Evening star., 1938-09-27
FORUM EXPLAINS
WAGE-H0UR BILL
Details Of Operation Are
Taken Up by Officials in
Second Broadcast.

the e0ecO OF the WAge-noUr Dill on
labor and industry were discussed by
three wage-hour officials Of the Labor
Department last night in the National
Radio Forum, arranged by The Star
and broadcast over Nation wide net
work Of the National Broadcasting Co.
Those participating in the broadcast
we're Elmer F. Andrews, administrator
of the wage-hour division: Calvert
Magruder, chief counsel, and Beatrice
Mcconnell, director Of the industry
division Of the Children's Bureau.
They were interviewed by B. M. NC
Kelway, managing editor Of The Star.
The text Of the round table discus
sion follows:
Interviewer-Tonight we bring you a
discussion Of the Fair Labor Standards
Act, the law which not only protects
employees against substandard wages
and excessive hours but protects en-
ployers from competition based on the
sweating Of labor. On Labor Day,
Administrator Elmer F.. Andrews Of
the wage and hour division of the
Labor Department gave an initial ex-
PLANTATION Of the law. The response to
that talk has demonstrated marked
interest among all groups In the Ma.
ton.
Tonight we have, in addition to Mr..
Andrews, our previous guest, two off,
cials who will share in the RESPONSE
bility for making effective this new
venture into Government protection OF
labor standards. They are Mr.. CAL
vert Magruder, the general counsel Of
tho wage and hour division, and Miss
Beatrice Mcconnell, director of the
industrial division Of the Children's
Bureau, which will administer the child
labor provisions Of the law.
Mr. Andrews, believe you've prom
ised to tell us exactly how this law
can and will be applied to help both
employees and employers.
Problem Of Ways and Means.
Mr.. .Andrews-Congress devised the
act so that it would help both employees
and employers. However, the transla-
ton Of an act Of Congress into vital
dIlu dCSCPOCo PdA v Va Jul Od1Ay LAC 10
always a problem in ways and means.
It's somewhat like preparing a meal
you know what you want to serve on
the table, what the result of your work
should look and taste like But to
achieve that you must combine your
ingredients properly. Congress has
furnished US with the ingredients, and
we are setting out to prepare and serve
q dish which will nourish the country
and its people.
It Is our intention to administer this
law 50 that it will benefit every pos
sible employer and every possible
worker. have been urged from time
to time-and probably will be urged
again-to go easy on this crowd or
to overlook that practice Fortunately,
we have no discretion in the matter.
The successful use of this law to
bring about improved working condi-
tions throughout the United States
requires the understanding, sympathy
and cooperation of all,our citizens.
1nterviewer-Well, Mr.. Andrews re-
gardless Of individual opinions about
whether the law Is wise or unwise, it
Is now the law Of the land. One thing
everybody wants to know is how the
law will affect us when on October "a
the wage and hour sections 60 into
operation.
Mr.. Andrews-Let's assume that you
work in a cotton mill or a paper mill,
for example. First, we've got to be
sure that you're covered by the aet.
III call upon Mr.. Magruder to give
an opinion on that.
Mr.. Magruder-I don't want to set
precedent for giving legal advice
over the radio, in view of the possible
effect on the employment situation
among lawyers. However. I believe
you, If you worked in most cotton or
paper mills, would be covered The
act applies to employees engaged in
interstate commerce.
1nterviewer-That includes not only
the men who transport goods across
State lines after they are made, but
the men who helped make those goods.
Are there any exemptions?
Several Exemption Glasses.
Mr.. Magruder-Yes. Neither the
wage nor hour provisions apply to
agricultural workers, seamen, employees
OF airlines, street car, motor bus and
interurban railways, and they do not
apply to employees Of most weekly or
semi-weekly newspapers. The law
does not apply, either, to executives,
administrative and professional work.
ers, outside statesmen and persons