Evening star., 1936-11-18


er way to achieve MMa
the desired OBJ (NA
jectives. p.v;a 1.v,.nc.
Any further
experimentation with the so-called
no-man's land in the realm of con-
stitutional law leads only to periods
OF uncertainty and prolonged litiga-
ton. The idea, therefore, of pro-
ceeding directly with amendments to
the Constitution is Hkely to win the
approval not only of those who may
be opposed to specific measures, yet
who favor the constitutional process
of such changes, but of those who
want to see the new powers granted
to Congress at the earliest possible
moment.
States May Balk.
The question of whether the Con-
stitution shall be amended to permit
of a more centralized Federal Gov
eminent by granting Congress powers
over Federal commerce" or over ag-
'riculture and industry generally in
PRODUCES elements of political strategy
and possible delay. Any attempt 10
get a broad grant of power is likely
to run into difficulties in ratification
by the States and may even postpone
reforms that are sought in the i'm
mediate future.
The other method, namely, to pro-
pose specific amendments covering
specific topics. would seem to have
better chance Of success.
Thus with respect to minimum
wage legislation. the Supreme Court
of the United States, by its rejection
of State minimum wage laws has
cast doubt on whether minimum-wage
legislation can be written in such a
way as to regulate wages in the lower
brackets. Gov. Landon suggested
that the Federal Constitution be
amended to give the States power to
enact minimum wage laws for women.
The New Deal platform did not specify
whether an amendment to the Con-
stitution was favored. so as to give
the States alone more power. or the
States and the Federal Government
combined.
This correspondent believes that
the submission to the people by
two-thirds vote of both houses OF
Congress of an amendment giving the
power to both Congress and the
States to enact minimum wage laws
for men and women alike Is an essen
tial and inevitable corrolary of the
election returns.
Labor May Be Submissive.
The argument for minimum wage
legislation Is not merely that 1t is
humanitarian. but that 1t increases
the purchasing power of the low-in-
come groups. Union labor heretofore
has been in favor of minimum wage
laws for women, but has been op-
posed to minimum wages for men.
1t is doubtful whether the labor
forces today would stand in the way,
however, Of granting to Congress and
the States the power to deal with the
subject as the needs of an economic
situation may require and that is all
to be passed upon by a specific grant
Of power.
Subsequent Congresses and Legis-
latures, when confronted with the
question of enacting legislation under
q broad grant Of power. can deal with
all the complicated questions that
arise under minimum wage laws.
II it be accepted that controlled
economy is here and that the Fed
eral Government is the instrument
for the expression Of the peoples de-
sires to have the economic situation
guided and directed from Washington,
then the plight Of the persons in
the low-income groups in America
deserves the first consideration.
Brookings Institution Figures.
The Brookings Institution, in its re-
ports based on information from the
United States Census Bureau, says:
Nearly 100000 families. or more
than 81 per cent of the total. had in
comes less than 81 900 in 1929.
About $4,000 900 families, or more
than AZ per cent, had incomes less
than 81 500"
Here are 100000 families, and
possibly two voters to a family, or
approximately $4,000, 900 votes in the
iow-income brackets. 1t is not unlikely
that In Mr.. Roosevelts 26,000,000
votes there was substantial number
OF persons from the low-income
groups mentioned above.
Any general effort to give the Fed
eral Government power to control all
wages and hours might lead at this
time to q breakdown Of the capital
structure, for however 1t might be
JUSTIFIED In theory, 1t is questionable
whether the economic system could
Immediately digest such a drastic
change. On the minimum wage pro-
posal. however, the experiment is tried
at the outset in the lower brackets
where 1t is most vitality needed. If the
economic structure can stand the re-
form without breaking down, the way
Is paved for further changes, but each
change Is one that Is acted upon sepa-
rately from any general election in
which presidential personalities and
local candidates become involved.
AuS0c0tinS knaSc IN SOutn.
The minimum wage proposal will
furnish an interesting test. too, of the
attitude of the Southern States, for
It will mean giving future Congresses
power to fix minimum wage for the
Negroes Of the South, along with the
whites. The Northern Negro leaders
In the last election stated that they
championed the cause Of Mr.. Roose-
velt because he would favor economic
equality for the Negroes. namely, equal
pay for equal work done.
Fully 100000 Negroes are in the
South, and If their purchasing power
Ii increased as well as that Of many |
Of the poor people among the whites,
an immediate Transformation in the
economic position of the whole South