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; . ' * / r . ' * ; ; ^ ' . ^ J ^ ' . X ' V ? ; . ; ; v ^ r O ' J ^ THE M'HENRY PLAINDEALER, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1933./ "T^rrc-ir^" • »&• & fitiii»';^::;:* (MM PAST Wt BOOM MKV '1 t means to you *J w ISISIili *fl •J V;fc ••ij i/r-V- "*'» *1 can .£*?%«' President's Reemployment Program » advancing to complete success. No such sweeping demonstration of ihe unity of a ifhote '.^people against a national danger has ever been made, • In this vast surge of patriotism it is necessary to keep our common purpose .J&lways clear. When 125,000,000 people attempt to act a:s one man there are sure to be some misunderstandings, it is time to restate H* clearly as possible the aim of the whole endeavor and the duty of each individual. • That is the purpose of this message--to state officially, briefly and clearly the simple rules for common guidance* • his an evidence of the self'Sacrificing service of the whole country that this newspaper has donated this space. In that spirit the whole country is acting, • This plan depends wholly en united action. That unity is almost complete. In the next few days let us close up every gap in -- the ranks and nail the flag of the Blue Eagle on the door of every man who works another man. tiFFlflAL^EXPLANA^lOliHIF THE PRESIDENT'S REEMPLOYMENT agreement . ^tomUwir mltM»«d "The Blanket Cade") 31)1* Agreement binds you to put Its terms into effect from the time you sign the Certificate of Compliance until December 31, 1933; but w cn (the President has approved a Code for your trade or industry, that Code takes the place of* this Agreement. - You agreei CMM (1) Aft*rA*gnst si, 1933, not to employ any person under 16 yean of age, except that persons between 14 and 16 nay be employed (but Hot in manufacturing or mechanical Industries) for not to exceed 3 hours per day and those hours between 7 A. M. and 7 P. M. in (such work as will not interfere with hours of day school. This means that after August 31, 1933, you ftgree not to employ any children under 14 years OKI In any kind of business. You may employchildren between 14 and 16 years old, but only for three hours a day and those hours must be between 7 in the morning and 7 at night, and , arranged so as not to interfere with school. You agree not to employ any children under 16 years old in a manufacturing or mechanical Industry, at any time. Maximum Hours (Jl'lfit to work any accounting, cleHcal, fcank- • fng, office, service, or sales employees (except . outside salesmen) in any store, office, department, establishment, or public utility, or on any automotive or horse-drawn passenger, express, delivery, or freight service, or-jn any other place or manner, for more than W hours In any 1 week and not to reduce the hours of tiny store or service operation to below 52 hours In any 1 week, unless such hours were less than 62 hours per week before July 1, 1933, and in "the latter case not to reduce such hours at alL This means that you agree not to work any of the kinds of employees listed In this paragraph (except outside salesmen) for more than 40 hours a week. This paragraph covers all employees except factory workers, mechanical workers and artisans. However, no limit on hours and no minimum wage applies to purely agricultural labor, domestic servants, or persons working for you solely on a commission basis; but, if you have persona working for you who are guaranteed a base pay in addition to their commission, then their base pay plus commissions must equal the minimum'wage. This Agreement sets no maximum on the number of hours you may keep your business open: .You agree not to keep your wholesale, retail, or service establishment open less than 52 hours a .•week unless it was open less than 52 hours a Week before July 1, 1933. Even then you agree to keep it open as long as you used to keep it open before July 1. Of course, if you have always - Idept your store open shorter hours in the Summer months you can continue to do so this' Summer, but you should pay your employees the same amount each week that they will get when you keep your store open full time. The stores with more than two employees which remain open the longest are contributing the most to carrying out the purpose of the Agreement. The stores with two or less em-, , ployees which can be open only the minimum number of hours required, are doing the most to fulfill their part. (3) Not to employ any factory or mechanical > worker or artisan more than a maximum week C of 35 hours until December 31, 1933, but with the right to work a maximum week of 40 hours ""tor any 6 weeks within this period; and not to ; employ any worker more than 8 hours in any one day. ' - <• This means that If you are employing factory or mechanical workers or artisans, you agree not to work them more than 35 hours a week and li>t more than 8 hours in any one day. When you have more than the* usual amount Of work to do and can't get additional workers. >OU may employ this class of employee up to 40 nours a week in any 6 weeks, but even in this ease you must not work them more than 8 hours TIT day. (4) The maximum hours fixed in the foregoing paragraphs (2i and (3) shall not apply to employees in establishments employing not more than two persons in towns of less thant 2.500 population which towns are not part of. _j a larger trade area; nor to registered phar-;;_ macbts or other professional persons employed in their profession: nor to employees! in a managerial or executive capacity, "who now receive more than $35 per week; nor to employees on emergency, maintenance and! repair work; nor to veryi special cases whererestrictions of hours of Highly skilled workers! on continuous processes' would unavoidably reduce production but, (in any such special ease, at least time ano^one-third shall be' paid for hours worked in excess of the maximum. Population for the purposes of thisi agreement shall be determine^/by reference to the 1930 Federal census. This means that there are [certain employees whom you may work longer hours than are pillowed by paragraphs (2) ana (3) P.R. A. If your business is in a smallilown (population Ibfs than 2.500 by the 1930 censnsi and you do Bpt employ more than two persons: the limit on , hiours does not apply to these employees. If "your town is really a part of a larger business (community, the limit on hours does apply to • these employees. The limit on hours does not apply to your emi piovees who are wholly or primarily managers «er executives, as long as they receive $35 a week. IProfessional persons, like doctors, lawyers, reg-> tele red pharmacists and nurses, may be employed! WSthout any limit on hours. Where employees are doing emergency Jobs of 5 Maintenance or repair work, they may be kept e® tl;e job for longer hours, bat you agree to P- •' t,.?m at least time and one-third for hours work'i over the limits set in paragraphs (2) and (3) P R. A. _ There are a few very special cases where highly Skilled workers must be allowed to work more than the limit of hours in order to keep up output on continuous processes, but, here again, you agree to pay them at least time and one-third for the hours they work over the limits set in paragrafibs and (3) P.R. AMinimum Wages (5Y Not to pay any of the classes of employees (mentioned in paragraph (2) less than 115 per ' week in any city of over 500,990 population, or in the immediate trade area of such cit^ nor less than $14.50 per week in any city n between 250.000 and 500,000 population, or in the immediate trade area of such city; nor less than $14 per week in any city of between 2.500 and 250,000 population, or in the immediate trade area of such city and in towns of less than 2,500 population to increase all wages by not less than 20 per cent, provided that this shall not require wages In excess of 912 per week. This sets out the schedule of minimum wages Which you agree to pay all employees, except factory or mechanical workers or artisans. The Wages are set out in terms of dollars per week, hut if your employees are paid by the hour, you may use the following schedule: Place of Business: Minimum Wagel ( (P+pulmil+n by 1930 C«mw) Xa cities of 500,000 or over.. S7J4 cents per hoar 1> cities of between 250,009 and 500,000 seats per hoar la cities of between 2,5*0 and 250,000 35 cents per hoar . If your business is in a town of lees than 2,500 Epulation, you agree to raise all wages at least %. If raising all wages 20% causes you to pay over $12 per week, then you need only pay the $12 per week. . If there is any doubt in your mind as to Whether your business is in the "Immediate trade • Wea" of a city, you should ask your local Chamber of Commerce or other similar organization lor a decision on the matter. The general rule Is that the "immediate trade area" is the area in which there is direct retail competition. (6) Not to pay any employee of the classes mentioned in paragraph (3) less than 40 cents per hoar unless the hourly rate for the same class of work on July 15, 1929, was less than 40 rents per hoar, in which latter ease not to pay less than the hourly rate on Jaly 15, 1929, and in no event less than 3S cents per hour. It is agreed that this paragraph establishes a guaranteed minimum rate of pay regardless of - . whether the employee is compensated on the • • basis of a time rate or on a piece-work » . performance. This fixes the minimum wage which you agree to pay factory and mechanical workers and artisans. The following schedule may help you to find out the proper rate: • tf thm rutm far ikm mmmm •/ mork in thm MMf • f] . loummfiv Jmly IS, - 19*9, am; -- «• pvJU,- Kore than 40c an hoar.. 40c an hoar Me to 40e an hoar The Jaly IS, 1929, hearty Less than 30c an hoar., rate .30c an hoar Instead of paying by the hour, you may pay by the week at a rate which gives the same weekly earnings for a week of 35 hours. For example. instead of 40c an hour, you may pay, >14 per week. If you had a contract on or before August 1, 1933, with a learner or apprentice, you do not have to pay him the minimum wage, but no one should be classed as a learner or an apprentice who has ever been employed as a regular worker In your industry. (7) Not to reduce the compensation for employment now in excess of the minimum wages hereby agreed to (notwithstanding that the hours worked in such employment may be hereby reduced) and to increase the pay for such employment by an equitable readjustment of all pay schedules. l_^Two official interpretations--No. 1 apd No. 20 «|«have been issued, explaining this paragraph. TPpu can get copies of these at your local Chamfir of Commerce or nearest N. R. A. representative. Anti-Su bterfuge (8) Not to use any subterfuge to frustrate the spirit and intent of this Agreement which is, among other things, to increase employment .'by a universal covenant, to remove obstructions to commerce, and to shorten hours and to raise wages for the shorter week to a living . .basis. ^This is the heart of the whole Agreement. The president s Plan is to cure this depression by inovasing purchasing power. You can help him put this plan over by voluntarily signing this Agreement to shorten hours and raise wages. There is no force to compel you to sign this Agreement. It it not law. It is a personal agreement between you and the President. The President expects you to do everything in your power to carry out the apirit of the Agreement after you sign it. This means whole-hearted cooperation by really earning the Blue Eagle, not by just getting it and then not doing your part. It would be a "subterfuge to frustrate the spirit 4md intent of this Agreement" to sign it and then Ct all of your employees On a straight commission si*--or any other trick to avoid doing what you promise to do. . v 00 OVft W0IT HOW TO EARN THE BLUE EAGLE 1* Sign the President's Reemployment Agreement {P.R.A.). Shorten Hours of factory^imrkers to 35 hours per week, and of all othsr employees to 40 hours per week. (See paragraphs 2, 3 and 4» PJLA.) ' ' Si Raiso Wages. (See paragraphs 5, 6 and 7, P.R.A.) w . 4» Don't Employ Child Labor. (See paragraph J, P.R.A.) §. Cooperate with the President. To do this: (a) Live Up to the Agreement. (See paragraph 8, P.K.A.) (b) Don't Profiteer. (See paragraph 9, P.R.A.) (c) Deal Only with Others "Under the Blue Eagle/4 (See paragraph* 10 and 12, P.R.A.) ^ (d) Get a Code in by September 1st. (See paragraphs tl and 13, P.R.A.} HOW TO GET THE BLUE EAGLE 1. Sign ftte President's Reemployment Agreement.. 1. MaH the Signed Agreement to your District Office of the Department of > Commerce. ds & Put the Agreement into Meet (as outlined above in "How to Earn the Blue Eagle*). 4. Sign a Certificate of Compliance. This is a dip distributed tcith the Agrmment. It says: "I/We certify that we have adjusted the hours of labor cmd the wages of our employees to accord with the President's Reemployment Agreement, which we have siffied." 5. Deliver the Certificate off Compliance to Your Post Office. The Pnt* master will give you your Blue Eagle. EXCEPTIONAL CASES iL Wh re a Code Has Been Submitted*. (See anagraph 13, President's Reern- So\i at Agreement). If your whole adt or Industry is unable to live up to the Piesident's Agreement, you should get together at once, with other employers in your Trade or Industry and, in a (roup, submit a Code of Fair Competition to N. R. A. in Washington. Since it takes some time after a Code has been submitted for it to be finally approved, your . group may petition N, R. A. to substitute the wages and hours provisions of your Code for the wages and hours provisions of the President's Reemployment Agreement. If N. R. A. finds that the Code provisions are within the spirit of the President's Reemployment Agreement, it will "TSSnsent to such substitutions. If N. R..A. does consent there will be an official notice in all the papers. You may then put the substituted provisions into effeot In place of the indicated paragraphs of the President's Reemployment Agreement. In this case you should add to your Certificate of Compliance the following clause: "To the extent of N.R. A. consent as" announced, we have complied with the President's Agreement by complying with the substituted provlstons of the Code submitted by the Trade/Industry." If the substitution is consented to after you have already put the President's Re-^ employment Agreement into full effect, and after you have already gotten your Blue Eagle, you may still put the substituted provisions into effect without signing another Certificate of Compliance. 2. Where a Code Has Been Approved. If a Code of Fair Competition for your Trade or Industry has already been finally approved by the President, you need not sign the President's Reemployment Agreement in order to get the Blue Eagle. The same is true if you are subject to a Code which has been put into efTect temporarily by agreement between the President and representatives of your Trade or Industry; but in either of these cases, you must sign a Certificate of Compliance, adding to it the following statement: "We have complied with the operative provisions of the Code for the -- Trade/Industry." 3. Cases of Individual Hardship. (Paragraph 14. President's Reemployment Agreement). " If there are some peculiar reasons fchy a particular provision of the President's Agreement will cause you. Individually, a great and unavoidable hardship, you may still get the Blue Eagle by taking the following steps: <a) Sign the Agreement and mall It to your District Office of the Department of commerce. (b> Prepare a petition to N.R A. setting out the reasons why you cannot comply With certain provisions, and requesting that an exception be made in your case. (c) Have this petition approved by your Trade Association. If there is no Trade Association for your business, have your petition approved by your local Chamber of Commerce or other representative organization designated by N. R. A. (d> If the Trade Association, or other organization approves your petition, send it to N U. ix. in Washington with this approval. » (e) Comply with all the provisions of the Agreement except the one you are petitioning to have excepted. if' Sign the Certificate of Compliance, adding to it the fo:iowihg clause: "Except for those interim provisions regarding wages and hours which have been approved by the Trade Association." Deliver this Certificate of Compliance to your Post Office. You will receive a Blue Eagle, but before displaying it, you must put a white bar across its breast with the word "Provisional" on it. If your petition is finally approved by N. R. A. you may take the bar down. If your petition is not approved by N.R.A. you must comply with the Agreement in full. 4. Union Contracts. If you have a contract with a labor organization calling for longer hours than the President's Agreement allows, and this contract was made in good faith by collective bargaining and cannot be changed by you alone, try to get the labor organization to agree , to a reduction to the maximum hours allowed by the President's Agreement. If the labor organization will not agree, you may apply to N. R. A. for permission to work your employees as many hours a Week as the contract calls for. Send to N. R. A. a request for this permission with a certified copy of the labor contract, and any* statement of facts you desire. This application will be handled by N. R. A. in the same manner as an application for reHcf in cases of individual hardship, filed under paragraph (14) P.R. A., but it will not be necessary to obtain the approval of a trade association or other organization. If N. R. A. approves your application, or Is able to bring about any modification of the contract, you will then be granted permission to work employees in accordance with the contract as originally written or modified, and can t8in sign the Certificate of Compliance adding to it the following: "Except as required to comply with the tcftms of the Agreement in effect between the undersigned and the (Name of Labor Organization)." (9) Not to Increase the price of any merchandise sold after the date hereof over the price on July 1, 19S3, by more than is made necessary by actual increases in production, replacement, or invoice costs of merchandise, or by , taxes or other costs resulting from action taken pursuant to the Agricultural Adjustment . Act. since July 1, 1933, and, in setting such price increases, to give full weight to probable , Increases in sales volume and to refrain from taking profiteering advantage of the consuming public. » .. The object of this paragraph is to prevent profiteering or speculation, so that prices will not rise faster than purchasing power, and destroy the President's plan. The danger to be avoided' was pointed out by the President on June 16. 1933. in the statement which he made on signing the Recovery Act. He said, then: "If we now inflate prices as fast and as far as We increase wages, the whole project will be set at naught. We cannot hope for the full effect of this plan unless, in these first critical months, and. even at the expense of full initial profits, we defer price increases as long as possible. If we ran thus start a strong, sound upward spiral of business activity our industries will have little doubt of black-Ink operations in the last quarter of this year. The pent-up demand of this people is very great, and if we can release it on so broad a front, we need not fear, a lagging recovery. There Is greater danger of too much feverish speed." If you were selling your merchandise on July 4, 1933, below cost, you may take your cost price on that date as the basis for determining the allowable Increase under this paragraph. Cooperation AO) To sapport and patronise establishments aihlch also nave signed this Agreement and are listed as members of N. R. A. (National Recovery Administration). The success of the President's Reemployment Agreement Program depends upon public support going to those who raise wages and shorten hours in accordance with this Apreement, in order to repay, tliein for the extra expense which they have incurred in doing their part. . Codas . (11) To cooperate to the fullest extent hi ha ving a Code of Fair Competition submitted by his industry at the earliest possible date, and in any event before September 1, 1933. This Agreement is a temporary measure to tide over the time from now until all employers and employees can cooperate under Codes of Pair Competition under the National Industrial Recovery Act. You agree, in this paragraph, to do all you can to have a Code submitted for your trade or industry before September 1, 1933. Appropriate Adjustments (12) Where, before June 16, 1933, the uadei. signed had contracted to purchase goods at a fixed price for delivery during the period of tbis Apreement, the undersigned will make an appropriate adjustment of said fixed price to meet any increase in cost caused by the seller having signed this President's Reemployment Agreement or having become bound bv any Code of Fair Competition approved by the President. This Agreement will, usually. Increase the costs of those who sign It. The purpose of this paragraph is to pass any such increased costs ainng from one signer to another, and so on to the consumer. If you have a contract made before June 16, 1933, to buy goods at a fixed price, you agree to make an arrangement with your seller so that you pay him for the extra cost to htm caused by his having signed this Agreement^ or having come under a Code approved by the President. In some cases the final buyer is the Government, which, under existing law, is generally not allowed to pay more than the contract price. The President has announced that he will recommend to Congress that appropriations be made to allow the Government to play its part by paying Government contractors who have signed the Agreement for their increased costs. The President has also appealed to the States and cities to take action permitting them to do likewise. You should have no fear that, because your buyer has not signed, you will be left with the Increased cost on you alone. The President aspects every employer to sign this Agreement, Substitution (13) This Agreement shall cease upon approval ™ to the President of a Code to which the undersigned is subject; or, if the N. R. A. so elects, •pon submission of a Code to which the underv slgncd is subject and substitution of any of Its provisions for any of the terms of *»«>« Ag reeinent. As pointed out In the * explanation of paragraph (11) P.R.A. above, the President plana to have all business govern itself under Codes, and therefore Codes should be promptly submitted. If N R. A. finds that the wages and hours provisions of a Code which has been submitted are within the spirit of this Agreement, N. R. A. will authorize your industry to operate under those provisions rather than under the wages and hours provisions of this Agreement. Exceptions (14) It Is agreed that any person who wishes to do Ills part in the PresidenTs Reemploym «'nt Drive by signing this Agreement, but who asserts that some particular provision hereof, because of peculiar circumstances, will create great and unavoidable hardship, may obtain the benefits hereof by signing this Agreement and putting it into effect and then, in a petition approved by a trade association of his Industry, or other representative organization designated by N. R. A., may apply for a stay of sach provision pending a susnmary investi- • gation by N. R. A., if he agrees in such application to abide by the decision of such investigation. This Agreement is entered into Sursuant to section 4 la) of the National In- Bstrial Recovery Act and subject to all the terms and conditions required by sections 1 (a) and 10 (bi of that act. If you really want to do your part in the President's Reemployment Program, sign this Agreement. If some particular part of this Agreement causes you. as an individual employer, great and unavoidable hardship, you may obtain relief by taking the steps outlined under the heading "Cases of Individual Hardship." Save this sheet as your official source ef information. If there are any problems in your mind which are not cleared up by this explanation. get in touch with the official N. R. A. representative in your community. Official Statement of the Blue Eagle Division, N.R.A., Washington, D. C NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION A -- u JLi