CABINET MEETING, FEBRUARY 16, 1951
Snyder - absent
McGrath - absent
Acheson - absent
Symington - absent
Foley - Treas.
Perlman - Justice
Webb - State
GEN BRADLEY
Briefed Cabinet on Korea.
WEBB
Russia is not going to be quiet while we are building up Western Europe. They are exerting diplomatic pressure thru satellites.
PERLMAN
Justice Dept is pressing railroad switchmen prosecutions in Chicago and Cleveland as rapidly as possible.
CHAPMAN
Tidelands legislation is going into hearings on Monday before Sen O'Mahoney's Committee. The situation is looking good.
PERLMAN
There are 7 Germans who are condemned to death and about whom there is great pressure to have the sentences commuted. Writs of habeas corpus were dismissed by District Court and an appeal has been entered. While appeal is pending the sentences will be postponed.
TOBIN
Has established wage rates for the new atomic energy plan in South Carolina. Labor, contractors and members of Congress are satisfied with the rates set.
WILSON
Described negotiations with labor on wage policy to aid in control of inflation. Wage stabilization board is split wide open. The labor members of the board walked out of meeting yesterday. Labor position is one of seeking their pound of flesh regardless of the effect on inflation and higher prices.
TOBIN
If Wilson had agreed 3 weeks ago to put a labor man at policy level the present bitterness of labor might have been avoided. 50% of labor has had wages frozen at level below fairness in view of price increases. There are a great many injustices.
THE PRESIDENT
There is a conspiracy between labor and management to gouge the country without regard to the public interest. It is a disgraceful situation.
WILSON
Manufacturers are rigging prices for example shoes that were contracted for at 3.75 and now priced at 7.00. There are same conditions in wool blankets for Defense Department and other items.
MARSHALL
If this condition continues we will have to cut back selective service.
V. P.
Had meeting with group of insurance men who urged re-activation of the War Damage Corporation to provide coverage for property damaged by war.
THE PRESIDENT
The matter is under study in connection with the Civilian Defense Program.
10:55