NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1942)

the cost of living in accordance with the Act of October 2, 1942; and it shall be the duty and responsibility of the Director and of all departments and agencies of the Gov¬ ernment to cooperate in the execution of such administra¬ tive programs and in the development of such legislative programs as may be necessary to that end. The adminis¬ tration of activities related to the national economic policy shall remain with the departments and agencies now re¬ sponsible for such activities, but such administration shall conform to the tlirectives on imllcy issued by the Director. TITLE II Wage and Salary Stabilization Policy 1. No increases in wage rates, granted as a result of voluntary agreement, collective bargaining, conciliation, arbitration, or otherwise, and no decreases in wage rates, shall be authorized unless notice of such increases or de¬ creases shall have been filed with the National War Labor Board, and unless the National War Labor Eoai'd has ap¬ proved such increases or decreases. 2. The National War Labor Board shall not approve any increase in the wage rates prevailing on September 1.5, 1942, unless such increase is necessary to correct malad¬ justments or inequalities, to eliminate substandards of living, to correct gross ineciuities, or to aid in the effective prosecution of the war. Provided, however, that where the National War Labor Board or the Price Administrator shall have reason to believe that a proposed wage increase will require a change in the price ceiling of the commodity or service involved, such proposed increase, if approved by the National War Labor Board, shall become effective only if also approved by the Director. ’ 3. The National War Labor Board shall not approve a decrease in the wages for any particular work below the highest wages paid therefor betvreen January 1, 1942 and September 1.5, 1942, unless to correct gross inequities and to aid in the effective prosecution of the war. 4. The National War Labor Board shall, by g-eneral regulation, make such exemptions from the provisions of this title in the case of small total wage increases or decreases as it deems necessary for the effective adminis¬ tration of this Order. 5. No increases in salaries now in excess of $5,000 per year (except in instances in which an individual has been assigned to more difficult or responsible work), shall be granted until otherwise determined by the Director. 6. No decrease shall be made in the salary for any par¬ ticular work below the highest salary paid therefor be¬ tween January 1, 1942 and September 15, 1942 unless to correct gross inequities and to aid in the effective prosecu¬ tion of the war. 7. In oi’der to correct gross inequities and to provide for greater equality in contributing to the war effort, the Director is authorized to take the necessary action, and to issue the ajjpropriate regulations, so that, insofar as practicable, no salary shall be authorized under Title III, Section 4 to the extent that it exceeds $25,000 after the payment of taxes allocable to the sum in excess of $25,000. Provided, however, that such regulations shall make due allowance for the payment of life insurance premiums on policies heretofore issued, and I’ecjuired payments on fixed obligations heretofore incurred, and shall make in'ovision to prevent undue hardships. 8. The policy of the Federal Government, as established in Executive Order No. 9017 of January 12, 1942, to en¬ courage free collective bargaining betv/een employers and employees is reaffirmed and continued. 9. Insofar as the provisions of Clause (1) of .section 302(c) of the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 are inconsistent with this Order, they are hereby suspended. TITLE III Administration of Wage and Salary Policy 1. Except as modified by this C)rder, the National Wa.!' Labor Boaid shall continue to peiform the t)0wcrs, func¬ tions, and duties conferred upon it by Executive Order No. 590 — October 9, 1942 9017, and the functions of said Board are hereby extended to cover all industries and all employees. The National W^ar Labor Board shall continue to follow the procedures specified in said Executive Order. 2. The National War Labor Board shall constitute the agency of the Federal Government authorized to carry out the wage policies stated in this Order, or the direc¬ tives on policy issued by the Director under this Order. The National War Labor Board is further authorized to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the speedy determination of the propriety of any wage increases or decreases in accordance with this Order, and to avail itself of the services and facilities of such State and Federal departments and agencies as, in the discretion of the National War Labor Board may be of assistance to the Board. 3. No provision with respect to wages contained in any labor agreement between employers and employees (includ¬ ing the Shipbuilding Stabilization Agreements as amended on May 16, 1942, and the Wage Stabilization Agreement of the Building Construction Industry arrived at May 22, 1942) which is inconsistent with the policy herein enun¬ ciated or hereafter formulated by the Director shall be enforced except with the approval of the National War Labor Board v/ithin the provisions of this Order. The National tVar Labor Board shall permit the Shipbuilding Stabilization Committee and the Wage Adjustment Board for the Building Construction Indusliry, both of which are provided for in the foregoing agreements, to continue to perform their functions therein set forth, except insofar as any of them is inconsistent with the terms of this Order. 4. In order to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Order and the Act of October 2, 1942, any wage or salary payment made in contravention thereof shall be disregarded by the Executive Departments and other gov¬ ernmental agencies in determining the costs or expenses of any employer for the i)urpose of any law or regulation, including the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 or any maximum price regulation thereof, or for the purpose of calculating deductions under the Revenue Laws of the United States or for the purpose of determining costs or expenses under any contract made by or on behalf of the Government of the United States. TITLE IV Prices o£ Agricultural Commodities 1. The ])rices of agricultural commodities and of com¬ modities manufactured or processed in whole or substantial part from any agricultural commodity shall be stabilized, so far as practicable, on the basis of levels which existed on September 15, 1942 and in compliance with the Act of October 2, 1942. 2. In establishing, maintaining or adjusting maximum prices for agricultural commodities or for commodities processed or manufactured in whole or in substantial part from any agricultural commodity, appropriate deductions shall be made from imrity price or comparable price for payments made under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended, parity payments made under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, and governmental subsidies. 3. Subject to the directives on policy of the Director, the price of agricultural commodities shall be established or maintained or adjusted jointly by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Price Administrator; and any dis¬ agreement between them shall be resolved by the Director. The price of any commodity manufactured or processed in whole or in substantial part from an agricultural com¬ modity shall be established or maintained or adjusted by the Piice Administrator, in the same administrative man¬ ner provided for under the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942. 4. The provisions of sections 3(a) and 3(c) of the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 are hereby suspended to the extent that such provisions are inconsistent with any or all prices establislied under this Order for agricuitural commodities, or commodities manufactured or pro¬ cessed in whole or in substantial imrt from an agricultural commodity.