Evening star., 1943-12-28
Trained Troops to Run Railroads
In Event Of Strike> Stimson Says;
Steel Workers Returning to Jobs
WLB Approves
Retroactive Paw
In Contracts
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
A one-day walkout by more
than 10000 steel workers ap-
peared ended today with the
granting of their demands for
possible retroactive pay in new
contracts now being negotiated.
Reports from the scores of plants
in nine States which we're closed by
the work stoppages showed most of
the men were obeying orders tele-
graphed last night by Philip Muir
ray, president of the CIO United
Steel Workers of America, to resume
'uninterruptedly the production of
steel"
Mr. Murray's instructions were
dispatched a few minutes after the
War Labor Board issued a directive
which incorporated suggestions of
President Roosevelt that retro
active pay be guaranteed.
Little Choice for Operators.
Steel operators had little choice
but to accept the order. Reports in
informed sources were that the War
Production Board would readily
consider requests for higher steel
prices, which Benjamin F. Fairless,
president of the United States Steel
Corp, said some time ago would be
necessary to cover any added cost,
such as more pay to the workers.
Republic Steel Corp, largest of
214 companies whose contracts with
the union expired at midnight,
Christmas eve, precipitating the
controversy. estimated it would re-
quire about 48 hours" for produc-
ton to return to normal.
More than half of Pennsylvania S
10000 idle went back. Others were
to follow on the afternoon and eve
ming shifts.
The 10000 employees of Wheeling
Steel in Ohio and West Virginia
were slow in responding to the back
to-work order, but company
spokesman said it seemed reason
able to assume operations would be
restored during the day"
Ohio Workers Returning.
At least partial production was
resumed in all of the 30 Ohio mills
hit by the work stoppage of $1,000
steel workers in that State, and
industry officials estimated from so
to IS per cent normal forces were
on duty.
The break in the crisis came lust
as steel production dropped to its
lowest rate since 1910, when the
United States began its "all-out" war
production.
The Labor Board, in agreeing to
retroactivity by an e-to-4 vote, re-
versed the stand labor members of
the WLB took last Wednesday when
they voted down virtually identical
proposition made by the public
members.
Murray's Announcement.
Mr.. Murray, in his announcement
TO terminate the work stoppage
declared of the boards reversal:
This action upon the part of
the National (War) Labor Board at
the direction of the President of
the United States will correct the
grave situation created by the Ma
tlonal WAR Labor Board"
The CIO chief ordered telegrams
dispatched at once to local union
and district officials directing full
compliance" with the latest board
action, saying:
You are further advised of the
need of continuing uninterrupted
the production of steel and steel
products essential to the war needs
OF our Nation. This is in conformity
with our organizations no-strike
policy.
All necessary measures should
therefore be taken by the Offices
and members of our local unions to
comply with the policy and to as
sure the representatives of your
organization the opportunity to
negotiate by peaceful means the
perfection of satisfactory wage
agreement, with the understanding
that If the new agreements include
any wage adjustments, such adjust
ments shall be computed retroac-
lively to the date when your con-
tract would have expired"
eve pulled $1,000 men out of the
Industry members of the WLB,
dissenting from the action of public
ana labor members who guaranteed
the steel workers retroactivity, said
IN statement that when 100000
men simultaneously stop work. with
picket lines around many plants,
including those in which contracts
have not expired, the question of
whether or not there is an author
lied strike is wholly academic" and
they said, illustrated "conclusively
either the absence or the abuse of
union responsibility and discipline.