Evening star., 1962-04-21

AS one who has held stock
in United States Steel and
other steel companies both
by purchase and inheritance,
so that I am somewhat ia
miliar with the records made
by these companies over the
past several years, may I
state that I consider the
President thoroughly justi-
fled in his reactions to the
attempted steel price increase
last week.
The steel companies have
made substantial profits for
many years. II a reason
able portion Of those profits
had been plowed back into
undermining the plants and
facilities during the lush
years, management would not
now be faced with such seri-
Gus competition from more
efficient foreign operations.
AS a stockholder I am of
course interested in profits.
However, as q citizen, I am
much more interested in the
national economy. I do not
believe that the myopic vi
sion Of the management of
big steel is good for either.
Frances d. Lesser.
.
The present initiation can
not be attributed to the steel
industry, as there have been
four wage raises with no in
crease in the price of steel.
Not long-ago the price of
bread went up fifteen per
cent in spite of the fact that
the basic ingredient that goes
into the making Of bread is
in abundant supply. The
same is true Of many other
commodities. The subscrip-
ton price Of my newspaper
went UP fifteen per cent. Re
gardless as to the losers in
this skirmish, free enterprise
did not gain anything.
I agree with the Editor
that "the enormous power
which the President brought
into play against the steel
price increase is a two-edged
sword" I only hope he will
sharpen the other edge as
there are several places, at
the present time, where it
could be used to good ad-
vantage.
H. E. Shipley.
Congratulations to Presi-
dent Kennedy for holding the
steel moguls in line. Now to
postpone tests and bring the
Teller Acc Pentagon-
military-industrial complex
to heel. Then his Admins
tration will be on its way.
May no power on earth per-
suade him to do otherwise!
Henry Ratliff.
=
In my opinion this coun-
try is headed for the ski
Jump without any skis!
Remembering Hitler and
his rubber stamp Reichstag,
one can not help feeling a
little alarmed at the attitude
Of alteration of the rubber
stamp Democratic Congress
for the latest Presidential
grab for power. likewise for
Doris Fleeson.)
Former Democrat.
While it is still possible Il
think to criticize our Presi-
dents actions without a 8
am. phone call from the
FBI, I should like to express
disapproval Of Mr.. Kennedy's
attack on the steel companies
It's a pretty dumb little
Red Riding Hood, who hav-
ing once seen the barred fangs
of the Wolf, is fooled again
by smiles and soothing as
surances. The Star reported
Wednesday that Mr.. Kennedy
told a news conference the
administration harbors no i'll
will against any individual,
industry, corporation, or seq
ment of the American econ
omy did he say for how
long? and that, when
a mistake has been retracted
the public interest preserved
nothing can be gained from
further public recrimination.
Can anyone doubt the fate
of U. s. Steel had it not
knuckled under to the Presi-
dents threat Of Government
destruction? What ominou;
danger does this portend tc
a business or individual who
dares incur the displeasure
of the great and m g h t J
United States Government?
Virginia H. Mckee.
= =
President Kennedy has
called upon every American
IN do c0Toatbi1O for hts