Evening star., 1952-05-03
Text of Trumon's Steel Talk

The tert of President Truman's
remarks to steel industry and
union officials today tolloUS:
I have asked you to meet
here today to reach agreement
on the issues in dispute be-
tween you.
AS President of the United
States, representing all the peo-
pie of the country, I have two
principal interests in this mat
ter.
First, it is absolutely neces-
sary, for the safety of the coun-
try, that steel production must
continue during the emergency.
I cannot reveal, even to you
people here, the exact situa-
ton with regard to the supply
and production of military
items. I can only say, on the
considered advice of the Of
ficials in charge of our defense
program, that the safety of our
troops fighting in Korea, and
the safety of our Nation in the
present world crisis, depend on
the uninterrupted production
of steel.
Second, it is essential to the
economic health of our coun-
try and the welfare of our peo-
pie that wage and price in
creases in the steel industry
shall be held within the limits
of sound stabilization policies.
A runaway imitation in this
country could wreck our econ
omy and impose terrific hard
ship on millions of families.
These are heavy stakes. And
they impose an equally heavy
responsibility on every one of
you to act in the national
interest.
Because of the vital impor-
tance of uninterrupted produc-
ton of steel. was forced three
weeks ago to direct the Secre-
tary of Commerce to operate the
mills. That action is now being
challenged in the courts, as is
entirely proper. None of us
know how soon it will be decided.
In the meantime, the mills
are under Government opera
ton.
I have said many times that
the idea of Government opera
tion of the steel plants is thor
oughly distasteful to me. I
have had to operate the coal
mines one time and I didn't like
that either. I want it ended as
quickly as possible. The best.
the quickest, and the most
equitable way for this to be
done is for the companies and
the union to bargain out the
issues in dispute and agree on
a settlement.
Asks Prompt Effort
To Effect Agreement.
That is what I am asking you
to do now. And I am asking
you, as the head of the greatest
Government in the world, to get
down on earth and talk to each
other without any i'll feeling,
and to get this thing done.
I am sure you are aware the
Government has been consider
ing what are fair and reasonable
wages and working conditions
for the employees during the pc
riod that the plants remain
under Government operation.
Two weeks ago, the Secretary
OF Commerce asked the Eco
nomic Stabilization Administra-
tor to prepare recommended
tions for changes in terms and
conditions of employment in the
steel industry at this time.
Those recommendations have
now been completed, and the
Government will be prepared on
Monday morning, or as soon as
we can get ready. to order
changes in terms and conditions
Of employment to be put into
effect.
I do not want the Govern
ment to have to fix terms and
conditions of employment. That
is your job. not ours. If we must
take action it will be something
that is not satisfactory to either
side. But we will have no choice
If you cannot agree.
I consider it extremely unfor-
tunate that the Government
may find itself in a position
where it has to fix the terms
and conditions of employment
in an industry.
However, the purpose Of these
meetings is not to discuss terms
and conditions of employment
during Government operation.
The purpose is to try to reach
an agreement between the par
ties so that Government opera
ton can be brought to an end.
In these meetings, you have
the opportunity to settle this
dispute as it should be settled.
You can reach agreement if you
have the will to do so.
You have all been over the
issues between you many times.
Days and weeks have already
been spent in negotiations. You
know which points are the cru
clal Ones You know this matter
can be settled in a few hours.
In the interest of your coun-
try, for the welfare of the
United States, and for the well
fare of the world, I am asking
you to make that settlement.
We all know that a big issue
in this whole controversy is the
steel companies claim for high
er prices as result of any wage
increase that might be agreed
upon. AS I have said on a num-
ber of occasions, there is only
one proper way to settle this
entire controversy. First, the
parties should reach agreement
on the issues in dispute between