Evening star., 1946-05-26

riers, because they have come to
naught." He explained at the same
time that John r. Steelman, the
Government mediator, would get the
Is non-striking brotherhoods and
the carriers together to work out
an agreement based on the Presi-
dents compromise plan, which hao
been accepted by both sides Wednes-
day.
The unexpected temperance OF
Mr.. Steelman in the strike nego-
tiations after the Government had
abandoned its efforts to effect a set
tlement was the result of an appeal
to him by both carriers and the
strikers.
After he had been withdrawn by
President Truman, the trainmen and
engineers and the carriers asked
him to come into the case in q
personal capacity.
He put the matter up to President
Truman, who acquiesced. In con-
sequence, it was the Government
mediator who finally received the
striking unions acceptance of the
Presidents terms which they had
originally rejected.
1t was perhaps two hours later
that the trainmen and engineer
leaders made public a letter they
were addressing to Mr.. Truman
offering to accept the original rec
concentrations of the Fact-finding
Board, If you, Mr.. President will
allow us to negotiate with you
further concerning any other fair
wage increases" The President was
at lunch when the letter was de-
livered, and it was placed ,on his
desk.
Nonstricken Sign Pact.
The next move came when Mr..
Steelman announced the agree
ment between carriers and non-
strikers, who have been negotiat-
ing with the railroads for an addi-
tional wage increase over a 16-cent
allowance by an arbitration board.
Then Mr.. Ross told newsmen
these same terms would be applica- .
ble to any other workers involved
IN the present dipute-Which meant
that the administration was stand
ing firm on the compromise offer to
the trainmen and engineers.
This was made doubly certain
when Mr.. Ross at 2::30 told a uues-
toner that obviously there will be
no comment today" on the new
Whitney-Johnson proposal. He said
the President had not read it. Ross
also insisted that the Government
had made but the one offer to the
although their spokesmen
had reported that Secretary of State
Byrnes and Secretary of Labor
Schwellenbach, whom they saw late
Friday, had suggested upping the
Presidents plan by giving them also
the rules changes proposed by the
fact-f1nders.
House Answers Quickly.
1t was against this background
that the 4 o'clock deadline neared
and with it. reports that the
strikers were weakening.
The House quickly gave it's ans
wer to the Presidents proposals.
Senate comment was favorable.
Senator Tydings. Democrat of
Maryland, declared the address
hit the target-a bullSeye!'
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat of
Arkansas, said the President "ac-
cepted challenge on behalf of the
people and should have
the support of Congress in his
recommendations"
Senator Byrd, Democrat of Vir-
glnia, who urged the course the
President took, told 'eporters he
approved of the emergency recon-
mendations very much" while Sem
ator O'Mahoney, Democra. Ct Wy
oming, said Mr.. Trumans speech,
reminded him of Andrew Jackson's
declaration that the Federal Union
must be preserved.
Senator Hawkes., Republican, of
New Jersey, commented that no
group of people should be allowed to
defy the Government.
Senator O'Daniel, Democrat. of
Texas, however, told newsmen the
Presidents appearance was "a beau
tiful farce, we'll timed and well
played"
Other comment to reporters:
Senator Ferguson, Republican, of
Michigan: when a strike becomes
nsurrection, it is necessary for the
Government to put down insurrec-
ion, even if it is necessary to draft
men from certain walk of life be-
'ause of their experience"
Senator johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado. Il think I'm going to swal-
ow it draft of workers."