Evening star., 1952-06-13
Strike Involves
-Four Big Issues,
Murray Says
Denies Union Shop
Is Only Obstacle;
Foresees No Truce
BY the Associoted Press

- wv NSSS~sS'Ne ''Vss
PITTSBURGH, June 13.-Pres-
ident Philip Murray of the striking
CIO United Steelworkers told his
policy-making aides today that
the union shop issues is only one
of four obstacles holding up settle
ment Of the l2-day-old steel strike.
! Mr.. Murray, who also heads the
unions parent CIO, declared the
steel wage-price dispute has be-
come political football.
The silvery-haired labor leader
told joint strategy session of the
USW Executive Board and Wage
Policy Committee:
II do not profess to know how
long the struggle (strike) will
last"
He was given a rising ovation
when he said it is his purpose to
carry out your mandate and the
mandate of the last convention"
Refers to Resolution.
He referred to a resolution
adopted at the unions convention
IN May which urged settlement
based on recommendation of the
Wage Sterilization Board.
The WSB recommended a &C.
cent hourly raise for steelworkers
now earning an average of be-
tween $l90 and So an hour and
also called for a union shop.
In addition to the union shop.
Mr.. Murray listed these other is-
sues as blocking a final settle
ment:
l. The steel industrys insist
ence on management clause in
any new contract. Mr.. Murray
said such a clause, defining man.
agement's rights. would allow
companies to launch speedups.
2. The question of seniority. Mr..
Murray said United States Steel
Corp. wanted all seniority ques-
tionS resolved to it's satisfaction.
3. Inventive pay. The labor
chief declared United States Steel
also insisted on it's version of in
centive.
4 4. The union shop. Mr.. Murray
said the industry falsely gave out
the impression that the union
shop Is the only issue. He called
that "a plain unadulterated lie."
!, SCOTS at Principle
But he discussed the union shop
at great length and ridiculed
statements Of steel executives that
their opposition is based on prin-
ciple. He said they already had
granted a union shop to SO per
cent of USW members.
When Mr.. Murray mentioned
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
and Gen. Eisenhower, both candi-
dates for the Republican presi-
dental nomination, his audience
booed Justify.
Mr.. Murray said Senator Taft
should have more sense than to
press for a court injunction under
the Taft-Hartley Act. Various
members of the audience yelled:
What sense?" and "he amt got
no sense at ALL"
Mr.. Murray called Gen. Eisen-
hover me too-er," because the
general supported Senator Taft's
declaration that the Taft Hartley
Act should be invoked by Presi-
dent Truman to get the steel mills
back in production.
Referring to the Korean situa.
tion. Mr.. Murray declared there Is
no question that the boys in
Korea will be provided the equip
ment they need"
Newsmen Ushered Or.
Mr.. Murray opened his hour
long address to newsmen in an
almost unprecedented move by his
union. Upon finishing his report
on status of union industry nego-
tiations, reporters were hustled
out of the hotel ballroom meeting
room.
Steelworkers jumped to their
feet and gave Mr. Murray an ova-
ton of several minutes. Then
they went to lunch before going
into executive session.
Picket Line Withdrawn.
Workers at the Crucible Steel
Co., Pittsburgh. yesterday with
drew their picket lines temporari-
ly to let out a sizable shipment
Of titanium sheets which the
Army had ordered. Titanium, a
newly developed metal as strong
as steel but much lighter, is used
in making jet engines.
Members of the USW turned
down a contract offered by the
Lukens Steel Co., Coatesville, Pa.
The company offered wage in
creases of 1917 to 26 cents, in
Guiding fringe benefits-but no
union shop. The union members
rejected the deal.
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