Press Release, Statement by the President to the Representatives of the Steel Companies and the Steel Workers Union

President's remarks underlined. IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 3, 1952 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STEEL COMPANIES AND THE STEEL WORKERS UNION, SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1952. I have asked you to meet here today to reach agreement on the issues in dispute between you. As President of the United States, representing all the people of the country, I have two principal interests in this matter. First, it is absolutely necessary, for the safety of the country, that steel production must continue during the emergency. I cannot reveal, even to you people here, the exact situation with regard to the supply and production of military items. I can only say, on the considered advice of the officials in charge of our defense program, that the safety of our troops fighting in Korea, and the safety of our Nation in the present world crisis, depend on the uninterrupted production of steel. Second, it is essential to the economic health of our country and the welfare of our people that wage and price in- creases in the steel industry shall be held within the limits of TRUMAN sound stabilization policies. ARCHIVES & RECORDS A runaway inflation in this country could wreck our ADMIN. economy and impose terrific hardship on millions of families Cs These are heavy stakes. And they impose an equally heavy responsibility on everyone of you to act in the national interest. Because of the vital importance of uninterrupted produc- tion of steel, T was forced three weeks ago to direct the Secretary of Commerce to operate the mills. That action is now being challenged in the courts, as is entirely proper. None of us know how soon it will be decided. In the meantime, the mills are under Government operation. I have said many times that the idea of Government operation of the steel plants is thoroughly distasteful to me. I have had to operate the coal mines one time and I didn't like that either. I want it ended as quickly as possible. The best, the quickest, and the most equitable way for this to be done is for the companies and the union to bargain out the issues in dispute and agree on a settle- ment. That is what I am asking you to do now. And I am asking you, as the Head of the greatest government in the world, to get down on earth and talk to each other without any ill feeling, and to get this thing done. I am sure you are aware that the Government has been con- sidering what are fair and reasonable wages and working conditions for the employees during the period that the plants remain under Government operation. Two weeks ago, the Secretary of Commerce asked the Economic Stabilization Administrator to prepare recommendations for changes in terms and conditions of employment in the steel industry at this time. Those recommenda ti ons have now been com- pleted, and the Government will be prepared on Monday morning, or as soon as we can get ready, to order changes in terms and conditions of employment to be put into effect. nottout) oansTob brus (OVER) abrisgob elead a GO seda I bloow and 30 aita bha qui dodro of to? e od arls br