Evening star., 1946-10-21
Pittsburgh Returning
To Normal Life as
Power Strike Ends
BY The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 21.-Indus-
trial life In the Pittsburgh metro
politan area swung back toward
normal today on the end Of 27-
day power strike-longest and cost
liest In the Nations history.
Hundreds of industrial plants re-
sumed work at full speed to make
up for lost production. Streetcar
transportation was normal again
and the busline operations almost
normal.
For the first time in nearly four
weeks, the Duquesne Light Co. an
nounced that the 100000 persons
in the affected area could use all
the electricity they wished. The
current was voluntarily rationed
during the strike.
Repairs Under Way.
With its 5000 unionized employees
back at work, the company started
making repairs that were allowed
to slide during the strike. It an
nounced that all the arc lamps in
downtown Pittsburgh, which burned
out during the strike, would be lit
again within "A to 48 hours. How
ever, it will take probably a week to
replace 1000 to 5000 incandescent
lamps which burned out in subur-
ban areas, a company spokesman
said.
The Sun-Telegraph estimated the
strike cost the steel capital "at
least $500, ,OOO, 900" in business and
wages.
Cancellation sessions to end 81
day-old hotel strike, also costing
the city considerable business, re-
sumo today. The eight largest ho-
tells here have been virtually closed,
resulting in cancellation of a num-
ber of conventions.
Voted for Arbitration.
The power strike ended when the
light company employees voted to
submit their demands for 20 per
I cent wage increase and other issues
to arbitration.
The vote, taken at a secret mem
bership meetings. was 1,197 to 1877
in favor of arbitrating the dispute
which led to the strike. The union
has a total membership of $500.
George l.. Mueller, president Of
the independent power union, ex-
pressed the belief the favorable vote
resulted from what he described as
a change in the national wage out
look following relaxation Of OPA
controls.
Heretofore the union steadfastly
opposed arbitration on the ground
that any wage increases gained
through arbitration might be over
ruled by the Wage Sterilization
Board. The light company sup
ported arbitration. and already has
named its appointee to a three
man board to weight the contro-
versy. He Is Maurice r. Schard
New York consulting engineer
Other members will represent the
union and the Federal Government
Believes Three Months Needed
Mr.. Mueller said the possibility
that wage stabilization rules may
be eliminated or altered offset to
large degree the company's refusal
to waive WsB as a factor in arbi-
tration."
The union leader added he be-
lieved arbitration hearings would
require about three months and said
the WSB will be nonexistent by
that time" ,,, = -
Mr.. Mueller declared his views
on the WSB stemmed directly from
a conference he had in Washing
ton Saturday with Secretary OF
Labor Schwellenbach. The Secre-
tary said he strongly urged the
union to agree to arbitration, and
added:
My chief reason was that Con-
gress Is going to meet again to con-
slider labor legislation and, If the
Pittsburgh strike continues much
longer it will be used as an exam
pie to convince members of Con-
gress that drastic legislation should
be adopted to deprive utility work.
ers of the right to strike. ="
No Comment on WSB.
To a direct question as to whether
IAASAC Woo ehAJ eAAooSA 0AASC GAAoo Ny
the time of the arbitration hear
ing there would be no WSB, Secre-
tary Schwellenbach said he advised
the union leader he could not give
him an answer.
However, Mr. Mueller returned to
Pittsburgh and expressed his be-
lief In the WSB's short remaining
life and the favorable arbitration
vote followed.
Voting was conducted in 80 regu-
lar voting booths under the direc-
ton of Sheriff Walter C. Monaghan
at the unions request. Deputy sher-
IFS made the tally with union COM
mitteemen standing by. On hand
were So deputies, Police Supt.' Har-
vey Scott, rs uniformed policemen
and II city detectives.