Evening star., 1952-05-13
Chamber and NAM
Ask Congress 10 LEI
IWage-Price Curbs Die
BY Froncis P. DouqIos

The National Association Of
Manufacturers and the United
States Chamber of Commerce to-
day urged Congress to let price
and wage controls die on June 30.
Both organizations presented
statements to the House Banking
Committee, which is studying ex-
tension of the Defense Production
Act beyond it's June 80 expiration
date. The act provides wage,
price and other economic controls.
NAM President William j.
Grede of Milwaukee said price
and wage controls impede produc-
ton. impair incentives and in
crease costs both for industry and
Government. ''They lead to de-
mands for even more controls to
attempt to shore up the inevitable
failures of existing controls" he
said.
Hits Industry Seizure.
He also urged a legal provision
prohibiting any Government
agency from recommending or
imposing terms of settlement in
a labor dispute except as expressly
provided by law. The Wage Sta
Ibilization Board was set up under
an. executive order. He also urged
banning seizure of private proper
ty as a device in settling labor
disputes.
The Chamber of Commerce was
represented by Vice President
Clem D. Johnston of Roanoke, Va
He said imitation was checked a
year ago. 1t has remained under
control, he added. largely due to
tax increases, credit controls, in
creased savings and the fact there
has been relatively little Govern
ment deficit financing.
While letting wage and price
controls expire, June, 30. he said,
Congress should not extend other
controls beyond next March /.
w. S. b. Resolutions Urged.
Meanwhile, the possibility that
the Senate Banking Committee
would recommend a reduction in
the powers of the Wage Stabiliza-
ton Board appeared diminished
today.
The committee heard two wit
nesses yesterday urge adoption of
an amendment to the Defense
Production Act to this end. 1t
has been proposed by Senator
DirkSen, Republican, of Illinois
Questions put to the witnesses
by some committee members in
dicated doubts as to the wisdom
of the measure.
Today the committee was to
hear at least one additional wit
ness on another proposal in open
session. This was despite origi-
nal plans to start closed sessions
yesterday to act on the various
amendments proposed.
Chamber of Commerce Spokesman
! Witnesses heard yesterday or
the Dirksen amendment were
Donald A. Morgan, Peoria( ILL.,
Iattorney, and A. Clifford Thorn.
ton of the International Mineral!
and Chemical Corp. of Chicago
They appeared on behalf of tht
Illinois State Chamber of Com.
merce.
! Senator Dirksens measur
would lake from the WSB au'
thority to act in any labor dis
) pute. The board would be re
tstricted to formulating wag'
tstabilization policies and ISSUING
interpretations of such policies, i
requested. The measure alst
would change the boards com
position, making representative
Iof the public outnumber manage
, ment and labor representative
together.
Both witnesses maintained tina
the WSB. as now conducted, dis
courages collective bargaining
Mr.. Morgan said the boards ac
, ton in disputes affords an ave
: nue. for unions to obtain by Gov
t ernment edict what they coul,
never have obtained through
{ bargaining. He said the presen
tripartite makeup prevents tn
lh0ard from 0neratinO in on