Montana labor news., 1945-07-26
THINK WLB MAY BE
ABSORBED
BY SCHWELLENBACK

WASHINGTON -QP) Whispers car
ried by the political winds that never
stop blowing in this nations hectic cap
ital say the plans are ready for moving
the independent war agencies into regu-
lar government departments
This means. Of course, that we may
soon see both the National War Labor
Board and the War Manpower Commis-
sion moved into the Labor department
under Secretary Lewis Schwellenbach.
And it also means that RFC, which
became a bankers toy in the hands Of
Jesse Jones. is going to wind up in the
Treasury department, and possibly that
the Smaller War Plants Corporation
will be taken over by Secretary Of Com
merce Henry A. Wallace.
Foreign trade activities, kicking around
in several spots, are lined up for place
ment in the hands of the State depart
ment if these reports are carried into
action.
All Of these things points up the de-
sign of President Harry S. Truman to
get rid Of the war agencies in his pro-
gram Of streamlining the federal gov
ernment. It is something the late Presi-
dent Roosevelt always promised to do as
soon as possible Truman is now moving
the promise into action.
It may be said that the shift will have
a good deal Of merit because the regular
departments will protect these absorbed
agencies from some of the whims of tory
congressman. FEPC would not havi
been in mortal danger had it not beer
an executive agency, set apart and on
in the open where it was subject t.
1 attack by the southern bloc.
Although there may be some reduction
in the functions of the agencies afte
absorption by the regular departments
there is no chance that the hope Of tn
return to normalcy" crowd will prevail
and they will simply wither away. Fac
of the war agencies has made its mar
on the u. S. economy. Each has left it
program, policy, approach and body G
law impressed upon the government.
BY preparing the move now rathe
than waiting until after the defeat c
Japan. there is likely to be far less op
position. After vi day there would b
a feeling that we could just Jet the wa
agencies die-as they must under tn
present federal law creating them
Another consideration is that if thes
agencies are absorbed by the regular de
partments under cabinet officers ther
will be much less time taken in hearing
and arguments. Business will find
tougher appealing against a ruling be
cause they won't find any Industry Ad
visory Committee handy Appeals wi
have to be taken to Congress-and that
mighty slow work.
OPA pleased with the real victory
won in the price control extension ac
is certain to hold on Most Of OPA
pricing schedules are going to be with u
for some time ahead despite heavy in
dustry opposition.
Inc llQuSLIg duldCh OAA VI "A AA-N --
relented. It is stin working for ne
pricing standard to guarantee a prof
on each product manufactured. Althoug
OPA can and has shown that no ir
dustry makes a profit on every item pre-
duced in any period, whether in peaf
or war, this is exactly what a large sex
+ior of Rio business is demanding.
Il OPA contends that as long as II
overall earnings Of an industry al
profitable-that it makes up for a breal
e even point on one item by profits on
j number of others-that picture is fair
q Most OPA attention is to be center'
/ now on cost-of-living items. There W
be little time spent worrying about pric
Of imported wines.