Evening star., 1938-10-21

apprehension lest the number OF cases
would tax the courts capacity. but
others predicted the cooperative atti.
tude already evidenced by both man
asement and labor would hold legal
actions to minimum.
Assured by Union Leaders.
Mr.. Andrews said yesterday leaders
Of both the c. I. o. and the A. F. of L.
had assured him that insofar as Or
sanized workers were concerned, they
would attempt to hold down legal
contests during the early months OF
the law.
Court tests are expected to arise not
only over the broad principle OF Fed
eral regulation of wages and hours
but also over many details of COM
pliance, Every Interpretation of the
law by the administrator is subject to
judicial review, Any time a worker
believes his employer is not living up
to the law he may 60 into court in an
effort to end the alleged violation.
Thus such questions as what con-
stitutes professional man, how over
time should be figured, what the
qualifications are for an executive,
and many others may be answered
finally only by the judiciary.
Do Not Garry Immunity.
On most of these controverted
points Mr.. Andrews has given or will
give his official view. Such opinions
by the administrator. however, do not
carry immunity from court action
The law permits aggrieved workers
to recover twice the amount OF the
difference between their sub-standard
wages and the standards set in the
laws cents an hour and time and
one-half for overtime.
1t also authorizes Government ofi-
cials to prosecute violators, who
would be liable to a fine up to $4,000
and Imprisonment up to six months.
Mr.. Andrews frequently has re-
ferred to the use of common sense in
making wage-hour requirements work
out acceptably for both employers and
employees. Also. he often has dis
tinguished between the moral intent
and legal provisions Of the law and
has expressed the hope that employers
would take what he considers to be
their moral obligations into consid-
Grafton in readjusting hours Of work
in terms of weekly pay
Limited Use of Power.
Although the administrator may 90
into court to force compliance. indica-
tions are that Mr.. Andrews will make
limited use of this power at the outset
On Monday he will have in the
field force Of only 20 inspectors and
four regional supervisors Most of
their time will be taken in filling re-
quests for information. When funds
become, available, he said, this force
will be increased
Before Monday. Mr.. Andrews said,
he will issue definitions for seasonal
industries which are partly exempt
from the law and would determine
whether compensation for overtime
must be in cash alone or whether
part Of 1t may be in the form Of
board and keep"
AAouoVAy WALL AIoNC Ao kCA1Oo VA
grace" after the act becomes effective
at 1901 am. Monday, the admin
istrator has said.
"As understand it," he said, most
industries are prepared to start right
in on October "a and I don't see why
there should be any exceptions
The administration expressed the
opinion that the laws minimum wage
level would add little to the consumer
cost Of goods produced for or in in
terstate commerce.
1T would be very small. if any, and
would be justified" he said.
There already has been some talk
that the Wage-Hour Act could be i'm
proved by amendment, and some in
formed persons consider 1t possible
that revisions will be proposed to the
1889 Congress.
Meanwhile, an attempt will be made
to wipe out inequities between com.
peting firms in intrastate and inter-
state commerce by urging States to
pass legislation supplementing the
Federal statute
Secretary Perkins has appointed 4
committee to draft suggested model
for consideration Of State Legislatures.
1t will be offered to State labor OIL
cials meeting here next month.