The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-09

Chairman Paul V. McNutt was told to forbid employment by any em- ployer Of any new empioye or the acceptance of employment by a new employe" except as authorized by WING regulations. The purpose Of this order, the president said, was to prevent job switching for high- CT wages unless the change of em. ployment would aid in the effective prosecution of the war"
 {. Federal, state and local govern.
 nents were told that common car- rier or public utility rates inconsist- ent with the economic stabilization program would be 'disapproved and rate reductions effected"
 Byrnes' Powers Restated
 5. The broad powers of Byrnes were restated, particularly his au- thority ito stabilize the national economy. to maintain and increase production and to aid in the effec- tive prosecution of the war;" Byrnes was given the power of approval over any phase of the economic stabilization program. This power is not new, but it's reiteration strengthened Byrnes' control over domestic affairs.
 President Roosevelt's statement was a general warning to all spe- cial groups such as the congression- al farm bloc and labor that com- petition for higher prices and wages must end because the resulting con- hict will mot only cause imitation but will breed disunity at time when unity is essential.
 'The only way to hold the line," he said, "is to stop trying to find justif1cations for not holding the line here and not holding it there. |. We cannot afford to take fur- ther chances in relaxing the line. We have already taken too many"
 That was regarded as a definite slap at recent demands by farm and labor groups-agriculture asking for improved price positions and labor asking for depression of retail prices to living costs of more than Q year ago.
 One section of the presidents statement was a rebuke to the Sen- ate for recent tactics on the vetoed Bankhead bill to exclude farm ben- eft payments from the computation of parity, and may be interpreted by the sponsors of that measure as a challenge. Noting that the bill had been sent back to the commit tee and that 1t may beb rought out for consideration against weeks or months hence. MT. Roosevelt said:
 T am advised that in the history of Congress no bill vetoed by a president and recommitted to a committee has ever become law.
 T cannot wait to see whether the committee at some future date will again report the bill to the Senate. cannot permit a continuance of the upward spiral of prices"
 In putting the economic future of | the United States squarely before the President said:
 We cannot stop imitation solely | oy wage and price ceilings. We can- | not stop it solely by rationing. To complete the job, congress must act 70 reduce and hold in check the ex- cess purchasing power. We must oe prepared to tax ourselves more. Q spend less and save more"
 Details of new fiscal legislation, ne added, must be worked out by he appropriate house and senate committees with the executive de- oartmentS standing ready to sub. nit suggestions whenever the com. nitteeS desire"
 Expansive Provisions
 The price control provisions of his order were expansive, according to lis own description.
 "All items affecting the cost of lying are to be brought under con. .rol," he said. No further price increases are to be sanctioned un- ess imperatively required by law"
 Thus he made apparent plans to his policy of blocking, if possible, any legislation that will 'esult in higher living costs or cause breakdown in the governments wage stabilization structure.
 There are to be no further in- ;rease in wage rates" he said, "or salaries scales beyond the little teel formula, except where clearly necessary to correct substandards of lying"
 At first glance, this statement seemed to be a challenge and a promise for John L. Lewis, president 'f the United Mine Workers who las been demanding a $2 daily in- 'rease for his members. It would lppear to bar the $2-a-day wage increase, but there have been re- ports that Lewis might accept a compromise on the so-called portal o-portal issue. That would pro. 'ide that miners be paid from the ime they arrive at the mine head 1ntil they leave the mine head. Vow they are paid when they reach he coal vein they are mining and when they leave it. In some cases hat would give the miners a wage increase comparable to their de. n MI