Evening star., 1932-10-23
SHORTER WORKING HOURS
FAVORED In MANY NATIONS
International Labor Office Prepares to
Discuss Causes of Unemployment
Throughout World.

Board adopted the suggestion, this time
by vote of l8 to s.
Going a step further, the interna-
tional labor Office and governments are
now cooperating In a drive to make
the acceptance of the Washington 48-
hour week treaty universal. To date II
countries, including the industrial states
Belgium. CzechoSlovakia and Spain,
have ratified the treaty; four others
have accepted it conditionally austria,
France. Italy and Latvia) six Cnclud-
ing Germany, Holland, Argentine and
BraZiD have recommended it's adoption
and numerous others have approved it
i'll principle or put its provisions into
effect through national legislation or
ministerial decree. Great Britain and
the United States-the two leading in
duStrial pOWerS-have taken no action
whatsoever
One important principle which the
London Economic Conference will be
asked to enunciate is that "rationaliza-
ton and machinization be regarded as
means OF freeing humanity from part
OF the labor which was formerly neces-
sary instead of instruments for increas-
ing profits" Workers should be entitled
to share the benefits derived from these
improvements. either through increases
in their real earnings or drastic short
ening Of their working hours, or both.
Seek to Keep Buying Power.
Another fundamental premise is that
reduction of hours shall not bring a
decrease in the purchasing power of
wage earners.
The agenda Of the Madrid meeting of
the Governing Board affirms that:
In view of the continuance Of the
present depression, with the suffering it
involves, it must be admitted that pal
liatives are insufficient, and that, If the
suffering caused by the economic de-
preston and by unemployment is to be
mitigated, the cause of depression must
be directly attacked.
In view of its prolongation, unem-
ployment must no longer be regarded
merely as an effect of the depression:
1t has become one of the causes which
aggravate it.
The dlSequilibrium between dispro-
pcrtlonately increased production and q
capacity for consumption, which was in
sufficient even at the beginning of the
depression and which today is still fur
ther diminished, condemns any policy of
wage reduction which experience shows
Is in contradiction with ecoomic re-
Guirements. in addition to being unjust.
The principal means of restoring the
equilibrium which has been upset must
be sought in the reduction of hours of
work. The increase in individual out
put renders this measure indispensable
and urgent. BY this means production
can be adjusted to the level of a tempo
rarily limited capacity of consumption.
available work can be permanently dis
trlbuted over a large number of per-
sons and the unemployed can be re-
instated in their positions in the eco
nomic system. Further, by this means
the wage earners will secure legi-
innate share in the benefits of tech
nical progress
Several Nations Interested.
Germany. Italy, France. Poland,
Czechoslovakia and Belgium-the lead
ing industrial countries of Continental
Europe-are among those most actively
interested in the reduction Of working
hours to forty-four or even thirty-six
per week. Premier Herriot of France,
who heartily approves the reform, In
sists it must be international in scope
and must become effective in at least
competing countries at the same time
Most governments share this view.
Nevertheless. bills have been introduced
in the French. Polish and Czechoslovak
parliaments envisaging adoption of the
44-hour week in certain industries, re-
gardless Of the attitude of neighboring
countries.
In Denmark, Austria and Belgium
special commissions Of inquiry have
been instructed to report on the meas
ures to parliament. Germany, through
ministerial decree. has established four
shift six-hour days in several indus
tries where it was technically possible
while Italy is experimenting with the
! reform independently