Evening star., 1945-10-01

The back-to-Work move was an
nounced by Leo +. Bollens, presi-
dent of the Federation of Westirg-
house Independent Salaries Unions,
after mass meetings at IA plants
and Offices in six States.
The walkout started September 10
to enforce demands for bonus or
incentive wage plan for the SAL
aried workers, numbering l0,987.
Their walkout led to the idleness Of
about $4,000 hourly workers, who
we're furloughed from their jobs.
The company announced repre-
sentatives will meet tomorrow with
the union on matters of wages,
hours and working conditions,
Snyder Studies Proposal.
At the oil parley-which went
through its second fruitless day yes
terday after adjourning here from
Chicago-conferees were wondering
what effect a reported new Govern
ment wage policy would have on
their deliberations.
Reconversion Director Snyder was
understood to be considering a pro-
posal to allow wage increases of 10
or Is per cent, with accompanying
price increases if necessary, to take
up some of the loss in wartime
earnings.
At present specific Government
approval Is required in each instance
where a proposed wage hike would
entail price increase.
Schwellenbach Warns Union.
Reports reaching the oil confer
ences that the union itself was ra-
tioning gasoline in the Detroit area
prompted Mr.. Schwellenbach tt
telegraph warning yesterday
against any such action.
IF the supply in the Detroit area
is such as to necessitate rationing,
he said a wire to August Scholle
Michigan CIO director, "it should
be done by the proper authorities.
He said Investigations by his rep
resentatives convinced him the ra-
tioning program 'is resulting In
confusion and resentment that soon
will endanger the health and safety
OF the people of Detroit.
Therefore I vigorously urge that
you arrange Immediately a meeting
OF the officers of the union and
insist that action be taken at once
to withdraw from the program, Mr.
Schwellenbach's telegram said.
II am now trying here in Wash
ington to bring about settlement
of the strike through the process
of bargaining. The prompt recog-
milton by the Detroit local of its
responsibility so to conduct itself
as not to endanger the public well
fare would help allay the fears
which have been expressed during
the negotiations"
In Detroit, Mr.. Scholle said an
agreement to comply with Mr..
Schwellenbach's request was reached
at a meeting with union repre-
sentatives. But the agreement, he
added, complies with policy pre-
viously determined by the interna-
tional officers of the oil workers
union"
Mr.. Scholle said he would seek a
conference with Detroit Mayor Ed
ward j. Jeffries today to discuss
the situation in detail.
At the conferences here the union
president, o. A. Knight, declared the
management representatives have
given them mo opportunity to bar
gain"
He said management officials re-
peated their position that they
would grant only Is per cent in
crease. The union is asking 80
per cent or 35 cents an hour more.
Talk of Government seizure of
oil reflneries figured in the con-
eiliation meetings, delegates re-
vealed, but still only as a last-resort
measure. =
Note of Optimism.
There was, on the other hand, one
note of optimism. G. S. Teitsworth,
chairman of the Manufacturing
Committee of Socony-Vacuum Oil
Co., emerged from a az hour early
session to tell reporters he had been
encouraged" by the trend of the
talk.
However, another company
spokesman later commented that he
saw no encouragement and. in fact,
no change whatever" This was
Daniel T. Pierce, assistant to the
president OF Sinclair Oil Corp.
The Sinclair company threw a
slight jolt into the conference by
announcing that it was withdrawing
ANY proposals we have discussed
with the Government or the union
on wage adjustments. A company
statement said this action was
caused by a new strike ordered by
the union at Sinclair refinery in
Wellsville, N. Y, described as large
producer of Pennsylvania aviation
and motor oils.
Mr.. Pierce, however, said his COM
pany was not pulling out of the
conciliation meeting. In response to
the unions demand for a 80 per cent
wage increase, Sinclair has offered
IS per cent more, and If the rest OF
the industry goes higher, Is per cent.
During 1914 10000 OPA price
panel assistants made 100000 calls
llDOn merchants