The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-18

Washington, May 1S.-There is a card index file in the MIRA which tells a significant story. It is the record of firms which have lived up to MIRA codes and those which have not since the supreme court knocked the props out from under the Blue Eagle.
 The story should not be a snr- prising one because it bears out 100 per cent what should have been known regarding business sentiment toward the NRA.
 And it explains why there was so much opposition from indivi- dualists and champions of in- dividual rgihts in the senate.
 For the story is that big firms in general are living up to the old MIRA codes, while little busi- ness is not.
 2 The file shows resolution after resolution by trade associations pledging allegiance to NRA codes. But at the same time 1t shows many firms, some of them members of these same associa. tions cutting wages, reducing prices and stretching hours.
 Some of the bigger firms and associations pledging MIRA ad- herence include the Iron and Steel Institute, Standard Oil com pany of New York, Consolidated Oil, American Petroleum Insti- tute, General Foods, Tidewater oil, International Business Ma chimes, American Cyanamid, Cop per Institute, Oliver Farm Equip ment company, West Virginia Pulp and Paper company, Chew rolet Motors, American Asphalt and Roofing, Pullman company, and the Appalachian Coal com pany.
 Pledges
 SEARS ROEBUCK reported that 1t planned no reductions in wages or increase in hours"
 THE EDISON ELECTRIC IN. STITUTE, representing 75 per cent of the indurstry, urged ClSCtIlC COIIi PdiiCo bO Hidlttdlu standards of wages and hours.
 THE COTTON TEXTILE MERCHANTS of New York, rep resented by 95 per cent of mem- Der houses, determined to con- tinue a 40-hour five day week and present rates of pay.
 THE COTTON UNDERGAR- MENT MANUFACTURERS voted to retain MIRA minimum wage rates and a 40-hour week.
 WOOL MANUFACTURERS NATIONAL ASSN passed resolution calling upon the in- dustry to maintain the standards of MIRA.
 THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE declared that with very few un- important exceptions the 1,500 mills in the cotton industry have been adhering to MIRA standards.
 MIRA records, however, despite their incOmpleteness, show the greatest diversions from MIRA standards in theh textile field. Code Cutting
 Here is how the file runs:
 Atlantic Mills of Macon, Ga, announced return to schedule of 50 hours a week, abandoning the code-fixed week of 40 hours.
 Tiffany Mills (wOolen) of Web- ster, Mass, proposed an increase of hours from 40 to AS.
 Employes of S. M. Graver and Co.,, Philadelphia knitting plant, struck against cut from levels of SIS and $15 a week to $9 and $iO with an increase in hours of 9A.
 Brown Silk Co.,, Paterson, N. J. increased hours of winders, and instituted the "strech-out" sys- tenn for loom fixers-outlawed by the code.
 EmpIoyes of the Carroll silk MllI, Paterson, N. j., struck against wage cuts.
 The Wichita, Kans., Gas O., of the Henry l.. Doherty chain returned to a six-day week.
 Non-conformance to trade practices of auto retailers code in Decatur, I'll.
 ". N. LOughFay, Of Los An. gelcs Food and Grocery Code Authority, stated price cuts as much as SO per cent have been posted.
 A 55-hour week and lower wages instituted at Monticello q Ark, textile niiil.
 ieIghty-fiyo employees struck in the Textile and Finishing O.. of