Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-19

arately with both sides, the
publishers said there must be
a settlement that permits them
ito stay in business and pre-
serve the jobs Of their 10000
employees"
Reported still Far Apart
Representatives Of the pub
fishers and printers met jointly
later in the morning. but when
they recessed for lunch a Fed
eral mediator reported no
progress.
They are still very far
apart" said Stephen I. Schless-
berg, special assistant to the
director of the Federal Media
ton and Cancellation Service.
Meanwhile, q private, newly
formed Citizens Newspaper
Committee" appealed TO Presi-
dent Kennedy and other Of
ficials to bring "every possible
pressure to restore the daily
newspapers to the people,"
The committee, including
several prominent professional
persons, said "a situation has
developed that violates the need
of the public to be informed"
Points TO Vacuum
The shutdown has left "our
citizens in a communication
vacuum, without adequate news
channels" the committee said. |
This communications break
down has occurred at a time
in national and world events
when an informed citizenry is
vital to the public interest"
The appeal went to New York
Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller,
Mayor Robert F. Wagner. in
addition to President Kennedy,
and also to both the publishers
and the striking typographical
union.
The publishers, in their
statement, said they have Of
fered benefits to the union
which, If applied to all en-
ployes, would increase their
costs by 50 million annually.
But the printers union "is
demanding an economic pack
age which would more than
quadruple this increase in cost
to $40 million a year." the
statement said.
Cites Printers Gains
1t said the printers have
made substantial gains in pay
and benefits" in the last 10
years, giving them work condi-
tons that rank among the |
best in all industry" despite |
their claims to the contrary.
The statement said that in
the l0-year period, the printers
wage range has increased from
$1l6-$126 in 1858 to a current
S147.65-$157.65, with the pub
fishers offering to increase 1t
TO $155.20-$I65.20.
Other benefits also have been
the publishers said. /
listing the details. In the
before the strike,
the publishers said agreement
was reached on 81 of 81 con-
tract provisions of the contract.
In every clause that was re-
vised, the change represented
a concession by the news
papers," the statement said.
There were no concessions by
the union"
Is Taking No Sides
The citizens COMMITTEES urg-
ing help from Government lead
ers in the strike said it took
no position on the issues in
dispute, but was simply con-
cerned to reopen the blocked
channels of information.
Among committee members
we're Whitney North Seymour, !
former president OF the Ameri-
can Bar Association; John
Fischer, editor of Harper's
magazine; Victor S. Gettner of
the New York Civil Liberties
Union, Poet Ogden Nash, Jo-
seph p. Lyford of the Fund for |
the Republic and Attorney Tel
ford Taylor.
The publishers have offered !
printers a $4.25 increase in
wages and benefits over the
first year and $3.75 more in
the second year. plus the fourth
week Of vacation.
The printers have demanded
an $l8.45 weekly increase and
other benefits that publishers |
say would amount to $3e week.
ly extra cost per man.
After a visit here yesterday. |
Secretary OF Labor w. Willard
Writ sad the strike could last
until March.
you cannot dismiss that
possibility" Mr.. Writ told a
news conference at City Hall
yesterday. THE possibility
should be taken seriously its
that serious. II is possible for
II 10 go six or eight weeks or
into March"
The publishers say that