Evening star., 1951-12-23
Steel Pay Dispute
Referred by Truman
To Wage Board
Continued From First Page.)

"has now arrived at a stage where
it gravely threatens the progress
OF national defense it is of the
utmost Importance to prevent an
interruption in the production of
steel" Steel supplies. along with
aluminium, are in critically short
supply because of heavy demands
of the defense program: Civilian
goods industries using the metals
have been reduced to about so
per cent of normal usage.
The President said lit is for this
reason that I have certified this
matter to the Wage Sterilization
Board. This will provide the par
ties with forum where their diff
ferences may be resolved and
fair settlement reached, without
resort to costly shutdown"
Mediation Failed.
Mr.. Truman acted after Gov
ernment efforts to resolve the dis
pute through mediation failed. In
two days of talks here with Fed
eral Mediation Chief Cyrus S.
Ching, neither side changed posi-
ton.
The steelworkers have made %
demands on the industry, includ-
ing one for an average wage in
crease of 1872 cents an hour.
There are other money demands
including new overtime pay pro-
visions and paid holidays.
The companies have made no
wage offer. They maintain they
cannot raise pay unless the Gov
ernment allows them to raise
prices. They may get price
boost under provisions of the price
control law. but Federal officials
have said that ceilings will not be
raised just to offset the cost of
any new wage boost.
The immediate obligation of
the steel companies, Mr.. Truman
said in his statement, is to main
tain normal work and production
schedules, and to be prepared to.
lay the full facts in the case before
the board.
Wants Decision Now.
The immediate obligation Of
the steelworkers," he added, "ist
to decide to remain at work while
the board considers the case. This.
is a decision that should be made
before a strike begins-not after
ward. The United Steelworkers of
America is a responsible union. It's
members are good citizens. Its
leaders are distinguished Ameri-
cans.
The union members and their
leaders. and the managers of the
steel companies, have a response 4
bility to defend the United States
against its enemies Just as I do. /
In my Judgment. they will not |
be living up to that responsibility
by permitting a needless stoppage
in steel production for even a |
single day"
The President said mo one is !
IN position as yet to say how
much of an increase in wages or
other benefits would be permissible
under. wage stabilization policies
1. We must wait for the Wage
Sterilization Boards report be-
fore any sound judgment is pos
slble as : to what increases are
proper in this case"
Most of Industry Involved.
But Stabilization officials agree
that the unions demands far ex-
ceed any increase that could be
approved under present board
policies.
The President instructed Chair
man Feinsinger to conflne the /
boards efforts to settling the dis
pute involving the 10 big steel /
producers who were represented |
at Mr.. Ching's mediation con-
ference.
However, almost all of the steel
industry is involved. including
iron-ore mines. basic steel mills, |
and hundreds of fabricators who
use steel and other metals to make
their products.
In Touch With Murray.
Joseph Short, White House press
secretary. said Mr.. Truman had
been in communication with Mr.
Murray but that he did not think
he had been in touch with steel
company executives.
Asked if the President was op-
timistic that the strike could be-
averted. Mr.. Short replied: "Wel
will rest on the Presidents state
ment."
There will be loss of badf.I
needed steel production if the dA-
pute moves close to the strike
deadline before it is settled. The
producers must start shutting
down their mills. banking furnaces
and taking other steps to prevent
damage from three to four days
before an anticipated shutdown.
Another four days is required toI
vi f1oA