Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-11
City, Trade Board
Split on Pay Floor
D. 6. Ailments
Cited at Hearing
By Both Sides
By SAM EASTMAN
Star staff Writer


lation for a minimum wage
would help cure the city's major
economic and social Welfare
ailments.
A spokesman for a business
organization-the Metropolitan
Washington Board of Trade
took an opposite tack and at
tackled the bill on half-dozen
points.
The House District Subcom-
mittee's hearing was on a
measure that would set q SIPS
minimum wage in the District.
Most Women Protected
The bill was introduced by
the subcommittee chairman,
Representative Multer, Demo-
crat Of New York.
Hearings have been held by Q
Senate District Subcommittee
on an identical measure intro
duced on that side by Senator
Morse, Democrat Of Oregon.
The Districts law now pro-
vides minimum wage standards
for most women and minors.
The hin m I'm S for women
range from about S.88 to $1.05
an hour. depending on the type
of labor.
A 1861 Federal law dealing
mainly with interstate busi-
nesSes provided for a three-step
wage increase system to bring
hourly minimums to $1.25. The
Morse-MuIter bills would pro-
vide those city workers covered
with a Hat SIPS minimum.
At today's hearing, District
Commissioner John B. Duncan
said that an adequate minimum
wage law covering ell workers
in the city is necessary to the
public welfare.
2-Step Change Favored
The Commissioners favor
amending the legislation so
that the $1.25 rate be reached
in two stepS--a $1.l5 minimum
on the effective date Of the bill
land SIPS on September 3, 1865.
The Multer subcommittee
heard the minimum wage
legislation attacked by a
spokesman for the Metropoli-
tan Washington Board OF
Trade, Frank A. Gunther. who
is chairman of the organiza-
: tion's Employment and Securi-
ty Committee. He cited. these
arguments:
The bill would establish a
minimum wage exceeding that
of all States except Alaska,
Washington, Connecticut and
Massachusetts,; the measure
would be applicable to some
employment exempted in most
States. particularly domestic
services; and the legislation
would place the District at a
competitive disadvantage since
neither Maryland nor Virginia
have minimum wage laws.
No Surprises in Lineup
Mr.. Gunther also said that
the bill would create some
cumbersome procedures and
rules" for employers subject to
the Federal Wage and Hour
Law; the bill would adversely
affect the economy of the
District; and it would curtail
employment opportunities for
the handicapped, the aged,
students and other marginal
workers.
There were no surprises in
the lineup of the witnesses on
the legislation.
Organizations supporting an
increase in minimum wage
included the Washington
Building Trades Council the
National Consumers League
and the Greater Washington
Central Labor Council.
Martin J. Bond, speaking for
the labor council, said:
mo sound case can be made
against minimum wage and
hours protection. 1t would
bring a measure of justice to
thousands of workers who have
no other recourse. It would
stimulate the community's
economy without danger of
initiation or a decline in en-
ployment "
Strong opposition to the
legislation came from John S.
ICockrell. representing the
R eStaurant Association of
Metropolitan Washington. Mr..
COckrell said that a SIPS
minimum would hit the restau-
raft industry harder than any
tbeT hllcineSe