The Bismarck tribune., 1919-02-28
International Bureau to Prose-
cute 'Violators and Court to
Punish Offenders Favored by
British Labor Delegate.
BY HAROLD e. BECHTOL
; European Manager of n. Il: A.

Paris.-"It is not sufficient that the
peace conference merely affirm general
labor principles. 1t must provide an
international organization to secure
their observance"
That statement by George n. Barnes,
labor member of the British peace mis-
sion, summarizes what Britain stands
for in the way Of international labor
regulations.
1t Is the gist Of the program which
Britain has thrown into the hopper of
the peace conference labor committee.
Barnes and Samuel Gompers arc lead
ing members Of this committee. 1t is
expected to have ready for submission
to the conference very shortlya COM
plcte international labor program.
1t is practically certain that the
British plan. for a permanent organi-
zation will form a good part Of the
recommendations Of the labor commit
tie, and it is regarded as likely to
be adopted by the conference itself,
though with possible changes.
BERNE CONVENTIONS s.,, ><-
LACKED BACKING
Barnes first pointed out that the in
ternationaI conventions drawn up in
Berne in 1866 failed largely because
of the absence of an international au-
thority which could whip backward
states into observance. ;t &
"Thcse difficulties we hope will be
overcome by making the boundaries OF
the international, permanent labor Or
ganization fcotcrminus with the league
Of nations, and by bringing together
the employers, employees and the hu-:
tions in. such a way as to give the
employers and employed definite sta
tus," Barnes continued.
1--WE hope to establish q permanent
labor bureau under the league of ma
tions to collect and spread information,
thus creating international public opin-
ion in favor of observance of the con-
ventions. ,,~ -. =
"In some matters, compliance could
be forced through customs. In others.
discrimination would be difficult. All
proposals must be consistent with Pres
ident Wilson's principle of equal eco
nomic treatment among nations, and
this must be constantly borne in mind
in considering the pressure which
might be brought to bear on any de-
be said in favor of moral rather than
legislative action I
But whatever, the method adopted
for enforcing the international labor
program, there must be permanent ma
chinery to bring pressure on countries
where conditions of life or employment
are bad. .
LACK OF ORGANIZATION ~ .
IN SOME COUNTRIES
''This involves making the state re-
| spOnsible for the acts Of its subjects
employers or employed. One difficulty
which must be met is the absence of
organization among the workers Of GER
tain countries. E
''The bureau established might be
given authority to announce to the
world any violations Of the interna-
tional regulations by any country. ri
Or the bureau might bring the
/ facts before a court of the league of
nations, drawn from q standing panel
| This court would then hear the bu-
4 reau's evidence and take whatever dis
! ciplinary action was provided, whether
economic pressure or, exposing the
facts to the world.
| This standing panel is part Of our
+, plan, and we also provide inspectors
for the permanent bureau whose jobs
| it will be to see that the conyehtions
are observed in all countries.
CALL CONVENTION :
TO PLAN DETAILS
! "Our proposal is that the plan be
adopted by the peace conference in a
! large way and that a great conven-
tion be called in few months to work
out the details and draw up the con-
ventions- of course, under the
! league Of nations.
s'This convention would be attended
by representatives of workers. repre-
sentatives of employers and represen-
tatfves of the nations.
standardization of wages and hours
and Standardization of conditions Of
employment, holidays, minimum ages
/ at which children would be permitted
to work, questions concerning women
in industry, immigration matters and
regulations governing seamen's rights
and wages might I'll be ,threshed out
Il with many others.
Our plln Is based on one broad
principle which We believe win appeAl
/ 10 tie whole world. That is:
That the existence Of unfair or In
u human conditions Of labor in any conn