White House Press Release, Message of President Harry S. Truman

407-B steel strike 3265 HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE CONFIDENTIAL: The following Message of the President to be delivered in person to the Congress on the current steel dispute is for release on delivery, expected about 12:30 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday, June 10, 1952. No portion, synopsis, or intimation may be published or broadcast before that time. PLEASE GUARD AGAINST PREMATURE PUBLICATION OR ANNOUNCEMENT. JOSEPH SHORT Secretary to the Presi dent Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress: I should like to report to the Congress on certain events that have happened in connection with the current dispute in the steel industry since I last communicated with the Congress on that subject. On April 9, I informed the Congress that I had taken action to provide for temporary operation of the steel mills by the Govern- ment. At that time, I indicated the reasons that had impelled me to take that action. I pointed out that the Congress might wish to take action providing for a different solution of the grave problem confronting the Nation as a result of the steel dispute. I also said that, if the Congress did not act, I would continue to do everything in my power to keep the steel industry operating and to bring about a settlement of the dispute. The Congress took no action. Accordingly, Government operation of the mills continued and intensive efforts were made to bring the parties into agreement. Meetings between the parties were held from April 9 to April 15, and on May 3 and 4. But their differences on a number of issues were so great that no settlement could be reached. Meanwhile, some of the steel companies had instituted court proceedings for the purpose of challenging the President's power to keep the steel mills in operation. This case reached the Supreme Court, and on Monday, June 2, a majority of that Court decided that the Presi- dent did not have the power, in this instance, to operate the mills. I immediately ordered that Government possession of the mills be relin- quished. On the same day, a strike was called and most of the steel industry was shut down. Thus, the situation that I had sought to avoid was brought about. I had managed to keep steel production going from the end of December to the second of June a period of more than 150 days -- even though the companies and the union had no collective bar- gaining contract. Now it had been made impossible for me to prevent a break in production. Very shortly thereafter, I was informed there was a reason- able prespect that the parties might be able to reach a settlement of their dispute if they could be brought together again to negotiate. I have said repeatedly that the ultimate and proper settle- ment of this matte can be achieved only by agreement between the parties. Consequently, I have sought at every opportunity to help bring about such an agreement. That, obviously, was the step that was called for in the circumstances prevailing last week. Moreover, it seemed es- sential that the negotiations be given every possible chance to suc- ceed that no other action be taken which would be likely to make (OVER) First copy filed PPF 1-F