The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-12

Washington, Sept. 12 - (UP) - The White House moved in on the crippling maritime strike today. Re- conversion Director John R. Steelman called in the Wage Stabilization Board for a re- view of the walkout that has halted shipping in every coastal port.
 The board last night re- fused to reverse it's wage de- cision which touched off the strike, thus leaving it up to Presi- dent Truman to find 8 settlement formula without scuttling his wage stabilization policy.
 Meanwhile 4O,000 members of the Marine Bremen, Oilers, Water tender and Wipers Union Qndo went on strike at the nations major ports. They joined two A.F.L. unions in demanding gov- ernment approval of negotiated wage rises.
 Acting for President
 The Steelman- wSB meeting was announced by White House Press Secretary Charles c. Ross, who said Steelman was acting directly for MT. Truman.
 Ross indicated decision on the Administration stand in the dis pute could be expected shortlys possibly sometime today.
 He said that if developments to- ward strike settlement comes this afternoon, MT. Truman may have an announcement at his 6 P. M.
 Military on Stand by Orders
 The Army and Navy awaited only presidential go-ahead to run the blockade of the Strike-bound U. s. ports with food and other essential supplies for American occupation troops and foreign relief.
 MT Truman was scheduled to hold a press conference at s P. M. (EDT and may reveal his plans at that time.
 The Presidents dilemma was heightened by his lack of legisla- tive powers to cope with the strike. even If he were to order the indus try seized. There was some specu. lation that MT. Truman may call a special session of Congress to deal With the situation If the strike is lndefinitely prolonged.
 The Wage Stabilization Board last night voted 4 to 2-labor mem oerS dissenting - to refuse to re- verse an earlier decision which de. nled the AFL. unions wage ip- creases $5 and $10 a month higher than approved for C.IO. unions last June.
 To Continue Walkouts
 The two A.F.L. units-the Sailors Union of the Pacific and the Sea- farers International Union = de- nounced the boards decision as criminal and union busting" and said they would continue the walk out until the Government approved their contracts.
 C.IO. maritime unions threatened to join them by tomorrow morning. The port of New York AF.L. maritime strike strategy committee called for a general 24-hour pro- test strike by all American labor but there appeared to be little chance it would materialize. The general strike plea was re- ceived coolly at A.F.L. and C.I.O. national headquarters here, and Harry Lundeberg, secretary of the SUP, said in San Francisco that general strike would not be ad- visable since the maritime tieup al. ready was effective" 5000 Ships Idle
 More than 5000 ships remained immobilized in the nations ports as the walkout entered its eighth day and gradually made itself felt in other industries.
 The Stabilization Board raised c threat to its own existence by re- jecting the A.FL. demands. The two striking unions wired A.F.L. President William Green and C,I.O. President Philip Murray to withdraw their labor representative on the board. They also wired a strong protest to Board Chairman w. Willard Wirtz.
 Further continuance of the greatest general maritime strike in the history of the United States rests squarely on your shoulders and the shoulders of those indi- viduals who voted to deny our. hard-fought-for wage gains," they | told Wirtz.
 The C.I.O. unions already are re- specting A.F.L. picket lines. But their threat to join in active picket ing raised the possibility of violence between the rival unions. which have long been engaged in a bitter fight for control of the maritime in- dustry.
 The AFL.-CI.O. demand for higher maritime wages was . direct challenge to MT. Truman to span- don current wage policy as the price for settlement.
 The Stabilization Board made a clear cut stand against raising the base pay of able bodied seamen more than $l7.50 Q month-as pre- viously approved In the CI.0. oaa@