New Cure for Restlessness

Other segments of labor were restless, too.

The day of comparatively easy raises was gone. A few companies, following the lead of Big Steel, took the line that further wage raises would be inflationary, that the thing to do now was to cut prices.

In Detroit, matters came rapidly to a boil. Quiet, crafty Norman Matthews, the United Auto Workers' director for Chrysler plants, angrily broke off negotiations on his demand for a 30-c- raise and "fringe" benefits, called a strike for this week.

Across the country, threatening growls arose from other unions. The C.I.O.'s United Electrical Workers fumed at General Electric and Westinghouse. The U.A.W. sparred with General Motors and Ford. Harry Bridges' longshoremen and Joe Curran's N.M.U. argued loudly with shippers. All wanted more money.

As usual, however, eyes were on steel, always the pacemaker in industrial settlements. Despite the handicap of a two-year contract, a cut in steel prices, and a no-strike clause, the steelworkers' Phil Murray was still bargaining for all he was worth. Last week he announced that negotiations had taken a new tack. A program of insurance, hospitalization and retirement benefits was under discussion. It would cost the steel companies the equivalent of a 9.6-c--an-hour pay increase.

Big Steel was reported receptive to a settlement on some such "noninflationary" basis, with benefits equivalent to a 4 or 5-c- raise. If the difference could be compromised, steel might once more point the way out.

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