The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-23
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MulfaY fss4aN1u . lUIIIf UnIon nn cent to Secretary of thA Treagary Fred Vlnson. In ll no ohareed that throuRh tax refunds Che steel ln. dnstFy ls uslnK public funds sl- phoned from Che Q. 6. Treasury" Co further a design Co "dontrog labor unions and Co remain unchAllenR- ea ln lle determined effort Co o0- tain uncontrolled proflts."
 He urged immediate steps Co ellm- mate provisions Of the tax laws which he said enable the steel in. dustry Go close shop in ie1o because under the laws the Treasury rebates any losses and guarantees profits through direct tax payments Tree Rardless Of the reasons or causes for the loss." He said e had been es- slmated that the money to be drawn from the public purse to conipensate American industry may run to % billions of dollarS."
 Murray told c press conference that through. the tax laws the Steel Industry alone could collect el4e.- O0o, 900 # it did not operate c single day this year.
 Output Cut Felt
 Falrless contended responsibility rested with the union for the strike --largest in American history-the cumulative effect of which was growing ln allied industries. Supply starved railroad shops and fabric. ating mills were closing or curtall- sysu nFNApakA
 He said his company was not wag- ing e selfish" fight and expressed hope that "this thing is settled to the best interests of the American people"
 Murray said there had been "no move on anybody'B part to reopen negotiations" since the strike was called at more than I,200 plants Monday. In Washington, it was re- vealed that President Truman has notified members of his steel fact. finding board to continue study of governmental data relative to the strike and remain available flor further consultation"
 Price Increase Expected
 The War Mobilization and Recon version Office is expected to an- nounce 6 steel price increase be- fore the end of the month, but it will be based on December earnings reports and not on wage considera- tions.
 Henry J. Kaiser, who signed an increase for his Fontana, Cal, plant for the lek cent increase, told re- porters seeking to confirm rurnors that he had been asked to arbitrate the steel strike that he could set- tie the waikout in two days, if both sides accepted him as arbiter. He could not confirm the reports of his appointment, however. He said the problem was making both sides listen to reason"
 The Association of Steel Fabrica- tors and Converters, representing li2 companies of which 56 are struck, appealed to the steel work ers' union for separate negotiations.
 Association Not Represented
 A statement issued by the associa- ton said none of the companies "has any connection with the United States Steel Corporation or any other basic steel producer ex- cept that they buy their steel from those companies"
 At the 56 struck companies, the statement said, 5l, ,2T men are af- fected and approximately 660 other steel fabricators in the country un- der contract with the USW are in the same general position.
 The association members said they had not been represented at the White House peace conferences last week and they had no oppor- tunity to get together with union representatives and debate the is- sues"
 Rail Workers Hit
 They said they need increased prices even without any increased wages. Some members reported they had been offered contracts calling for less than the unions general l8iz cent demand, but binding upon the company to any increase accepted by big steel and making the increase retroactive"
 Two companies have accepted agreements with the revision clause. l If U. s. Steel signs for less than the | prescribed wage rate they will be entitled to rebates. The strike hit directly at rail- | road workers of connecting" lines l which haul through the plants to | the mainlines. But employees in the | trunk roads also were being laid off with the decrease in shipping. about | 5000 have been affected so far.
 Miners Feel Finch Coal miners felt the pinch. Three | "captive" mines of Bethlehem Steel co. in Pennsylvania were closed and 1900 men laid off. Another is | expected to close when the empty | barges at its tipple have been load- | ed. In Alabama, four mines employ ing 4,5O0 were closed because their | transportation systems were man. ned by members of the steel union.