The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-04-09
Steel Executives
Snsariing Under
Tongue-Lashing
GiUer, By Pres.
By NORMAN WALKER


Industry fought back In the courts
loday against President Humans
prder for government seizure Of
their plants. Most Of the big mills
we're closed. Workers cried lock
put."
In this situation, the immediate
outlook for continued production
III steel vital 20 defense industries
and thousands Of consumer prod
ucts was confused and uncertain.
II was plain, however, that steel
executives had their backs up.
They were smarting under the
tongue-lashing the President gave
them In a radio broadcast Tuesday
night and were disposed to fight
Tor what they consider their rights.
At II q. m, Secretary OF Com
merce Charles Sawyer, designated
10 take over and operate the mills
Tor the government, told reporters
be had not received any ac-
knowledeement from any Of the
presidents Of II steel companies.
Sawyer sent each president a
telegram Tuesday night. advising
Of the seizure order Mr.. Truman
had issued because Of the deadlock
In the wage dispute between the
industry and the CIO United Steel
workers. The union had called a
strike for Tuesday midnight. Mr..
Truman chose the seizure pro-
cedure as q move to head II off.
Sawyer asked that the company
officials acknowledge by return
wire" receipt Of their appointment
as operating managers Of their
companies On behalf Of the gov
eminent.
Sawyer also said he has received
no word that any steel companies
had taken steps to resume opera
tons.
Philip Murray, union president,
announced Tuesday night the Go
Steelworkers would work for the
government.
Sawyer, after telling reporters
Of the silent treatment he was
getting from the steel companies,
got out a statement appealing for
the steel companies to continue
TO operate In accordance with cur
rent practices and procedures :
Sawyer urged the industry 10
resume operations pending a de-
cision as TO the legal rights In
volved. because of the vital need
for steel for our national defense.
Sawyer was served with sum
mons in three suits brought by
the Bethlehem Steel Co.. Republic
Steel Corp. and the Youngstown
Sheet and Tube CO., challenging
the seizure order.
As 10 the suits. Sawyer said In
his statement.
IF Ia these cases the courts
should hold that the President has
the power 10 take the action which
he has taken. It's legality viii then
be settled. n the courts should
hold that he has not the power,
further action will then be up to
the President and the Congress.
This was suggestion that Mr..
Truman would, In the latter case,
ask Congress for specific seizure
power but Sawyer's aides declined
TO amplify on the statement.
Asked what would happen IL the
companies refused 10 operate, de-
spite the seizure order, . spokes-
man for Sawyer said: I'VE viii
face that situation when we get
TO II"
AZ the Capitol. meantime, the
Senate Banking Committee decided
10 put aside for the time being
consideration al legislation 10 ex.
tend wage, price and other erono-
mic controls, The present Law ends
July 1.
Chairman Mayhank lD,-S. CT
said the committee members felt
II would be "a dreadful mistake"
10 consider the legislation against
The background of the steel dispute.
He announced the committee
would meet again April n and see
what the situation was then.
The steel induStry's challenge II
the seizure order was brought In
u. S. District Court here.
The protesting companies asked
an injuncsim---0r court order
against seizure.
Judge Alexander Holsxosf began
hearing at Ii.s0 y, IN. the argu.
nenss In the matter. These could
50 On for days and ans decision
BY HoltRoff would Be only the FIRST
round In q long ewlgt fight sF fhe
issue vas kattled 10 conclusion
The basic argument 81 Tire steel
companies Il thai SEIZURE violates
their rights under the Fouflh and
Fifsh Amendments 10 the Consfltu-
tion. These amendments provide
guarantees against illegal SeaFca
and seizure ard against denglxleg
q property without due process q
Law.