Evening star., 1937-04-03
W|NANT ASKS AID.
TO TEXTILE GROUP
International Session Told
Need of Trade Pacts.
Elected President.
RY RLAIR BOLLES.

adoption of moves to break down COM
merce barriers such as Americas trade
agreements, John G. Wlnant, former
chairman of the Social Security Board
told the 200 delegates to the World
Textile Conference today in his first
appearance before them as president OF
the meeting.
Immediate action is essential, WI
nant said, to bring about this social
justice, which, Harold B. Butler, secre-
tary general of the conference, later
explained would be built on higher
wages, shorter hours and the unlver-
sal abolition of child labor and OF
womens night work. Child labor
is prevalent in 27 countries, Butler
said. He is president OF the Inter-
national Labor Organization in Gene
va, which arranged the conference.
Il suppose no one would dispute
the fact that the fundamental eco
nomic and social problems OF modern
industrialism are international IN
scope" Winant, whose exhortatlons at
Geneva last Summer inspired the con-
vocation of such a conference, told
the representatives of "a nations,
gathered in the Departmental Audi
torium.
International Action.
"Above all others, however, the tex
tile industry seems to involve inter-
national repercussions which demand
international action if we are to
achieve improved social standards. In
the light of this situation the trade
agreements program in which the
United States is now engaged takes
on a special significance.
1--WE are endeavoring to do our part
toward reversing the rising trend OF
world trade barriers, which have been
literally wiping out world trade, by
adherlng to policies of equality Whlch'
If universally applied, would leao 10
vast Improvement in the whole Worlo
trade situation. This. in my oplnlon,
is matter which we'll merltS tne AZ
tention of this conference.
Winant held up for the conferees
the experience of the United states as
q model of the way to improve Work-
inq conditions for the textile laoorel'
whose work-week now consists OF 4o
hours against a 54-hour week IN
effect before the adoption OF tne
NR A textile code. He was unanl-
mouslv elected president at the close ol
Yesterdays opening session.
The uncontested choices OF the con-
ference as it's three vice presidents are
p Kitaoka of Japan. representing the
government delegation; H. G. Oerstao
of Denmark, representing the employ
ers, delegation, and Arthur Shaw OF
Creat Britain. representing the work.
ers' delegation.
States Competition.
Competition between the states Oh
the United States is not unlike cohlpe
tition between nations Wlnant salo'
.1n the United States we are aole 10
develop legislative controls when,
even after the legislation ltsel1 olsap-
reared have had lasting enect III
raising social conditions IN the lnous-
try. .,+
rs it unreasonable to believe that
what has been accomplished IN thls
country through legislation may not
likewise be accomplished throughout
the world through the cooperative ac-
ton of all countries?"
rapid talking translator rusneo
to the rostrum as soon as Wlnah. iiau
finished and repeated the speech IN
French. This dual-language system
,s to be carried on throughout the
conference. which will last two weeks.
The number of countries represented
was increased to "a this morning oy
the arrival of Constantine A. Ouman-
skv as an observer for the Soviet. he
is the counselor of Moscow's Washing
ton embassy.
Roosevelt Message Read.
The broad purpose of the conference
was outlined at the outset OF the meet
ing yesterday by message from Presl-
dent Roosevelt. read to the aSsemblage
by Harold B. Butler secretary general
of the sessions and president OF the AI-
ternational Labor Organization.
I'VE have much to do wrote the
President, who expressed his regrets
at being unable to attend In person.
"The conference which is about 10
meet will discuss vital problems as
they affect one of the worlds Oldest |
and most highly competitive industries,
and one upon which the welfare OF
more than 100000 people depends
The task Is not easy. know that |
no decisions are expected to be reached
by this preparatory conference, that
no conventions or resolutions are to be
adopted by it. But am confident that
this open meeting of minds, this op-
portunity for free and frank discus
sions Of the problems OF the industry
in spirit of good will, cannot but
have a far-reaching effect upon the
ultimate prosperity of the industry and
the well-being of the millions whose
livelihood depends upon it."
Secretary Perkins, who announced
that the President had designated her
as his personal representative before
the conference, and Secretary Roper
then expanded upon the White House
message to explain the position of the
United States in the textile industry
and to urge the delegates to reach an
agreement on how to revive the in
dustry on a worldwide basis.
Labor the world over is looking
TO this conference to point the way to
q program of balanced development for
the textile industries of the world"
Miss Perkins said
World Program Objective.
"Our objective must be to develop
a world program so that the industry
may better support the people de-
pendent upon it and so that the people
Of the world may be more adequately
clothed"
Unrestricted trade, widened markets
and improved industrial technique
which will make available textile fab
RIGS at the lowest possible cost are the
essentials to broadening the scope OF
the industry, Roper said.
II have found great encouragement"