not absorb a higher minimum. Most are earning a modest profit, many are losing money now. Our opportunities to increase productivity, as the President stated, are limited because of the very nature of our industry-industry which, Mr. Chairman, are those very small ground mills, as you call them.

The President's reasoning was sound last year. When he recommended this year an increase to 90 cents, which we strongly oppose, he was gravely concerned with the danger of setting a minimum any higher than that because of its impact on small business and those whose operating profits are very small.

Yet, the soundness of the President's observations last year and his caution this year seem to have been completely ignored by the Senate. I am told that the testimony of the Senate Labor Subcommittee was not available to members of the Senate until the day the bill came up. How, then, could those Senators who are obligated to their constituents to weigh testimony presented before public hearings give such careful consideration without having time to study the record? What was the basis for their vote when it was impossible for them to analyze and study the evidence which is a prerequisite to intelligent and impartial consideration?

We hope your committee will provide full opportunity to the House of Representatives for deliberate consideration of the evidence submitted and complete discussion of the subject when it reaches the floor.

In the interest of an important southern industry, as stanch supporters of constitutional government, and with a prayer that the United States Congress weigh carefully all legislation that it enacts, we appeal to you to recommend no increase in the statutory minimum wage.

Thank you.

(The exhibits to Mr. DeWeese's testimony are as follows:)

EXHIBIT 1

Source: Bureau of the Census for all years except 1948 and 1954, which are Southern Pine Association estimates.

EXHIBIT 3

Average annual estimates of total employment1 by logging camps and logging contractors, sawmills and planing mills, general, in the 12 Southern States for the years 1949 to 1954

1 States of Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Oklahoma represent only employment covered by the States' employment security laws. Estimate for Tennessee includes all lumber and wood products (except furniture); Virginia includes veneer mills.

Source: State departments of labor-Employment Security Divisions in cooperation with U. S. Department of Labor.

EXHIBIT 4

Average number of establishments or employers1 in the logging camps, logging contractors, sawmills and planing mills, general, industries as reported by the employment security commissions in the 12 Southern States for the years 1949 to 1954, inclusive

1 Represents Establishments or Employers covered by the respective States' employment security laws. In most cases, includes all establishments employing 8 or more employees.

NOTE. States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas. and Virginia include veneer mills. Tennessee includes industry classification-lumber and wood products (except furniture).

Source: State Departments of Labor.

EXHIBIT 5

Hourly earnings

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

1 Representing approximately 85 percent of all hourly workers employed. See SPA surveys "Southern Pine Wages."

Hourly wage rates are based on straight-time pay only.

State of Maryland.

Source: Southern Pine Association statistical department, New Orleans, La.