Evening star., 1949-06-13
4-Power Trade Talks
In Berlin End Without
Sign Of Agreement
D. Ire A,.oeae,ee prsa


BERLIN. June I3-The four
occupation powers ended an-Ger-
many trade and transport talks
late today with no indication O.!
an agreement.
Representatives Immediately
sent separate reports 20 the Coun-
Gil Of Foreign Ministers IN Par.s
There was every indication the
Russians had refused to weld or
seyera! major points.
AS result. the question OF re-
viving East-WeSt trade IN Ger
many and re-unlting the divided
city OF Berlin fell back into the
laps of the Big -Four al Paris.
Hope for Rail Settlement.
There was hope that the "a
day-old rail- strike might come TO
an end soon. perhaps Wednesday
despite the fact that top German
union leaders rebufTed an Ameri-
can appeal for an immediate end
to the transport jamming stop
page.
The issue will be put before the
rank and file of the union in a
referendum tomorrow Seventy
hve per cent Of the membership
must vote TO continue the walkout
or it will be called of automati-
cally.
The settlement terms were
worked out by the United States,
in consultation with Britain and
France. and agreed to by Russia
The American commandant in
Berlin. Brig. Gen. Frank L. How
ley, asked the strikers to accept
the offer and got promise TO do
so from top union offlcials.
Would Get Western Currency.
The terms, left 10 the member
ship for decision by the 600
lower -level leaders. called for pay
ments OF IS per cent OF wages IN
West marks. worth four times as
much as the East marks pIevl-
ously used to pay wages, and no
reprisals by the Sovietcontrolled
railway management against the
anti-Red union leaders.
The MANAGEMENT would pay 80
per cent of the wages in West
marks and the West Berlin city
government would exchange an
additional Is per cent Of the
mems salaries into the more val
liable Western currency.
The strike. marked by violence
which caused two deaths. has
blocked rail delivery of supplies
to Berlin and prevented an East
West accord on German trade.
The delay in settlement of the
walkout may have the far-reach-
ing effects OF stalling the council
of Foreign Ministers meeting In
Paris.
The foreign ministers OF the
Big Four powers had set today
as the deadline for report from
four-power negotiators seeking
to write O trade agreement II
Berlin.
Settlement is Expected.
American spokesmen have de-
clared bluntly. however, that no
agreement could be signed until
the railway strike is settled.
American officials have said a
four power agreement could be
reached in a short time II the
rail strike were settled.
This may leave possibilities Of
a four power settlement in the
hands of the strikers, who up to
now had the open sympathy Of
Western officials.
The settlement terms offered by
the occupation powers did not
mention the union demand for
recognition as official bargaining
agent for the workers. The man
agement recognizes only the
Communist union in the Eastern
sector and has refused to deal
with the independent anti-Com-
munist union.
Yesterdays meeting added sew
eral new demands, among them
the barring of Soviet sector police
from West Berlin rail installations
and a provision that men who live
in Western Berlin should be en-
ployed in Western Berlin.