The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-12

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peoples of the world, In a common
covenant for genuine and practical
cooperation to secure justice and
therefore peace In relations between
nations.
"2. Governments derive their just
power from the consent of the gov
erned.
80. No political or economic
restrictions meant to benefit some
nations and to cripple or embarrass
others.
-. No indemnities or reprisals
based upon vindictive purposes or
deliberate desire to injure. but to
right manifest wrongs.
rs. Recognition Of the rights of
small nations and of the principle
No people must be forced under
sovereignty under which 1t does not
wish to live
"6. No territorial changes or ad-
Justment of power except in further
ance of the welfare of the peoples
affected and in furtherance Of world
peace.
I'm addition to these basic
principles which are based upon
declarations of our President of these
United States. there should be incor-
porated in the treaty that shall
constitute the guide of nations in, the
new period and conditions into which
we enter at the close of the war the
Following declarations, fundamental
TO the best interests of all nations
and Of vital importance to wage
earners:
Il. No article or commodity shall
be shipped or delivered in interna-
tional commerce in the production of
which children under the age of Is
nave been employed or permitted to
work.
"2. 1t shall be declared that the
basic workday in industry and COM
merce shall not exceed eight hours.
"3. Involuntary servitude shall
not exist except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted.
-. Establishment of trial by
jury.
MANY Of the problems Of recon-
struction can not be worked out dur
ing the war while feeling is so in
tense. The situation and opportuni-
ties which peace will bring will be
without precedent. 1t Is Of para
mount Importance that labor shall
be free and unembarrassed in help
ing to shape the principles and
agencies for the future.
We suggest therefore all prejudice
and partisan spirit can best be elimi-
mated by recOnstructing international
labor relations and thus bring to new
problems and a new era, activity and
cooperation unhampered and I'M
perverted by former alliances or old
feuds.
CONSUMPTION Of Labor.
considerable space is devoted to
the attitude of the council toward
problems raised by the war which
have been engrossing public atten-
ton. Chief among these is the much !
discussed suggestion for the con- |
scription of labor concerning which |
the report says:
Immediately after the declaration |
of war by the United States govern |
ment an agitation was commenced |
for the purpose Of organizing what !
was to be known as an Industrial |
Reserve 1t was proposed that men /
in industry should become part of a /
semi military organization to be |
directed and controlled by our mill
tary establishment, to the end that |
those employed in industry could be
shifted from one location to another.
Because of it's military feature, the
was opposed by the off,
GERS Of the American Federation OF
Labor. In the light of the experience
CLEANED in foreign countries now
in war, it appears that the
shifting of workers has not only been
necessary but vital to the carrying
on of the great conflict. Several
plans have been proposed but none
hnnn |
proper solution of the problem. II
the war continues for any consider
able period, this question will have
to be met. The primary agency
necessary for dealing with proper
of workers is a national
bureau, equipped to give
information of employment
and employers informa-
ton of available and suitable work.
ers. 1t is one of the necessary and
essential activities of the war that
certain industries on occasions are
called upon to materially increase
production, and, in this event, some
plan must be inaugurated to meet
the needs Of the government"
Equal Pay For Women.
bility that war conditions may bring
women in industry. Demand is made
that equal pay be given for equal
work without regard to sex, which
the report says can be obtained only
through organization of the new
wage earners.
Freedom of expression is declared
by the report to be one of the funda-
mentals Of democracy, but it isI
pointed out that war conditions pre-
sent very different problems than
those of peace.
we know that this very freedom
Of expression, which is one OF the a;
great opportunities of a free people,
an equally potential OPP
portunity for the enemies OF our
the report says. Those
who abuse the freedom of the press
in order to endanger the perpetuity
Of our republic and to undermine our
free institutions, should be punished
as traitors to the nation. Free