Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-11-12
by JAMES p. HoRNADAY.


yet ratified the treaty of peace with
Germany, the international labor con-
ference authorized by the peace treaty
will meet here on october %, in ac-
cOrdance with the call issued some
months ago. Neither the state depart
ment nor the labor department is able
&c say at this time what nations viii
be represented at the conference The
treaty of peace provides that the orig
inal members of the League OF Nations
shall be the original members of this
organization. 1t is now proposed that
the United States shall be represented
at the conference in an unofficial way.
Delegates representing this country
will be present but will not have
vote unless the treaty shall have been
ratified by the United States senate by
October %.
In view of the unrest that exists
throughout the world, keen interest
win inevitably center on this labor
conference. The treaty of peace enun-
ciates certain methods and principles
fnr regulating labor conditions.
Nine Guiding Principles.
abe conference will be bound by
these principles or regulations, which
are as follows:
First-The guiding principle that la
Dor shall not be regarded merely as
commodity or article of commerce.
Second-The right of assertion for
all lawful purposes by the employed
as we'll as by the employers.
Third-The payment to the employee
of wage adequate to maintain rea-
s0cable standard Of life as this is I'M
derstoOd in each country.
FOurth-The adoption of the eight
hour day or a 4S-hOur week as stand
ard to be aimed at where it has not
already been attained.
Fifth-The adoption of a weekly
rest of at least "a hours, which will
include Sunday wherever practicable.
Sixth-The abolition of child labor
ind the imposition of such limitations
on the labor of young persons as shall
permit the continuation of their edu-
cation and assure their proper physi-
cal development.
Seventh-The principle that men
and women should receive equal re-
enumeration for work of equal value.
Eighth-The standard set by law in
each country with respect to the con-
sIitions of labor should have due re-
gard to the equitable economic treat
ment of all workers lawfully resident
therein.
Ninth-Each state should make pro-
vision for a system Of inspection, in
which women should take part. in or
der to insure the enforcement of the
laws and regulations for the protection
of the employed.
Not Afraid of Radicals.
!: The conference will bring to the ma
tional capital the most influential la
Dor leaders in every European cOun-
try with the exception of Germany,
Austria and Russia. In some quarters
the fear has been expressed lest the
conference might fall into the hands
of the radical leaders. According to
American labor leaders there is small
likelihood of any such outcome. 1t :
asserted by the American leaders that
the program speaks for itself as con-
sentative esth ste of what labor
should seek to attain for itself. Presi-
dent Wilson had expected to address
the international conference at his
first meeting here, but it is certain
now that he will not be able to do
this. and it may be that Samuel NJ.
GomperS, president of the American
Federation of Labor. who took a lead
ing part in the campaign which re-
suited in labor receiving recognition in
the treaty of peace, will not be able
TO attend the meeting.
The conference will not have author
ity to bind any nation to anything.
Whatever ii accOmpliShes, it is pointed
out, will be along the line of planning
to obtain recognition throughout the
world for the nine principles set out
above. In this connection ii is point
ed out that most of these principles
have already been accepted in the
United States. Under the treaty there
Is to be an international labor office
established at the seat of the League
of Nations. This office is to be I'M
der the control of governing body
consisting of "a persons. One of its
chief functions will be the collection
and distribution of information on all
subjects relating TO the international
adjustment of conditions of industrial
life and labor and particularly the ex-
animation of subjects which it is to
bring before the conference at its an
nual meetings.
Revising War Risk Law.
Legislation that is now approaching
the final stage makes many important
changes in the war risk insurance
law. The revision bill. which has
passed the house of representatives
and is before the senate with a
favorable committee recommendation.