Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
April 20, 1946
The Union Times
New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
This 1946 editorial from New Haven, Connecticut, criticizes the Russell-Pace amendment attached to the 65-cent minimum wage bill in the U.S. Senate, calling it an inflationary measure backed by conservative Republicans and poll-tax Democrats to undermine workers' living standards. It urges support for the wage increase without the amendment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The People The Court of Last Resort
NEW HAVEN, CONN., SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1946
UNWELCOME RIDER
Like the Old Man of the Sea, who clamped himself on Sinbad's back and tried to throttle him, is the Russell-Pace amendment.
This vile rider has been clamped to the back of the 65c minimum wage bill in the Senate by a sweatshop bloc of tory Republicans and polltax Democrats.
Its purpose is to strangle the bill, by inviting a veto, and thus to deny a living wage to the lowest-paid workers in the land.
The Russell-Pace amendment to change the basis of farm parity prices is out-and-out inflationary. By raising food prices from 15 to 20%, it would deprive the low-paid of benefit from a higher minimum wage, would slash deeply into the purchasing power of all wages, and would hurl the whole country into the quicksands of inflation.
The specious claim that this amendment is designed to aid farmers is exposed by the fact that the big farm organizations failed to support it and the Dept. of Agriculture was actively opposed. Furthermore, farmers would be among the first to suffer from the inflation which it invites.
The real issue is still whether or not Congress will act to raise the living standards of sweated workers. This can only be done by enacting the 65c minimum bill without any amendments that would defeat its purpose.
Urge your Congressman to vote for raising the minimum wage from 40c to 65c, resisting all attempts to attach the Russell-Pace amendment in the House and working for its complete elimination in House-Senate conference.
NEW HAVEN, CONN., SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1946
UNWELCOME RIDER
Like the Old Man of the Sea, who clamped himself on Sinbad's back and tried to throttle him, is the Russell-Pace amendment.
This vile rider has been clamped to the back of the 65c minimum wage bill in the Senate by a sweatshop bloc of tory Republicans and polltax Democrats.
Its purpose is to strangle the bill, by inviting a veto, and thus to deny a living wage to the lowest-paid workers in the land.
The Russell-Pace amendment to change the basis of farm parity prices is out-and-out inflationary. By raising food prices from 15 to 20%, it would deprive the low-paid of benefit from a higher minimum wage, would slash deeply into the purchasing power of all wages, and would hurl the whole country into the quicksands of inflation.
The specious claim that this amendment is designed to aid farmers is exposed by the fact that the big farm organizations failed to support it and the Dept. of Agriculture was actively opposed. Furthermore, farmers would be among the first to suffer from the inflation which it invites.
The real issue is still whether or not Congress will act to raise the living standards of sweated workers. This can only be done by enacting the 65c minimum bill without any amendments that would defeat its purpose.
Urge your Congressman to vote for raising the minimum wage from 40c to 65c, resisting all attempts to attach the Russell-Pace amendment in the House and working for its complete elimination in House-Senate conference.
What sub-type of article is it?
Labor
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Minimum Wage
Russell Pace Amendment
Inflation
Labor Standards
Farm Parity
Congressional Vote
What entities or persons were involved?
Russell Pace Amendment
Tory Republicans
Poll Tax Democrats
Dept. Of Agriculture
Big Farm Organizations
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Russell Pace Amendment On Minimum Wage Bill
Stance / Tone
Strongly Against Russell Pace Amendment, Supportive Of Minimum Wage Increase
Key Figures
Russell Pace Amendment
Tory Republicans
Poll Tax Democrats
Dept. Of Agriculture
Big Farm Organizations
Congress
Key Arguments
The Amendment Is A 'Vile Rider' Attached To Strangle The Minimum Wage Bill And Invite A Veto.
It Is Inflationary, Raising Food Prices 15 20% And Reducing Purchasing Power.
It Would Deprive Low Paid Workers Of Benefits From Higher Wages.
Farm Organizations Did Not Support It, And Dept. Of Agriculture Opposed It.
Farmers Would Suffer From The Inflation It Causes.
Congress Should Enact The 65c Minimum Wage Bill Without Defeating Amendments.