Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-06-19

MIA did, although all wage-fixing leg
lslatlon has that tendency. It was, as
Justice Hughes implied in his dissent
ing opinion, a social measure which
would work to the benefit of en-
ployee andemp loyer alike. In throw
ing this law into the ash-can, along
with the MIRA and the Guffey coal
act, the Supreme Court has now clos
ed the door on wage-setting legisla-
ton, either Federal or state Yet. at
the same time, business has been able
to get a statute okayed by the Su-
preme Court which permits it to set
minimum prices comparatively on It's
products appalachian coal case).
In wringing the neck of the BLUE
Eagle the court held that labor re-
lations are not a part of interstate
commerce, even when the manufac-
tured goods pass from one state into
anither. In this latest New York case,
the court has ruled that a state mini
mum wage law interferes with the
EMPLOYEES and employers basic right
to enter into contract. Child labor
can be legislated because minors have
no legal right to make cOntracts)
Hence, so far neither the Federal
nor State legislatures have been able
to protect labor by writing a mini
mum wage statute which is within the
Constitution in the opinion of five of
the nine Supreme Court Justices Lee
gally, the latest decision may be
sound, but from an economic and So
cial standpoint, I cannot agree with
the ruling.
Can Progress Be LegisIated?
This country has now reached a
stage where the curve Of growth is,
temporarily at least, dwelling off
Even so, there are still vast oppor-
tunities for aggressive, well-trained
individuals. People in most rural
areas have nothing to fear. In our
ove1-crowded cities, however, we have
a different situation. The biggest in
dustries Of our great urban centers
are the extremely competitive "con-
sumner" businesses clothing, feeding
and transporting. Many city employ
ers feel that the way to make profits
is by cutting operating costs to the
bone, rather than lSy expanding safes
volumes. In these industries, there
fore, price chiseling and sweating of
labor flourishes. It is here also that
the racketeers and the most undesir-
able of employer types come
Basically, however, the only perma-
nent way by which abuses can be eli
minated from industry is by the re-
kindling of faith in the Golden Rule.
This is ione of the many reasons why
am hoping that this nation will be
swept by spiritual awakening. Yet
it is human nature to be impatient
The poor workers, who find them
selves pawns in these competitive
consumer industries, are not likely to
take such an idealistic viewpoint.
They are going to demand some pro-
Ieqdion, rot for their great-grand-
children, but for themselves The
honest employer who is being driven
by competition to policies ABSOLUTELY
foreign to his principles, also demands
some protection.
Labor Conflict Ahead
Business is constantly improving. 1t
is now only five per cent below nor
, NAL according to the Babsonchart
Hence, labor's bargaining position be-
comes stronger every day Largely as
a result of these Supreme Court de-
csions, talk of strikes and other dis
turbances are cropping up. For III
stance, in the steel industry, a walk
out is scheduled for this Fall or next
Spring In addition to legal setbacks,
! there is now the added important is