Evening star., 1946-02-16
y. S. Officials Predict Early End
Of Strikes in Other Industries
As Steel Pay Dispute Is Settled
Workers Granted
Hourly Increase
Of 1872 Cents
By james Y. Newton

All carly emu OF SCrlKeS IN the
automobile, electrical appliance
and steel industries, affecting
directly more than a million
workers, was confidently pre-
dicted by Federal officials to-
day after announcement that
the CIO and United States Steel
Corp. had settled their wage diff
ferenceS.
The best "break" the strike-weary
Nation had received in months came
at 10 o'clock last night when Recon-
version Director Snyder, speaking
fdS President Truman, told news
men that big Steel" had signed a
new agreement giving the United
Steel Workers wage increase of
161a cents an hour. In return, the
Government permitted the COM
pany to raise steel prices an aver
age of SIS ton.
Although the agreement applies
only to the 10000 workers of United
States Steel, officials expected the
other steel producers to follow the
lead of big Steel" as they have
done in the past, and settle their
strikes on the same basis Negoti-
ations are going forward with the
other companies and the prediction
was made by CIO official that the
major companies. would be signed
up next week.
President on Cruise
The President had left Washing
ton for brief trip on the presiden-
tial yacht Williamsburg and conse-
quently was not here for announce
ment of the settlement, the White
House disclosed.
When he left, he was hopeful"
that settlement would be reached
and later, when the break came,
was in communication with Mr..
Snyder and authorized him to make
the announcement.
The President was accompanied
by Gov. Mon c. Wallgren of WASH
ington and other friends. They are
due back in Washington today.
CtIlhc DcSdH JANUARY A1s
An estimated 10000 steel workers
have been on strike since January
21. In addition, thousands of work.
ers in industries dependent on steel
have been thrown out of jobs. The
walkout was rapidly paralyzing a
major portion of manufacturing in
dustry, and the effect on the Ma
tion's biggest walkout was being
felt In all forms of business, an
effect approaching depression psy-
chology.
The strike will officially end for
United States Steel at 1901 am.
Monday, exactly four weeks after
it started. The issue of the effective
date of the wage increase, which
delayed agreement for "a hours, was
settled by compromise The CIO
had insisted that the full increase
6e retroactive to January /, as sug-
gested by Mr.. Truman, while the
corporation held out for the date
Of the strike The difference finally
was split at Government suggestion,
and the worker will receive ga cents
retroactive to January l..
Because of the psychological effect
of the steel agreement and under
terms of the administrations new
wage-price policy, Federal afficials
expect an early windup of the three
month old General Motors striks and
the month-old walkout of 175,000I
employees of the General Electric
ind Westinghouse companies.
Hope for Full Production.
There was hope throughout official
Washington that the way is now
paved to full production which most
Federal leaders believe has been
delayed nearly two months by the
many reconversion wage disputes.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Truman, who a
month ago had suggested settlement
Of the steel dispute with an 1877
cent wage increase to workers, made
it clear at his news conference that
Chester Bowles in his new role of
economic stabilizer would be subject
to jurisdiction of Reconversion
Director Snyder, with whom Mr.
Bowles has differed widely over price
policy.
While Mr.. Bowles will administer
the relaxed, strike-settling wage
price program, the President said
he will report to Mr.. Snyder rather
than to him. If there is any dis
agreement between the two, Mr
Truman said he would settle it.
Not New Line, Truman Says
The President indicated that Mr..
Bowles is contented in the new set
up and that everybody is in agree
ment. He said Secretary of State
Byrnes and Secretary of the Treas
ury Vinson, both former bosses of
the Nations economy, think the
(Coo STEET pouo hol