Evening star., 1937-02-22
WAGE-H0UR SET-UP.
TO EASE PRICE LAW
Discrimination Statute May
Be Relaxed With New Busi-
ness Proposals.
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
Responsible officials said today a
new wage-hour program under con-
sideration by President Roosevelt en-
visioned relaxation Of the Robinson
Patman price discrimination law.
This law has been criticized by
business spokesmen. who say it is not
clear in its definition of what prac-
tices are forbidden and that its PEN
alties are too severe.
Informed persons said the proposed
industrial program formulated by
White House advisors would revamp
the law in line with q suggestion to
Get UP voluntary fair-practice agree
ments among business men.
The present maximum criminal
benalty Of one year in jail for price
discrimination probably would be
eliminated, they said, together with a
provision permitting collection of
three-fold damages by competitors
when the act is violated.
The law also would be revised to
wipe out the stipulation that an ac-
cused violator is presumed guilty un-
til he establishes his innocence.
Informed officials reported also that
plans for the new wage and hour pro-
gram would provide varying standards
for different regions, as we'll as dif-
ferent industries. They said the Sys-
TEN would call for a major overhaul
and expansion of the Federal Trade
Commission.
The commissions present $685.
900 annual appropriation would be
substantially increased to provide for
additional legal talent and creation
of a new board which would prescribe
minimum labor standards.
Under the projected Set-up, the new
board would hold hearings industry by
industry and region by region. From
information gathered at these. 1t
would lay down regulations to abolish.
child labor and outlaw excessively low
wages and long hours in industries
operating in interstate commerce.
Violations of these regulations prob
ably would come before the present
commission, which would be empow-
cred to issue cease and desist" orders
on the ground that fair practice laws
had been broken.
Another phase Of the new program
involves revision of antitrust laws to
permit joint formulation of trade
practice agreements by business and
government. Trade association Off
cials here disclosed that trial poll"
to determine sentiment toward such a
proposal already has been taken.
Letters Sent to 1000 Members.
Horace I. Dawson of Ferry g. Daw-
son, organizers and directors of sew
eral small trade associa tions, said
letters had been sent to 1000 men,
bers asking their opinion on revision
and clariflcation of the antitrust
laws. About 80 per cent of those
replying favored such a step, he said.
The letters discussed creation of a
new agency, ito aid proper business
cooperation, to interpret the clari-
fed laws, I" = and to protect against
legal penalties" when business men
Join with the Government in effecting
agreements.
Under the industrial program some
newly-created division in the Com
merce Department probably would act
in this capacity, participating in the
drafting of agreements and assisting
In their defense against court attacks.
At present, the letters from Ferry
& Dawson said, Much of the potential
benefit of industrial cooperation is
blocked by fear of the antitrust laws
They added
With nearly so years Of judicial
decisions, the best legal minds cannot
interpret those laws clearly and many
of their provisions are outdated by the
changes in economic conditions.
The layman business men are lost
In haze of doubt and uncertainty"