Evening star., 1952-04-27
Steel
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rule as promptly as possible. He
said this was necessary not only
because Of the "exigencies" of the
case but also because Justice re-
quires" expeditions action.
Lawyers on both sides noted
Judge Pines willingness to listen
to prolonged discussion of the con-
stitutional compxexity relating to
the Presidents inherent" powers.
This led them to expect that the
judges ruling might go beyond
the temporary position of allowing
or turning down a plea to prevent
the Government from imposing
wage, price or other changes pend
ing an ultimate decision on legal
ity of the seizure. If such a limited
injunction is granted, Governments
operation would continue.
Will Take Appeal.
Company attorneys remarked
privately that they unquestionably
would 60 to the Court of Appeals
and the Supreme Court, if neces-
sary, if any kind of injunction
were denied. Justice Department
lawyers would not say what they
might do if Judge Pine orders re-
turn of the mills to the owners.
Meanwhile, the House Labor
Committee that will investigate the
Wage Sterilization Board an
nounced yesterday that it hopes
Charles E. Wilson will be its first
witness May 6. That group wants
to determine whether the board
violated national labor policy" in
recommending wage and other
revisions in an attempt to stave
off a threatened strike by CIO
steel workers.
Mr.. Wilson, former Defense
Mobilization Director, resigned last
month in a dispute with Presi-
dent Truman. He declared the
President changed his mind about
granting the steel industry price
increase to help Offset wage and
tother benefits suggested by WSB.
District Court proceedings were
so intricate and fast-breaking that
at one point last week Judge Pine
declared he was "astonished. ~
That was when a United States
Steel Corp. lawyer stressed a re-
quest for an Injunction to main
tain the status quo.
See Reserve Defense.
Attorneys for five of the other
companies seized April 8, did not
object to such an injunction as q
reserve defense line" But they
pressed for an immediate finding
that the President had acted con.
trary to the Constitution, thai
Secretary Sawyer should be
stopped from enforcing the seizure
order, and that the Government
should get out of the business oi
running the steel mills"
The controversy took still
more sensational turn when AS.
Isistant Attorney General Holme;
Baldridge dwelt on constitutional
lphaSes.
Here, in general. is what the
Government contends:
A grave national emergency
exists. A strike would dangerously
impair steel production essential
to national defense and the sup
plying of nations associated with
the United States.
Seizure, as ordered by Presi.
dent Truman. was valid under
the Constitutional powers of the
President. 1t was the only way
to prevent a strike.
i The President has inherent
powers under the Constitution tt
seize private property without the
necessity of any specific statutory
authorization. The courts cannot
encroach on the exercise of those
powers in circumstances such a:
the steel seizure. The Constitu.
ton puts limitations on the legis.
lative and judicial branches of the
Government but not on the execu.
tive branch to meet such emer.
gencieS.
i The Government contends tina
there is an important and sig