The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-02-13
BRITISH PROPOSAL
ON LABOR ACCEPTED
And One of the Greatest Obstacles to
Settlement of international Labor
Platform Was Removed.

Platform Was Removed.
Paris, Feb, l3.--The agreement by the
commission on international labor legis-
lation of the peace conference yesterday
to accept article Nv of the British draft
of measures to settle the future status
of international labor, marks the sur
mounting of an obstacle which was eX.
pected to provoke a bitter contest, since
it is the most radical project organized
labor is seeking to graft upon the con
stitution of the society of nations. This
article provides that at the proposed in
ternational labor conference the repre-
sentatives of the governments, the en-
ployers and working people shall be en-
titled to speak and vote independently
without regard to the views expressed
by the other representatives of their ma
ton and to have power to draw up5con-
yentions binding on the nations repre-
sented.
The rapid progress made on the bal
ance Of the British draft, into which
will be incorporated certain features of
the French labor plan, appears to war
rant the belief that the essential aims
of the delegates Of both nations will be
accepted in their entirety by the com
mission, although final action by the
peace conference is predicted.
The British draft covers a wide field
including the following provisions;
Uniformity of the rights of workmen
employed abroad, their protection
against loss when in foreign country
through the lapse of state insurance
against sickness, old age, accidents, I'M
employment and similar causes.
Prevention Of unemployment through
adoption by the different governments Of
policy of distribution of orders for
public works 80 as to keep the demand
for labor at an approximately uniform
level.
The relief of the unemployed through
a system of registration and co-opera-
ton between employers in different lines
of industry to meet f1uctuating labor de-
mands.
Opportunities to unemployed young
workers for the continuance of their edu-
cation at established centers.
A system of inspection OF factories and
workshops to insure the execution OF Ia
Dor laws.
The protection Of children, youths and
women, with educational opportunities
for the children and the regulation Of
night work for the youths
The limitation of the working shift
for young persons to half that OF adults,
with no overtime or night work,
The recognition Of the rights of work
ingmen to combine and the right to
peaceful picketing.
The recognition Of the right of work
ingmen to combine politically and the
right Of trades unions to participate in
politics.
Working hours to be fixed by laws
in each state with an international
standard as the minimum.
The regulation of home work in small
workshops, or sweatshops TO be attend
cd TO each state, in view of the diff
Guilty Of settling this problem by inter
national legislation.
An international code regulating la
Dor conditions in the mercantile marine
under every flag to be worked out by a
special maritime commission Of the
league of nations in continuous session
to take up new points.
1t seems to be agreed that the wholly
different wage and money standards of
the east and the west would make the
definite fixing of conditions as to these
matters impossible.
As to the right OF workingmen to com
bine, the British view is that this at
least should be insisted upon by the
working class although it il now denied
by Japan.
The measure of hygiene, insurance and
the regulation of the work of children,
II is also commended, ought to apply TO
native Asiatie labor.
The British plan also contemplates the
creation of a permanent international
commission to fix minimum wages &c.
cording to the conditions in the various
regions and to make a special study Of
native labor problems.
1t is proposed TO include in the league
of nations plan the constitution OF an ib-
ternational parliament composed OF dele
gates from the existing national parlia-
ments to suggest labor legislation to the
society of nations The abolition Of mill
itary training in Schools and the inter
national exchange Of University students
is also proposed.
The French labor proposals include the
recruiting of labor through national en-
ployment bureaus, prohibition upon the
labor of children under Ii years Of age.
The prohibition of night work by WON
en-, and a maximum eight.hour working
dav in factories where the furnaces are
always lighted, together with laws reg
ulating hygiene and the safety of the
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