Evening star., 1919-05-04

AN the proposed international
" v labor program. as drafted
by a special international
commission headed by Samuel Comp
ers. upon American labor? What will
be its effect upon the progress of the
nation? These questions naturally
arise in the minds of Americans today
when the report of the peace con-
ference commission on international
labor legislation is under considera-
tion
Will the effect be to raise the condi-
tions Of la aboring classes-or the work
people as the language Of the conven-
ton agreed upon by the commission
has it-throughout the world to the
present high standard of labor in the
United States, or will it be, in the
+, leveling process, to lower to some ex-
tent the conditions of labor in this
country?
See Benefit to q. S. Labor.
The answer to these questions by
labor leaders and officials here who
have given the matter thought Is that
what benefits labor the world over
United States. They believe that the
adoption of the plan proposed by the
| peace conference commission will
benefit labor in all parts of the world
! and that labor in the United States
will share in these benefits. They be-
! ;rtn po1 10
Dor legislation standards Of labor car
be improved in countries where the
standards today are low. and that the
productivity of labor in those coun-
tries which is low in comparison tc
the countries where the conditions
! be increased.
| They look to SEQ gradual i'm
provement in the conditions Of labor
| throughout the world. and partfcu-
larly in those countries where condi.
tions are now bad.
| The best paid labor is the cheapes,
is the paradoxical statement Of one
high government official discussing the
labor question. 1t is his contention
that high wages mean high productiv.
ity. that as a general rule the highes,
paid workman in a group doing SINH
| lar work is sure to be found turning
out the greatest product. It is his
contention that American labor, which
is the best paid in the world. and has
been for years, is tho most productive
and for that reason is really the cheap.
est labor. With the general improve,
mont in conditions Of labor. standards
Of living and increase in wages the
world over, there will be a tendency
I 1t is believed. to bring to q level the
costs of production in the various ma
| TONS
Social Justice Demanded.
The peace conference commission
on international labor legislation
| adopted the premise that there can be
no enduring world peace that is not
based upon social tustice-justice to
the laboring people as we'll as to the
| employers It insisted that this mat
ter was of vital Importance in ar
ranging for peace
It's recommendations to tho peace
conference were in two parts: First,
| the establishment of a permanent In
| ternadonal labor conference to be con-
nected with the league Of nations ma
chinery: second, tho establishment OF
certain principles which apply to labor
throughout the world, to be included
in the treaty of peaoa- Recent dis
patches from Paris indicate that the
peace conference has inserted those
principles recommended by tho com
mission in tho peaoe treaty. Briefly
these principles. nine in number, arc:
/. Labor should not be regarded
merely as q commodity or An article
of commerce.
9, Tho right Of labor az ven %
employers to associate for an lawful
purposes.
8. An adequate wage for a reason
| able standard of life in each country,
4, An eight-hour work day or q forty
eight-hour week.
! 8, Abolition of child labor and nmtta'-
tions upon employment OF youths.
6, A rest day each week.
2, Equal pay for women and men de-
| ing the same werk.