Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-18
Arna|| Expects
Steel Price Rise
Over s. a Ton
New OPS Procedure
May Boost Rate for
Some Companies

Price Director Ellis Arnall in
Dictated today that the steel in
dustry may be granted price in
creaseS averaging more than So
per ton.
His announcement was made at
a hurriedly-called press confer
ence while Commerce Secretary
Sawyer was making a final effort
to bring about a negotiated set
tlement of the steel wage dispute
before imposing new terms and
working conditions on the indus
try.
Mr.. Sawyer, the boss of the
steel mills under seizure, conferred
for 80 minutes this morning with
top officials of the steel industry.
Neither Mr.. Sawyer nor the pro-
ducers would comment after the
meeting.
Mr.. Sawyer then talked with
C1O president Philip Murray, head
OF the United Steel Workers. He
said he probably would issue a
statement later in the day. The
Commerce Secretary refused to
say whether there would be re-
newed negotiations between the
union and the Industry officials.
A high official said MIR. Sawyer
would ask the disputants if they
would like to try once more to
reach contract agreement. If they
accept, it was expected that Act
ing Defense Mobilizer John r.
Steelman would mediate the dis
pute if the producers and union
desire his help
Ready to Act on Wages.
Mr.. Sawyer. however, was de-
scribed as ready to impose new
wage rates and other work terms
Tor the period of Government op-
GRAFTON of the industry in the event
the contract deadlock is not
broken soon.
Mr.. Arnall said the Office of
Price Sterilization is thinking in
the direction Of a uniform aver
age Capehart adjustment for the
industry" If that procedure is
adopted. he said, the average
would be little less than SO. In
response to questions, however, he
conceded that this average might
go to more than So if greater than
average increases have to be
granted to individual companies
IN response to claims that the
average for the industry worked
hardships on them.
Mr.. Arnall said only one steel
company has made inquiries about
a Capehart price increase. This
Is concern which has signed a
wage agreement with union steel
workers, Mr.. Arnan said, but he
declined to name the company.
Would Be Change in System.
A Capehart increase on an in
dustry-wide basis for the steel
industry would be the first use
OF such a procedure. Mr.. Arnall
said this is being considered be-
cause it would take weeks and
months" to go over every COM
pany's books for individual in
creases. The OPS staff has been
working with steel industry rep
reSentatives for three weeks on
the problems of an industry in
crease.
Mr.. Arnall disclosed that the
"so-called sterilization team" will
appear Monday before the To-
member National Advisory Board
on Mobilization Policy which
meets at the White House.
The chairman of the board is
John r. Steelman. acting head of
the Office of Defense Mobilization.
Mr.. Arnall said those who will go
before this body are Economic
Stabilizer Roger L. Putnam,
Chairman Nathan P. Feinsinger of
the Wage Sterilization Board and
himself.
In Touch With Truman.
The Commerce Secretary was in
close touch with President Tru-
man who said yesterday he would
make the final decision on how
much of a wage increase the steel
workers would get from the Gov
eminent.
Mr.. Murray said that he ex-
(See STEEL, Page A-8.)
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