The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-06-11
REPORT ON PROBE
OF INT ERNATIoNIAl
LABOR OFFICE:
mot Laboratory. for Manu-
facture Of Socialism, >
Says Expert Body.

SaytkpeIl moy'
That the International labor office
is not "a laboratory for the manu-.
facture of a particular brand of sos
ciaP or socialist doctrine" and that
lations with trade unions and other
workers organizations instead OF
keeping its activities within the lin
it's which would be. imposed upon
them were they to confine their re-
lations to government departments
only" is the unanimous opinion OF
the commission of experts appointed
by the council of the league of ma,
tions in accordance with a resolu-
ton adopted by the assembly of the
league at its meeting of Dec. II, 1920.
The commission, which consists of
Robert A. johnson of the British
treasury; NJ. Noblemaire, member Of
the French chamber of deputies;
Count Avet, councillor of state of
Italy; NJ. Figueras, chairman of the
Bank of Bilbao, Spain, and NJ. Viii
lanueva, Nicaraguan minister at
vestigations of the International labor
office and submitted it's report to Sir
Eric Drummond, secretary. general IF
the league. This report, which was
adopted unanimously. comments en-
Enthusiastically upon the work already
accomplished by this organizations as
we'll as upon the policies inagurated
by M. Albert Thomas, the director,
which are being consistently carried
out.
Salary Figure Exaggerated. :
At the. outset the commissioners
take up certain specific criticisms
which have been, made of the office
and answer them in no uncertain
terms. One Of these is that it. is an
active propasandist body for the dis
senination of socialistic doctrines.
The commission states that this. ar
sertfon may be dismissed as with.
out foundation (Only recently. a
report to the effect that the. director
is British Socialist receiving salary
of $4,000 a year, received consider
able circulation. AS a matter OF fact.
NJ. Thomas is the former minister
of munitions of France and his SAL
J.
Another criticism which has been
frequently made is that the interna-
tional labor. office has direct rela-
tions with trade unions and other
workers organizations and that. it is
in reality an institution to secure
preferential treatment for organized
labor. The commission finds that this.
too, is entirely without foundation.
the report stating that the criticism
might equally be made in other quar-
ters that the office has entered into
direct relations with the employers
and other organizations = -5
Commenting on the fact that. the
international labor office is often ac-
cused of ''departing from that calm
and judicial atmosphere which is es.
sential to an organization which ex-
lists mainly for purposes of documen-
tation" and of having on some occa-
sions taken sides," the commission, is
o. the opinion that on certain ques-
tions the office is not only entitled
but is lin duty bound to take Sides"
Such would be the case when stat
ing it's views. for example, on such
questions as the regulation and pro-
lection of women and children in in
dustry, and the use Of white lead in
the manufacture Of paints. etc. The
report utters note of warning, how
ever, when the commissioners: say:
1--WE feel bound to insist upon the
absolute necessity of strict impartial-
ity over all matters where difficulties
and disputes may arise" ~ -
Admission of States. -
Attention is called to the fact that
the admission of certain states, not
ably Germany, into the permanent or.
ganization of the International labor
office, has been a peculiarly delicate
question, "arousing acute susceptible
titles in certain quarters" This il
dismissed with the statement that .'the
admission Of Germany into the inter.
national labor office was expressly
decided by the supreme allied council
itself.'' -
The report of the commission de.
fines the duties of the International
labor office broadly as ''the collection
of accurate information and statistics
about labor problems on an interna.
tlonal basis, the preparation OF dc.
tailed material which shall lead up
to the international labor conventions.
which are the solid achievements Of
the organization, and the following
up OF the application of the interna-
tional conventions by the various ma.
tional legislatures. The definite re-
suits already attained by the office e
say the commissioners. "often in mat
ters Of extreme difficulty. entailing
complicated negotiations. are indeed
truly remarkable s.esss e
The report pays a glowing tribute
to M. Thomas. the director, to Har-
old 3. Butler, the deputy director,
VINO VINO is responsible for the arrange
ment and control Of the internal or
ganization Of the office, and to- the 1;
entire staff. It describes in detail
the the ORGANIZATION Of the work com
me nts on sit most favora bly, and make;e
number nj fsnrnYSn g n 3 II ~