The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-10
INDUSTRIAL BOARD CEASES ID EXIST FOLLOWING FINAL
 ADJUSTMENT PLEA
With Dissolution of Board Forces of Supply and De- mand Left to Readjust Prices From War to
 Peace Levels
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 Washington, May 9.-Gov- ernment efforts to hasten the return of industry to normal peace time activity by stabiliz- ing prices through the 'indus- trial board of the department of commerce" came to an end today.
 Following 8 final unsuccessful effort to bring the railroad administration and steel producers to an agreement on prices yesterday in New York the resig- nations of Chairman George N. Peek of Moline. H.. and the other six mem- bers of the board were accepted by Sec- retary Redfeld. The designations, ten dered April 2, when the railroad admin istretion first refused to accept the re- duced steel prices arranged by the board on the aIound that they were too high, were held in abeyance until MT. Red- field was satisfied the board had ex- hausted every effort to stimulate the in- dustry through the satisfying of the largest single purchaser of materials ip the country.
 With the dissolution of the board the natural forces of supply and demand will be left to readjust prices from war levels to those of peace. Director Gen. eral Hines announced yesterday that the 1ailroad administration would return to the old system of competitive bidding Tn placing its orders.
 PALMER'S OPINION
 Government officials declared they did not know whether the steel producers would keep in force the price schedule ap- proved by the industrial board and which was the basis of all bids recently submitted for 2o.o0O tons of steel needed by the navy. It became known that when the legality of price agreements arranged by the board was submitted to Attorney General Palmer he rendered all opinion that such action was not au- thorized by law, but did not declare that such an agreement would be illegal. Other officials held that the purely vol untary nature of new price schedules. answered by board which admittedly was without power to enforce the r-'ees and seeking merely to stimula ness by effecting reduction pUt the agreements without the 7aIe cl the Shsi- man law.
 The steel set ' eas the hrst Hd only one ever au5 e0- " the bc4JG. which WIS aagaf j n lk ah Ran.e- scrt lives af a er irles-coal. < eeNent nardWce8 aad pine cumberland Nssssee i Ws.tn@ness to cooperate atl tie noatu aua conferences looking lo protect prod -Ions had been held,
 Tn announcing his acceptance of the regi g1a atsons of the board members Mir. Eeaaeid made the following statement: REDFIELD ISSUES STATEMENT
 That board was conceived in the spir it of unselfsh public service and has so acted from the beginning. l repeat what was said yesterday: There has been no change in it's viewpoint, policy or atti- tude from the beginning. No statement nor inference to the contrary has basis of fact. It has had the widespread support of industry and commerce throughout the country. It has sought merely to serve and has been ready. to consider all figures, tosrespect all facts and to reconsider any statement or con- clusion in the light of further knowledge. Its mind has been open and it's purpose was directed not to winning a contro- yersy, but solely and simply to serving the country. I believe it has developed standards of public cooperation which will be of permanent value.
 MT. Redfield paid high tribute to the boards work in a letter to Chairman Peek.
 You have not sought to control, but to cooperate he said.
 You have exhausted the resources or courtesy. Your attitude has been unsel- fish, generous and your vision broad.'
 Individual letters were sent to each board member. Samuel F. Bush, Colum- bus, O.; Thomas K Glenn. Atlanta; < George R. James, Memphis; William M. < Ritter, Washington; Anthony Caminetti, F commissioner general of immigration. 1 Washington, representing labor, and T. c Powell. director of the capital expendi- lures division, representing the railroad Administration.
 President Wilson has been kept con istantly informed of the disagreement and it was at his suggestion, on that last effort was made to harmonize the divergent views.