New-York tribune., 1919-04-28

uel Gompers on his arrival from Eu
rope two weeks ago. At that time Ny
Gompers did not mention the per
manent headquarters for the labor
conference, nor the manner in which
members of the conference are to be
selected. or these there will be foul
from each signatory 20 the league OF
nations, two to be selected by the
government, and one each representing
employers and employed
From these twenty-four governors
4 will be chosen twelve representing
governments and six each employers
and employed.
Gompers First President
The conference starts with Samuel
Gomrers as president and these sub
ordinate officers; George NJ Barnes
NJ p, representing the British En-
pierre. and NJ. Coliard, of France
vice presidents; Arthur Fontaine. of
France, general secretary; II. 3. But
ler, of Great Britain. assistant gen
eral secretary; Baron Capelle, Belgium; !;
Signor di Palma Castiglione. Italy;
Guy Oester United States, and Mr..
Yoshisaka, of Japan, secretaries.
In addition there is to be selected
director of the general labor Of
fee, who will have the selection of his
staff. The members of the staff will
include several women
The function of the international
labor Office, as described in the conven-
ton reported to the peace conference,
shall include the collection and dis
trilutlon of information On all sub
jccts relating to the international ad-
justment of conditions of industrial
life and labor, more particularly on sub
jects proposed for discussion by the an
nual international conventions and the
preparation of data for meetings of the
conference. In addition it will publish
a journal in French and English and
such other language as may later be
agreed upon
League to Pay Expenses
All the expenses Of the Office and the
conferences, other than bills for trans
portation and subsistence, will be met
out Of the genera! funds Of the league
of nations.
The report states that the commits
sion held thirty-flve sessions, drawing
UP its conclusions in two parts. The
first of these is draft providing for
the permanent organization for inter
national labor legislation based on d
draft from British sources. The sec
ond part, consisting of clauses which
it recommends be made part of the
peace treaty, have been published.
These include the recommendation for
an international eight hour day.
The preamble to the draft, described
in the report as the main idea under
wing the scheme, is that the league of
nations viii not be able to eliminate
the seeds Of international strife un-
less 1t provides remedy for indus
trial evils and injustiees. The failure
Of any nation to adopt humane condi-
tians Of labor. says the preamble. is
sh obstacle in the way Of other nations
which desire to improve the conditions
n their own countries, hence the fiee=
siiY for the international Labor Con
renee aud the international Labor
nee.
viii Vote an individuals
Members of the conference VIII vote
hdivlduhlly and not IN national
locks This departure from tradi-
nal procedure, the report states, was
decessary if the conference was to be
representative of all concerned with
Industry and command their conl-
dence, There was, it is stated, opposl-
on on the part of French, American,
Italian and Cuban delegates to giving
'ae representatives of government
lAlger repre- sentation than employer
md employed, on the ground that 1t
gave the nations veto on the proceed
lngs. This opposition was based on
the theory that to do SO would create
distrust among workers and thereby
prejudice its influence. The view pre-
! vailed, however, that if the conference
was to be more than body to pass
resolutions the governments must have
at least an equal voice with industry.
Under the heading Of procedure the
convention treats of the obligations of
the several countries in regard to the
adoption and ratifcations Of findings
agreed upon by the international con-
ference. The original draft, says the
report, proposed that any agreement
(draft convention is the technical term
used) adopted by the conference by a
two-thirds majority must be ratified
by every nation participating, unless
within year the national Legislature
should express it disapproval.
Reason for Rejection
This implied an obligation to submit
any agreement to its national legis-
lature whether the government ap-
proved Of it or not. This was aban-
doned on the theory that "if an at
tempt were made at this time to de-
privc nations of large measure Of
I tiCAi sovereignty III IcSdIu W ldDOT
legi station large number might pre-
fer to resign their membership in the
league of nations rather than jeo-
pardze their national economic posi-
ton by being obliged to carry out the
decisions of the conference"
To meet the situation existing in
the United States and other nations
built on the federation Of states plan
it was agreed that the findings Of the
conference should be either in the
form nf recommendations or draft con-
ventions.
Either. says the report. must be
deposited with the league Of nations
and each nation undertakes to bring
1T within one year before competent
authorities for the enactment Of leg
islation or other action. If no IA
vorable action follows no further
obligation will rest on the state in
question. "In the case of federal
state" says the report, "whosc power
TO enter into conventions on labor
matters is subject to limitations its
government may treat draft conven-
ton to which such limitations apply
as q recommendation only.
The exception in the case Of fed
eral states" the report continues, ''is
OF great Importance. 1t places the
United States, which are In similar
position, under n less degree Of OBJ
tlgatlon than other states in regard