Evening star., 1944-10-12
Wages
Continued From First Page. )

EACH Case WoulQ lncluQe appfoprl-
ate provisions for reopening in case
any change in the policy should
be made"
In the meantime, the board will
have before it many issues regarded
as highly important, yet neverthe-
less secondary to the Little Steel"
formula. These include such de-
mands as guaranteed annual
wage, discharge or severance pay, a
higher level of rates for elimination
OF subStandard conditions and a
fund for returning servicemen.
Boards Resolution,
The resolution adopted by the
board said:
'The board will submit to the
President through the economic
stabilization director a report set
ting forth pertinent data regarding
the relationship of wages to the
cost of living, and an appraisal of
the nature and extent of alleged
inequities created by the changes
which have occurred.
''The board is not sufficiently in
formed as to the possible effects
of a modification of the Little
Steel formula on the price struc-
ture, and on the national economy
generally to warrant assurance that
any modification could be made
consistent with the stabilization
needs of the country and with the
provisions of the act of October 2,
1912 (as renewed by the Economic
Sterilization Renewal Act of June
80, 1944. The board will therefore
not include in its factual report to
the President any recommendations
for action one way or the other with
regard to the Little Steel formula.
''The board will proceed to a con-
sideration of (a) any particular in
equities in the wage sterilization
policy including the so-called
bracket system and substandard
wages discussed in the proceedings
before the board held from Septem-
ber 26 to October 6, 1914, inclusive;
and (b) the nature of the most
pressing wage problems which con-
front the board with respect to re-
conversion. The board will include
in its report to the President an
appraisal of these aspects of the
wage stabilization policy, together
with any suggestions for broadening
or clarifying the boards authority
in dealing with specific inequities,
and with reconversion wage adjust
mentS.
Limited to Is Per Cent.
'The board will complete its re-
port to the President as expeditiously
as possible, and will Immediately
thereafter act upon the pending
cases under the present wage stabil-
ization policy, with appropriate pro-
visions for reopening in case any
change in the policy should be made.
If circumstances permit, without de-
laying the preparation Of the report
to the President, the board may act
upon some of the issues in the pend
ing cases prior to the completion of
said report"
The Little Steel" formula limits
wage increases to Is per cent above
the January, 1941, level to COM
pensate for increased living costs.
Botn official and labor indices have
placed the increases in living costs
in excess of Is per cent.
William H. Davis, WLB chair
man, told news conference that
from the beginning of the wage
stabilization program it has been
the purpose and the hope of ths
public members to maintain if pos
sible the established peacetime
standards of the working man, in
cluding their wage standards"
Difference in Method.
Mr.. Davis said the differences be-
tween the public and the labor mem
bers lis not difference of purpose
but a difference of method"
UNFORTUNATELY, a wage standard
is not measured by dollars alone,
but by dollars divided by prices" he
continued. 'The problem is not cam
you raise wages, but can you BRING
wages closer to prices"
Labor members, announcing that
1--WE intend to make our own recon-
mendations to the President" ex-I
pressed doubt that the WLB report
would reach the White House very|
soon. r. j. Thomas, president Of
the CIO United Auto Workers, said,
IF the public members proceed the
way they have been proceeding, the
President will get it sometime next |
year. We expect ours will get there
first"
George Meany, AFL secretary
treasurer, said that tabor can only
hope" the President will "act with
common sense and justice" without
consultation with the War Labor
Board.
They get the medals and vnoI1en