Evening star., 1936-11-13
BUS|NESS-LABOR
CURB LINES FORM
Berry Calls Conference on
December 10 to "Sta-
biIize Recovery"
~ the Associated Press,

~ the Associated Press.
In at least three sectors Of the
Capital plans and studies were in
progress today looking toward Federal
regulation of industrial activities or
labor conditions, or both.
President Roosevelt's co-ordinator
for industrial cooperation, Maj.
George L. Berry, explained that
conference of business and labor lead
ers which he has called for December
10 would draw up suggestions for
industrial legislation looking toward
long time stabilization Of recovery"
Creation of employment oppor-
tunity and improvement of compete
tive and labor conditions in industry"
will be other aims of the parley, Berry
announced. The objectives of the
conference, as described, were similar
to the aims of the old N. r. A., but
there was no announcement as to just
what new methods may be urged to
attain those aims.
Dispute In Last Conference.
Last year Berry called an indus
trial-labor conference, but some busi-
ness leaders were cold to 1t, and when
1t took place it was almost disrupted
by an angry dispute centering around
an unsuccessful attempt by some busi-
ness representatives to obtain the
floor.
But Berry's announcement today
said that those who boycotted his
Industrial Council and those who
criticized it will nevertheless "be well
coined in friendly spirit"
Apparently referring to the recent
election results, he said!
Industry, and the Government as
well, must yield to and reflect the
peoples will"
On Capitol Hill, Senator O'Mahoney,
Democrat. of Wyoming, made known
he was preparing a new bill to regu-
late interstate corporations through
q Federal licensing system. Corpo-
rations doing business over State lines
would have to obtain licenses, which
could be revoked If the corporations
employed child labor, Disseminated
against women in wage scales or in
terfered with union activities.
Revised legislation to give the Gov
ernment increased power to stabilize
the soft coal industry is another pro-
spective problem awaiting the next
Congress.
Measure Died in Senate.
Senator Guffey. Democrat, of Penn
sylvania, co-author Of the original
coal-control act wiped out by the Su-
preme Court. repeatedly has an
nounced his intention of reintroduc-
ing a substitute bill. The measure
passed the House at the last session,
but died in the Senate as result of
opposition by Senator Holt, Democrat,
of West Virginia.
Guffey told reporters recently he
saw no reason for further changes in
the measure. Informed sources said,
however, the Bituminous Coal Com
mission, created under the original
Guffey act, has been considering pos
sible alterations with view to
strengthening the measures enforce
ment provisions.
Commission officials parried ques-
tions on the subject as premature
and added they had not been asked
for recommendations. They said,
however. that numerous phases Of
the industry's problems were being
studied and that the commission
would be ready with suggestions II
called on.
The Supreme Court removed the
original act from the statute books
on the ground its provisions for regu-
lating wages and hours were invalid.
The new measure introduced last ses-
sion omitted these sections. but
otherwise was almost identical with
the first measure, which provided for
price-fixing and code regulation OF
trade practices.
Significance Greater.
In view Of. the recent election re-
suits, Berry's call was regarded with
more significance than was accorded
his industrial conferences last year.
Berry said announcements OF the
meeting would be sent in few days
to all trade associations and industry
groups, and to several thousand in
dividual business interests, as well
as all bodies OF organized labor
The first day of the meeting. Berry
said, will be devoted to general ses-
sions over which he will preside, the
second to executive sessions to con-
slider progress reports from commit
tees which submitted findings at the
last conference, In March.
Out Of that session emerged rec
ommendation to President Roosevelt
that the Nation adopt q permanent
industrial policy including minimum
wage and maximum hour standards
and elimination Of unfair" trade
practices.
The recommendation was approved
by the council, composed Of about 200
business men and labor leaders, but
national associations of such large
industries as steel, automobiles and
textiles were not represented.
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