Twin City Observer

NEWS THAT THE DISPUTE in the steel industry has been settled was the best news of the week. It gave a lift to the nation's entire economy, as well as relieving the anxieties that surely were felt in the industry and among the half million members of the Steelworkers Union.

But next to the settlement itself, the most significant aspect of the story was the part that Vice President Richard Nixon played in bringing about agreement. Labor Secretary James P. Mitchell gave Mr. Nixon much of the credit.

For those unfamiliar with the ramifications and complexities of collective bargaining, particularly when bitterness has developed, it would be easy to fail to recognize the extent of the Vice President's masterful handling of this situation.

He had to be capable of understanding the issues. He had to show both management and union that he understood and he had to convince them of his sincerity in seeking to help bring about a settlement without favoring one side or the other.

And most important, of all, Vice President Nixon had to be able to convince both the companies and the union that quick settlement was imperative-not only for their own sakes, but for the nation as a whole as well.

The fact that he was able to carry out this difficult assignment so successfully and so speedily is ample indication that he is the type of leader well qualified to ease cold war tensions by bringing about better understanding and good feeling between nations when, and if he becomes the next President of the United States.