Evening star., 1937-07-05
D. c. WAGE BOARD
I. TO MAP PROGRAM
ATFR|DAY SESSION
Procedure Laid Down Under
Old Act Held Likely
to Be Followed.
SMALL SUM ALLOWED
DECLARED HANDICAP
Group, However, Will Begin In
vestigations as Soon as Pos
sible, Chairman Says,

With s3,615 available since the be-
ginning of the new fiscal year last
Thursday and with its organization
practically complete, the District Min
imum Wage Board will meet Friday
to discuss procedure.
Although Mrs. William Kittle, chair
man Of the board, declared today that
no selection Of industries for investi-
CATION has yet been made and no
procedure decided on, it is thought
the board will proceed along lines
similar to those invalidated by the
famous Adkins case IA years ago.
Procedure laid down under the old
act of 1918, now declared to be again
in force, calls for conference between
not more than three representatives
each of employers, employees and the
public and one or more members Of
the board before wage standard
is set. Any interested party may
testify. however.
The selection policy followed by the
old board under this rule was to notify
employers and employees in the indus
try to be investigated. Both groups
then chose six representatives each
from which the board then selected
the three each allowed under the law.
They then chose three representatives
of the public.
Queries Flood Offices.
The newly outfitted Offices of ths
board in the District Building are be-
ing flooded with queries regarding the
program to be followed
I'VE are all anxious to get started
and will begin Investigations just as
soon as possible" Mrs. Kittie said.
though. OF course, We are terribly
handicapped by the small sum al
lowed us"
The Commissioners had asked for
sl4320, or almost $4,000 more than
the sum allowed.
Mrs. Kittle pointed out that Only
s575 was allotted for the years main
tenance expenses. out of which Office
furnishing, printing and mailing ex-
penses must be met. The law requires.
she said, that the board mail a copy
of every order to every employer af-
fected after each hearing. and to
advertise in newspaper once week
for four successive weeks its approval
of any conference recommendations.
Other Board Members.
The boards staff originally was
planned by District officials to include,
in addition to the executive secretary.
Miss Gwenn Geach, appointed by Mrs.
Kittle last week; two field inspectors
and stenographer, but the chairman
felt that some change may have to be
made in view of the small appropria-
ton. Other members of the board
are John H. Hanna and Arthur L.
Schoenthal.
Persons familiar with the minimum
wage issue feel the question whether
! the present board is to be considered
new board or continuance Of the
old organization will have to be settled
before much progress can be made.
| knowledge of the legal status Of the
board appears necessary for the mem
bers to know just how far the old
| boards orders are binding
| Decisions in two suits pending in
District Court by employees seeking
| back wages under the act eventually
will settle the question but the litiga-
| ton may take considerable time In
| the meantime. some ruling by the
| corporation counsel is thought neces-
| sary.
| Complications Feared.
I Complications in administration of
| the law may arise if the present
Black -Connery bill pending in Con-
gress is passed, Capitol observers feel
The bill to provide for Establishment
| of fair labor standards in employment
in and affecting interstate commerce
by Federal board definitely includes
the District under its provisions.
| just where this board would clash
with the local administration under
| the peculiar situation whereby many
| industries here serve nearby Maryland
and Virginia, thus putting them in
interstate commerce and hence under
the Federal board, will have to be
ruled on.
For example, a laundry in New
! York State would be ruled by the
State organization, the Federal board
under the proposed bill controlling
only those industries in interstate
trade. A laundry here, with deliveries
| in any Of the Maryland and Virginia
suburbs would be subject to control
! by both, or either.
Application of Law.
| The law, now in effect but not in
operation, applies to women over la
in any occupation except domestic
service. The board is empowered to
subpoena witnesses and evidence and
there is no appeal from its decision
| in question of fact. In question Of
law, appeal can be made to District
| Court.
| Violators of the act are to be prose-
cuted in Police Court and recoveries
from violating employers can be sued
| for m District Court, even though the
| plaintiff may have agreed to work
| for less than the minimum rate. EN-
| ployers are under penalty of fine
| If they discriminate against any en-
ploye serving at wage esta blishment
conference.