Evening star., 1938-09-06

these areas are looking forward to
October IS with eager hope. They
anticipate a more even distribution
OF employment, and greater pur-
chasing power among the wage earn
ers, resulting in Increased sales Of
goods and services. l have been in
formed that in areas where low wages
prevail for a considerable part Of
the working popula ton. merchants are
stocking up in anticipation of greater
sales following the effective date OF
the act 1t Is a revealing commentary
on the unevenneSs of our wage Struc-
ture that minimum of Is cents
an hour should be considered tre-
mendous increase in total wages paid
large groups OF workers, but such Is
the case.
Employers Await October 25.
Employers throughout the United
States also are looking forward to Oc-
tober IS with eagerness mixed with a
degree of apprehension. The eager
ness Is based on a hope that the
application of the law and its equal
enforcement throughout the Nation
may relieve these employers paying
relatively high wages from the pun
ishing competition Of goods produced
by other employers who pay wages
way below the desirable standard for
the industry. in some instances as
low as half the 25-cent minimum
which is to become effective October
25. The apprehension is born OF a
fear that the law will not be uni
formly complied with. and that 1t will
not be effectively enforced.
BY effective performance the wage
and hour division and cooperating
State agencies can demonstrate in the
weeks and months Immediately follow
ing October IS that uniformly effec-
tive compliance and enforcement is a
fact.
I say to the employers covered by
the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act,
your whole e-hearted cooperation is
needed. Preparation now to report
promptly any competition based on
violation OF this law will be service
to other employers in your industry.
to the wage earners. and to the pub
lie. Every effort is being made to
set up system Of inspection which
can accept, investigate, examine. and
take proper action upon complaints
Of violation OF the act.
This law must not be permitted at
any time to become a dead letter in
any industry in any part OF the
United States.
Competition, based on sub-minimum
wages, Is 80 severe and so immediate
in its effect that it cannot be per-
mitted for even short space Of time.
I appreciate the fact that chisellers
can get rich and fair employers go
broke in the short run, and that it is
cold comfort to a fair employer, as 1t
is cold comfort an underpaid worker,
to inform him that "in the long run,
Justice will be done"
The immediate major task Is to
prepare for the application OF the
basic minimum wage and maximum
hour provisions Of the law. Next in
urgency is the establishment OF in
dustry committees to set minimum
wages above the ascent minimum.
Industry Committee.
Mr.. Coyle: Is it necessary to re-
quest the appointment of an industry
committee?
Mr.. Andrews: An industry commit
tee may be appointed by the admin
istrator without request. In fact the
act directs their appointment for each
industry as soon as practicable. How
ever, it is not inappropriate for any
one to request the appointment OF a
committee.
Mr.. Coyle: May an industry COM
mittee recommend and may you Ak
regional wage differential-between
Northern and Southern divisions Of
a single industry, for instance?
Mr.. Andrews: A regional di1eren-
tial, as such. is expressly prohibited
by Section &C, from which 1 have
already quoted and which states that
no minimum wage rate shall be fixed
solely on q regional basis" but the
committee and the administrator shall
consider among other relevant fac
tors as affected by transportation,
living and production costs, prevail
ing rates Of wages and wages paid for
light or comparable work and en-
ployers voluntarily maintaining fair
minimum wage standards.
Mr.. Coyle: May there be different
rates for men and women doing the
same kind of work?
Mr.. Andrews: Section sc states
''No classification shall be made under
this section On the basis OF age or
sex"
Mr.. Coyle: Many employers are di-
rectly interested in definitions and
interpretations of the act. They want
to know the meaning of the word
seasonal" They want to know
whether or not, for the purposes of
the act, they are in interstate COM
merce. They want to know what
the policy and interpretations are to
be with regard to exemptions. When
can they expect answers to questions
which are important in the conduct
Of their business.
Mr.. Andrews: Every effort will be
made to prepare and promulgate Ger
tain basic interpretations and def
nitions not later than October /. II
possible, few essential regulations
may also be promulgated by or shortly
after that date. As rapidly as we can
study the facts in relation to the law
the answers will be prepared and
published. We do not want to answer
too quickly and later confuse en-
ployers and labor by modification.
Mr.. Coyle: After three weeks, how
do you feel about your job, Mr.. An
drews?
Mr. Andrews: A few days ago 1t
was remarked that as wage and hour
Admtnistra tor had hAon damn ed