Evening star., 1962-05-08
Wage-Price Vigilance
Pledged by Kennedy
Firm Hand
Needed Now,
JAW Told

ATLANTIC CITY. Nav q
tAP). - President Kennedy
pledged today a continuing ef-
fort to maintain wage-price
stability. saying that If people
considered this improper they
could get a new White House
occupant.
Mr.. Kennedy clearly outlined
his view that the times call for
a strong President in a rousing
address to more than 10000
delegates and observers at the
United Auto Workers conven-
ton.
The President rejected the
idea that the Nations Chief
Executive should be a mere
functionary. He cited the ex-
pressed belief of former Presi-
dent Harry Truman that the
President has the responsibility
Of representing the mass of the
American people.
81 believe" Mr.. Kennedy said,
"it is the business Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States to
concern himself with the gen.
eral welfare and the public in
tereSt-and II the people feel
that it is not, then they should
secure the services of a new
President.
Mr.. Kennedy said he has
never suggested statutory wage
price controls but believes 1t is
Ia continuing governmental re-
sponsibility to make the Ma
tion's interest abundantly clear
in maintaing wage-price sta
bility.
Quick HelicOpter Trip
It is the Governments role,
he said, mot to seek to compel.
but to seek at least to be sure
that the parties who are in
volved in these great decisions
are aware Of the effect -. Z.
upon the national interest and
the national security"
The President took off from
the White House lawn in his
new jet-powered helicopter at
a little after 9 am. for his
whirlwind trip to Atlantic City
and was back at the White
House around 1880 pm. The
journey took slightly less than
one hour and 10 minutes each
way. -
Mr.. Kennedy drew the lus-
tiest roar from the friendly
crowd when he predicted Con-
gress this year would enact a.
program Of medical care for the,
aged financed through the So,
cial security system.
He based his appeal for nom
inflationary wage and benefit
settlements on gains out Of
the fruits Of technology In
stead Of the pockets Of the con-
sumers." In effect. he called
for generally holding increases
to the same ratio as rises in
productivity.
Only a week ago Mr.. Ken
nedy had voiced a similar ap-
peal to business for support of
his economic moderation po-
licies. In an address to the
United States Chamber OF
Commerce in Washington, MI.
Kennedy had also, as he did
again today, pledged assurance
the Government win steer clear
Of wage-price fixing.
His remarks today were often
interrupted by thunderous ap-
plause. The crowd was aug
mented by Atlantic City school
children, who had been released
from their classes for the oc-
casion.
Avoids Mentioning Conflict
Banners and balloons fes.
TONED the convention hall.
One huge banner said "UAW
All the Way With JFK." An
other proclaimed that "We
Have a Good President, We
Need a Better Congress"
Mr.. Kennedy departed con-
siderably from his prepared
text. not mentioning for one
thing the opening line Of his
text saying, "In the legislative
and political battles which lie
ahead, / am counting on your
Mr.. Kennedy failed to mem
ton an economic policy con-
flict that had developed be-
tween him and UAW President
Walter Reuther. However, the
President said he and Mr.. Reu-
ther did not always agree on
everything.
He is happy to admit it,
and ] am reluctant to-" Mr..
Kennedy said.
This apparently referred to
See KENNEDY, Page AS