Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-16
Steel
Continued From First Page J

new Wage-price policy is excellent.
Mr.. Truman was asked If the
new policy represented a retreat to
a new wage-price line. Giving
newsmen the right to quote him
directly, he replied:
This is not a new line. 1t is a
bulge in the old line. You've heard
Of a bulge in the military sense. If
you will all cooperate with me there
will be no breakthrough."
He added the administration
hoped to close the bulge and
straighten the line.
Mr.. Bowles told reporters, at a
news conference he held later with
Paul A. Porter, his successor as OPA
chief. that in his new job as stabili-
zation director he would have all
authority needed to do job. How
ever, he gave the impression that
reports that he had resigned at one
time in his policy controversy with
Mr.. Snyder were well founded
When asked directly if he had re-
signed. Mr.. Bowles replied, hest
family,
II am still here"
Will Clarity Policy.
Mr.. Bowles would say little about
the way the new wage policy will be
applied to all industry, adding that
he would make a statement Clarity
ing policy next week. He did go into
details about prices and the effect
of the new policy. He said price
increases would be given vary spar
ingly," but that controls would not
be allowed to impede production.
Mr.. Bowles indicated the public
may have to pay more for consumer
metal products as result of the
Governments new wage price pol
icy. He said he didn't know yet
what the effect would be on specific
products like refrigerators, washing
machines and automobiles.
But he did say prices of metal
goods in general might have to be
increased. He added, however, that
these items account for only about
9 per cent of the cost of living, and
that he was confident the revised
policy would have no appreciate
effect on prices of food and clothing,
or on rents.
THE idea that the price battle is
lost is ridiculous and in my opinion
thoroughly cockeyed," Mr.. Bowles
declared. THE new policy is en-
tirely workable"
Mr.. Porter, asked If he expected tc
hold a firm price line, replied:
Il sure do. Therell be no cafe
terra line price increases"
Immediate Price Aid.
The amended policy provides fol
immediate price help to offset fed
orally approved wage increases. In
general, it allows price increase.
sufficient to assure 1869 profits.
The steel settlement climaxed two
weeks of secret negotiations il
United States Steels suite at thu
Carlton Hotel, three blocks from thu
White House.
Reports that the long battle wa
over circulated all day in the Cap
ital, but it was not until 10 pm
that the awaited announcement
came.
Gentlemen" Mr.. Snyder toll,
newsmen, sit gives me real pleasur,
on behalf Of the President to an
nounce settlement of the stee
strike"
Mr.. Snyder was hanked by Secre.
tary of Labor Schwellenbach, Presi.
! Dental Assistant John r. Steelman
together with company and unior
officials as he broke the news at tn,
hotel.
Vice President John A. Stephens
in charge of industrial relations fol
United States Steel, followed w
with the announcement that worl
would be resumed Monday with n,
discrimination against any striker
for their activities in the stoppage
Mr.. Stephens, together with Roge
/ M. Blough, the corporations gen
eral counsel, handled the INA