Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1933-08-19
J0HNSONW|NS
VICTORY OVER
STEEL GROUP
NRA Administrator Finally
Forces Big Industry To Ac-
cept Trial Code.
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT
Breaking OF Deadlock Indicates
Coal And Oil Forces Will Fall
In Line.
BY II. o. THOMPSON
United Press Staff Correspondent


WASHINGTON, Aug. 10. A
deadlock keeping the great oil,
coal and steel industries out of the
national recovery ranks was broken
by administration pressure today
when agreement was reached on a
steel code.
Officials were confident smashing
of the steel blockade foreshadowed
early action to put the other i'll
dustries under recovery codes.
General Hugh S. johnson, hard
hitting NRA administrator, drove
the bargain on steel at protracted
conferences with magnates that
lasted much of the night.
johnson hoped to place the for
NAL code before President Roosevelt
before he leaves for his home at
Hyde Park tonight.
Quick action by the President
was forecast by Johnsons an
nouncement that the President al
ready had approved the agreement
made with the steel men. The
agreement was for a 90-day trial of
a code regulating hours and wages
of 100000 workers with the MIRA
having a voice in administration CT
the trial code.
Success in forcing the steel in
dustry into an agreement was re-
garded as a signal victory for the
Roosevelt administration.
In steel more than in any other
industry the Presidents recovery
policies came in direct conflict with
the nations great financial powers,
including the house of Morgan.
Events leading up to the agree
ment were fast moving. johnson
turned from oil conferences to a
"brief meeting" with steel leaders,
including such personages as w. A.
Irwin, president of the Morgan
backed United States Steel corpo-
ration, former Gov. Nathan l.. Mil
Ter of New York, his counsel; Eu-
gene Grace, chairman OF the board
of Bethlehem Steel corporation,
and chairmen and presidents OF
other companies.
Chases Oil Men
Excited talk emanated from tie
conference room. All afternoon
and far into the evening the ses-
sion continued There was brief
recess for dinner, and then the
meeting was resumed.
Oil leaders came to see johnson,
but he sent them away
For Gods sake don't bother me
now" he said, and pointed to a
double suite of rooms.
1--WE got a den of lions in there
Midnight passed and the confer
cnce continued. Finally at l a. M,
the steel magnates came out. Ihey
were glum. They looked straight
ahead as they pressed their way
through reporters, refusing to talk.
Johnson had kept them IN confer
ence almost IL hours.
Half an hour later johnson
emerged. He was tired. His eyes
were ploodshot and his tie was
askew. But he smiled broadly.
He waved a typewriter paper,
vigorously. 1t was the announce
ment of the agreement and its ap-
proval by the President.
The agreement provided for an
average 4O-hour week over the
three-month period with no en-
pioyee to work more than 48 hours
or six days a week. If the steel
production reaches go per cent OF
capacity after November /, an
eight-hour day is provided for all
employees except those in super
yisory, technical or emergency Ca
pacitieS.
1.-The minimum wages fixed III
the code are estimated 10y steel
companies to exceed an average OF
40 cents an hour" Johnson SAID.