Evening star., 1939-07-15
". P. A. Suspends
Additional Projects,
Gusts More Workers
100000 to Be SIoshed
From Rolls by August ],
Harrington Says


Harrington Says
One death, scores of injuries, sus-
pension of projects and thousands
of additional discharges were re-
corded today as the Nation wide
revolt over new wage and hour re-
quirements of the w. P. A. ap-
preached the end of its second week.
Coming as If in answer to Presi-
dent Roosevelt's declaration of yes
terday that you can't strike against
the Government" rioting between
police and strikers in Minneapolis
last night led to the fatal shooting
Of one man, standing among the
demonstrators, and injury to II
other persons The fatality, second
in that city during the protest, led
to announcement that w. P. A. op-
erations would not reopen there on
Monday and to appeals for Federal
intervention.
Lesser f1areups of violence in
Rochester, N. Y, led to a similar
order shutting down all local prof.
ects and affecting some $500 work
ers remaining after discharge of
1858.
Threats of violence led to arrest
Of 10 men, described by the Asso-
ciated Press as flying squad of
w. P. A. pickets, at Moorhead, MINI.
Charged with unlawful assembly
after they allegedly had come in
from Fargo, N. Oak, to attempt to
drive relief workers off their jobs,
nine of those arrested pleaded guilty
and received suspended sentences,
while the others were held for trial
after pleas of innocent
AS these and other developments
occurred, President Roosevelt was
in receipt of proposal from the
American Federation of Labor, lead
er of the protest nationally, that the
administration restore prevailing
rates on projects already started or
authorized and hold up additional
w. P. A. construction until the new
Relief Act is changed.
William Green, president of the
federation, disclosed he and other
A. F. L. leaders had made this sug-
gestion in separate conferences yes
terday with the President and John
M. Carmody. the new Federal Works
Administrator.
Neither the President nor the
works chieftain made any commit
ment regarding the proposal, he said,
but he rather hoped the Chief
Executive would make a public state
ment on the matter soon.
Mr. Green contended that Col. F.
G. Harrington. the work-relief COM
missioner. could grant the feder-
atoms request under a section of
the new relief law giving him dis
cretionary authority to suspend So
called security wage rates if, in his
judgment, he thought this Should
be done
The commissioner could at least
restore prevailing rates on all prof.
ects started or authorized before the
law was enacted, Mr.. Green said.
More Strikers Dismissed.
The attitude at national w. P. A.
headquarters that the new act must
be enforced strictly was evidenced
further yesterday by continued dis
missal of striking workers, now close
to 10000, and by an announcement
from Col. Harrington that 100000
would be slashed from the rolls by
August /.
The cut ordered by Col. Harring-
ton is designed to bring the total
w. P. A. enrolment down to 2,10O 900.
The enrolment already has been
reduced from 100000 to 100000.
Col. Harrington said the reduction
would be effected largely by drop
ping those workers who have been
on the rolls for 18 consecutive
months.
The new relief act, which went
into effect July l, directed that such
workers be furloughed for 30 days.
This provision has drawn criticism
from organized labor, although the
current walkouts have been directed
chiefly at new wage regulations re-
quiring w. P. A. employees to work
130 hours month. These regula-
tions had the effect of reducing the
hourly pay of skilled workers who
had been receiving the prevailing
local wage for their type of work.
Mr.. Roosevelt's assertion that
strikes against the Government are
illegal and that the w. P. A. demon
strations fall in this category, made
at press conference yesterday, drew
quick support from members of
Congress.
Seen Hurting Chances.
Some members advocating revi-
sion of the wage regulations said
continuance of the strike was dam
aging their chance of getting Con-
gress to approve changes.
Representative Bradley, Demo-
erat, of Pennsylvania, one of these,
said he had suggested to labor lead
ers that they prevail on their work.
ers to refrain from striking and, in
the meantime, continue representa-
tions to individual Congress men,
bers.
Senator Murray. Democrat, of
Montana, author OF Dill to restore
the old w. P. A. wage system, said,
'The remedy for the present sit
uation lies in congressional action
rather than in strikes"
Senator Adams, Democrat, of
Colorado asserted the administration
had adopted a sound attitude" to-
ward the w. P. A. walkouts, and Sem
ator Minton, Democrat, of Indiana
told reporters:
THE President is absolutely right.
The administration has always been
friend to the working people. If
there is to be any change in the law,
1t should come about through order
ly congressional processes.
Norris Backs View.
Senator Norris. Independent, of
Nebraska, declared: "It is funda-
mentally wrong to strike against
the Government. It seems to me