The Oregon statesman., April 20, 1952, Page 15, Image 15

Th Statesman, Saltm, Oregon, Sundayr April 2X ltS2 IS
0 LID w
ft
o
0
CP D G Gil GO
DuQ
CD
Every man and woman who works, every citizen in Am
erica, has a stake in the great issues growing out of the seiz
ure of the steel mills.
If the President has the right to seize private property to
enforce union demands, as has been done in steel, then
both the right of property and the continuation of collect
ive bargaining are in serious danger.
Even the independence of unions, themselves, will be in
jeopardy.
In looking to the Administration to enforce its demands,
the union confesses lack of faith in true collective bargain
ing. It trades political support for Government favors.
How has the Administration sought to pay its debts to the
union?
The first fatefid step in the chain of events leading
up to the unlawful seizure of the steel industry was taken
early in 1951. Then President Truman knuckled under to
the pressure of union leaders. He gave them the kind of
Wage Stabilization Board they wanted.
The second step was the appointment of the Board itself.
It was a "packed court" with 6 union and 6 so-called "pub
lic" members on one side and 6 industry members on the
other.
It was clearly understood that the findings of the Board
in the steel case would be "recommendations" only and not
binding on either party.
These recommedations of the Board, whose first duty it
m
was to prevent further inflation, called for the highest
wage increase in the history of the Steelworkers' Union,
and for the compulsory union shop.
Steelworkers' wages have increased since Korea about
in line with the four big industries electrical machinery,
automobiles, rubber, and meat-packing mentioned by
President Truman. The Wage Board recommendation
would put steelworker wages far ahead of these others
thus requiring another round of increases in the indus
tries to "catch up" with steel.
Then came the next step. President Truman in a bitter
speech, adopting the inflationary recommendations of the
Wage Stabilization Board, announced the seizure of the
steel mills.
If the people of America through inertia permit this il
legal action to pass without protest, they will le turning
over to the political whim of any President more and more
power over their private lives and property.
That is the well-marked road toward dictatorship. It is
the road traveled by every Fascist and Socialist state.
If the Government can seize steel, it can seize any busi
ness, large or small, any farm, cattle off the range, or any
private property anywhere.
r These are the issues involved in the gravest Constitution
al debate since the "court packing" plan of 1937.
It Is Your Fight
This fight does not concern the steel companies alone.
It is the fight of every American citizen.
If yon are opposed to the illegal seizure of property by
Government to enforce labor union demands, or for any
other purpose, your only recourse is in Congress.
It is your privilege as an American citizen to express
your views to your Congressman and Senators,
Write for copies of Clarence B. Randall's stirring speech,
"These Are the Facts, Mr. President5 and booklet "Facts
In the Steel Controversy."
STEEL COMPANIES M THE WA
A
s
ROOM 5401, 350 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 1, N. Y.
j