Evening star., 1951-03-02
Wilson Cancels Plan
For Statement Today
On Labor Charges
By jones Y. Newton


The status of organized labor
In the national defense effort was
further complicated this morn
ing when Mobilization Director
Charles E. Wilson cancelled issu-
ance of a statement in answer to
labor's bitter criticism of his
agency.
Mr.. Wilson had planned to pre-
sent his views on the crisis result
ing from the designations of union
officials from defense agencies.
However, it was called off without
further explanation.
Most of organized labor voted
a boycott of the agencies because
leaders say the unions have not
been given a voice in high coun-
ellis of the mobilization program.
Economic Stabilizer Eric john
ston, meanwhile. moved cautiously
to rebuild the Wage Sterilization
Board, shattered by resignation OF
the three labor members.
Johnston Encounters Obstacles.
But Mr.. Johnston encountered
an immediate obstacle in the form
of a wide difference of opinion
between labor and industry. The
union officials insist that a re-
constituted board must be given
authority to handle disputes re-
sulting from wage controls as we'll
as administration of wage policies.
Industry so far has refused to
furnish manpower for such a set
UP, declaring that a diSputs board
would be used to bypass the Taft
Hartley Act. Industry fears that
an agency of the type of the old
War Labor Board might invoke
forms of union security" inimical
to management interests.
Mr.. Johnston emissions an %
members tripartite board with six
representatives each of the pub
lie, industry and labor. The now
defunct wage board had Zine
members. He may call a big
labor management conference to
thrash out the argument over
disputes handling.
Trying to Placate Labor.
Fearing possible widespread
strikes, Mr.. Johnston took two ac-
tions last night which were de-
signed to placate labor.
l. He relaxed the 10 per cent
ceiling on wage increases to per-
NIT workers to get full benefit of
cost-of Living pay boosts up to
June 80, providing the so-called
wage escalator clauses were writ
ten into contracts signed before
January 25.
1t is estimated that the pay of
nearly 2 million workers is pro-
tected by living costs escalator
clauses, about half of them en-
ployed by the automobile industry.
Some of them were entitled to
increase as of yesterday and Mr..
Johnston feared they would strike
unless they get it.
2. He set precedent for hand
ling special hardship cases. A
three-member panel was named
to decide whether CIO and AFL
workers in the meat packing in
dustry should get the full 9-cent-I
per-hours wage increase won re-
Gently from the industry.
The packinghouse workers pay
increase would seem to pierce the
10 per cent wage ceiling. TheI
Wage Sterilization Board has
been flooded with mail from
workers urging approval of the
pay increase. Through. yesterday
more than 1000 cards and letters
had been received.
.Peace" Statement Sought.
Some officials were counselling
President Truman to sit tight for
q while in the matter of the labor
boycott of the mobilization pro-
gram.
But others urged him to issue
q peace" statement, fearing wide
spread labor unrest unless the con-
troversy is ironed out at an early
date. They were working quietly
behind the scenes trying to
straighten out the admittedly
grave situation.
Some of the labor officials were
angry with President Truman who
yesterday termed their walkout on
the Government as not serious.
In New York, one of the labor
leaders denounced Mr.. Wilson
mobilization program as "com-