The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-06-30
IN THE INTERESTS OF LABOR

!. - A feature Of the peace treaty which
has not been discussed with the earnest
ness and the seriorsness that il deserves
relates to labor. An international office
is to be created and it is proposed TO
hold conferences annually between rep
>resentatives Of the government, the en-
pioyers and the workers. The confer
ences will make recommendations which
will more or less automatically 10 en-
forced through commission back or
which will be the league Of nations.
Where nation rejects the findings OF
the conference a commission OF inquiry
Is to b. appointed. Its findings will
garry with them recommendation for
economic pressure by other governments
against any government which fails to
accept and enforce the recommendations.
The following methods and principles
are to be considered by the various con-
ferenceS:
First: The guiding principle above
anunciatcd that labor should not be re-
garded merely as commodity or article
OF commerce.
Second: The right OF associ lti01
for all lawful purposes BY the employed
as we'll as BY the employers.
Third: The payment to the employ
ed of a wage adequate TO maintain
reasonable standard of life as ihE' ~
- l.. Nf,-,.. nj
Fourth: The adoption Of an eigh,
hour day or a forty-eiGht hou; week az
the standard to be aimed AT where II
has not already been attained.
Fifth: The adoption Of week. :
rest of at least ,wcnty-four hours. which
should include Sunday wherever pra'-
ticable.
sixth: The abolition OF child labor
and the imposition OF sucn limitations
on the labor OF young perj IrS as shall
permit the continuation OF their educa-
ton and assure their proper physical de-
vebpmen;.
Sc, en:h: The principle that mon
and women h9Eld receive equal rrr'un-
GRAFTON for work Of equal vdlIr
Eighth: Tn" standard 81 I by law ";
. each country with respect IL tho cundi-
lions of Iah,.r should have 'lue reSlr'i 10
the equitable economic treatment Of all
wYFkers lawfully resident therein.
Ntntn. tlCn S(Alt SIlSul ! liN
vision for "a system OF Inspection IN
which women should take part in trd"r
to ensure the enforcement Of the laws
and regulations for tho pro. srtI"n OF inc
employed.
WITHOUT claiming thrt these methods
and principles are either complete or
ANAL the High Contracting Parties are
OF opinion that they ar VIII MUD ~
guide the policy Of the 'Lca%r, # Ma
. tionS: and that. If adop''d BY the indus
trial communities who are members or
the League and Safekuard'd IN prat tlCe
BY an adequate system ~ such lnspcc-
ton, they viii confer lasting benefits
upon the waSc-carncrs OF the world.
The working people 4of tho United
States live on al higher plane. and enjoy
batter wages than any other people or
the earth. unless 1t be in the new repuo-
lie Of Australia, in which conditions are
nearly akin to our own. We have an in
terest. however, not only in our owr
working people. but in those Of other
countries. In spite OF our natural ad'
yantaEcs and in spite Of favorable legis-
lation, there is, and will always remain
a certain relationship between inc wages
and manner Of living OF the people OF
this country and Of every other country
with which we trade. II we wish tc
sell goods abroad. the countries to whom
we sell must be able to buy freely. II
we wish to maintain pur own markets
we are best able 10 do this II or COM
petitors are paying wages to their work
men commensurate with our wages. and
IL their standard OF living approxima'es
our own standard OF living. In other
words, II is to the interest Of the Amer
can people that liberal wages be paid
that fair trade conditions rule, and TIE
standard Of living Of working nnra tho
world over approach the wages. condi.
tiers and standards that rule among US
We have led tho van Of world proSrssl