Evening star., 1938-10-15
WAGE-K0UR LAW
SCOPE IS STUDIED
Definitions Are Expected as
Prelude to Determining
Groups Affected.

Law.
Deputy Administrator Paul Sifton
spent yesterday afternoon in close con-
ference with number of employers
and oye-representatives discuss
ing definitions which are of vital i'm
portance under the act
Mr.. Sifton presented proposed def
nitions to the conference and took note
of the conferees' arguments. The con-
ferees came to a general agreement
over the definitions of executive and
retail statesmen for a business doing
an interstate commerce.
There is still disagreement over the
definition of professional worker.
The deputy administrator said that
while the law did not require such
conference before the issuance Of
the regulations, he felt the prelimi-
nary discussion was wise in order to
get expression of opinion in the rec
ord before taking action.
Issues Regulation.
Meanwhile, WageHour Administra-
tor Elmer F. Andrews issued regula-
tons governing the employment of
learners. apprentices, handicapped per-
sons and messengers at rates less than
the Is certs an hour required under
the Fair Labor Standards Act. En-
ployment of such persons at lower
rates will be permitted only under
special certificates Mr.. Andrews will
issue.
Among those attending the special
conference on definitions of those
classes of workers not affected by the
law were S. H. Kaufman. assistant
business manager of The Star; New
bold Moves, associate editor of The
Star; v. P. Ahearn, executive secretary
of the National Sand q Gravel Asso-
citation, and l. r. Andrews, personnel
division, -Roebuck Co.: C. w.
Bergquist, superintendent of public
relations, Western Electric Co. Inc;
c. S. Ching, director of public and
Industrial relations, United States
Rubber Co.; Herman Fakler, Millers
National Federation; A. Montague
Ferry of Washington: George J. Kel-
day, International Harvester Co; A. L.
Kress, National Electric Manufacture
ers' Association; Arthur D. Whiteside,
Dun g. Bradstreet; John Holland,
Philco Radio Co.
Represent Business Viewpoint.
Representing the employers point of
view. those men for the most part ap-
peared at the conference at the invi-
tation of the Commerce Departments
Business Advisory Council which was
acting in cooperation with the wage
hour administration.
The labor viewpoint was offered by
Michael T. Garrett. United Associa ion
of Plumbers and Steamfitters of the
United States and Canada, an A. F.
Of L. afnliate: Will flushing, legislative
representative of the A. F. of L.; John
Ait Of the C. I. O., Lev Allen, United
once and Professional Workers. c.
I. O.; Jonathan Eddy. American News
paper Guild, c. I, O., and Milton
Fischer. American Federation of
Architects, Engineers, Chemists and
7echnicians
Applications for exemptions under
the regulations announced yesterday
affecting employment at lower than
the standard minimum wage rate may
be made, Mr.. Andrews said, when
ever employment at such lower rate is
necessary to prevent curtailment of
employment opportunities"
For learners. applications for certifi-
Gates may be filed by an employer, or
Q worker, or groups OF either, but
preferential consideration will be given
to applications by groups, or organ
tsations, deemed to be representative
Of the interests Of whole industry
or branch thereof"
Individual Bases Frowned On.
Mr.. Andrews said such requests
would be considered on the basis of
needs Of employers and workers in the
industry as a whole rather than on an
individual basis.
The applications must contain this
lnformation: Identification of the in
dustry and occupations affected; de-
scription of processes to be learned; a
statement Of whether experienced
workers are available for employment;
statement of average hourly earnings
OF experienced workers; statement of
why learners should be employed at
lesser wage; the proposed hourly wage
rate for learners.
II hearings determine that a lower
wage rate is necessary, Mr.. Andrews
said he would 1sue regulations per-
mitting employment subject to certain
limitations of time and length of
service.
Mr.. Andrews defined an apprentice
as a person at least 16 years of age
VINO is covered by written agreement
with an employer, or with an associa-
tton Of employers, which has been ap-
proved by the State Apprenticeship
Council. or other established authority
OF the State, or, if none such exist, by
the Federal Committee of Apprentice
ships, and provides for not less than
1000, hours of reasonably continuous
employment for such person, for his
participation in an approved schedule
Of work experience through employ
ment and at least 144 hours per year
OF related supplemental instruction."
Two-Party Agreement Necessary.
Applications to employ apprentices
1T rates lower than IS cents an hour
must be signed jointly by the employer
and the apprentice.
Applications for certificates to en-
ploy handicapped persons must be
signed by both the worker and the
employer and must state that a handi-
cap has impaired the earning capacity
OF the worker, the extent of such
handicap and statement that the
worker should be employed at lower
rate
mo wage rate fixed for a handi-
capped worker shall be less than rs
per cent of the (statutory) minimum
wage until approved by the admins
traitor after investigation showing that
such lesser wage rate is justified" Mr..
Andrews regulation said.