Evening star., 1952-03-26
Steel Peace Hopes
Rest on Resumption
Q.Wage Talks Today
By jones Y. Newton

Federal officials today looked
hopefully to resumption of ne
gotiations between steel producers
and the CIO for a break in the
dispute which touched of a Bit
ter row over wage stabilization
policy.
Bargaining was to be resumed
this afternoon in Pittsburgh be-
tween the United Steelworkers
and the United States Steel Corp.
and Jones & Laughlin. two of the
largest producers. Negotiations
with other large companies start
tomorrow.
The union has set new dead
line Of April 8 for a strike of 650.-
600 workers Gin the basic steel
industry unless agreement is
reached. Talks were resumed on
the basis Of Wage Sterilization
Board recommendations for a
wage increase of 17la. cents per
hour and other concessions.
The administration row CEN
tered. over these proposals. De-
tense Mobilizer Charles E. Wilson
touched it off by declaring that
the recommendations posed "a
serious threat" to economic stabil-
ization.
Wilson Eases Situation.
Later Mr.. Wilson attempted to
ease the situation by saying that
while he had not changed his
mind about the proposals, they
would be appropriate as a basis
for trying to work out settle
ment."
Nathan P. Feinsinger, chairman
OF the Wage Board, who cut short
speaking tour to hurry back to
Washington. seemed satisfied with
the last Wilson statement. He
said he thought a great deal of
Mr.. Wilson, adding II think things
are back on the track"
From all I can gather" Mr..
Feinsinger said. "the steelworkers
union and the steel companies
have big job ahead Gin negoti- /
ating an agreement) and they
ought to be left alone so they can /
get their job done and not be
heckled." I
A major issue. however, was left
unsettled. 1t was could the steel
companies meet the pay terms
laid down by the WSB without
raising the price of steel substan-
tially?- The producers said they
could not. and were mentioning
figures of as high as $12 per ton
as the size of the required in
crease. Steel prices average about
500 a ton.
Influence on Legislation.
A spokesman for Mr.. Wilson ,
said he still feels the union ought ,
to take less than the WSB recon- ,
mended. Mr.. Wilson had planned
talks with Mr.. Murray and steel
firms. but Mr.. Murray refused tot
attend. calling Mr.. Wilson a
"biased big-buSinessman."
1t appeared beyond question
that whatever is done about the
steel row. it will have vast in
fiuence on the drafting of legis-
lation to extend present economic
controls, and the ultimate con-
gressional debate. The present
controls law expires June 30.
Chairman Maybank of the SEN
ate Banking Committee said Mon
day big steel wage and price
boosts might result in kicking out L
ell controls.
But after talking with Mr.. Will !
son yesterday, Senator Maybank I
announced his committee would {
start drafting new legislation
right away. He predicted a bill (
with controls just about matching I
those now in effect.
Gradual DecontrOl Sought.
Senator Sparkman, Democrat
OF Alabama, committee mem
Der. said in Philadelphia news
conference last night that the
group had decided to provide for
gradual decontrol of present ,
controls" The ranking Repub- :
lican on the committee, Senator =
Capehart of Indiana, limited his :
G. o. P. minority would go along :
with such a measure. /
The House Rules Committee ,
voted IA for an investigation of I
the WSB's actions, but it was $
indicated the probe. which must 8
be approved by the House, would
be some time in getting started. h