Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-08-15
Wage-Hour Law
Lauded by Fletcher
Continued From Page Onel


of workers whose wages are at or
below the low water mark of bare
subsistence is continuation of a con-
slant menace to workers of higher
skill and higher wages For this huge
group of underpaid, unorganized
workers constitutes a ready supply
to which certain employers always
may turn in their attempts to beat
down the legitimate dems.sds Of the
organized"
Fletcher, a former North Carolina
labor commissioner, was principal
speaker for the second day of the
federation's annual meeting. Elec-
tions will be held tomorrow.
"The wage-hour official pointed
pointed out that as long as 5000
years ago top wages were limited
and that ten years after the May
flower reached Massachusetts, col
onlsts ruled that artisans could not
receive pay in excess of two shillings
a day. 1t was not until 1887, how
ever, that Congress enacted law
Tor shorter hours and minimum
wages" Fletcher said.
Raleigh, Aug. Is. -(AP)-The
North Carolina Federation of Labor
passed resolutions vigorously de-
nouncing the rival Go criticizing
labor conditions on construction pro-
jects for the highway commission
and calling for the employment of
a full. time labor worker to organize
MTircfNp Co1oy1o tnhooo0
The resolution attacking the CIO
was adopted shortly after Francis
P. Fenton, AFL director of organiz-
alton, challenged John L. Lewis to
issue orders banning Communists
from the CIO.
In a speech at the opening session
of the State Federation's 33rd an
nual convention, Fenton asserted
that if such ban were enforced,
Lewis organization Will disinte-
CRATE" The AFL official described
the CIO chieftain as a ''dictator"
and "self-constituted leader"
Favors Wage Law
Discussing strife on certain Sec
tors of the capital-labor front, Fen
ton urged workers to meet "fear-
lessly and courageously" an "at-
tempt on the part of the mill owners
in the south to emasculate the wage
and hour law by differentials and
other means of exemptions"
"The industrial owners and agents
are lobbying in the halls of congress
to defeat the purpose of the
III - =
said.
Cannot subscribe to any belief
that the southern worker is different
from the northern worker"
Governor Hoey, another speaker
at the convention congratulated the
State Federation for "a blessed
neace" splendid relationships ex-
listing between employers and en-
ployes."
"There have been no major labor
disturbances. or disputes in the state
during my administration, and this
is source of much qualification, y
said the governor.
Advantage of Arbitration
Cali parties concerned have learn
ed that it is much wiser to settle
controversies or differences by con-
ference and discussion, rather than
resort TO strikes and violence. While
SO many serious industrial and labor
disputes have ragged in other portions
Of the country, with ensuing violence
and 1aWlessness, there has been a
blessed peace in North Carolina, for
which industry and labor, and the
whole people of the state, should be
very grateful"
Fenton said textile mills were NOV
ed from New England to the south
because owners wished to take ad-
vantage of low tax rates and chear
pabor. Now North Carolina and cer-
tain other southern states face the
possibility of having the mills NOV
ed elsewhere in the south, he added
"The big mills built here in the
early 192O's will some day soon be
~rowina ohsOlete-obsolete because
the machinery wears out and new
machinery is being invented" the
director of organization said. "Mean-
/. while. the cost of fire and police pro-
lection, of schools and sanitation
are growing bigger, as they inevlta-