Evening star., 1942-10-04

1ISc1AC1l1 AdtC yCStCludy AACC11OOu
on his new duties and said after
ward that he would not interpret
his orders pending further study,
but outlined his conception Of his
functions thus:
"The President conferred upon me
power to determine a policy to bring
about the accomplishment Of the
objectives Of this legislation.
THE power to determine that
policy doesn't mean I am called
upon to administer that policy.
Eases White House Burden.
Prom q casual reading of the
order, one objective will be to har-
monize that policy. The control OF
prices necessarily involves many de-
partments, and necessarily conflicts
arise. My duty would be to hear
and resolve those conflicts and re-
lieve the President Of that deter
mination, and also many admins
trative burdens that will arise by
reason Of the executive order"
Since he will have no admins
trative obligations, Mr.. Byrnes said
he would employ only q small staff
Mr.. Byrnes said he would take
over his new job tomorrow morning
In quarters assigned to him by the
President In the new east wing of
the White House.
Smiling as he left the conference
with the Chief Executive, Mr..
Byrnes referred to the new office
addition to the executive mansion
as the left wing" but laughinRly
added that this had mo political or
economic significance.
Puts Duty to u. S. First
Mr.. Byrnes said he ordinarily
would not resign from the Supreme
Court to accept any other of1ice
but that "in the situation now con-
fronting the Nation, I could not
| decline to serve wherever the
Commander-in-Chief requests"
Many details of how the new wage
and salary curbs will be applied re-
main to be worked out by Mr.. Byrnes
and the War Labor Board, the func-
tions Of which were extended to
cover all industries and all en-
ployes" by the President.
For example, it was said in author
itative quarters that the qualified
limitation Of $4,000 a year on SAL
aries may be applied only to those
received after some future date, per-
haps after December or January
When the limitation become effec-
tive and exactly what provisions
may be made Ito prevent undue
hardship" as directed by the Presi-
dent, remain for Mr.. Byrnes to de-
eide.
Will Consult With Board.
In formulating policy, he will "ad-
wise and consult" with members OF
an Economic Sterilization Board
set up within the offce he heads
This board will include two repre-
sentatives each of management
labor and farmers to be appointed
later by Mr.. Roosevelt, and the
Secretaries of Agriculture, Treasury
Commerce, Labor, the Price Ad.
ministrator, Budget Director, VILE
chairman and the chairman of the
Board of Governors of the Fedora
Reserve System.
The WLB was designated as thu
agency to carry out the wage policie.
stipulated in the Presidents execu.
tive order and the policy directive.
issued by Mr.. Byrnes.
The board was given authority tx
permit adjustments in wages from
September Is levels when "neces.
sary to correct Embellishments OF
inequalities, to eliminate substan.
dards of living, to correct gross in.
equities, or to aid In the effective
prosecution Of the war"
Can Overrule WLB Increase.
/ Director Byrnes was authorized tt
overrule any rise approved by tn,
WLB, However, if it would requir,
a change in price ceilings.
The President provided that ex.
emptions from wage regulation!
might be made to facilitate admin
istration lin the case of small tota
wage increases or decreases"
Salary increases for those earnin,
less than $4,000 year apparent,
were not forbidden by the executiv.
order, which froze those above tina
level until otherwise determined b,
the director" except in the case o
promotions. Salary decreases be
low The highest paid for particular
work between January and Sep
tember Is were banned unless 1T,
correct gross inequities and aid IL
effective prosecution of the war"
Mr.. Byrnes was authorized t,
take the necessary action" to pre-
vent any salary exceeding a ne
$4,000 year lin order to correc
gross inequittes and to provide TO
greater equality in contributing t,
the war effort"
The Presidents executive actor
in this connection followed failur
| hv ConUroSS tn ort ~, hjs oravio,,