Evening star., 1938-11-16
State Wage-Hour Aid
Urged by Andrews
Al Conference
Five-Point Program
Is Given Delegates by
Administrator

A five-point program for State
assistance in enforcing the new Fed
eral wage-hour law was urged today
by Administrator Elmer F. Andrews
at the annual conference on labor
legislation.
Addressing the final session of the
three-day meeting called by the
Labor Department., which brought
together official representatives Of
43 States, the District of Columbia,
Alaska and Puerto Rico, Mr..
Andrews outlined this program of
corporations:
Reporting on situations that ap-
pear in violation of the law.
Providing the wage and hour di-
vision with lists of low-paid indus
tries and establishments.
Distributing to those interested Of
fetal rulings and interpretations
sent out from Washington.
Forwarding complaints to the di-
vision.
Referring requests for interpre-
tations to the division.
Field Decisions Barred.
"You will readily understand that
during this difficult formative period
it would be most unWise to have in
terpretations made in the field
either by our own staff or by State
labor departments" he said.
Mr.. Andrews also emphasized
that the task of advising employers
and employees on the law must be
undertaken at once.
The child labor aspects of the law
were discussed at today's session by
Miss Katharine F. Lenroot, head of
the Children's Bureau.
Election Called Mandate.
Predicting that failure of the New
Deal would bring on some form of
fascism in this country, Secretary
of Agriculture Wallace last night
told the conference that the elec-
ton week ago was "a mandate
from the American people to end
unemployment"
At the same time, however, the
Secretary, emphasizing the inter-
dependence of the agricultural and
industrial worker, said he interpret
ed the vote as showing a miscon-
ception of labor objectives and
methods by many farmers and small
town residents"
This misunderstanding between
foryo,nrc orH lohNr nnnctifnfnc a
challenge to all progressive ele-
ments, urban and rural" Secretary
Wallace said in speech at the an
nual dinner of the conference at the
MayfloWer. If workers and farmers
are not able to develop an increas-
ing confidence in each other in the
years Immediately ahead, the mod
crate and progressive elements will
lose control OF national policies.
Industrial Fascism.
"This would not mean, however,
a reaction to laissez faire. Under the
pressure of world events new con-
servative majority would almost
certainly develop some form Of in
dustrial fascism. If the New Deal
cannot stop excessive unemploy-
ment, the attempt to do so will be
made by others. Their programs,
under pressure to show results, will
become increasingly fascistic in ma
ture. If we are to continue along
moderate and progressive lines, and
If we are to prevent the develop
ment of a special brand of fascism
here, farmers and city workers must
learn to work together in mutual
confidence and respect"
The speaker said the people "are
sick of unemployment"
THE congressman just elected
were not those who promised to do
nothing, but those who promised
action, familiar or extreme, to in
crease industrial activity and end
destitution," he emphasized.
Fight on Unemployment.
"The election Is a mandate from
the American people to end unem-
ployment. If farm organizations, Ia
bor unions or businessmen's trade
associations are to continue in pub
lie favor, they must seek to make
their policies work to this end"
Mr.. Wallace discussed briefly the
controversial two-price plan for
agriculture under which surpluses
could be disposed of to those with
inadequate income through special
prices or special marketing agree
ments.
1--WE are studying these possibili-
ties vigorously, but it will be a long,
slow job to get them worked out and
tested in limited operation before
they can grow into any kind of ma
tional program" he explained.
The conference yesterday after
noon approved several legislative
proposals in the interest of labor
which will be urged for State enact
ment.
COverage of All Endorsed.
Coverage of all workers, even in
agricultural and domestic service,
under labor laws 'as rapidly as pos
sible" was Endorsed in adopting one
report. The specific laws to which
reference was made cover hours,
Workmens compensation, wage COL
lection and child labor
The committee drafting the report
recognized that special problems
would be presented in regulating
farm and domestic labor, but sug-
gested methods of approach.