Evening star., 1949-09-11
Steel ReportM May Offer
Peaceful Settlement,
Industry Sources Say
BY the Associated Press


PITTSBURGH, Sept. 10.-Some
steel sources think today's steel
fact finding report offers a chance
for peaceful settlement of the in
dustry's wage dispute.
Both sides received guardedly
and without apparent surprise the
recommendations of President
Truman's board.
Official comment from the CIO
United Steelworkers was put of
until Monday.
Companies headed by the in
duStry bellwether, "big Steel" said
they wanted to study the full re-
port at length.
Called Reasonable Compromise.
A steel leader who asked that he
not be identified by name declared
the report is a reasonable compro-
mise He said it offers a fair basis
for final agreement.
The board recommended TO-
cent-an-hour pension and insur-
ance package but no wage In
crease. The union demanded 9
30-cent hourly package, split be-
tween wage increases, pensions
and insurance.
II thought the board did a good
Job, all things considered" a
spokesman for one company said.
ut was a recommendation based
on the facts of the case. 1t was
not political product"
Another steel leader, speaking
unofficially, said the report is "1ess
inflationary than some people will
probably think it is"
Murray Withholds Comment.
He said that while the recon-
mendation will be known as a 10
cent package, "it won't really
amount to that much because sew
eral companies already have PEN
sion and insurance programs" He
explained the board suggested
only bringing insurance and PEN
sions up to the 10-cent figure.
President Philip Murray OF both
the CIO and the United Steel
workers would not comment on
the recommendation. until his
Unions Executive Board and
Wage Policy Committee meets
here Monday.
The strategy conference will
draft formal answer to both the
recommendation and President
Truman's request for an exten-
sion of the strike truce until
September 25.
The truce now is set to expire
at 1901 am. Wednesday. There
is a general feeling chances are
bright that both sides will agree
to a To-day extension and further
negotiations.
Reuther Refuses to Talk.
The Murray who received a.
copy of the boards report from
reporters was in far better humor
than the Murray who grimly an
nounced last July that his de-
mands had been turned down by
steel producers.
After studying summary OF
the recommendations while lunch
ing with President Walter Reuther
of the CIO United Auto Workers,
Mr. Murray joked with newsmen
and affably said he was sorry he
couldn't comment before the
meeting of the Wage Policy Com
mittee.
Mr.. Reuther, who came to
Pittsburgh to confer with Mr..
Murray, refused to talk on any
phase of the steel developments.
I'm only a guest here" he
said.
Company Spokesman Also Silent.
Mr.. Murray slowly read the
text to Mr.. Reuther and David
Mcdonald. secretary-treasurer of
the steelworkers, while aides at
the luncheon party looked on
curiouSly.
Others in the crowded hotel
dining room lifted their heads
and stared as photographers
bulbs flashed.
aSpokesmen for United States
Steel Corp. Republic Steel Corp,
Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp,
Bethlehem Steel Corp. and
Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp, all
said there would be no comment
until officials and directors studied
the full report.