Evening star., 1949-09-22
BRIGHTER Steel Picture

Inc ldCeSG encouraging ueVelOpmeuLS III
the steel dispute point to one conclusion
that there is no justification on either side
for steel strike and that reasonable men
will not let their differences 60 to the point
of strike.
1t is true that there have been some
harsh words exchanged. Philip Murray
has been pounding the table on behalf of
the steel workers and talking in terms of
ultimatums. This is irritating but perhaps
1t should not be taken too seriously. The
chances are that it was not altogether easy
for MIR. Murray to persuade his union asso-
ciates to go along with him in yielding on
the demand for a wage increase, and it
may be that some of his fighting words
have been uttered more for the record
than in earnest. At any rate it does
not matter greatly whether Mr. Murray's
method is that of sweetness and light, or
whether he chooses to roar like John L.
Lewis. The issue remains the same: How
far, in all sincerity, can the steel COM
panies 60 in meeting the recommendations
for pensions and social insurance?
On their side, the major spokesmen for
selves in lodging this basic ISSUE They
have haggled about the meaning of the
fact-anders' report, they have made ring
ing statements to the effect that everybody
understood they were not to be bound by
the report, and they have quibbled and
played with words with regard to the basis
on which they will negotiate with the
union.
Meanwhile, both the industry, in the
main, and the union have been climbing
farther and farther out on their respective
limbs. They have been getting themselves
so tangled up in their own rhetoric that
for while 1t looked as though the coun-
try might have to suffer a steel strike
without even semblance of negotiations
between the parties on the recommended
tions of the fact-f1nders.
It looks now, however, as though means
of getting together may have been found.
Thanks to the tireless, intelligent and
even-handed efforts of Cyrus Ching, Fed
eral conciliation chief, some kind of a
meeting of the minds seems to be in
prospect The President, presumably at
Mr. Chings suggestion, has written to both
sides urging week-long extension of the
truce, and both union and industry leaders
find in this letter vindication of their
respective positions
That being so, they must never have
been very far apart. And there is no good
reason why they cannot get together.
United States Steel, the bellwether in the
industry group, has stated in advertise
ments that it is willing to pay up to four
cents an hour toward contributory pro-
gram Of social insurance and that it is
prepared to study and then bargain on a
pension program, which means, presum-
ably, that 1t is willing to pay some part OF
the cost OF pensions.
If this is the case, and if the bulk of the
industry Is like-minded, 1t would be child
ish to have strike from an argument over
the contributory VS.. the noncontributory
issue. The time has come to stop debating
this issue in public statements. The parties
ought to get together in real bargaining
sessions without further stalling. If pen
sion study is necessary it should be made
promptly. And then the industry repre-
sentatives, upon whom rests the burden
of making proposal, ought to lay on the
table the best offer that they, in good
conscience, can make. If they will do this
there is a good chance that the dispute
can be settled without strike, and on
basis which, in the long run, will be as
good for the steel industry as it will be
for its workers.