The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-05-23
A. F. of l.. SUPPORTS PROPOSAL TO
EXTEND NRA FOR TWO YEARS

WASHINGTON- labor, as
represented by members Of the execu-
tive council Of the American Federation
of Labor, called on President Roosevelt
at the White House and not only as
sured him that the trade unions
| throughout the nation were solidly be-
hind his proposal for extension of the
MIRA for two years, but that rather
than have the resolution for d 10
months extension adopted by congress
labor would prefer to see the NRA
abandoned Terminated, or repealed
Headed by President William Green
and accompanied by Secretary Perkins,
the labor spokesman gave to the Presi-
dent their unqualified support in the
form of a statement in which they in
terpreted the pending resolution as
abandonment of the administration
national recovery program
The visit followed by less than "a
hours similar call by outstanding in
,dustrial leaders, members of Secretary
Roper's Business and Advisory coun-
ell, who also favored two year ex-
tension of the MIRA.
While declining to predict what
course the house might ultimately take,
Speaker Byrns expressed an opinion
that it would be opposed to a temper
airy extension Of the act as proposed by
the senate finance committee. He
thought straightout two year extern
sion would appeal more to the house
majority.
On leaving the White House, Mr.
Green, commenting on the anti-New
Deal resolutions of the convention of
the Chamber of Commerce Of the Unit
ed States, said that the chamber had
denounced every effort made by the
administration to cope with unemploy-
ment A search of the resolutions failed
to reveal any remedy for unemploy-
ment he added.
These are days when men will not
get the support of public opinion if
they take recalcitrant position" said
Mr. Green.
The statement to the President de-
clared that even the most tineonpro-.
missing foe of the national recovery act
is forced to admit that through its OPP
Grafton child labor has been abolished,
minimum rates of pay for unprotected
workers have been lifted to higher
level, hours of labor have been reduced,
many reprehensible, unfair trade prac-
tees have been eliminated, and work
opportunities created for millions OF
unemployed.
1T is the emphatic opinion of the
executive council that a continuation
Of the national recovery act for period
Of 10 months, as provided for in the
joint resolution recommended by the
senate finance committee, will be re-
garded by labor throughout the nation
as congressional abandonment of
your national recovery policy and as
hte liquidation of the national recovery
act" the statement continued
"1'he joint resolution, if adopted by
congress, will take the heart out of the
national recovery act. 1t is estimated
that it will deprive rs per cent of work
| ing people of the benefits of section
| Ia, child labor prohibition, minimum
rates Of pay and maximum hours of
employment as Incorporated in indus
trial codes of fair competition
THE national recovery act for the
next ten months would be a skeleton,
shadow, applicable to small minor
ity Of workers employed in industries
engaged in only what might be technic-
ally determined as interstate COM
merce.