Evening star., 1946-02-15

Wage Sterilization Board to ap-
prove any wage or salary increase
or part thereof, which is found to
be consistent with the general pat
tern Of wage or salary adjustments
established in the industry or local
labor market area since August 49,
l945. Where there is no such gen.
eral pattern, provision is made for
the approval of increases found
necessary to eliminate gross ineoui-
ties as between related industries
plants or job classified tions, or to
correct substandards of living. or
to correct disparities between the
increase in wage or salary rates
since January, 194l, and the in
crease in the cost of living between
that date and September, 1945.
Many Good Groups Qualify.
This wage program. therefore
takes into account the thousands
of wage agreements reached before
and after vi day. While many
groups of wage and salary earners
may qualify for increases under
this policy, in order to bring their
pay into line with the increased cost
Of living, or with the existing wage
levels OF the industry or area, the
program is not to be interpreted
as permitting indiscriminate wage
increases. The executive order pro-
yides that the sterilization ad-
ministrator shall determine those
classes Of cases in which a wage
increase may be put into effect
without requiring prior Wage Sta
bilization Board approval and with
out any waiver of any rights to ask
for price relief. These cases will
include all those in which the in
crease will clearly not have an
unstabilizing effect. 1t Is contem-
plated that many of those increases
coming within the present pattern
Of wage increases will not have to
have individual approval. I hope
that free collective bargaining will
be used to. the fullest possible ex-
tent.
Increases outside and beyond this
general policy cannot be approved
without subjecting the workers and
the public to the danger Of infla-
ton. It is to the best advantage
OF the American worker, above all
other groups. that the price line be
held.
The change now being made In
our wage and pricing standards can
succeed only with the support of
business, labor, Congress, all the
agencies of the administration, and
the rank and file of the American
people.
I am directing that all adminis-
trative agencies use their full legal
powers, including emergency powers
delegated to them under the Second
War Powers Act, to assist the Office
OF Price Administration in meeting
the Governments responsibility for
retaining control over the forces of
imitation.
Priorities and ALLEGATIONS powers
will be used vigorously wherever
necessary to prevent increases in
prices. There will be a strict en-
forcement of inventory controls.
The resources Of the Treasury and
Justice Departments will be called
upon when necessary to assist in
enforcing these controls.
Production Our Salvation.
I trust that Congress will: OI
Extend the stabilization statutes
without amendment and will do SO
with all possible speed so that there
may be no question in anyone,s mind
concerning the determination Of the
Congress to see the fight against
imitation through to the finish; cd
extend the subsidy program for an
other full year; CD enact promptly
the Patman bill to establish price
controls over housing (present spec
ulation in the real estate market is
one Of the most dangerous aspects
of the present situation and one