The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-12-28
Steel Strike
Narrowly
Averted

Strike orders OF three rail- brother-
hoods representing upwards OF 100
900 operating employees remained In
force today despite government
seizure OF the nations railroads.
the second such wartime action in
q quarter century.
We'll In advance OF the Thursday
morning strike deadline. the Army
assumed responsibility for coniin-
ued operation OF the war-yital car
rlers In order that major military
offensIyes now planned" will not no
delayed b. the collapse OF trans
portation on the home front
In slgn.n an executive order taxi
ing over the railroads. President
Roosevelt said
III any employees OF IN. railroads
now strike. they will be striking
against the government OF the Unit
ed States
More than ~ hours later. howey-
or, three unions the Brotherhoods
OF Conductors. Firemen and Switch.
men stuck doggedly by their sirlks
call They were the last "holdouts"
OF 20 rail unions OF one million, 40
thousand members who had
planned a walkout Al 6s m. Dec.
30 TO support wage demands.
starting Back
On the equally critical steel front.
fB0. 900 strikers were expected 10
start back TO work today under or
ders from CIO President Phihp
Murray plus the motiyating influ-
encs OF q fayorable War Labor
Board ruling making future wage
adjustments for the steelworkerk
retroactive.
At the same time. chiefs OF the
three striks-pledssd rail unions =
n. w. Fraser. d. n. Robertson snd
r. C.. Cashen planned . 10 .. M.
meeting with the organizations eN-
ecutlye committees 10 reeSamine
their position in light OF Mr. Roos'
eyelt's dramatic move.
There was also a strong proha-
billty that the trio would he sum
moned TO the White House for a
final presidential warning 10 drop
their strike threat Before the
ranks OF the rail unions split, MI.
Roosevelt warned that he would 20
on the air and castIgate the strik'
ers
On ChriktmaE Eve. tho largest ~
the Big Five operating brother
hoods--the Trainmen ard Eng-
neers, 23O. 900 strong cancelled
their strike shortly after p NJ.
yesterday. the j. incorporating
unions with a membership or ore
million. 100 thousand workers did
likewise.
Takes Control
An hour later. President Rooss.
welt directed Secretary OF War
Stimson 10 take control OF the car.
riers. asserting:
RAILROAD strikes BY three broth
erhoods have been ordered for next
Thursday. | cannot wait until the
last moment 10 take action To see
that the supplies OF our fighting
men are not interrupted.
II am accordingly obliged 10 take
over at once temporary possession
and control OF the railroads 10 en-
sure their continued operation. The
government will expect every rail-.
road man TO continue at his post OF
duty"
Affirms Increase
simultaneously. the Chief Execu-
tive rendered his decision as arbi-
traitor OF the disputs affecting the
Tralnmen and Engineers. He ar
firmed a four.cent hourly wage rate
increase previously approved by
Economic Car Fred VI. Vinson and
granted a further five-cent boost TO-
overtime In excess OF 40 hours a
week and expenses OF the workers
while away from home. The PrNsi-
dent also approved an award OF one
weeks vacation with pay
In his executive order. the Presi-
dent directed Secretary Stimson 10
provide protection for all persons
employed or seeking employment"
Lieut.. Gen. Brehon B. Somervell
commanding general Of the Army
Services forces. was placed in
charge OF the railroads with imme-
date responsibility for their op-
GRAFTON assigned 10 Maj. Gen. e. p.
Gross, ASF chief OF transporta-
lion.
In Conformity
Mr. Roosevelt directed that his
wage award in the case OF the two
big brotherhoods should be effec-
tive for the duration OF the war. He
said It was in conformity with the
governments Little Steel wage
stabiliLstion formula.
The Big Five originally sought
an outright wage boost OF 50 day.
They came down 10 eight cents an
hour plus overtime, expenses and
one weeks vacation. Mr.. Roosevelt
offered four cents as wage in
crease allowable under Little
steel with another four cents for
the added factors. His arbitration
award was one cent higher.
The three "holdout' unions stood
by their demands for the straight
eight cents along with the other
compensation. Arguing that their
colleagues were selling" thess