Evening star., 1951-08-28
.WSB Calls Meeting
Tomorrow 10 Discuss
Copper Strike Issues

The Wage Sterilization Board
called a conference of the copper
strike disputants at 2 o'clock to-
morrow afternoon as $4,000 work.
lers continued their walkout
ignoring President Truman's ap-
peal to get back on the job in
the interest of the defense effort
AS WSB Chairman George w
Taylor called today's meeting. the
striking International Union OF
Mine. Mill and Smelter Workers
independent. announced that Its
Representatives would attend. But
in Denver the Associated Press
said. President John Clark tolc
newsmen the strike would con-
tinue unless or until" the Gov
ernment presses the industry tt
accept the wage settlement work.
ed out by Federal mediators.
President Truman stepped into
the picture late yesterday, asking
Mr.. Taylor to use his good of.
fices. after the strike starting q
few hours earlier had virtually
halted production of copper, lea6
and zinc by the big four opera
tors - Anaconda, Phelps Dodge
Kennecott and American - along
with many subsidiaries and af-
filiates. In addition to the $4,000
miners. about 3,400 AFL metal:
trades workers are out.
Step Prompted by Mobilizer.
The Presidents step. was
prompted by Charles E. Wilson
Defense Mobilizer, who told MIR
Truman that the shutdown was
hitting the production of tanks
planes and guns. as well as
Civilian economy items. He sale
ACTUALLY, production above the
pre-strike level is needed.
Mr.. Taylor communicated thu
Presidents request to the striker.
as soon as it was received. At the
same time he urged that the
strike be called off, he also sci
up tornorrow's conference. He ais,
asked the companies for full CO.
operation in preparing your ia.
cility for immediate resumption Of
work, and in maintaining existine
terms and conditions of employ.
ment pending final settlement"
The United States Cancellation
Service has proposed that tn,
companies raise wages Is cents az
hour and increase pension bene.
fits another four and one-hal,
cents to settle the strike. TIL.
workers said that is satisfactory
Ibut the companies baked al.
though the terms are less thar
the miners originally asked.
SO Plants Tied Up.
Present pay ranges from $1.3.
hourly for service workers to ST 6,
for miners. There are about 81
plants tied up in Is States.
In his letter to Mr.. Taylor
President Truman said:
"The director of the Federal
Mediation and Cancellation Serv.
lice has reported to me that col
lective bargaining and mediation
have been exhausted and that &
strike is in progress. effective Au.
gust q, 1851, involving the min.
ing, milling, smelling and refin.
ing OF copper and certain other
non-ferrous metals.
"The strike is a consequence o.
labor disputes between Kennecot
Copper Corp. Phelps Dodge Corp.
American Smelling & Refining
Co.. Anaconda Copper g. Mininl
Co. (including Internationa
Smelling & Refining Co.., anc
other employers who are similarly
Engaged in mining, milling. smelt.
ing or refining copper or othel
non ferrous metals and certain o1
their employees represented by Ger.
tain labor organizations. including
the international Union of Mine
Mill & Smelter Workers, severa
Ira i1r0ad hr0thn1.hnndc ond ,,y,in,os