The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-30

there are methods and principles for
regulating labor conditions which
all Industrial communities should
endeavor to apply so far as their
special circumstances will permit.
Among these methods and prin-
ciples, the following seem to the
high contracting parties to be of
special and urgent Importance; first,
the guiding principle above enun-
ciated. that labor should not be re-
garded merely as a commodity or
article of commerce. Second, the
right Of association for all law
full purposes by employed as we'll
as by employers. Third. payment
to employed of wages adequate to
maintain a reasonable standard OF
life as this is understood in their
time and country. Fourth, adoption
of an eight-hour day, or forty eight
hour week as a standard to be
aimed at where it has not already
been attained. Fifth, adoption Of a
weekly rest Of at least twenty-four
hours, which should include Sunday
whenever practicable. Sixth, aboli-
ton of child labor and imposition OF
such limitations on labor of young
persons as shall permit continuation
Of their education and assure their
proper physical development.
Seventh, the principle that men and
women should receive equal re-
enumeration for work Of equal value.
Eighth, n standard set by law in
each country with respect to con-
dition Of labor should have due re-
gard to the equitable economic
treatment of all workers lawfully
resident therein. Ninth, each State
should make provision for a sys-
tenn of inspection. in which wom-
en- should take part, in order to
ensure enforcement Of laws and
regulations for the protection OF
the employed"
It will take long before the
principles propounded In the covenant
Of the league under labor articles
ere fully and faithfully carried out.
hut in both a good deal Of quiet and
steady progress has already been at
tanned NJ Albert Thomas is an ad-
mirable chief for the Labor Bureau.
Fe has zeal, sympathy, tact, energy
and great organizing talent. He is
pressing along with patience as well
as persistence. But that Is another
question It raises grave issues as
to the execution Of the treaty.
What I have to- deal with today is
the misunderstanding which exist
as to the character of the treaty IT,
Dill i1Io Tot MI
being deliberately misled on this point.
Why are these sections which enan-
cipate oppressed races, which seek
to lift the worker to condition above
restitution and degradation, and
which build up a breakwater against
the raging passions which make for
war, never placed to the credit Of the,
Treaty of Versailles?
That type Of controversialist who Is
always advertising his idealism has
made a point of withholding Theses
salient facts from the public which he
processes to enlighten and instruct.
There Is no more INSCRIPTIONS
debater in the ring than one who
affects to be specially highminded. I
do not mean the man who is possessed
Of a really high mind, but the sort
which is always posing as having
been exalted by grace above his
fellows He is the pharisee Of the
controversy. Beware Of him, for he
garbles and misquotes and suppresses
to suit his arguments or prejudices in
way that would make child Of
this world blush.
That is why I venture to put in a.
humble, although, I fear. belated, plea
for a reading Of the text. the whole
text, and nothing but the text Of the
Treaty of Versailles. 1t is the only
fair way of arriving at Just CON
clusion Of the merits Of the treaty
which holds in it's hands the destiny
of Europe for many generations.