The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1906-02-17
MARKS BIG ADVANCE
SIGNIFICANCE OF TREATY MADE
IN EUROPE.
Workinsmen Of France and Italy Alike
Benefited by Remarkable Agree.
ment Drawn Up Solely in interests
OF Labor.

An International treaty that is far
more significant of the spirit of the
twentieth century than any treaty that
has been negotiated OF recent years
was that which was quietly concluded
asst year between France and Italy in
The special interests of labor. This
treaty has not made much noise in the
world, but 1t is nevertheless most
significant document
April Is, 1904, France and Italy en-.
tered into an agreement for the pro.
lection of wOrkingmen. For some
years France hi> been urging the
| adoption, In neighDoring countries, OF
such legislation as should raise condi.
tons OF employment more nearly to
the standard existing In France, and
thereby lessen the disastrous effects
upon French Industries, OF competi.
ton with countries where labor legis.
lation Is less advanced and where, In
particular, the number Of hours con.
shutting days work Is greater than
In France and but slight restrictions
are placed upon the employment OF
women and children.
1t was a bold, humanitarian move,
and something comparatively new in
international affairs, this introduction
OF labor problems from the broad
standpoint of the commercial and in.
dustrial relations of nations toward
each other. and II puts France in the
vanguard OF the nations as far as hui
manitarianism is concerned.
The agreement between Italy and
France gives to each party the protec-
ton most desired. BY obtaining from
Italy the assurance of reform in labor
legislation and of effective labor in
spection and enforcement of laws, es'
pecially those affecting women and
children. France has guaranteed pro-
lection to its industries; while by the
agreement the 100000 or more Italians
In France are granted the benefits OF
the French laws on insurance and saw
ings.
By the terms OF the agreement ltal-
ian workingmen will receive the bene.
fits OF the postal savings system OF
France, and French workingmen in
Italy those of the Italian postal saw
ings banks. The two governments
through the medium of the postal de.
partments, as well as the national
banks. shall facilitate the depositing
of assessments of Italians residing In
France in the National provident fund
OF Italy, and of Frenchmen residing in
Italy in the National retirement pen.
sion fund of France.
They shall facilitate also the pay
ment In France OF pensions acquired,
either by Italians of FrenchmG /, in
the Italian national fund and vice
versa. Arrangements are also 10 be
made for the admission of Italian
workingmen in France to the benefits
Of the French old-age pensions and dis
ability. Italy Is to take similar steps.
For persons who have worked con-
tinuously in the two countries during
a minimum period, to be determined
without fulfilling in either country the
conditions required to entitle them to
workingmen's pensions, the two gov
ernments shall work out a special sys-
TEN for the acquiring of retirement
pensions.
Workingmen of Italian nationality,
victims, in France, of accidents re.
sulting from their employment, as well
as their heirs and assigns in France,
shall be entitled to the same indemni
ties as Frenchmen, and vice versa
Provisions are also made for assist
ance In cases of unemployment. The
Italian government also guarantees
the organization of . service of in
spection for the application Of The laws
governing labor. These inspectors
shall cause the laws relative to the
employment of women and children TO
he more strictly observed, and notably
the provisions of the laws concerning
the prohibition of night work; age OF
admission to employment in Industrial
Establishments; daily hours of labor,
and the obliga DRY allowance of one
day a week for rest The Italian gov.
eminent, moreo 5er. declares its inten.
ton of studying and gradually effect
ing the reduction of the working day
for women
On July 6, 1904, a law was passed in
italy giving fun effect to the pro.
visions of this treaty.