Evening star., 1946-02-15

attorney General Clark, John u
Steelman, special assistant to thu
President; John d. Small, civilian
production administrator; Willard
Wirtz, head Of the Wage Stabiliza.
ton Board; Mr.. Synder, Mr.. Porter
Mr.. Bowles and Judge Collet.
The White House said "there wa.
. meeting Of the minds and each
OF the Government officials con.
cerned with the execution OF this
program pledged support in carrying
it out" The President, 1t was said
expressed complete confidence that
this set up would work"
The new wage-price policy is def
nitely retreat" from former firm
er controls. It incorporates the
ideas OF Mr.. Snyder that prices
should be eased In the interests OF
full production. Some Of Mr.
Bowles' suggested Safeguards
against imitation were Incorporated
although officials said it definitely
does not reflect his thinking. He
was described, however, as sum-
GENTLY satisfied with the program to
continue in Government service
for the critical infiationary period
ahead"
Charles G. Ross, White House
press secretary, who formally re-
leased the announcements for the
President, pointed out that the new
policy leaves great deal to the dis
cretion Of Mr.. Bowles and to Mr..
Porter's OPA. The executive order
was so worded that the two officials
will have considerable leeway in ad-
ministering it.
Perhaps, the best way of de-
scribing what the new policy is ex-
pected to accomplish is to use a
portion of Mr.. Truman's statement
accompanying the policy order. He
said:
Production Is our salvation. Pro-
duction Is the basis of high wages
and profits and high standards of
living for all. Production will do
away with the necessity for Govern
HiClt COilLfOiS.
Need for Greater Production.
The President also pointed out:
Work stoppages have continued
and some OF them are serious enough
to threaten our economy with almost
complete paralysis.
They are accompanied by in
natlonary preSSures that also
threaten the stability of our
economy"
Reviewing the previous wage-price
policy, under which labor and man.
agement were set free to bargain
wage boosts without price relief,
Mr.. Truman noted that while thou
sands OF adjustments had been made
collective bargaining has broken
down in many important situations. !"
TT is imperative that production
In great volume be accomplished. :"
he continued. MANY workers have
found their weekly pay greatly re-
duced. Many companies - are
not in a position to wait through
q six-month period before
seeking price adjustments.
II am now modifying our wage
price policy to permit wage increases
within certain limits and to permit
any industry placed in a hardship
position by an approved (wage) in
crease to seek price adjustments
without waiting. ."
Il am authorizing the National
Wage Sterilization Board to ap-
prove any wage or salary increase.
or part thereof, which is found to
be consistent with the general pat
tern OF wage or salary adjustments
established in the industry or local
labor market area since August 18,
l945."
The extent Of price relief to be
granted under the new program
may be judged from the size of the
price increase which it is consid-
cred certain the steel industry will
receive. The S. a ton price boost
nay be compared with the current
average price of carbon steel of $54
! ton. About 30 per cent OF total
'teel production is comprised of
'arious types Of carbon steels. The
anne price increase, it was under
'tood, will be granted for alloy
'teels, which ranges in price up to