Evening star., 1942-07-21
Roosevelt Expected
To See Capitol Chiefs
Today on Wage Policy
Green Suggests Pay
Ruises Be Given in Bonds
RedeemobIe After War

Raises Be Given in Bonds
RedeemobIe After War
Ey thc Associated Press.
Congress impatiently sought
today to learn whether - and
when-President Roosevelt might
ask for supplementary price
control legislation, based on wage
stabilization, so that plans for a
recess of several weeks could be
renewed or abandoned.
There were reports that the Presi-
dent would confer with Senate and
House Democratic chieftains during
the day, and one of the leaders,
who asked not to be quoted by name,
said he hoped to be able to make a
definitely statement shortly.
SHOULD a presidential message on
the subject be forthcoming shortly,
a majority of members of Congress
could split away for an indefinite
period while the House committee
conducted hearings and the Senate
Finance Committee proceeded with
study of the House-approved
s6,27l 900, 900 tax bill.
Legislation Need Seen.
None professed knowledge OF
what Mr.. Roosevelt might recon-
mend. but many expressed belief
that the current difficulties with
the price-control program would
:necessitate additional legislation
such as maintenance of the status
quo of wages and some sort OF
freezing" of farm prices.
Meanwhile, suggestion that all
future wage increases be paid In
bonds redeemable after the war
came from William Green, president
of the American Federation of La
Dor. He proposed also the estab-
lishment of wage policy commits
sion consisting of an equal number
of representatives of labor, manage
.ment and Government, ito co-ordi-
nate and unity wage policies"
The AFL head advanced his wage
proposals, which he said would be
preferable to wage control by leg
islation or decree. as part Of 10
point anti-inflation program.
Problem Under Study.
: His suggestion that any wage in
rreases by in non -spendable bonds
in itself drastic proposal-aroused
conjecture as to whether he had
reason to believe Mr.. Roosevelt was
considering even more far-reaching
steps to halt a swelling consumer
purchasing power viewed as an inf1a-
ton danger.
Mr.. Roosevelt tod press confer
ence last Friday that the whole
problem of imitation and wage con-
trolls was under study, but that he
did not know when recommended
tions would 60 to Congress.
Since then, varying versions Of
Just what the Chief Executive has
in mind have come from numerous
officials and others. With the excep-
ton of Senator Hill, Democrat, of
Alabama, none has been willing to
be quoted by name.
Senator Hill, Democratic whip,
told interviewers in Birmingham
yesterday that IAN overall ceiling
covering wages, commodities and all
other major factors in living costs
will be asked by the President. And
II the President asks for immediate
action, Congress will forego the pro-
,,osed midsummer recess and pass |
the measure he believes necessary to |
preserve the war price structure"
Many Members Leave Town.
One of those officials who asked
to remain anonymous said Mr..
Roosevelt would request flexible
general authority to control wages
and farm prices-the two major
cost factors now under only limited
control at most. This official sug-
gested that the Presidents recon-
mendations would go to the Capitol
next week.
Chairman George of the Senate
Finance Committee expressed hope
that if anything was to be presented
the President would send a message
before hearings on the tax bill begin
Thursday.
: With completion Of the tax bill
IN the House yesterday many men,
bers took night trains to their
homes, anticipating that commit
tees would require several weeks of
hearings and study before any
amendments to the Basic Price Con-
troll Act would be ready for floor
consideration and final vote. Nu-
merous election primaries are sched
uled for the next few weeks and
many members have not been able
to leave their desks for months.
Mr.. Green's statement said labor
"hates and fears imitation more
than any industrialist or capitalist
or public Official"
The wealthy will lose only part
OF the value Of their money from
imitation he continued. THE work
.ers stand to lose their health and
their lives.
Labor's Rights Safesuarded.
But labor values freedom above
life itself and it will unalterably
and uncompromisingly oppose with
all its strength any attempt to de-
stroy its economic freedoms on the
pretext Of preventing imitation
This Is why the American Fed.
Grafton of Labor now submits to the
President and to Congress a pro.
gram Of imitation control which safe.
guards labors democratic rights yet
effectively anchors the cost of livinl
and is fair to all"
Mr.. Green's program included
wage adjustments through collective
bargaining between labor and man.
agement; voluntary wage stabiliza
tlan agreements; wage polio.
commission of labor, management
and Government to coordinate ant
unity wage policies: immediate con
troll Of excessive corporate profit
through taxation; a program O
progressive income taxation de
signed to prevent personal profiteer
Ing in war time; control of price