The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
LABOR IN MINISTRY
Workers Recognized in NJ.
Clemenceau'S Cabinet.
FUNCTIONS OF NEW OFFICIAL
Significant Indications of the Demo-
cratic Tendencies of New French
PFemfer-Old-age Pensions to Be
First Concern Of Minister OF Labor
Viviani-He Is for WOman's Rights.


Correspondence Of The Washington Herald.
Paris, Dec. I'M. Clemenceau's minis
try. whatever be the fate reserved for 1t
on the uncertain stage of French politi-
cal life; whether it be the Grand Min
istery." pregnant with social reform and
destined to leave an abiding mark on
the annals Of the republic; IT whether It's
span OF existence be as ephemeral as
that of 50 many Of It's predecessors, viii
have one claim. at least. to the notice Of
future historians. II Is the first French
cabinet in which the interests Of the
workingmen are officially represented.
In his report TO the President of the re-
public relative to the creation Of a labor
department NJ. Clemenceau reminds VI.
Fallieres that this innovation has been
demanded for nearly half a century by
the French democracy. and that, though
other countries have taken the lead in
realizing it, the protagonist of the reform
was a Frenchman, Louis Blanc. It is a
curious fact, by the way, that NJ. Glenn
enceau refers TO this institution as exist
ing In Belgium and New Zealand but
makes no mention Of the United States
Bureau Of Labor
II was during the shOrt-Iived republic
of 1915 that the great democrat. Louis
Blanc. asked the Constituent Assembly
10 institute a ministry Of progress and
labor. The political reaction Of 1919 gave
the assembly no time 10 discuss the pro-
ject. 4 similar fate befen the efforts Of
NJ. Camille Raspail In 1886, and Of 81.
Valiant and others In 1884, 1895, and 1863,
scope of the New Department..
The interests Of labor have been hither-
10 in the hands Of the four ministers vi
the interior. commerce. public works, and
finance. and 1t is needless TO say that the
hOmely adage as 10 the disadvantages Of
a plurality OF cooks was particularly ap-
plicable TO the preparation Of the work
ingman's broth.
A new order Of things has arisen. At
an extra charge on the budget Of only
SO, 0o0-the salary Of the new minister
a single and independent department VIII
henceforth deal with labor regulations
(hOurs Of labor, rest, hygiene. security,
&C.; relations between employers and
employed Qabor contracts, &C.. the c0ndi-
tions Of the wOrkingman. as regards sick
ness. accidents. enforced idleness. infrm-
ity, old age, and, in general, working
mems savings banks and provident insu-
tutions.
Statistics and inquiries in connection
with the above.
II must be noted that the term labor
implies not industry alone, but trade and
agriculture as well
Such are. In broad outline. the attri-
Dor and Social Providence ministers du
travail 81 de Ia prevoyance sOciaIe) as
created by q decree Of the president Of
the republic. dated October .. 1906. The
decree viii, Of course, only take practical
effect when the chamber mas counter
signed IT, so to speak, by voting the
necessary credits.
Much viii depend upon the personal in
itiative Of the first labor minister whether
the new department gains the confidence
Of the workingman from the outset. It
must be admitted that NJ Clemenceau
has made a promising choice.
Barrister and Writer.
N. Rene Viviani is young as ministers
go. He is only fOTty-three. having been
born in 1863 at Sidi-bel-Abbes. in Algeria,
In a ministry that is almost exclusively
composed Of journalists. present OF past
il goes without saying that NJ Viviani is
a writer. II was, by the way. once said
by a witty Frenchman, that Journalism
leads everywhere, so long as you get out
OF H. But NJ. Clemenceau and HIS col
leagues have triumphantly proved that
journalism is the high road 10 ministerial
office. witness the president Of the council
himself, who welded the pen I'D to the
eve Of his appointment as minister OF the
interior, at the beginning Of the present
year.
NJ Viviani is also a barrister. an emf
nent one, as is proved by the fact that he
is legal adviser to the general syndicate
Of railway wOrkmen and employees. He
entered parliament thirteen years ago
as a Socialist He is a brilliant speak
er, a friend of Aristide BRAND, who pi-
loted the separation bill, and a man Of
strong character and intellect
In personal appearance he is frank and
full of ardor. He looks fighter, but a
loyal one The mouth underneath the
black mustache is. however, somewhat
hard. not 10 say cruel
For WOrkingmen's Pensions.
Great curiosity is naturally felt as to
the minister's conception of the arduous
task confronting him. His own words.
however. leave no doubt that he means
to guide and not stem the current Of
democratic reform. The ministry of Ia
Dor must be the house Of labor" he says
Workmen's pensions will be his first con-
Germ. in order that he may win his way
to the confidence Of the masses. They
must be made to understand that. far
from seeking to hamper the forward
movement Of the syndicate and Of the
working classes in general. the ministry
of labor intends 10 support this move
ment and give II method. Il want it
TO be known" he declares, that what
distinguishes democracy from other gov
eminent is that it is not only political
but social government"
Timid persons of a reactionary turn Of
mind see trouble ahead, in the fact that
the first minister Of labor is a Socialist
He has been provided with a powerful
instrument wherewith TO oppress the cap
itaIist and the employer. The Collect
twists are sure, they add. to seek to use
the new Office as a battering ram against
the existing social fabric. Time alone
can show how far their Dessimism is jus
titled. R. F. TATE.
Lord Mayors Round COachman.
From the London Standard.