New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-23
Mass of Proposals Before
Compers Commission To
Be Ignored in Treaty
World Congress Certain
Agreement Likely To Be
r. a dy for Discussion
When President Returns
By Chester NJ. Wright
Neie York Tribune
Special Cable .Seruica


Special Cable Service
copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Incl
PARIS, Feb. 22.-It is now certain
Is it has long been appare lt-that the
vast mass of propositions for labor pro-
visions presented to the Gomrers Com
rission on International Labor Legis-
latlon will not find its way into tre
treaty of peace. l have the best an
thority for stating that or.y certain
fundamental principles are likely to APP
pear in the treaty, and these will be
based upon the recommendations OF the
commission.
The discussions of the commission
take place behind closed doors, Tito
becoming public save in vague way,
hat the following is certain:
The commission will set up the ma
chinery of an international industrial
congress. 1t will also set Up the mn-
chinery Of an international labor bu-
reau, which will be the executive in
strument of the industrial congress be-
tween sessions and act rs & general
eatherer and distributor of information
On all subjects of interest to labor.
The congress will also deal with in
surance provisions and measures for
investigating and improving hygiene
and sanitary conditions.
Credit British with Congress
Thus the British labor delegates will
ind little of their. draft written into
the commissions report 30 the peace
conference, but they will be credited
with the proposal for an international
industrial congress, although this plan
s quite certain to undergo almost rev
o'utionary changes before it is finally
adopted.
The French likewise will find only
certain of their suggestions, wherein
they are in accord with the Americans
forwarded to the peace conference.
The Americans undoubtedly will fur
nish majority of the fundamental
provisions to be recommended.
1t is noteworthy that already about
half of the sixteen American labor
proposals have been written into the
covenant, either in actual phrase or in
intent. The Gompers commission is
proceeding rapidly in its work, and it
is likely that it's report will be ready
when President Wilson returns to
Paris.
One of the crucial ~estions remains,
namely, government domination of the
industrial congress, which would be
certain under the British system of
plural voting.
Sharp Conflict Certain
A sharp conflict is certain on this
proposition, but there is ground for
the belief that the American objection
will be sustained If so, the Anne rican
color to the whole report, and will have
achieved a result comparable only to
that of President Wilson in regard to
the league of nations and scarcely Sec
ond to that in Importance.
French and British plans for in
dustrial readjustments now before
the Gompers commission reveal pro-
posals which, if placed in operation,
would result in the creation Of q vast
political bureaucracy. This might or
might not bring gains to the workers
of the world
I have studied the plans, which have
not yet been given public distribution.
A supplemental British plan exists
which has been revealed only to the
commission but have seen enough to
show the almost purely governmental
ideas Of the British labor delegation,
as opposed to the almost purely indus
trial ideas of the American.
Details of Plan Given
The French plans are not so clabo-
rated as the British, but cling as close
- 1o Vic AeAiAcl % BONti iilicltdl ilStfl-
DDS of adjustment. The British plan
was drawn up by the committee repre-
sentlng the British Labor party for the
guidance of the members Of the COM
mission, and does not constitute the
official draft presented by the British
members TO the commission. 1t includes
specific demands. on which there is no
disagreement, such as the right to or
ganize, strike and picket; the right of
labor IN inv ,,4T i
freely to form political combinations
1t also calls for the creation of vast
intern ational factory inspection ma
chinery. the establishment of an inter-
national maritime commission to frame
an international code for seamen in CO.
operation with national and interna-
tional scamen's unions, and urges gov
eminent employment as a means Of
curing unemployment.
systematic provisions for the relief
OF those who cannot be employed are
demanded, as we'll as the prohibition
OF child labor and night work for
women The plan Furthermore contem-
plates comprehensive study of social
diseases and limitation of hours Of
work Tor young persons. It likewise
declares for an international standard
workday with maximum length which,
according to the plan, cannot exceed
nine hours under present conditions.
rms means there are countries wherein
the standard cannot be lowered bevond
nat point at present. Suspension Of
ali economic rights and privileges is
enggested as penalty for all states
"nich do not enforce the conditions
established, the punishment 10 be in
"'cted oy the league Of nations
lAe french plan stresses demand .
'"F various kinds Of machinery to deal
WITH the migration of workers; also a