Evening star., 1944-10-04

oPolA 1ilc ICCcSSlty Cl IlOlAlilS tAi'
line against imitation and resisting
the efforts being made to throw of
both price and wage restrictions
before the war is really over,
Though he did not say so, thi.
was generally construed as adverse
to the demand of the labor organi-
cations, led by CLOS Mr.. Philir
Murray, to scrap the little steel
formula and force an increase ir
the wages Of several hundred thou
sand steel workers, already making
more money than they ever made
before. ,s3
If this drive succeeds, then the
door will be opened for series OF
other demands, The effect, unques-
tionably, would be dangerously in
fiationary.
Important as Is the firm atti-
tude of Mr.. Byrnes in this matter
1t isn't enough. True, the Presi-
dent long ago delegated him as his
agent to hold the line" and Mr.
Byrnes, certainly, has done all that
man could do to carry out in
structiops.
But In this, as in other vital in
stances, Mr.. Roosevelt, after Gre
ating the job and appointing the
man, refrained from delegating the
full power without which the job
cannot be done. In other words
Mr.. Byrnes can hold the line only to
the degree that he is supported by
the President.
In this instance, the labor lead
ers making the demand have by
passed Mr.. Byrnes altogether and
made their appeal direct to the
President. The last White House
announcement on the subject was
that the President would make nc
decision until after he had received
and analyzed the report of the
War Labor Board.
But that deceives no one, as 1t Is
fully recognized that the War Labor
Board Is a plant creature Of the
Presidents, molding itself entirely
to his wishes. In a case involving
30 important an issue 1t certainly
would make neither report mol
recommendation without advance
consultation with and approval b,
him.
This Is so completely understood
chat the labor bosses, who are in.
sisting upon decision before cleo.
ton, pay slight attention to the
board and are concentrating en-
tirely upon the President.
1t would seem that the Presiden
has here a fine opportunity. HI
iS q candidate for reelection en-.
gagged in a tough campaign. A de.
mand Is made upon him which, i
he yields TO 1t, amounts to a re.
versal Of q major policy. 1t means
too. the overruling Of his chic
aides and involves a great risk Il
the welfare OF all the people on thi
insistence of a few.
Ordinarily, that kind of situation
ought not to embarrass President
Ordinarily any President could b,
expected to refuse the demand ant
support the aides who have beer
carrying out his policies. Ordinarily
there would seem to be no choic,
between the interests of specia
group and the interests of the Ma
ton as whole.
But Mr.. Roosevelt's situation i
unusual and embarrassing. Their,
are reasons he finds it hard to judg,
this case-as 1t should be judged
on its merits.
Chief OF these is that this de
mand for the abandonment of hi
anti-inf1ation policy comes largel.
from the CIO leaders, with whom
he has close political alliance
who are really managing his cam
psign and upon whom he mus
rely for success.
This is the group toward which
his opponents charge he is supin'
and subservient. This is the grou,
which always in the past has beer
able to count upon his favor ane
which he has never been known tt
refuse. This group is so influentia
with him that last June in Chicago
he permitted its directing politica
head, Mr.. Sidney Hillman, to kill tn,
candidacy of Mr.. Byrnes foI
the vice presidential nomination
though he personally had led Mr.
Byrnes to believe he favored him.
This is the group which is financ.
ing the fourth-term effort and sup
plying most of its managerial en-.
ergy and enthusiasm.
Considering these things, the gen.
eral expectation is that Mr. Roose.
welt either will agree to the scrap.
ping of the little STEEL formula o.
find some face-saving compromis,
that will insure a satisfactory wag,
increase.
And here lies the Roosevelt op
portunity. BY firm and fiat re
fusal to yield to the CIO pressur,
In this matter he can battle and con
fuse the enemies who allege that h,
i the weak tool Of these labor bosse
end afraid to defy them-even whel