Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-30

The leader OF the French Delegates TO
the international Labor conference.
Agreement had been reached by all
delegates to the international labor
conference to elect Secretary of Labor
Wilson unanimously as chairman
during the organization period
when the conference opened its second
session. at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon.
The visitors decided on this action
not only as an honor to the United
States. but also as an international
tribute of personal esteem for Mr..
Wilson. He will be unofficial repre-
sentative of the American govern
ment.
And because the United States has
not ratified the peace treaty and
pate in the discussions of working
conditions with representatives of
thirty-five other nations, American
labor and American employers have
been invited to appoint delegates who
Will unoffieially take part in the con
versa tons" Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor. will represent the Workers. and
a person to be named by the United
States Chamber of Commerce will rep
resent employers.
Translating Retards Work.
The proceedings moved very slowly
yesterday because all discussions on
the floor were translated verbally at
lish, these being the official languages
of the conference. Action may be
further slowed by verbal translation
into Spanish also of everything said.
Inclusion of Spanish as. an official
language on the floor was requested
1~~v
Uruguyan delegation and was pressed
by the Spanish delegation on the
ground that one-fourth of all dele
gates are from Spanish-speaking coun--
tries When it was explained that all
reports and documents. as well as the
transcript of the proceedings would
be translated into Spanish and print
ed Immediately, the Spanish repre-
sentatives said they would not. de-
mand a decision lithe question at
once. They declared. however, they
would call for a decision today.
Outlines Purposes.
The report of the organizing COM
mittee, submitted by Arthur Fon-
taine, chairman. late yesterday. .and
Professionally adopted by the confer
epce, outlined in detail the develop
ment Of the International labor or
ganization. and submitted the tenta-
tive program and standing orders for
the conference sessions.
Interpreting the provision of the
peace treaty providing that of the
twelve members of the governing
body of the International labor Office
eight should be named by the coun-
tries of chief industrial Importance,
the committee named nine. countries
with the understanding that should
Germany be admitted the last coun-
ry on the list. Spain, should be drop
ped. The other seven nations are the
United States, Great Britain, France,
Italy, Belgium. Japan and Switzer-
land.
Hold Separate Meetings.
Following the adjournment of the
conference, separate meetings of the
governmental, employers and work
ers' delegates were held.
Baron des Planches of Italy was
elected chairman of the government
and G. H. Barnes,
of the English house of COM
mons, and member of the war cabi.
net, was nominated as vice president
of the conference representing the
government delegates.
Jules Lecocq of Belgium was chosen
to head the employers, who selected
Jules earlier, also of Belgium, as their
nominee for vice president.
The labor delegates chose Stuart Bun |
ming of England a chairman, but |
postponed selection Of vice president |
until today
Under the conference rules, each of |
the three groups is entitled to name |
4 vice president. Further group meet
ngs will be held today.