Evening star., 1945-11-14
Industry Prepares
To Present Position
|0n All Farley issues
By JAMES Y. NEWTON


Management delegates pre-
pared today to announce their
position on every issue of the
N tional Labor Management
Conference agenda in an effort
to expedite the business of the
parley.
Industrial leaders are expected to
lay their program before confer
ence committees either late today
or tomorrow.
Benjamin F. Fairless, president of
the United States Steel Corp, mean
while, rejected a second invitation
Of Secretary of Labor Schwellen-
bach to meet here today for negotia-
ton before special Government
eonciliator of the CIO United Steel
Workers demand for a $2-a-day
wage increase.
Mr.. Fairless wired the Secretary
reiterating his position that further
wage discussions would be useless
until OPA acts on the steel industry
request for price increases. This po-
sition brought the charge earlier
from Mr.. Murray that the steel in
dustry is clearly engaged in bra
zen attempt to buldgeon the Gov
ernment of the United States" into
allowing higher prices. e.-
Mr.. Murray in a letter to Mr..
Schwellenbach said United States
Steel has the unmitigated gall to
advise the Government that it
will not perform its legal duty (bar-
gain under the Wagner Act), unless
the Government "surrenders" on
prices. He said steel industry profits
were four times the prewar level
Mr.. Fairless told the Secretary that
I'VE believe in and strongly support"
collective bargaining, but 1--WE feel
no useful purpose could be served
by the proposed meetings"
In radio broadcast, Mr.. Fairless
charged that settlement of steel in
dustry price and wage problems ARE
being blocked by the union and the
Government"
Refusal to Negotiate Denied. .
"We are not refusing to bargain
collectively" he said. Negotiations
are being blocked by the union and
the Government.
THE president of the union,
Philip Murray, said fatty in the very
beginning that his demand for an
increase of 50 day was not subject
to dickering or compromise.
"The Government Is blocking it by
keeping steel prices frozen. Wages
cannot continue to go up when
prices must remain at their present
level"
Mr.. Fairless said the unions de-
mand would cost the industry $685.
100000 year and that such a sum
could not be paid "out Of thin air."
The steel corporation head said
later he expected an answer from
OPA this week on the price increase
request.
Management delegates decided to
lay their position on the industry
peace conference table because the
time has come to shove things along
a little Ira Mosher, president of
the National Association of Manu-
facturers, told reporters.
The entire business delegation
worked long hours last night on its
program and Mr.. Mosher and, Eric
Johnston, president of the United
States Chamber of Commerce, took
time out to talk with newsmen.
Witnesses Heard.
The Farley Committee studying
ways of making more effective Gov
ernment conciliation of disputes
heard numerous witnesses yester-
day, including DR.. John r. Steel
man, special assistant to President
Truman and former head of the
Labor Departments Cancellation
Service, and William Leiserson, for
mer head of the National Mediation
Board.
A special committee established
to hear suggestions and complaints
of groups not represented in the
conference will begin hearings
today.
Several of the committees, includ-
ing the one on conciliation, expect
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