Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-11-29
LABOR STANDARDS
ARE NOW RELAXED
NECESSITY FOR EMPLOYMENT OF
GIRLS AND WOMEN AND CHILD
REN CAUSES CHANGE IN LABOR
CONDITIONS. &

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 20
Labor standards of the warning Ed
ropean countries, which were relaxed
at the BEGINNING of hostilities when
mobilization made necessary the Ee-
cruiting of women and children for
work usually performed by men, are
being restored in most countries and
Strengthened in others, according to
information compiled by the children's
bureau of the Department of Labor,
just made public
Taxing of standards failed of it's pur-
pose" says the report. Definite steps
were taken by the governments to re-
store the provisions of the labor law,
because they were found to be essen
tial not only to- the conservation
the available workers, but to the guam
tity and quality of their output
Increase in the number of women
and children workers, according to
the report, has made more widespread
and serious the effects of relaxing en-
ployment standards. In France, Ger
many and Italy there has been a great
increase of home work on government
contracts, with its customary evils Of
long hours and low wages" In Rus
STA, school attendance has been more
Irregular than usual because of the
work children must do at home and in
the fields. High wages for boys in
unskilled occupations, thereby drawing
them from school, and an increase Of
young boys in street trades were re-
ported from England.
The most general loosening of re-
strictions on woman and child labor
was found to have been frightening of
hours of work, including night work
and Sunday work. There has also
been a lowering of the age require
ment for children entering industry
and women and young persons haye
been employed in dangerous, injurious
or heavy work formerly prohibited by
law, such as in powder plants and coal
mines.
The point which stands out unmis-
takably from the foreign experience"
the report continues, "ie the general
realization that the labor standards
achieved in times of peace are none
too high to promote the efficiency of
work, the Intensity of output and the
general level of health which are alb
solutely essential to the nations well
fare in wartime.
In practically all countries some
movement for restoring standards is
reported; in England, France and Italy
official action has been taken. From
these countries and others come re-
ports of dissatisfaction of the workers
and testimony of physicians concern
ing the effects of excessive hours. The
greater efficiency of a reasonable
working day is mentioned frequently.
England and France have gone even
further than the restoration of old
standards and are planning nwes sys-
TENS of continuation schools and addi-
tional opportunities for industrial edu-
cation. Part-tme school attendance
of boys and girls now exempt from
compulsory attendance laws will be
required IN England it is recon-
mended that the school-leaving age
be raised TO IA years, without OK
emption, and that all other young paO-
pie under Is be enrolled in part-time
classes. France proposes to require
part-time attendance of girls under
is and boys under 20, after they finish
the prescribed number of years of fun
attendance.
There has been no weakening of la
Dor laws affecting women and child
rem in anada Or New Zealand, and
Manitoba has reduced the overtime
permitted to women and girls. The re-
port adds:
1T is hoped the report will call
attention to the growing concern in
the warning countries for the welfare
of children and the earnest efforts
now being ade in the midst of war to
improve their condition, and that it
viii aid n showing not only the m
portance of maintaining here all the
present Industrial protection afforded
to women and children, but of carry
ing this protection forward, notwitc
standing war conditions.