Show Report of Lead Zinc I i i and Copper Conference I Delegates from approximately 50 Local Unions representing some people in 16 states met In Denver Colo March 19 and 20 to formulate a program to meet the unemployment that exists In I Ithe the lead zinc and copper industries Matt Leahy of Local No USA CIO USA I Park City was a a. delegate to the confer conter- I enc ence The problem has existed In lead and I zinc for several years and has become I more serious recently In the copper In in- in I A meeting was held In Washington o on March 9 1954 with 16 Administrative Assistants to tb key Senators and Congress Congress- men This meeting with Administrative representatives from both parties established the following things among others f I 1 1 Both I.-Both Both political sides are desperate for or a common program which will help the he Industry and the people Involved The Senators and Congressmen have apparently agreed that their previous attempts at individual approach were stupid and the objectives of both parties is to find a single program program program pro pro- gram behind which they can both unite They are definitely Interested In any suggestions and repeatedly ask for help 2 2 It It Is agreed by most high tariff advocates in Congress that the tariff approach Is futile It was defeated defeat d in the hearings on the Trade Agreements EXtension Ex- Ex tension Act In the form torm of H. H R. R Introduced by Congressman Simpson R. R Pa c calling for an Increased sliding scale of tariff Because of ot International affairs the Administration Is dead set against the tariff approach 3 3 The The problem has two aspects a. a a. Some Some immediate relief for the In Industry industry industry in- in and workers I b b. b b.-A b. A A long range program to establish j ja Ja a healthy mining Industry I Proposals made for the solution I j S. S 2885 introduced by Senator Murray D. D Mont on Feb 3 1954 seems to be bea a comprehensive bill bUl which has a great deal of support It calls for an incentive payment plan to stimulate the exploration exploration exploration tion production and conservation of strategic minerals and metals to supply our Industrial military naval needs etc Under this program a government agency would determine the price of or the metal which a given mine would re receive receive receive re- re r to permit a reasonable profit above certain proper costs If this price were set at per pound for a given mine but the market price was lOc the incentive payment to the company 1 would be per pound There are some i additional provisions dealing with th the details It Jt could Include copper This apparently Is somewhat similar to a premium price program which existed I during World War II I S. S 2992 Introduced by Senator Malone i R. R Nev on Feb 23 1954 Is simply a I high tariff approach which removes the tari tariff setting authority from the hands I of the tariff commission and places place's It In inthe in the he hands of at a new agency to co consist of or the chairman of the tariff commission I plus the secretaries of the Interior De De- Defense tense ense Commerce and Treasury In view view of the opposition a of the Administration I Ito I to the tariff approach this appears to be bea be a Dead Duck j I Suggestions i I Since tariffs and quotas appear to be out of the picture alternative approaches approaches ap- ap I Broaches are necessary This is a hopeful i sign for tor us The immediate problem problem apparently cannot be solved through the enactment o of new legislation because there Is not that much time left in this this this' session I One expert on the problem says that I I the he equivalent of the Murray Bill can I be put into effect Immediately without any additional legislation Section of the Defense Production Act permits I the government to engage in the exploration ex exploration exploration ex- ex and development programs that Involve fixed floor price contracts I I and purchase agreements similar to the Incentive Price Program in the interests Interests Interests' I of the National Defense This authority under the Defense Pr Production Act still continues but It Is 15 narrowly Interpreted by ay the Office of or Defense Mobilization This Interpretation makes it applicable 1 only In the ease case o of National Emergency The expert says that the Office of Defense De- De tense ense Mobilization should be asked I De-I to rule that the operation of lead zinc and copper mines are vital to the National I Defense now and also to enlarge the j stock tock program I If It the Office Office of or Defense Mobilization did redefine the word emergency they they could Immediately engage In a purchasing ing program of as many tons of metals metals' I as would be necessary each month to take the surplus off of th the market One other approach to the Immediate situation would be redefining of at the I stock pile objective and the purchase for stock-piling stock out of funds now available available available avail- avail i I able for this purpose of at fixed quantities of ot lead zinc and copper It must however however however how how- ever be kept In mind that under either of ot these proposals als the purchase must beat be beat at a price which would assure that the I product would come from American mines and not from foreign Imports It Is very Important that every citizen in our community write to the Senators and Congressmen To ask the Office of I Defense I I Defense Mobilization to use Section i i of at the Defense Production Act and the Stock pile Program Immediately I I 1 Address Senators I Arthur V. V Watkins United States I Senate Washington D D. D C. C I Wallace A. A Bennett Sennett United States I I I Senate Washington D. D C C. l Address Congressmen I I Douglas Stringfellow U. U S. S House of Representatives House Office Building I Washington D. D C. C I William Wllliam Dawson U. U S S. House of at Representatives Representatives Representatives House Bouse Office Building Washington Washington Washington Wash Wash- 1 ington D D. CA C C. l lA I IA j A letter to your Congressmen In your j own handwriting g and language would bevery be bevery very effective j |