Evening star., 1945-11-08
Seeks
Farley Action
To Ban Strikes
Problems Intensified
As U. S. Steel Bors
Wage Negotiations
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

clauses written into work con-
tracts backed up by penalties
for violations, it was learned to-
day, while both sides feel there
should be a minimum of Gov
ernment" in whatever proceed
pres are devised for settling in
dustrial disputes peaceably.
The conference convened for the
fourth day with urgency for action
to achieve industrial peace sharply
brought home by the rejection by
the United States Steel Corp. OF
the Labor Departments offer to me-
diate the dispute with the United
Steel Workers on the demand for
a 50 a day wage increase. The
union accepted the offer.
Compulsory Arbitration Opposed.
Both labor and management rep
resentatiyes in the conference were
reported unalterably opposed to
compulsory arbitration as a means
for settling disputes. Management
believes provisions for voluntary
arbitration should be included in
contracts for handling disputes aris-
ing over Interpretation of existing
contracts, and there is some senti-
ment for compulsion in adjusting
disputes in such important industries
as public utilities.
Benjamin F. Fairless, president
of the United States Steel, notified
Secretary Of Labor Schwellenbach
that the corporation would not re-
sumo wage discussions with the CIO
steel workers until it had the Gov
ernment's answer on requests for
steel price boosts. Mr.. Schwellen-
bach had asked both sides to accept
Arthur S. Meyer, head of the New
York State Mediation Board, as
mediator of the dispute.
More than half million workers
in 1859 steel companies are sched-
uled to vote on a strike November
28. The Government so far has
offered mediation only in the United
States Steel case.
Price Increase Demanded.
Mr.. Fairless wrote the Secretary
that wage discussion seems futile
until the OPA has acted on steel
industry requests for price increases
averaging 81 a ton. Most steel prod
ucts, he said, now are being sold at
q loss because labor and other costs
have risen tremendously" since
1910.
Both wages and steel product
prices were raised early this year
following settlement of demands of
workers in basic steel industries for
more pay.
Secretary Schwellenbach was
studying" Mr.. Fairless' rejection of
his mediation offer as well as the
acceptance received from Philip
Murray, president of the Steel Work
ers. 1t was indicated he would issue
q statement later. The Secretary has
asked both sides to resume bargain
ing In the spirit" of President Tru-
mans appeal in a radio talk last
week.
Seven committees Of the confer
ence counted on to chart a course
to peace at home continued to work
today on various aspects of the
problem. The conference Executive
Committee scheduled another ses-
sion to consider subjects for discus
sion outside the fixed agenda.
Graham Heads Hearings Group.
DR.. George w. Taylor, conference
secretary, announced appointment
of Frank p. Graham, president of
the University of North Carolina, as
chairman of the Committee on Pub
lie Hearings, which will hear sug-
gestions and complaints of business
and labor groups not directly repre-
sented in the conference.
Other members of the committee
will be DR.. Ben Mark Cherrington,
chief Of the Department of Indus
trial Relations of the University of
Denver, and Dr. William Fielding
Ogburn, professor of sociology at the
University of Chicago, who once was
in charge of cultural relations for
the State Department. DR.. Graham
was an original public member of
the War Labor Board and helped
frame the Social Security Act.
DIR. Taylor, who will conduct all
news conferences, told reporters a
half dozen specific requests for hear
ings before the new committee have
been received. He added the first
public hearing probably would be
held next Wednesday.