Evening star., 1949-09-12
Fact-Finders' Report
On Steel IS Viewed as
Victory for Public
Boards Proposals Called
Excellent Precedent for
Settling Other Disputes
Bv David Laurence

AL cPOCI1-AAdhl1AS ACPoAo WANNA
should have far-reaching effects
in the handling of labor manage
ment relations in all industries in
America has just been handed
down by the fact finding board Of
three men appointed by President
Truman to make recommended
tions to employers and unions in
the steel industry.
For the general principles used
in the approach to this complex
controversy can be applied in
settling other major disputes and
thus render less and less neces-
sary the restrictive features OF
both the Wagner Act and the
Hartley Act.
If investigating boards of the
disinterested type and caliber OF
Messrs. Rosenn1an, Daugherty and
Cole could always be found who
would bring to their final recon-
mendations the penetrating in
sight and fairness which these
men did, America could look for
ward to a triumphant achieve
ment in human relations.
While one may disagree with
the detailed argument here and
there, realizing that these three
men in just a few weeks could
not possibly understand all
phases of the dispute and the
background so much more famil-
lar to both the unions and man
agement, even this imperfect
method after all is better than
costly strikes.
Strikes Hurt Public.
Such nationwide work stop
pages affect disastrously the in
nocent bystander - the public
Hence 1t is desirable that a board
representing the public shall make
recommendations which. while
not binding, do have an immense
force of public opinion behind
them when they are fair and just,
as is true in the present instance
Unfortunately there is a ten
dency after examining such a
well-balanced report to say it is a
victory for one side or the other
Actually it is a victory for the
public.
In rejecting as inopportune and
inequitable the fourth round" OF
wage increases demanded by the
steel unions, the board gave to the
companies sympathetic support
for their contention that one
years earnings do not warrant
changes in fixed charges that may
continue over period OF years
The unions, on the other hand
won approval for social insurance
disqualification, death and dis
ability benefits-as a current ex-
pense that does mean an increase
in wage expenses for management.
Likewise the union won support
for the principle of a company
contributed pension plan which is
to be bargained for when next
years agreement is negotiated.
This is progress on all fronts.
Each Side Gamers.
To call the report a 'compro-
mise" Is a misnomer. It merely
selects what is right or wrong in
each contention and frankly says
so. The net effect is to give each
side what it deserves. The correct
word therefore is not "compro-
mise" but honest. objective and
judicial determination of issues
that are economic and social.
The report will be read and re-
read in the coming months by all
who must deal with the vexing
phases of the labor problem.
For it recites a philosophy of
reasoning that inevitably must
hearten all who believe. that the
major factors in our economic life
unions and management-can,
with outside stimulus and support,
find basic solutions without re-
course to strikes.
More than this, the report has
q meaning for everybody in busi-
ness or industry or the professions
It means that a high-level board
with presidential prestige behind
it bespeaks and urges an era OF
stability in wages and a hope that
out of such stabilization may come
lower prices and hence an in
creased buying activity. To use
stock market term. the steel re-
port is publish" for everybody
If taken to heart on all sides, the
report can usher in an era OF
stabilized prosperity for America.
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