The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-05
Peek Issues Statement Indi-
eating Change in Policy
on Sterilization.
STEEL PACT Is UNDONE
Railroad and Industrial
Representatives Confer
on Situation To-day.
COAL REPORT Is DENIED
Southern Pine Men Quoted as
Cooperating OH Rates With
Industrial Body.
COAL REPORT Is DENIED


WASHINGTON, April 4.-Government
price stabilization through agreements
which in effect "fx" or maintain
prices is to be called off. This means
the probable early withdrawal OF the
steel price agreement entered into be-
tween the Industrial Board Of the De-
partment OF Commerce and the steel
industry two weeks ago.
II WAS learned to-day that Attor-
ney General Palmer, after thorough
study Of the agreement, is prepared
to rule against 1t and will submit a
formal opinion In the next day or
two. His views are apparently much
the same as those Of Secretary Of the
Treasury Glass and Director General
Of Railroads Hines, who forced the
Issue on price fixing.
The. Industrial Board, it was indi-
Gated tonight, is prepared to change
its mind, give up the fight with the
Railroad Administration and other
Government departments and start
out afresh on a new programme Of
price stabilization, which 1t is expected
will follow more closely the lines origi-
nally laid down Of price stabilizing by
mediating prices at which Govern
ment agencies will be warranted In
buying freely, thus giving an indirec,
stamp of Government approval. In the
steel price agreement prices were
named with the statement that the
public should not expect to buy lower
and that tho steel producer would not
charge any higher
hoard May Take New View.
Cficials are still chary of public
statements, but the Industrial Board to-
night. through Chairman Peek, author
ICED the following. which is regarded as
indicative of new attitude on the part
of that body:
George n. Peek. chairman OF the
Industrial Board. Tonight denied
statements attributed to him that the
board had adopted hard and fast
policies that would not be subject
to change under any circumstances.
~ have never said nor intimated
that the Industrial Board would
stand pat on the prices formulated
with the steel industry no matter
what objections were brought by
other departments. Shown good and
sufficient reason for doing SO the
board will reconsider. With wis
dom it could pursue no other course
"On the other hand Mr.. Peek did
say 4 have but little respect for
any man who will not change his
mind when convinced he is wrong"
The conference which was to take VI
to-day the "recommitted" question O.
steel prices. and about the apparen
scope of which Secretary Glass and tn,
board took issue yesterday was called
cf. An official announcement from th'
board explained that the postponemen
was due to the absence from the cit,
of Mr.. Walters. 1t likewise carried thu
amendment made by Chairman Peek o
the board to the original Glass state
Inent to which the Secretary took ex
ception.
The announcement read:
THE further conference as re-
auested by the Cabinet officers and
other Government officials between
the Industrial Board and the Rail-
road Administration will be held to-
morrow on account of the absence OF
Mr.. Walters"
Lovett 10 Represent Hines.
The Mr.. Walters referred to is Luthe
r Walters, former member OF the lega
stan of the Railroad Administration
Mr.. Walters with Judge Lovett, forme
head of the division of capital expendi
lures of the Railroad Administration
las been requested by Director-Genera
Hines to represent the Railroad Admin
iatration at the conference. 1t Is under
stood Mr. Hines will not attend. hut will
act on the advice of these representa-
tvea
The conference Is TO be held to-mor
row and II is understood that all mem
bers of the board and the railroad rep
resentatives will attend. Whether othe
Government agencies will be represente
is not known.
II was learned to-day that Attorney
General Palmer probably would submit
a written opinion on the questions o
law involved In regard to such agree
,nents as that made with respect to stee
prices. Whether .this opinion will b
made public is not definitely known.
has been understood generally that th
Attorney-General had given informal az
proyal TO the steel price plan. but
was learned to-day that such was nc
the case. THE understanding was pred
Gated largely on the fact that the stes
prices were announced, after Chairma
Peek and another board member ha
conferred briefly with Mr.. Palmer.
The Attorney General did not comm
himself informally. Soon after this cor
ference a formal opinion was requeste
stood. to the Department OF Commerc'
Mr.. Palmer has been giving much stud
10 tho subject and Secretary Glass an
other officials who attacked OF refused
accept the steel agreement have cor
ferred with him
Readiness Of the Industrial Board
ooatiasss on Fvfh Page.