Evening star., 1945-10-02
High U. 5. Official
Predicts Acceptance
OF Oil Proposal
Possibility of Rejection
Of PIon to End Strikes
Seen in CIO Quarters
81 the Associated Press.

B5 the Associated Press.
A high Labor Department off,
cial said today he was conf
dent" the oil strike disputants
would accept the Governments S
arbitration proposal, but a con-
flicting view was held in CIO
quarters.
If the II big oil companies and
the striking CIO oil workers union
accept, said a Government official,
some companies and locals might go
ahead and bargain individual agree
ments before the arbitration deci-
sion is handed down on the Decem-
ber l deadline
Meanwhile, all refinery stoppages
would be called off on the basis OF
the Is per cent increase proposed by
Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach,
and any such early settlements
might set the pattern for the final
arbitration award.
Rejection Held Possible.
Persons close to the union leader
ship said the result was ''by no
means foregone conclusion" They
suggested the union might turn
down the proposal at the concilia-
ton session late today
At least one of the oil companies,
Sinclair, has declared itself ready to
accept. Some of the other companies
strongly oppose arbitration, but un-
der Secretary Schwellenbach's plan
they would be excused from it it
they negotiate separate agreements.
One possible hitch to the union S
acceptance was the possibility that
the top leadership of CLIO might op-
pose the plan on grounds it would
set pattern of arbitration for major
industries like autos and steel. Rep
resentatives of the national CIO
were known to pe sitting in the oil
workers policy-setting caucus.
The Government proposal called
for:
l. A temporary Is per cent pay in
crease, and
2. Agreement by both sides to ac-
cept an arbitrator's final settle
ment.
Mr.. Schwellenbach presented the
peace plan early today to weary ne
gotiators, who acknowledged a hope
less deadlock after seven days OF
conciliation under Government su-
pervlsion.
Trouble in Other Industries.
Mr.. SchWellenbach had to turr
his attention elsewhere, too, as John
l.. Lewis soft coal miners added tc
Government strike worries, ano
trouble piled up in the telephone
auto and Southern textile indus
tries.
The Government, with papers al
ready drawn for seizure action
should the oil dispute continue to
leave rehneries idle, prodded union
and management representatives tc
compromise quickly on the CIO de-
mands for 80 per cent higher wages
Declaring that "if this strike con-
tinues on into the winter, the people
will be hungry and cold.". Secretary
Schwellenbach suggested:
/. Immediate return to work by
the $4,000 striking union members
and full resumption of operations
by management.
2. Return to a 40-hour working
schedule ''as soon as manpower
availability permits" with an in
crease of Is per cent or its equiva-
lent in the basic pay rate.
Decision by December 1.
3. Agreement to accept the find
ings of an impartial arbitrator on
the differences between the unions
demand for 80 per cent and the
companies counter offer of Is.
The arbitrator would make his
decision by December /. In the
meantime, collective bargaining
could be continued.
While Daniel T. Pierce, vice pres
ident of the Sinclair Refining Co.
said he would 'go along with the
Secretary" other company repre-
sentatives were noncommittaI in adj
vance of a 4 pm. meeting today to
draft formal reply.
O'Neal Urges Action.
The American Farm Bureau Fed
Grafton jumped into the strike pic
tnre through its president, Edward
(Sne IARnD Douo A 1o0