Evening star., 1938-02-20

ALL" Senator Norris said. THAT kind
OF bill would get at the fundamental
thing We have been driving for
shorter hours to put more men to
work. II the wage earners are properly
organized. they can take care Of pay
provisions themselves"
While Senator Norris conceded there
was small chance of bill being
passed now dealing with both wages
and hours. the House Labor Commit
tee will drive ahead with its plans for
= measure dealing with wages as well
Is hours.
President Studying Business.
President Roosevelt, in his message
to Congress at its opening. said he
would later send a special message
dealing with monopolies and unfair
business practices. 1t has been held
in abeyance, however, while the Presi-
dent studied carefully the business
situation and while the Department of
Justice could look into the various pro-
posals for meeting the situation.
Senator OMahoney and Senator
Borah maintain their bill provides
the best method of attack on this
question of monopoly. Discussing their
revised bill last night, Senator O'Ma-
honey said:
THE revision of the bill was de-
signed primarily to make clear that it
contemplates no delegation of legis-
lative power to any Government
agency and that it is not intended
to invade the functions of either State
governments or private business.
THE fundamental philosophy of
this measure is that no permanent
recovery can be achieved by Govern
nent action alone. If business is to be
restored it must be set free to work
out its own destiny.
This We attempt to do in this bill
by providing = blueprint for industry.
Within the four corners Of this
measure every business man will know
what is required of him. 1t will be
plain that he is not to be dependent
upon the discretionary power of any
Government agency nor the victim Of
monopolistic combinations"
Would Prohibit Child Labor.
The licensing bill sets forth con-
ditions which must be complied with
by all corporations doing interstate
business. with gross receipts of more
than 100000 . year Among those
conditions is a prohibition OF child
labor-under IS years of age-and
also an assertion that employees may
join unions and bargain collectively
The bill specifically exempts from
the necessity Of obtaining licenses all
common carriers, radio broadcasters,
banking corporations, insurance firms,
publishers Of newspapers and books
and corporations in which the ma
jority Of stock is held by the United
States.
Senator OMahoney said that
although 1t was never intended, under
the original bill. there be given "the
power Of life and death" over indus
try IS charged by some of the critic.
VI Glc UlIi, ~ AAu UCcI OcCI1lcQ Wise
to strike from the bill the provision
directing the Federal Trade Commits
sion within 80 days to hold a general
economic conference.
Since no serious danger was ap-
pretended from the activities OF
smaller corporations. Senator OMa-
honey said all those with gross earn
ings Of not more than 100000 had
been exempted.
There Is q general agreement
he said. that the so-called smaller
business man should be encouraged
The bill contains in clearer form
its original provisions requiring ad-
herence to certain labor standards
certain standards of fiscal integrity
and obedience to the antitrust laws
Corporations are deprived of the cor.
porate power to follow the practices
by which trade and commerce can be
restrained and monopolies built up