637— G Registry No. 1748—3—05 NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED CODE OF FAIR COMPETITION FOR THE PLAY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY AS SUBMITTED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1933 WE DO OUR PART r UNIV. OF FLL uuv The Code for the Play Publishing Industry in its present form merely reflects the proposal of the above-mentioned industry, and none of the provisions contained therein are to be regarded as having received the approval of the Natjonal Recovery Administration as applying to this industry UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1933 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. Price 5 cents Submitted by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLAY PUBLISHERS (n) A BUSINESS CODE FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLAY PUBLISHERS Article I — Purposes Section 1. This code is adopted pursuant to Title 1 of the National Industrial Recovery Act. Sec. 2. The purposes of the code are to effectuate the policies of Title 1 of the National Industrial Recovery Act as it is applicable to the business of publishing and distributing Plays and other Enter- tainment material throughout the United States. The National Asso- ciation of Play Publishers, representing a trade established in the United States almost 100 years ago, recognizes the necessity of full and effective compliance and cooperation with the National Indus- trial Recovery Act in presenting a code to establish principles of fair competition within its trade as well as to promote the maximum possible increase in employment; it desires to call attention to the fact that during the years 1929 to 1933 the record of their trade shows that wages have not generally been reduced and that in but few instances have such wage cuts as were instituted equalled the generally accepted percentage of reduction in the cost of living. The National Association of Play Publishers, representing approximately between 90% and 95% of this trade, both in numbers and in bulk of trade, have signed or have indicated their intention of signing the blanket code, wish to call attention to the fact that their trade differs in so many ways from other types of publishing and trade distribution that they feel a separate code is imperative for the proper conduct of their business. Not only is the type of material unique but the market reached differs from that of any other type of publishing and trade distribution. Furthermore, there are marked differences in merchandising and an unusual combination of distributing and retail selling which differentiates their trade from that of other types of publishing and distribution. The use of direct- by-mail selling as the principal outlet of their product is significant. Despite the specialized and seasonal nature of the labor in the Play Publishing trade which makes the addition of permanent work exceptionally difficult, we pledge ourselves to create new jobs in every feasible and equitable way. Feeling that their record in matters of sustained wage levels and ethical competition is exceptionally good at the present time, they have confined themselves in the code submitted herewith, to: 1. A confirmation of the present high-wage levels and an effort to maintain the present wage schedule and other aims set forth in the labor provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act. Fur- ther, it is our desire to increase the present wage levels as trade con- ditions warrant. 2. Regulation of unfair competition. 3. Regulation of advertising statements. 9656 — 33 (1) 2 4. A practical method of administering and enforcing the codifica- tions of the three foregoing sections, as referred to in Article 7, this code. Article 2 — Labor Code The Play Publishing trade employs no unskilled labor, and vir- tually all its employees are engaged in clerical work. No labor abuses, child labor, or sweat-shop conditions, obtain in the trade. Section 1. No employee and no one seeking employment shall be re- quired as a condition of employment to join any company union or to refrain from joining any labor organization of his own choosing. Sec. 2. Employers shall comply with the maximum hours of labor, minimum wage rates, and other conditions of employment deter- mined by the President of the United States. Article 3 — Hours or Labor The maximum number of working hours per week for any em- ployee shall not exceed 40. This regulation shall not apply to executives who receive more than $35.00 per week. Article 4 — Minimum Compensation Section 1. Not to pay any of the classes of employees mentioned in paragraph 2, President's Reemployment Agreement, less than $15.00 per week in any city of over 500,000 population, or in the immediate trade area of such city ; nor less than $14.50 per week in any city of between 250,000 and 500,000 population, or in the imme- diate trade area of such city; nor less than $14.00 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%, provided that this shall not require wages in excess of $12.00 per week. Sec. 2. No distinction shall be made as between male and female employees. Sec. 3. Part-time employees shall receive in the case of every company a minimum compensation of 350 per hour, unless they be on full time, in which case the minimum rates above stated will apply to them as well. Article 5 — Unfaer Competition Any adverse reference to the goods, services, or prices, whether of books or of royalties of the plays, or volumes, of any competitor will be regarded as unfair competition. Article 6 — Unfair Advertising Section 1. The use of any reduced price, whether of a published play, book, or royalty, as an advertising feature or " selling point " shall be regarded as unfair advertising. Sec. 2. The members agree in all their advertising, neither directly nor indirectly, to issue untrue or misleading statements of fact regarding the play or book advertised. Article 7 It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to consider and adjudicate all cases of alleged violations of Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the code adopted by the National Association of Play Publishers in accordance with the provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act. (Signed) Harry C. Eldridge, President. L. L. Sergel, Secretary-Treasurer. o UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA llllllllllllllllll 3 1262 08850 2918