, 1935-03-08
WASHINGTON
Nv DURNO


Key - II will be late spring or
early summer before congress gets
around TO enacting any new NRA
legislation - and the impending in
vestigation BY the senate finance
committee into alleged iniquities and
inequities OF the code system
serves only as an incidental reaSon
for the delay.
The first week of April the United
States supreme court hears argu-
ments in the so-called Belcher lum-
Der case. This one challenges con-
stitutionality OF NRA from basement
to attic. Until the high bench hands
down a final verdict II would be flu
tile for the men OF Capitol Hill to
start legislating new life for the
Blue Eagle.
incidentally. this may help YOU
gauge the probable date Of adjourn
ment this year.
Boundaries - Meanwhile. MIRA Of
ficialS are peparing for their sena-
torial inquisition with bold fronts
albeit a slight tremor Of the knees
here and there.
They assure callers earnestly that
they welcome the inquiry. II will
define more clearly what congress
expects Of coded industries and just
how far congress thinks NRA should
20 In attempting 10 regulate the
business structure. To say nothing
OF the labor problem.
Sen. Pat Harrison OF MiSsiSSip-
pi. as chairman OF the Finance Com
mittee. Is being looked to for SYM
pathetic treatment BY the Blue Ea-
gle men. There ae other members
OF the committee who aren't apt 20
be quite as gentle as Pa once the
hearing gets in full swing.
PenaIizer - Underlying the whole
probe Of NRA's future is the ques-
ton OF who will enforce fair tade
practices in industry after June is.
I'm many quarters there is a feeling
IL should revert TO the Federal Trade
Commission. Donald Richberg.
chief coordinator for the New Deal.
Is rated as sharing this view. The
original Industrial Recovery Act
gave the Trade Commission broad
powers but TO date II has stood aside
and let NRA crack down" II any.
NRA officials know OF the senti-
ment TO resffirm this authority for
the Trade Commission but they ask
whether NRA divided up among per-
manent agencies would function any
faster or more cohesively.
StrikelesS - The American Fed
GRAFTON legislative lobby is fighting
the present NRA Setup vehCmentlv
largely because Of Clay Williams
presence as board chairman and the
presidents insiStence on continuing
the Auto Labor board.
Aman deeply grounded in organ
ized labor politics says the strike vote
now being taken IN the auto indus
try is a mere gesture in connection
with the legislative drive here in
Washington.
President William Green and his
lieutenants claim the NRA Auto
Labor boards poll, which showed
the unions 70 have an infiniteSimal
representation IN the motor fac
tories. was unfair because their mon
we're afraid to show their true ANIL
ations IN IL.
This time the A. l.. OF L. will be
counting the votes and nobody vii.
BE- able 20 challenge the score
membership records being very, very
secret. But best word here Il that
the head men are NOT planning on
calling any strike.
Doubtful - Labor wants the Wag-
ner bill as a substitute for section
IA. This is the measure which
Francis Biddle. chairman Of the
National Labor Relations board.
helped frame. II would make long
strides toward forcing the closed
shop and would set Biddlc..s board up
with broad powers 70 arbitrate dis
puteS between employers and en-
ployes.
Last year the White House was
apathetic to a similar measure in
troduced by the New York senator
and II died. The administration at
titude is reported as again letharEic
this session - largely because or A
doubt OF the bills constitutionalitv
insofar as 1t imposes arbitrary row.
eminent regulation OF capital-lsbor
relationships.
Informed sources say, however.
that the White House Is willing 10
let the bill 20 through congress on
It's own merits 80 II II can and
then be tested in the courts. Labor
veterans privately fear that only
pressure from President Roosevelt
himself will set the bill through.
Defining - "A large croSS-Section
Of political Washington is skeptical
about Donald Richberg's promise
that there will be no initiation As
long as President Roosevelt is in the
White House.
Economists who claim 10 know