Evening star., 1937-02-19
NAW-STEEL PEACE
WILL Be SPEEDED
Roosevelt Sees Move Neces-
sary Because of British
Buying Program.

8 Confronted with the possibility that
the British admiralty would buy steel
Il, the United States for use In its
s7,5o0, 900 900 naval construction pro-
gram, President Roosevelt said today
that this Government-facing a steel
shortage because of provisions OF the
walsh-Healey act-would be forced to
move soon to obtain the metal needed
In construction of its own naval
vessels.
se Because of the Walsh -Healey law
which limits contractors to a 40-hour
week with a minimum wage on Jobs
over $4,000 done for the Government
the steel industry has refrained from
bidding on some 25,O0o,00o pounds Of
steel ordered by the United States
Navy. Layoff Of large numbers of
workers is in prospect as a result,
Federal officials said.
The President, at his press confer
ence, said he favors the minimum
wage and maximum hour provisions Of
the act and would like to see them
applied to industry throughout the
country. Replying to further ques-
lions, he said he had not discussed
the five-year British program with
any one except one Of this White
House secretaries.
Walsh Sees Expansion.
Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Committee said yesterday that
'If the expansion of the British Navy
Is to continue it will be necessary for
us to adopt a new naval program"
Another development on the Navy
steel front came yesterday, when As
,sistant Secretary Of the Navy Edison
called on President Roosevelt and ac-
quainted him with the newest status
of the situation. He alluded to the
British factor in the program and re-
vealed that he plans to confer with
Assistant Secretary of Labor McGrady
shortly in an effort to break the jam
confronting American naval construc-
ton. Edison said the British situation
might stimulate or handicap the
United States shipbuilding program.
Organized labor leaders are support
ing Secretary Perkins in her position
that the Navy should not be granted
an exemption under the Walsh -Healey
act, In order to obtain not only steel,
but copper, machinery and other req
uisites. The steel industry is operating
on q 44-hour week, but John L. Lewis,
chairman of the Committee for Indus
trial Organization, has threatened to
attack this problem next, following the
settlement of the General Motors
strike.
At his press conference the Presi-
dent also said he does not know
whether new legislation will be neces-
sary.
Asked If the Government was con-
sidering reopening its naval ordnance
factory at Charleston, w. Va, Mr..
Roosevelt replied in the negative. He
commented, however, that the plant
Is in an excellent location for steel
fabricating, but If reopened, its ma
chinery will have to be substantially
setooled.
Question Held Wide Open.
Senator Walsh said the dying naval
limitation treaties last year has left
the question of construction and size
of vessels wide Open" He cautioned
"close observation of British naval
movements as well as those Of other
> powers"
Recently the Navy called for bids
for steel. but received offers only on
100000 pounds of the 25,000,000
pounds required. The Navy rejected
these tenders, contending that when
warships are to be constructed the
bulk Of the steel must be in sight be-
fore the service will sign contract.
The steel required in naval construc-
tion Is Of high grade and Of different
sizes and shapes for various parts of
vessels. Because delivery extends over
a couple Of years the Navy must look
far ahead in its program, officials ex-
planned.
An inspection of the navy yards Of
the Nation is in prospect by Edison,
30 he may obtain a first-hand picture
of conditions confronting Govern
ment workers. Portsmouth, N. H.;
Philadelphia, Norfolk and other points
will be affected in the labor lay-off,
authorities here said, If the Navy Is