Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-27
Truman Spikes
Report He Plans
Strike Action
No Talk With Cubine,
Member on Situation,
Ross Tells Press

The White House today blasted
as entirely without warrant" a
statement by a cabinet member
saying that President Truman
planned to step into the coal and
steel strikes unless there was a
settlement by this week end.
The denial came as Government
officials saw some hope of a break
in the 27-day steel strike. There
was the chance that the steel dis
putants might get together in
New York with Government medi-
ators.
Confusion as to Mr.. Truman's
plans for dealing with the strikes
resulted after news dispatches
quoted cabinet officer as saying
the President would step in with
strong strike-ending action if the
big shutdowns are not ended by
this week end.
Press Secretary Charles G.. Ross
said the President had authorized
him to say "he has not discussed
the strike situation with any men,
Der of the cabinet"
There have been other reports
of the same nature, according to
Mr.. Ross, who was obviously
aroused when he met reporters at
his regular morning news con-
ference.
Gives Out Penciled Statement.
Mr.. Ross has said consistently
that the President had no plans
to intervene. and when newsmen
gathered in his Office this morning
he read this penciled statement:
ANY attribution to the Presi-
dent Of any plan to intervene in
the coal and steel strike or to
fix a deadline on efforts to reach
settlement through mediation is
entirely without warrant"
This Office (meaning his OWN
has told you every day in reply
to questions the literal and exact
truth of the situation. Obviously,
this Office can not foreclose the
possibility of appropriate action
by the President on any matter
before him at any time.
He may do anything it is
within his power to do. But it is
literally true that the strikes are
in the hands of the Mediation
Service at this time and the Presi-
dent is keeping hands off.
He is certainly not putting out
statements either directly or in
directly that he is going to in
tervene.
Talked With Steelman.
incidentally. I am authorized
by the President to say that he has
not discussed the strike situation
with any member of the cabinet"
Mr.. Ross said the President has
discussed the strike situation with
John r. Steelman, presidential
assistant, who handles labor rela-
lions for the White House and
with members of his staff.
He has been kept informed of
the progress of the mediation
efforts being made by Cyrus S.
Ching, mediation chief, who has
been reporting to Mr.. Steelman.
He has also been getting reports
on the economic effects of the
strike. adding that 'he is pretty
we'll informed"
The hope for a break in the
steel strike stemmed from New
York, where Mr.. Ching still is
meeting with the United States
Steel Corp.
Murray Also in New York.
Philip Murray, president of the
striking United Steel Workers as
we'll as of the CLIO. was in New
York also. ostensibly to make
speech in behalf of the senatorial
candidacy of Herbert H. Lehman.
But Mr.. Ching was known to be
trying to get Mr.. Murray together
with United States Steel officials
for a renewal of direct negotia-
tons.
An official close to the strike
situation advised, Keep your eyes
on New York today" Chairman
Irving S. Olds of big Steel" has
said it seemed sensible for COM
pany and union to "sit down and
see how far we could get toward
agreeing on a pension program.
The cabinet member who dis
cussed the strike situation with
reporters refused to say what
form the Presidents action would
take, but it was known that Mr..
Truman has three courses open
to him.
He may try to end the strikes