The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1946-02-01

ing up a settlement of the strike
Of 10000 workers which has been
a drag on reconversion Of basic
industries.
The OPA several weeks ago rec
commended a steel price increase
of $3.50 a ton. The recommended
ton was based on earningS-coSt
data for September, october and
November. 1t did not purport TO
have any bearing on possible fu-
ture wage increases.
Subsequently it was reported
that Reconversion Director John
w. Snyder had proposed q "a in
crease in the hope that 1t would
lead to a wage agreement. Steel
officials, however, said they woulo
have to have considerably more
than - in order to meet the Presi-
dents proposed wage increase OF
Is leg cents an hour.
Bowles. said by an OPA spokes-
man TO have gone to South Caro-
Ina for a two-week rest with the
consent Of the President" presum-
ably had made his last steel price
recommendations when the OPA
offered its $3.50 suggestion.
President Truman at yesterdays
news conference said, however,
that he was still awaiting OPA
figures for all Of the last three
months Of l945.
This caught officials on the Job
here by surprise because they had
considered the September-O October
November report sufficient. They
said that figures for December, a
month Of abnormal production be-
cause Of the holidays, would have
little bearing on the data on which
price recommendations are based.
B0wles Summons News
The next development was the
White House summons to Bowles.
An OPA spokesman said Bowles
would return to the Capital late
tonight or early tomorrow. He had
expected TO return on Monday.
Government officials believe
there still was a chance that the
industry might break the deadlock
by agreeing to President Truman's
proposal for an 10 ID cent hourly
wage increase for the 10000
workers. Otherwise, they foresaw a
fight.
Few hints were given. however, OF
what course the Government might
follow. Mr.. Truman reiterated al
his press conference yesterday that
seizure Of the industry was not
contemplated now.
Final Price Answer Awaited
At the same time, the President
raised the possibility that the
Government had not given the in
dustry a final answer on price in
creases TO be allowed II it meets
the wage demand. He said he would
have an announcement as soon as
he gets final OPA reports on the
Industry's financial position at the
end of 1915.
In hits connection, 1t was report
ed that Price Chief Chester Bowles
had been summoned back TO WASH
ington from Florida, where he had
been recuperating from a back all
ment.
Officials declined to say what
step the Government would take II
the industry continued to say nc
to Mr.. Humans wage-price pro-
poSals.
No Indication Given
One well-informed source said
officials concerned with the steel
strike were mindful Of the Pres-i
dents wishes and were working on
the presumption that there would
be no early seizure. Yet, he gave nc
indication Of what action insight
be taken.
Other sources suggested the pos
sibility OF pressure on the steel In
dustry through public statements
from the white House or through
support for the United Steel Work
ers (CIO) demand for repeal Of
excess profits tax refunss.
Philip Murray, president OF ths
USW, discussed the demand yes
terday with Secretary Of the Treas
ury Fred NJ. Vinson. The unior
holds that industry has been given
strike benefits" by a tax provision
allowing rebates from excess profits
tax payments when profits droE
below 1869 levels.
Next Step Up 70 Truman
After his conference, Murray
made It plain that he believed the
next step in the steel dispute wal
up 10 the President unless the IN.
dust1y agreed 70 the Is Ia cent