The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-09-13


the ills of mankind are to be cured by
the language of the treaty, but it did
make an honest and truthful state
ment as follows:
Without claiming that these methods
final. the members of the League OF
Nations are of the opinion that they
are we'll fitted to guide the policy IT
the League of Nations and that if
adopted by the industrial communities
who are members of the league and
safeguarded in practice by an adequate
system Of such inspection, they will
confer lasting benefits upon the wage
Garner Of the world.
OF this program President Wilson
says:
The labor program which the con-
ference of peace has adopted as part
of the treaty Of peace, constitutes one
of the most important achievements
of the new day in which the interests
of labor are TO be Systematically and
intelligently safeguarded and pro-
NOTED.
amidst the multitude of other in
terests this great step forward is apt
to be overlooked, and yet no other
single thing that has been done will
help more to stabilize conditions of
labor throughout the world and ulti-
mately relieve the unhappy conditions
wh1ch In too many places have pre-
vailed.
"Personally, I regard this as one
Of the most gratifying achievement
of the conference"
The International Labor CONGRESS.
In addition to the magnificent Bill
| Of Rights, the labor section of the
treaty creates "a permanent .organiza
ton for the promotion of the inter-
national regulation of labor condi-
tions."
The international labor congress
cannot impose its will upon any un-
willing nation. 1t will have none of
the functions of a supreme parliament
The underlying idea is to foster prog
ress throughout the world by free
will adoption of higher standards as
result of the reasoned decisions OF
nations acting collectively
| Standards of advanced countries arc
! given absolute protection against any
possible concerted action to lower
them on the part of less advanced
nations:
i In no case shall any of the members
/ OF the Lea que of Nations be asked o,
/ required, as a result of the adoption 81
! any recommendation or draft conven
ton by. the conference, to diminish the
protection afforded by it's existing leg.
| lslatlOn to the workers concerned.
Meaning of Document.
Amendment and Improvement are
| 4,
the treaty just as it is in the cove.
nant of the League of Nations itself
Amendments to this convention which
majority Of two-thirds of the votes
! cast by the delegates present shall
| take effect when ratified by the states
| whose representatives compose the
| Nations and by three-fourths of the
states whose representatives compose
| the body Of delegates of the league.
! The meaning of the document as
whole clearly and Enthusiastically is tina
working people must hereafter be re-
garded as people and not as mere
, units Of labor power which are to b<
| bought and sold.
The draft convention dealing with
labor takes the concept that was writ
ten for America in the famous provi
| sion in the Clayton law and makes
it the supreme edict of the civilized
| world. 1t might have been made
stronger. 1t might have been couche(
! in more specific terms.
The point today is that reconstruc
ton of any part of the document il
/ impossible.
Thousands who read the covenan
of the League Of Nations and tn,
labor section of the treaty will see a
! once where the language of both cal
he improved. Each will know jus
how it should be rewritten to be mad
more clear and more emphatic
That representatives of some 2S ma
tons of varied and at times conflict
ing interests could again come to
sether and agree upon a documen
of greater clarity and greater valu'
is so doubtful as to be almost a sur,
impossibility.
| A Document for Humanity.
The League of Nations covenan
provides for voluntary league o
free nations.
The league undertakes, by virtue
of acceptance of the covenant, to pro
mote justice and preserve the peac
Of the world
The nations associated in the leagu
undertake obligations not to resort t.
war, but to deal openly, honestly an,
justly with each other.
The nations pledge themselves t.
observe scrupulously the sanctMy o
treaties and to establish the rules Q
international law as the rule of in
ternational conduct.
And the nations pledge co-opera
ton in matters of common concern
Witness the labor section of the treaty