Montana labor news., 1944-04-27

: All this became crystal clear April 20
when industry took the stand following
labor's spokesman before the Senate
banking and currency committee study
ing the bill and OPA's operation under
its provisions.
Industrialists have from 5 to 20
amendments to help preserve price con
troll under the system of competitive
capitalism"
Vice Pres. Paul H. Nystrom of the
Control Council Of National Retail As
sociations, Washington, outlined some Of
the major amendments.
Nystrom's council is a sort of central
body for the mail order houses, jewellers.
chain stores, furniture, hardware, shoe
and retail credit groups. He was re-
ceived in style by the committee and
throughout his testimony was given help
full and sympathetic advice from the
senator's in sharp contrast to the rather
antagonistic attitude the same indivilu-
ais took toward AFL Pres. William Green
and CLIO Pres. Philip Murray.
First off, Nystrom wanted an amend
ment so that trade associations can
protest actions by OPA." Under the law
as written only those who are directly
hurt or claim to be hurt can cry ouch.
Then Nystrom asked for an amend
ment to permit retailers to go into
court to appeal an OPA order. Under
the present law retailers may appeal but
only through an Emergency Court OF
Appeals. OF course the suggested change
would tie OPA regulations into million
knots-fast.
Next the retail group would change
the law to allow OPA to make investiga-
tons to assist in enforcement Of its regu-
lations only when a court says such in
vestigation is desirable. Under the law
OPA may investigate when it decides
investigation is necessary to carry out
the law.
Other amendments would write in a
specific ban on profit control to carry
out the industrialsts plea that OPA is
interested more in limiting profits than
it is in controlling prices; strike out
the word generally in the price sec
ton which now says OPA shall set
prices that are generally fair and equit-
able" The change would mean that
every high-cost producer would make a
profit no matter how slipshod his meth
DDS Of operation. Rep. Howard Smith
D.-Ba) likes that one, too.
Another witness was Gen. Mgr. Lew
Hahn of the Natl Retail Drygoods Assn.
The tone of his remarks was set by his
Shot: "OPA has got to have a
change in attitude. It is filled with
b%ureaucrats. We have tried for two
years to get amendments made and
haven't got the first one yet. So we
have to appeal to you gentlemen in Con
gress."
DR.. C T. Murchison, president Of the
Cotton-TeXtile Institute, Inc, COM
that present textile workers
aren't as good as those who have gone
to war or higher paying industries. He
said the increased cost per unit hadn't
been frozen although wages were.
Sen. Robert A. Taft R.-O) tried to
get Murchison to say that the 48 hour
week just ordered by the WLB for the
textile industry had increased costs, but
Murchison's conscience wouldn't permit
that. He replied: THE 48 hour week
isn't too much Of a factor. Most Of the
industry is overwhelmingly on the 48
hour week has been for some time
He also said prices were higher because
industry was not making the goods
most in demand-goods consumers need
On which prices are frozen.