Evening star., 1938-10-24
STATES PLEDGE
AID IN WORKING
WAGE-H0URLAW
Representatives Are Asked
to Conference in D. c. on
November ID.
CENTRAL LABOR BODIES
TO HELP ENFORCEMENT
If in Doubt Comply Andrews
Tells Employers in Address
on Legislation.
By the Associated Press.

Elmer F. Andrews, wage-hour admin
istrator, received pledges OF co-opera.
ton in enforcement of the new law to-
day from many State Governors
The far-reaching Labor Standards
Act went into effect at 1901 this morn
ing. putting a floor under the wages
and ceiling over the hours of an esti-
mated 100000 American working.
men.
Mr.. Andrews had asked the States to
help him, at least temporarily, In max
ing certain that interstate industries
subject to the law keep proper records
showing compliance
He also requested them to send rep.
resentatives to a conference of State
labor offlcials here November IA to
discuss State wage-hour laws.
Pledges of enforcement aid came,
among others, from the Governors Of
Alabama, Iowa, Mississippi. Texas,
Louisiana, Utah and Nevada.
Labor Groups to Aid.
The administrator also was advised
that the American Federation Of La
bor's central labor bodies in more than
500 cities would help enforce the act
by reporting violations
The new law, applying to virtually
all workers in interstate commerce,
represented the broadest industrial
legislation since the N. r. A.
In the Capital the rush to issue reg
ulations and explanations to the public
was reminiscent Of the early days Of
N. r. A. But at the helm, instead OF
Gen. Hugh S. johnson. now out OF the
New Deal and critical of it, was Mr..
Andrews. former New York State in.
dustrial commissioner.
Speaking to the Nation by radio,
Mr. Andrews said the law was not de-
signed to remake the Nation, but that
it should become "one of the pillars
Of q sound economic system In the
United States"
Expects Higher Wages.
He declared the administration ex-
pected the provision for an immediate
minimum wage Of rs cents an hour in
interstate commerce to result in wages
considerably higher than that.
Our experience with State minimum
wage laws proves that the minimum
does not become the maximum, despite
the loud forebodings Of opponents of
that type Of legislation" Mr.. Andrews
said.
The administrator contended the
new law was largely self-enforcing be.
cause it gave every worker affected
by the act the right to sue for double
the amount of lawful wages denied
him. plus court costs.
Obviously, any employer who has
any doubt about whether the law ap-
plies to a particular employe should
resolve that doubt in favor Of the
worker" Mr.. Andrews said. "Trade
associations and business magazines
have said, when in doubt, comnly,
That, think, is excellent advice and
1t will save lot of trouble for eyery-
body"
Mr. Andrews remarked that one Of
the most helpful functions which a
union could perform was to BE- alert
1or any attempt on the part of en-
pioyers to deny workers their rights
under the act.
He praised "the whole hearted m.
operation" which he said large sroups
OF employers already had given him.
Mr. Andrews declared the purpose
OF the act was to protect business. to
guard decent employers" against the
rulnous competition of competitors
whose only weapon is low prices based
upon low wages and long hours for
those who produce their goods"
Its further purpose, and think its
most far-reaching purpose, is to assure
steady stream Of purchasing Dover
In this country" he said.
The administrator arranged to make
two more radio talks today.
The new law was enacted by Con-
gress last session, after bitter and
protracted controversy, in response to
President Roosevelt's appeal of MAY "a.
1887, for extension Of 1.-The frontiers of
social progress"
Aims at 40-Hour Week
1t deals only with wages and work.
Ing conditions, whereas the outlawed
National Industrial Recovery Act pro-
vlded also for regulation of trade
practices
The statute applies only to indus
tries in interstate commerce It Is in
tended to bring about 4o-hour work
week and minimum wage Of 40 cents
an hour in such industries eventually,
But. for the first year, an employees
regular work week may be a hours.
and he may be paid as little as IS
cents an hour.
For the next six years the general