The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-26
TON
DAYBOOK
By PRESTON O v

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The Smith. of. Vir.
ginia committee Investigating fumblings Of the
national labor relations board is hot on the
trail of so-called "blackjacking" by the govern
ment.
The "blackjacking' is supposed to have been
directed at business. organizations to compel
them to abide by the labor bargaining law.
But if the committe would cast a rowing
eye about, it would find that congress itself
has been employing the same squeeze-plays
for several years with the general aim of boost
ing wages and reducing working hours.
Congress- Wish
The major discovery Of the committee was
that the F had agreed to hold up loans to
employers whose labor relations were under
examination by the labor board.
Yet, by specific action, congress at various
times has ruled that no business house or con.
tractor can get government business unless he
agrees in advance to guarantee prevailing
wages and hours"
The Bacon-D Davis act requires prevailing
wages and hours" in all government building
contracts above $ 1000. while the Walsh-Healy
act does the same for government supply con-
tracts valued above $4,000.
Source of Opposition
Whether or not it is a good idea for the
government to go into these things is another
question. There have been mutterings in con.
gress that the thing has gone too far. One OF
the arguments against the long pending bill
to grant extensive federal aid to schools was
that it would permit the government to "black'
Jack" the states into adopting whatever trend
in education the federal government happened
to favor at the time. Good old states Fighters
looked upon it as almost the ultimate in break
ing down state independence.
sss
Hope to Raise Wages
"Blackjacking" is probably a strong word te
use in such business, but the idea is the same
in all instances. The government may have ar
idea that a certain glove-maker Is paying toe
low wages, SO when a contract for gloves Is
to be let, the low-wage glove-maker is auto
matically out of the bidding unless he agrees
to pay prevailing wages in the making of thu
government gloves.
The result in some instances has been tina
workmen standing side by side draw two diff
ferent scales Of pay. The administrators OF the
law do not attempt to hide their hope tina
the result will be to force general adoption O
the prevailing wages" by all industries. e.
An Old Idea
AS a matter of fact a somewhat modified
system of governmental "blackjacking" Of tn
states has been going on for a half century, al
in the cause of better education. And the states
love it.
The system has to DO with the Varlou
grants in aid" to the states for doing this an
that. Annually the government puts up in eX
cess of $50, 600, 900 for distribution among tn
states for education in home economics, voca
tional training and rehabilitation for farm eS
Fermentation.
Most of the money must be matched dollar
~for-dollar by the states. While the government
claims not to hold too close a rein on hoy
the states will spend the money, it exerctse
a veto power which is backed up by the pros
pect that the money may be withdrawn If tn
states don't follow directions.
That system dates clear back to 1887, vine
the Hatch act authorized research in rura
home economics and sociology with a tlavorln
of agricultural experimenting. The states IA
to match the money If they got it.
And it was only lately that congress ease
up on the most controversial squeeze OF all
the ruling that Immigrant colleges must re
uuire all male students of suitable physique t
take military training.