Browning chief., 1949-10-28
rM1d!{!aQa,
! M M 0REW PEARS1N
Steel Dispute

Steel Dispute
NNE FACTOR which has made
the steel dispute so difficult
u that both sides hands have been
semi-tied by other forces.
Tier Of Phil Murray's hands is
John L. Lewis. Since Lewis, an old
rival and bitter enemy of Murray,
got a welfare fund from the coal
operators under which the miners
pay nothing, Murray cannot re-
quire his union to contribute to
pensions without losing part Of his
membership.
Tiers Of US. SteePs hands are
Its banks and directors. The men
who control the big steel companies,
particularly us. Steel, are J. P.
Morgan together with a group Of
industrialists and insurance men
who do not want a pension pattern
set for their industries. It the steel
industry pays pensions without any
contribution from labor, it will set
standard for almost every other
industry in the country.
Who Runs US. Steel7
For instance, directors of US.
steel include:
Walter Clifford chairman of the
giant American Telegraph and Tele-
phone Company, which also faces
wage and pension problems.
Sewell Avery-head Of Mont
gomery Ward, who once was
elected from his Chicago office
by U.S.. troops during a labor
strike. Avery is also chairman
OF US. Gypsum director Of
the Pullman Company, Pure
Oh, Armour, Peoples Gas,
Light and Coke, which also
faces wage and pension prob
lens.
James Black-head of Pacific
Gas and Electric, a guiding execu-
tive OF the Southern Pacific rail-
way and director of various insur-
ance and utility companies.
George A. Sloan-director of
Goodyear tire, Bankers Trust,
American Alliance Insurance Co..
and a group of insurance COM
panies.
When the Presidents fact-find-
Ing board first published its recon-
mendations, Sept. 10, for a 1O-cent
pension and insurance plan, some
US. steel executives indicated to
newsmen that this would be ac-
ceptable. Then, suddenly, on Sept.
IL, word was passed out that the
bankers behind US. steel objected.
They did not want big steel to set
up a pension pattern for other in
dustries under, which labor did not
contribute.
Note John L. Lewis al
ready has started to crow over
Phil Murray in the United
Mine Workers Journal for sur
rendering on the fourth round
Of wage increases. Insiders saw
he is just itching to crow again
on any Murray compromise
over pensions.
Note Pit was US. steel-which
owns extensive captive coal mines
(which helped set the welfare fund
pattern by which John L. Lewis
and his miners do not have to con-
tribute to the fund. If this prece-
dent had not been set, it would
have been easier for both Murray
and steel to do business.
BiIbo's Lawyer
1t looks like the lawyer who de-
tended the late Senator Bilbo Of
Mississippi against charges brought
IN the us. senate now would be
paid $4,000 by the same senate
which did not seat Bilbo.
The lawyer, Forrest jackson,
served as Bilbo's attorney in ward
ing off Impeachment. Bilbo, be-
cause of his health was never i'm
peached, and died before any pro-
ceedings were brought.
Therefore, since it Is CUSTOM
ary for the taxpayers to pay for
senator's defense as long at
he is not impeached attorney
Jackson turned in his bill to
the senate, and the man who
replaced Bilbo, Sen. John Stem
mis-, tried to get the senate to
pay.
Truman on Farm Phones
One Of the first persons Presi-
dent Truman saw after announcing
that Russia had exploded the atom
was genial Jim Patton, boss of the
National Farmers Union.
That's mighty tough business,
Mr.. President. Patton said, as he
entered the presidential office.
II had to make the announcement
once we were sure" replied Tru-
man. in tight-lipped seriousness.
Il can assure you it wasn't taste
full"
Turning to more peaceful topic,