The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-11-24
L4BOR'S STANDARDS
BEING RESTORED
Relaxing of Standards in Warning Coun-
tries of Europe Failed of Its
Purpose.

Washington d. c., Nov. 24.-Labo
standards of the warning European coun
tries, which were relaxed at the begin
ming of hostilities when mobilization
made necessary the recruiting of womei
and children for work usually performed
| by men, are being restored in most coun
tries and strengthened in others, accord
ing to information compiled by the chill
dren's bureau of the department of labor
and made public to-day.
Experience proved that the relaxing
of standards failed of its purpose says
the report. Definite steps were taken
by the governments to restore the pro
visions of the labor law, because they
were found to be essential not only Ia
the conservation of the available work
ers, but to the quantity and quality OF
their output"
Increase in the number of women and
children workers, according to the re-
port. has made more widespread and Sc
rious the effects of relaxing employment
standards In France, Germany 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 Russia, school attendance
has been more irregular than usual be-
cause 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 in
crease of young boys in street trades
were reported from England.
The most general loosening of restric-
tions on woman and child labor was
found to have been lengthening of hours
of work, including night work and Sun
day work There has also been a lower
ing of the age requirement for children
industry and women and young
persons have been employed in danger
Gus, injurious or heavy work formerly
prohibited by law. such as in powder
plants and coal mines.
The point which stands out unmis
from the foreign experience
the report continues, lis 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 absolutely es
,ential to the nations welfare in war
times
"In practically all countries some
for restoring standards is re-
ported in England, France and Italy Of
icial action has been taken. From these
and others come reports of dis
of the workers and testi- :
nony of physicians concerning the effects
If excessive hours. The greater efficien !
" of a reasonable working day is men, |
Toned frequently
England and France have gone even
urther than the restoration of old stand |
Irds and are planning new systems of |
continuation schools and additional OPP |
'ortunities for industrial education.
art time school attendance of boys and /
iris now exempt from compulsory at
enhance laws will be required In Eng
and it is recommended that the school.
aaving age be raised to IL years with
ut exemptions and that all other young
eople under Is years be enrolled in part
ime classes. France proposes to require
art time attendance of girls under is
nd boys under 20, after they finish the
rescribed number of years of full at
enhance.
There has been no weakening of labor
lws affecting women and children in
anada or New Zealand, and Manitoba
as reduced the overtime permitted TO
omen and girls The report adds;
1T is hoped the report viii call at
,ntion to the growing concern in the
airing countries for the welfare of chill
rem and the earnest efforts now being
iade in the midst of war to improve
ieir condition, and that il will aid in
rowing not only the importance of main
lining here all the present industrial
afforded to women and chill
rem, but Of carrying this protection for
ard, Notwithstanding war conditions"