Evening star., 1938-06-12
Troubles Ahead for Winant
Likely Lewis Demand Councils May Hamper
Effectiveness.

19-year record reveals that its success in
international collaboration has been greater
than any other agency'c.
The l. L. O. since its inception has
stood for the removal Of the causes of
war and revolution by alienation of the
social and economic causes of such con-
flicts, and it has striven with more than
go conventions, ratified and in process of
ratification, to improve the standard OF
living throughout the world.
Composed OF representatives of labor and
its employers as we'll as governments, the
I. L. o. conferences carry the democratic
idea to the ultimate. In Geneva the peo-
pie who are most affected by laws are
sitting together laying the foundations for
them.
Mr. Winant comes into this picture with
all the ideals of democracy which the New
World has to offer and finds himself with
the opportunity to infuse more broadly
throughout the world the principles OF
social betterment which the United States
has adopted in the last five years.
Unique Background.
Although he has twice already been as
sistant director Of the International Labor
Office. he also brings to the I. L. O. his
nearly two years OF experience with inau-
guration of the social security program
in the United States and a unique back
ground of three terms as Governor of
New Hampshire and a record of highly
progressive legislation which he sponsored
in that State
As q member of the Labor Committee
Of the New Hampshire House Of Repre-
sentatives, Mr. Winant introduced or sup
ported measures on the 4S-hour law for
women and minors, regulation Of the as
signment of wages and acceptance of the
Vocational Education Act.
As Governor he recommended or spon-
sored measures for the improvement Of
the Workmen's Compensation Act. pro-
vision for making effective the Federal
ment relief, 48-hour law, abolition of child
labor. minimum wage legislation and un-
employment compensation.
During his three terms as Governor he
also saw enacted old-age pensions aid for
mothers with dependent children. extern
sion of workmens compensation law, regu-
lation Of prison labor and ratification of
the child labor amendment.
Author Of State Plan.
Besides his emphasis on abolition of child
labor Mr.. Winant has continually stressed
the chronological aspects Of unemployment
and before N. r. A. came in he was the
author of the New Hampshire plan for re-
employment by spreading work.
The New Hampshire plan, he once said,
assumes that any project worth spending
time on must have at least three elements
First, it must be ideahstic in purpose. Sec
ond it must be approached with business
like precision, and lastly, 1t must contain
the element of sportsmanship. These,
taken together, make what President
(Theodore) Roosevelt described as a
square deal This plan calls for job
sharing This would mean reduction of
hours, but the cost would be distributed
among owners. executives and workers.
We recognize quite frankly the implication
of a higher standard of living under this
plan, which calls for shorter hours for
people and longer hours for machines"
That is the essence of his philosophy:
Shorter hours for people and longer hours
for machines. Humanitarian is the word
for his approach to labor problems and it
describes the attitude with which he under
takes the weighty problems Of the worlds
underprivileged
Faces Grave Obstacles.
In spite of Mr.. Winants idealism. his
personal magnetism, and the auspicious
moment at which he takes over the leader
ship of labor at Geneva. grave obstacles
confront him in the effort to influence the
course of the labor organization.
In the first place is the handicap of his
natural reticence. which contrasts him
sharply with the oratorical Frenchman,
Albert Thomas, the first director of the
I. L. O.. and with the Englishman, Harold
B. Butler, a confident and finished speaker
His inexperience. too, in administration
of the I. l.. o. will put him at disadvan-
tage before the growing power OF the gov
erning board. This body, which is made up
of 80 persons. about third of whom have
been active in the I. L. o. for the greater
part of its existence, has maintained q
continuity of leadership to which he will
have to accommodate himself.