Evening star., 1935-02-08
Wheeler Proposal Beaten.

The amendment to issue $4,000 ,000,-
900 of Treasury notes to meet the ey-
penseS of the works funds was pro-
posed on behalf of Senator Wheeler,
Democrat Of Montana. Glass said it
was beaten badly" without a record
vote.
Another amendment rejected with
out roll call would have provided
that preference be given war veterans
/ IN the employment of men to admin
lister the bill. This was proposed by
| Senator Metcalf, Republican of Rhode
Island.
| The committee rewrote the penalty
| clauses and made it a misdemeanor
| punishable by fine of $1,000 or q
! year in prison. or both. for fraudulent
practices in obtaining contracts and
$1,000 instead of $4,000 for violation
Of presidential regulations.
Three Senators absent heretofore
were present at the executive meeting
-McKellar. Democrat. of Tennessee.
and Tydings, Democrat, of Maryland,
! just returned from the Philippines,
and Nye, Republican. of North Dakota,
who has been busy with his munitions
, inquiry. Just how they voted was not
/ announced.
! Nye Loses Amendment.
| Nye lost an amendment. 10 to 9. TO
prohibit any of the money being used
| for building naval craft in private
yards. He announced afterward Pres
ident Roosevelt had assured him none
of the money would be utilized for that
| purpose.
The committee eliminated the Phil
! ippines from the bill. conflning its
benefits only in the United States and
its territories and possessions.
Senator Steiwer Republican, of
! Oregon, .oSt, by 10 to 9, an amendment
which would have required all public
works projects to be carried out under
! the direction and supervision of. the
permanent Government departments
! concerned with the various projects.
Another amendment rejected. 10 to
6. by Senator Copeland, Democrat. of
! New York would have prohibited the
Government engaging in any competi-
| tive enterprise in any community
where The existing private industry
was working under normal conditions
This proposal was advanced by the
| National Association of Furniture
| Manufacturers.
Senator McAdoo. explaining elini-
| nation Of the Philippines. said the is
lands should not have been included
in the bill in the first place"
They nave special status, he said
"Thev have more or less of a separate
! government of their own (under the
| independence acD and really have no
| relief problem"
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of South
| Carolina. who is seeking to steer the
bill through the committee. said he
! expected to rally enough strength to
delete the prevailing wages" amend
ment.
| Treasury experts had contende6 the
amendment, calling for at least pre-
vailing wages" for 100000 employ
ables" the administration has an
nounced it will put to work, would
defeat the very purpose of the bill
| itself" They contend it would cost
| $4,000, 100000 or $1,000, 100000 instead
of S4,88O,0000O0
The President has taken the stand
wages should be higher than the dole,
but lower than the pay in private in
dustry so workers would not be dis
couraged from taking private jobs.
Fear Lowering of Scale.
Backers of the fight for prevailing
wages reply that to pay less would
| tear down the wage scale in private
| industry. The American Federation
of Labor Is insisting on prevailing
| scales
Another amendment. suggested by
| the National Association of Master
Plumbers, was adopted yesterday. 1t
provides that all work requiring 10
per cent skilled labor be performed
by contract and awarded to the lowest
bidder Another. by Senator McCar-
ran, provides that full advantage
Continued on Page 2, Column g.