Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-01

Va VAC oVSCA AiNuoe1y wage ulOPOC6
with Benjamin F. Fairless, presi-
dent of the United States Steel
Corp.
A reporter asked Mr.. Arnall If
he thought there would be a steel
strike. The CIO United Steel
Workers have scheduled a shut
down of the industry for next
Tuesday asa result of the long,
standing dispute over wages.
Il hope for the best, but 1 fear
the worst" Mr.. Arnall replied.
Fairless Asked Talk.
Mr.. Fairless had requested the
meeting with the price stabilizer
presumably to determine how far
the Government would 60 in
granting the price increase the
industry says it must have in
meeting the wage demands of the
workers.
Mr.. Arnall refused to say
whether Mr.. Fairless had formally
requested steel price increase
above the amount which the in
dustry is entitled to under the
Capehart amendment. But he in
dictated his position had not
changed. He has held that steel
producers are not entitled to an
increase to Offset higher wage
costs.
The price stabilizer said he re.
quested Mr.. Fairless to furnish
him certain price information and
that the steel executive agreed to
do so later in the day.
Was First Discussion.
Mr.. Arnall revealed that the
meeting with Mr.. Fairless was the
first time any steel industry rep
resentative had discussed their
price problems with him.
Apparently. scheduled re-
sumption of wage negotiations in
New York between the producers
and the union Of CLIO President
Philip Murray was being delayed
pending outcome of the Fairless.
Arnall meeting.
Negotiations were to have
started in New York yesterday.
They were postponed at the re.
quest of the steel company ON.
Gals.
Go President Philip Murray.
who also heads the steel union.
said he expected the bargaining
sessions to start today "at a time
to be specified"
Deadlocked on Report.
Representatives of six major
steel companies &c here to
negotiate with the lnion. The
two sides are deaolocked over a
Wage Sterilization Board report
recommending a 171a-cents-an-
hour wage boost.
Also recommended by the WISH
are fringe benefits worth an esti-
mated five cents an hour, plus q
union shop.
Present average steel wages
are about $1.88 an hour.
The union is demanding the
full WSB program, which has
been angrily denounced by the
industry.
John A. Stephens, vice presi-
dent OF the United States Steel
Corp. announced the postpone
ment yesterday. He said the talks
had been delayed temporarily
pending further Developments"
Mr.. Stephens refused to elabo.
rate.
Possible "Crack" Seen.
What may be the first crack in
the solid opposition of the steel
industry to union demands was
reported from Los Angeles by the
wall Street Journal. The Journal
said union sources claimed to
have reached tentative agree
ment" with the Kaiser Steel Corp.
along the lines recommended by
the Wage Sterilization Board. The
company would neither confirm
nor deny the report. the news
paper said.
From Philadelphia, the Asso-
ciated Press reported, the STEEL
workers had signed its first con-
tract based on WSB recommends.
tionS.
A pact with the Belmont Iron
Works, Inc. covers some 300 en-
ployes in two plants. Signed last
night, the agreement provides an
immediate 1914 -cent-an- hour pay
boost retroactive to January /, and
another 2R-cent increase eff
fectiVe ,July