Evening star., 1939-07-14


could discuss the difficulties of the
prevailing wage as compared to the
130-hour requirement, but the Presi-
dent replied that it would take too
long, as it was q matter for an
hours discussion. He said there
were many pros and cons on each
angle.
On other fronts of the contro-
versy free-for-all battle of threats
was under way, with a final answer
on the whole fight not likely before
the 1910 elections.
Some of the threats were reported
as follows:
Striking workers in several COM
allegedly have attempted to
intimidate and coerce others on the
rolls to join the protest movement.
The Federal Government, through
the Justice Department and at the
request of the w. P. A., sent its in
vestigators into the field in threat
to punish the strikers who are
threatening others.
The American Federation of La
Dor, through New York spokesman,
threatened to retire to private life
any member of the House Of Repre-
sentatives not favoring a return of
the prevailing wage principle to
w. P. A. labor.
The A. F. L., through its affll-
lated Pennsylvania State Fedora
ton, threatened-in fact ordered-a
strike of $4,000 skilled A. F. L. Ia
borers now employed on w. P. A.
projects in that State, the walkolt
being scheduled for 4:30 pm. today.
Meanwhile, Col. F. c. Harrington,
w. P. A. commissioner, completing
q two-day conference of State ad-
ministrators in Chicago. threatened
to keep on firing all who remain
away from their jobs without au-
thorization for five consecutive
working days. In addition, the
commissioner announced that he
would not ask Congress for any
change in the controverted pro-
visions Of the 1910 Relief Act and
that he would begin a month early
the ordered 30-day furloughs of
those who have been on w. P. A.
rolls for 10 months.
He expects a loud howl he
added, when he does this and when
he announces the new scale of
average wages which presumably
will reduce those of the North and
West, while increasing those in the
South.
Government investigation of al
legged intimidation was centering
thus far in Minneapolis and East
st. Louis, Attorney General Murphy
disclosing the activities of his de-
partment at a press conference late
yesterday.
Mr.. Murphy said there had been
some instances of racketeering in
the w. P. A. strikes, notably at
Minneapolis and at some other
points. He added that racketeering
was different from the sincere type
of protest, which is understandable" !"
The Attorney General said com
mon sense" was needed to cope with
the strikes. He explained he had
suggested to district attorneys that
they keep in mind the unfortunate
situation that has been created"
Major Problem.
The major problem, he said, has
arisen from honest protest Of
strikers, adding:
wv. P. A. protests have been re-
ceived with respect and sympathy,
and we will try to direct the ham
ding of the problem in the public
interest"
In Minneapolis the Federal inves-
tigators were to be investigated in
turn by the striking w. P. A. group
as q joint action committee direct
ing the protest yesterday named a
subcommittee to probe the conduct
of Federal Bureau of Investigation
agents sent out from Washington.
Chester Watson, State Workers
Alliance president and member of
the committee, asserted the F. B. I.
entrance into the situation was
merely sensational move on the
part of w. P. A. officials to make
sensational headlines and to break
the workers protest"
The committee charged in state
ment that the F. B. I. is "conspiring
to organize a wide campaign of in
timidation and Justification" and Ito
deprive workers Of their right to
strike, organize and peacefully
picket"
Retaliation Threat.
The threat of political retaliation
by labor" against any member Of
the House who is not definitely
polled in favor of restoration of the
prevailing rate of pay" for w. P. a..
workers was voiced today by Bernard
Tassler, press representative of the
American Federation of Labor in
New York City, the Associated Press
In prepared statement, Mr.. Tass-
Ter said, "any member of the House
of Representatives who is not def
nitely polled in favor of legislation
restoring the prevailing rate of pay
before the end of the current ses-
sion, obviously need cherish no fond
hopes of winning another term.
Labor will reward its friends and
punish its enemies and no legislator
will be classed as a friend who is
unable to show that he voted with
labor. The Senate was with
labor " and we know the Senate
will be with labor again on the
restoration of the prevailing rate.
The House of Representatives also
will be with us on this trip, we are
convinced"
Mr.. Tassler asserted censorship"
had been strictly applied" by New
York w. p. A. officials since the be-
ginning of w. P. A. walkouts.
At a last-minute conference on
Pennsylvania strike plans in Phila-
delphia, labor leaders expressed
hope the walkout might be averted
If Congress takes definite action"
on the work month provision over