Evening star., 1938-09-06

re TteW LuOOT SLUUuUTQS LQU De.
comes effective October "a. Already
both employers and employees are
flooding the office OF the adminis-
traitor OF that la,u ,Dtth requests that
he explain specifically hoD the ld,D
Affects them. Many OF the ques-
ttons cannot be dnS1Uered duthori-
fdtiUely at this time. The Associated
Press, hoWeuer, lists ir q series of
articles fof ,ohich this 10 the frstI
nany of the questions being asked
and the best available dnSDerS.
b, the Associated Press.
What is the purpose of the Fair
Labor Standards Act of 1938"?
To eliminate undesirable labor con-
ditions and living standards which
might burden and obstruct commerce.
particularly by establishing minimum
wages and maximum hours
Who are affected by the lawo
Industries engaged in interstate
commerce or in the production of
goods for interstate commerce. and
their employees.
How are these industries deter
mined?
BY an administrator, Elmer F. An
drews, whose determinations are sub
1ect to review by the courts. He will
be guided by recent Supreme Court de-
clsions on the subject. He hopes,
prior to October "a, to make determi-
nations as to coverage and exclusions
affecting as many types of employ
nent as possible.
Are his determinations final?
No. Employers guided by them may
still be subject to civil suits and the
courts may decide he was wrong
Are some industries in the stream
OF commerce specifically exempted?
Yes The law exempts some from
both the wage and hour provisions.
others from the hour provisions only.
Who Are Exempted?
Which industries are expected from
both?
Common carriers generally. fisheries,
agriculture, small weekly and semi
weekly newspapers.
Which are exempted only from the
hours provisions?
First professors of dairy products,
cotton, conttonseed. sugar beets, maple
sap. seasonal fresh fruits and vege-
tables and first professors within the
area of production of agricultural and
horticultural products generally.
Are all the employees of non exempt
industries covered by the law9
No. The law seeks to safeguard
primarily the working conditions of
wage earners, including manual la
borers, mechanics and lower-paid
white collar employees. 1t exempts en-
ployes who are in bona fide execu-
tive. administrative. professional or
local retailing capacity, seamen, fish
ermen and workers on sea products,
agricultural workers, and generally
such employees of an affected industry
as do exactly the same work as those
In an exempted industry. 1t also per-
mits the administrator to exempt, by
regulations and orders, learners, ap-
prentices, messengers and handicapped
workers.
Millions Affected.
With these exemptions, how many
individual employees will be affected
by the law?
It is estimated the pay of 100000
to 100000 persons and the hours of
2.500, 900 persons may be affected.
What will the minimum wage be for
affected employees?
For the first year. Is cents an hour,
and for the next six years 80 cents.
except as higher minima may be set
upon recommendations by industry
committees For later years. 40 cents.
beyond which neither committees nor
administrator may 20.
Under what circumstances may min
imum wages be lower than those speci-
ned In the law?
Inc administrator is directed to set
up an industry committee for each in
dustry. Before the Accent minimum
is reached in 1945, an industry COM
mlttee may recommend a lower rate
IMAM that tbut never one below Is
cents an hour if it is shown that the
4o-cent rate threatens to cause curtail.
ment OF the industry's operations.
Can such committee recommend a
minimum wage greater than 40 cents
an hour?
No.
Must the administrator accept such
committees recommendation
No He may refer the problem back
70 the committee or to newly selected
committee.
All Sides Represented.
Will such an industry COMMITTEES
represent employers or employees?
1t will represent both and also the
pubic; each group will have the same
number OF members.
viii such industry committees be
1unctloning when the law goes into
effect?
A few may have started. The ad-
mlnstrator is directed to appoint
tnem as soon as practicable"
What minimum wage shall be ap-
pied pending recommendations of
such a committee and action by the
administrator based thereon?
That specified in the act