The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-25
WORKS COUNCILS ARE REPLACING
 COMMITTEES
Have Joint Right of Deter mining Social Political
 Questions

Questions
 The introduction of a bill in tn l German National Assembly to author
 tze the creation of Works Councils marks the first definite step taken fo | the practical execution of the funda mental idea embodied in the German Constitution in regard to the inter ests of workmen in the establishment Where they are employed. The ex lstlng Committees of Workmen an, Offlclals, which were brought into op efatlon soon after the Armistice, wer ohIy temporary arrangements, ant the committees only possessed a voic III Works matters, having no power o voting. It is now intended to super
 sede these committees by the nev Works Councils, who will have ; Joint right of determining question:
 of social-political nature in re
 spect to the works. We extract tn,
 following particulars from the Ger
 man newspapers:
 The bill provides that Works Coun.
 c1ls are to be formed in all trade,
 Whlch employ at least twenty work.
 men and officials, the definition o-
 Tades" being all trades, businesses and administrations, public or pri. Vate. In trades employing less thar hfty workers the Works Council is tr consist of three members, and of five members for fifty up to ninety-nine workers, while the number of mem pers IS to be increased by one per loO workers in cases of trades en- ploying between 100 and 99s work ers' and by one per 500 workers in cases of trades or works employing
 l-tH maximum number of members for a council is fixed at twenty.
 Section 34 of the bill states that the duty of the Works Council is to look after the interests of the workers in felat1 t1on to the employer and to SUD- port the employer in the fulfllment of the objects of the works.
 The council, for instance, has to (1) watch the legal regulations given in favor of the workers in the trade, the standard wages contracts and the awards of conciliation or arbitration committee, are carried into effect: (2) 10 cooperate, in so far as wages con tracts do not exist, with the interest," ed economic associations of the work CTS Tn the regulation of wages aud Worklng conditions, especially in the liking Of piece rates, etc., the intro
 
 wages, the fixing of the length of the working shift, the settlement of hoIi- day leave, apprenticeship, etc.; (3) to arrange of working or other service regulations for the workers and ali teratlons of the same within the scope of the existing contracts; (4 to promote 8 good understanding among the work CTS and between them and the employer and to support. the workers right of combination; (5) to call III the conciliation committee or prearranged arbitration committee in case of disputes if no agreement can be obtained by negotiation; (6) to protect the works from disturb ance, particularly in cases of threat ened strikes, and to cooperate with the trade unions so that work may not be stopped until a strike has been declded upon by ballot (with a two thirds majority, unless the rules stin- ulate for a different majority); CD to combat accident and health dan gers in the works; support the factory inspectors in these respects, and assist in the enforcement of the factory in- spection regulations; (s) to cooperate Tn the management of the works ben eVolent institutions in so far as the employer has voice in their dispos- al; t9) to cooperate in the introdl1c- ton Of new methods of working: (1Oo to adVlse the management in regard 10 suggested methods for ens11rina. the greatest economy from the works plant and equipment; and GID to ap- point one or two representatives on the Board of Directors in undertak- ings having such boards, who will nave the same rights and duties as the other directors, but who will have no power of representation and no claim to payment other than a refund of expenses.
 A further section provides that in works which have no Boards of Dj rectors the Works Council has tbe right to require the employer to fur ntsh the Councils committee. or the works Council itself. with informa- ion concerning all matters affecting ne workers, in so far as works or ous1ness secrets are not thereby en- langered and legal regulations do moi impose. In particular, the employer. 'n request, has to produce the wages l books and give information as to the production and the expected labor re- lufrements- This section also pro. tides that in undertakings which are | lnder the obligation to keep trade | 'ookS' ana which employ at least fifty workers. the Council's commit ee or the Council itself can demand | very year as from January 1, 1920, ne presentation for inspection of a 'alance sheet and profit and loss ac- ount for the previous year.
 The obligation is placed upon the members of the committee or Coun- Il to observe secrecy respecting the onfidentfal information given by the mployer.
 The above represent the provisions f the bill which are regarded by the mployers as the most dangerous to heir Interests. The remaining sections I the measure deal with the pro- edure to be followed in connection 'fth the suspension or discharge of 'orkers, the conciliation and arbitra- ion committees, etc.