-548- EXHIBIT E-l B3PIEF OF TM, NATIONAL ANTDBAG & ACCESSORIES SALES..: V'S ASSOCIATION Respectfully submitted by BAUJAYIN MILLER- CO'JIITSEL The National Nandbag & Accoessories Salesmen's Association repre- senting the salesmen in the 1,andbag and -.ccessories industry has among other objectives and piroo-ese the imoroving and aiding a spirit of cooperation between emrlux-ee anCl manufacturer, cooperation with the code authority and the ITHA and further the promotion of neace and harmony in the industry in said reletionshin, thus resulting in putting the industry and those who derive their living from -it back on a sounder and more profitable basis. Now, more than ever, are the ma.n,'acturers' problems the salesmen's problems insofar as it remains in the power cf oinome 900 handbag salesmen, who travel the 48 states to natrol their territories and aid in en- forcing the handbag code. Prior to 1928, the ',ndbag salesmen, collectively, were a highly respected group of men, upholding the dignity of their calling earning a substantial livelihood for themselves ani th.ir families, and doing human service for their erploye:rs who reaned the financial reward. During the ore-denressicn d:ys, it was unheard of for a handbag sales- man to represent more than one ,iannifacturer. This condition was made possible, not so much because busineF.- conditions were good, but due to the fact that the rate of commissions rris mere munificent. In years prior to 1928, at least 951 of the hiihdbag salesmen made money for themselves and their employers because their corinissions ranged approxi- mately 10o and upwards. However, since that time, conditions have reversed and 95' have not been able to ek.e out an existence. Not only were the rnte of co nissiorns higher but in nearly 100l of the cases there were ner.onn.1 rcco'unts -)lus expense accounts for traveling. The sP.es:.men contev.d tha-t during the last five years there has been a regular scheme on t.Le nart of tne ,nanufPcturers to do away with this former ethical way of doing business an(" erroloying salesmen. As a result of these tactIcs, drue cnly to the manufacturer's heartless attitude toward his salesmen, the salesmen's earning power has been reduced so drastically that he is today at the noint of desperation. Therefore, these unfair '-racticeo on the part of the manufacturers, in addition to the fact that the volume has beco.ne greatly reduced have brought about this protest and request for a conference to tak'ce up these matters in order that they midit ewrn a livelihood for themselves and for their families to which every American citizen is justly entitled. 981 1