Marketplace: Monday, August 23, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 37.09 (0.37%) ; NASDAQ 0.68 (0.04%) ; S&P 500 2.67 (0.24%)

Newscast New national regulations on overtime took effect on this August 23rd: one of the most dramatic changes in workplace rules since the New Deal era. The Labor Department says 107,000 overtime workers will lose their benefits. Unions say the numbers' more like six million. That's what we call a discrepancy... Among the most shameful legacies of primitive capitalism is the merchandising of human beings for labor. Today the national Underground Railroad Museum opened in Cincinnati, documenting an era that now seems distant. In fact, the United Nations held events today in Paris commemorating the historic 19th century slave revolt that led to Haitian independence from France. But while holding human chattel is now universally regarded as offensive, the story of slavery is not all history... After days of prodding from the Kerry camp, President Bush today said a pro-GOP veterans group should stop running TV ads criticizing John Kerry's war record... Listen to all newscast items

Features An oil spill at the White House Sure, high oil prices are a threat, but the impact's mostly being felt abroad. That's been the line from the Bush Administration. Or so we've been reading until this weekend. Saturday's papers reported comments from Treasury Secretary John Snow warning of 'economic slowing ...attributable to high energy prices'. Then in the New York Times on Sunday, White House economic adviser Gregory Mankiew warned "high energy prices are now a drag on the economy, as well as a strain on family budgets." For a moment, let's try to get past the politics and ask a practical question: when gas prices threaten the economy, what tools does a president--any president-- have at his or her disposal? Q + A: David Brown with Steve Leeb Related Story: Bush advisers wary of oil Where Do I Begin - Chemical Brothers Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Work more, earn less... Today Volkswagen told employees in Germany that if they want to keep their jobs, they'll have to go without pay raises for the next two years. The company says it has to cut labor costs to stay competitive. That's a popular refrain among European companies right now: a growing number of them are asking employees to work more hours for less pay.... Reporter: Alasdair Sandford Related Story: Raffarin seeks reforms in French workweek Working for Vacation - Cibo Matto Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Rules of cremation Jury selection began today in Georgia - the next chapter in a bizarre story that gained national attention more than two years ago. The civil lawsuit is against a crematorium operator accused of scattering hundreds of corpses around his property, and in nearby woods. In the wake of the scandal, legislators in many states decided to reform laws and improve oversight of crematorium businesses. But a group of consumer activists say what the new laws really protect are the profits of funeral homes... Reporter: Chris Richard Related Story: Funeral director sues Pa. cremation service Choking You - Prefuse 73 Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Scream... screams "thief" Say you're in possession of a national treasure, a priceless work of art that has a certain iconic appeal. You display it in a museum - open to the public. And then one day some brazen thieves come in and in broad daylight swipe the masterpiece. At least its insured... Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: Art theft warning after The Scream is stolen His Last Painting - Manic Street Preachers Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource "We'll be relaxing up at the... investment ...this weekend" Tomorrow's big reports: there's a new one on consumer confidence--and another on existing home sales. Perhaps because it's late August, we were curious about how many of those homes are vacation homes. Turns out about 5 or 6 percent fall into that category. These days, owners of second homes are more likely to think of them as "investments" than "family getaways"... Commentator: Tim Bedore Web Resource: Tim's Website Home Life - John Mayer Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Coming up on Marketplace... Scamming the scammers.