputedly
in or directly effecting interstate
commerce would be coded in the new
program. Complaints against trouble
some fair trade practices in many
codes would be referred to the Federal
Trade Commission.
Powers of some code authorities
we're due for slaShing. Enforce
ment methods we're listed for change.
The recovery chieftain said public
hearings likely would be necessary for
revision of the major codes. that pre-
liminary work now under way would
make for speed in completing the
new Set-up.
Siege OF Law Suits Seen.
Richberg predicted a long siege
of law suits over determination Of
what industries were in or affected
interstate commerce. and over fair
trade practices which were not gen.
orally accepted. He maintained that
reference of disputed trade practices
to the Trade Commission and from
there at times to the courts would
create body of trade law that would
be invaluable.
These fair practices. Richberg said,
had caused rs per cent of N. r. AS
trouble. He contended N. r. A.
wanted itself limited to industries
affecting interstate commerce and
would confine itself to that in the
future even If Congress did not so
direct.
Regarding code administration. ne
said that anything smacking of COM
pulsion should be left to the Govern
ment-that mo private individuals
should have the authority of a pub
lie official"
when 1t comes to exercising
penalties" he said, authority must
stay with the Government"
The fate of the Blue Eagle, Rich
berg said, still was undetermined. The
board was considering how it could
be preserved as a symbol Of general
compliance without being "jerked" for
each minor code violation.