Evening star., 1938-05-05
IS WAGE-H0UR
S|GNERS NEEDED
Sponsors Claim 200 Pledges
in Effort to Bring Bill
to Floor.
BACKGROUND

Administration efforts to get
Uage-hour legislation began more
than year ago. Senate passed bill
at last regular session, but House
Rules Committee blocked it. In
special session, petition brought
measure to House floor, but op-
ponents rallied enough potes for
recommittal. Rules Committee is
no,O holding up greatly revised
measure reported by Labor Com
mtttee.
By the Associated Press.
House sponsors of wage-hour legis-
lation, claiming 200 pledged supporters,
tried vigorously today to persuade l8
more members-enough for a majority
to sign petition forcing the con-
troversial bill onto the floor
The proponents dispatched tele-
grams to absentees urging them to
return at once and sign the appeal,
designed to Wrest the measure from
the House Rules Committee. That
group refused last week to give it
right-of-way.
Among the 200 pledges, the sponsors
said, were about 25 Republicans. They
contended, too, that some Southerners
might sign because of the overWhelm-
ing primary election victory of Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida, who
supported the Senate's wage-hour bill
Foes of the legislation, on the other
hand, said enough signatures would
not be Forthcoming and the measure
therefore would be dead for this
session.
If the 2l8 signatures can be obtained
shortly after circulation of the petition
begins tomorrow, the House can debate
the revised bill May 90.
Many Delegations Solid.
Representative Healey, Democrat OF
Massachusetts,, chairman of an un-
official steering committee, said many
Democratic State delegations were
solid for the petition Among them
he listed New England, New York,
Pennsylvania and Michigan. The en-
tire Progressive and Farmer-Labor
groups, Mr.. Healey said, also were
committed 10 sign.
Il hope nobody gets hurt in the
rush." he remarked, laughing.
The House meanwhile was commit
ted to start debate on the administra-
tons spending lending program next
Tuesday. A possibility developed, how
ever, that proposed expansion of the
United States Housing Authority might
not be included because of opposi-
tlon in the House Banking Committee.
Some committee members protested
that a proposed $500, 100000 fund
would be used to move families from
slunls into dwellings better than those
occupied by majority of the people.
Bipartisan criticism also was heard
against a proposal to remove the re-
quirement that municipalities contrib
ute at least 10 per cent of the cost of
housing projects.
The proposed expansion of the
Housing Authority funds was indorsed
10y William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor. and
Harry c. Bates, chairman of the A.
F. of L. Housing Committee, in let
ters 20 Senaor Wagner, Democrat, Of
New York and Representative Steagall,
chairman of the Senate and House
Banking Committees.
Mr.. Green and Mr. Bates said the
increase in funds for housing would
take care of the most pressing local
housing needs and provide employ
ment for building trades mechanics
and laborers in all parts of the coun-
try"
Tax Bill Is Delayed.
All chance Of Congress completing
action on the administrators tax re-
vision program this week vanished
when Chairman Harrison of the Sen
ate Finance Committee, said the con-
ference report on the measure could
not be completed before Monday.
However, the report is privileged
matter, and debate on the spending
lending bill could be suspended for its
consideration.
While the Senate considered minor
bills, the House took up today a mea-
sure assuring States of continued Fed
eral highway contributions. 1t would
authorize expenditure of s476, 900 900
In 1910 and 1941.
The Senate Banking Committee was
called together to study legislation
granting emergency financial aid to
the railroads. 1t would permit the r.
F. c. to make equipment and mainte-
nance loans and would tighten certain
restrictions now attached to r. F. c.
lending.