Evening star., 1952-05-02
Government and Industry File
Seizure Appeals in High Court
Union Chief Yields
ToPresident's Plea
On Tieup Of Mills
By jones Y. Newton

C1O President Philip Murray
today ordered his $4,000 striking
United Steelworkers to return to
work for the Government. The
order came on the heels of a
Government promise of a wage in
crease.
Mr.. Murray also accepted the
invitation of President Truman
to meet at the White House to-
morrow with the heads of six ma
jor steel companies. In the re-
newal of negotiations, John r.
Steelman. assistant to the Presi-
dent, will attempt to settle the
bitter contract dispute.
Mr.. Murray said in Pittsburgh
he was hopeful the White House
meeting will result in something
conclusive" Asked about the fact
President Truman invited the
presidents of the six steel COM
panies rather than their indus
trial relations men, the CIO head
said:
Il think it is significant. They
are the men who can make deci-
sions."
Sends Notice to President.
Announcement that the three
day-old strike was being called off
was made by Mr.. Murray in a
brief letter to the President. It
read:
I'm reply to your telegram of
May l, which I have just received
and in accordance with your re-
quest and in the national interest,",
I have urged the United Steel
workers of America to return to
work as soon as possible in the
plants involved in our dispute
with the steel industry.
II likewise, pursuant to your
request, will be at the White
House, together with my asso-
ciates, on Saturday morning May
3, to meet with you and the
presidents of the six major steel
companies.
I inclose a copy of my state
ment advising the members of the
union of my acceptance of your
request"
Wage Raise Planned.
The Government, it was learned,
will move to raise the wages of the
steelworkerS unless the industry
and union representatives reach
quick agreement on terms of a new
contract at the White House meet
ing.
Mr.. Murray was assured that
this would be done, unless the Su-
preme Court orders otherwise, be-
fore he agreed to end the strike.
He was said to have told Federal
officials that it was doubtful his
men would return to work unless
they were promised a wage in
crease.
The workers shutdown 95 per
cent of the Nations steel produc-
ton Tuesday night. They struck
Immediately after District Court
Judge David A. Pine declared un-
constitutional the Presidents
April 8 seizure of the strife-torn
industry. Judge Pine followed his
ruling with an order returning the
steel mills to private ownership.
Effective date of the Pine order
was postponed by the United
States Court Of Appeals pending
Government appeal to the Su-
preme Court.
Steelman to Lead Talks.
At tomorrow's meeting, Presi-
dent Truman will talk briefly with
the union and industry officials.
Then he will turn the problem
over to Mr.. Steelman.
It was expected heavy pressure
will be applied on the disputants
to settle their long g-Standing diff
ferences. The industry probably
will be offered a new and attrac-
tive price increase in the effort to
persuade the companies to accept
wage contract terms proposed by
the Federal Wage Sterilization
Board.
In the event a settlement is not
(See STEEL, Page A-3.)