Evening star., 1938-05-26
Ey the Associated Press.

UtUeTS III UIU7OT UeyfeS JfOUt ocfe~tS
version.
Ey the Associated Press.
Opposing Senate factions edged
closer today to prospective wage-nour
compromise designed to placate South
ern opposition by permitting the Sec
retary Of Labor to fix geographically
varied scale of minimum pay.
There were strong indications that
the Southerners might agree to post
pone any attack until a joint commit
tee had chance to compose the dlf-
ferences between the House and Senate
measures.
If the committee does not approve
regional differentials, however, the
foes are expected to fight adoption of
any compromise in the closing days Of
the session.
The House bill, which they especially
dislike, provides for national mini
mum wage of 25 cents an hour, in
creasing to 40 cents in three years, and
for maximum work week of A hours,
reduced to 40 after two years.
The Senate measure would let a
board fix minimum wages for each in
dustry up to 40 cents an hour. and
maximum work weeks of 40 hours or
more.
Harrison May Yield.
Although a conference of prominent
Senators yesterday produced no agree
ment Senator Harrison, Democrat, of
Mississippi, leader of the opposition,
later indicated he might accept a COM
promise placing wage differentials un-
der the Secretary of Labor His atti-
tude was said to grow out of Secre-
tary Perkins recognition of lower living
costs in the South when she has fixed
minimum pay for Government con-
tracts under the Walsh -Healey act.
Senator Thomas of Utah, chairman
of the Senate Labor Committee, also
was understood to regard that pro-
posal as reasonable. Some Senators,
however. expressed doubt that House
members of a joint committee would
agree to any wage differential.
Senator Barkley of Kentucky. the
Democratic leader, said he probably
would interrupt debate on the s3,247.-
100000 relief and public works bill to
ask the Senate to send the Wage-hour
measure to conference committee.
Senate foes of the pump priming"
sections of the relief bill said they
would try to delay final vote on that
legislation until next week, for they
believe their strength will grow during
debate. This coalition of Republicans
and conservative Democrats seeks par
ticularly to remove an 1865 100000 ap-
preparation for public works loans and
grants.
Farm Subsidy Forecast.
Despite an administration plea for
new taxes to meet any additional farm
benefits, Senator Barkley forecast ap-
proval of an amendment by Senator
Russell, Democrat, of Georgia, to in
clude In the relief bill $4,000, 900 for
extra agricultural payments. Congress
already has voted S500,000,000 for the
crop control program.
Led by Secretary Morgenthau, a
group of administration financial or
flcials discussed the Russell proposal
Yesterday with Senator Barkley, Demo-
cratic Leader Rayburn of the House,
Vice President Garner and others.
Secretary Morgenthau recalled Presi-
dent Roosevelt's contention that taxes
should be provided to finance any fur
ther farm payments.
Senator Barkley told reporters, how
ever, that it could not be determined
accurately how much would be paid
out in benefits until after this years
harvest, ana that Congress thereafter
could take up the problem of raising
additional revenue.
Leaders of the House farm bloc pre-
dicted today the House would favor
appropriating the additional S212,-
100000.
Chairman Jones of the House Agri-
culture Committee said Its only fair"
that farmers should get some part of
the relief fund.
Firm on Utility Plan.
Senator Barkley reiterated his oppo-
SlIlOIl w d pIONlo1OlA OI VAC iSiASA AiSeA"'
ure preventing use of P. w. A. funds
for financing public utility plants
which would compete with existing
privately-owned systems.
In statement last night President
Hugh S. Magill of the American Fed
Grafton OF Investors, Inc, said the re-
striction would restore confidence to
utility investors and make possible
billion-dollar utility expansion pro-
gram.
Some House members expressed the
opinion the Independent retailer would
have an advantage over his most for
midable competitor-the chain store
system-under the wage-hour bill
passed by the House.
Shortly before the House approved
the measure Representative Celler,
Democrat, of New York won adoption
of an amendment which, he said as
sured exemption of local retailers from
wage and hour provisions unless sub
stantial part of their sales moved
across State lines.
IT think the local grocer probably
would have a competitive advantage
over the chain store under this bill.
Even if he paid the same wages he
might be able to keep open longer
without being required to pay over
time"