The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1944-05-18
ILO Adopts Ldbor
Churter And Sociul
Security Proposals
Pass Recommendation Over
OppositionBY British
Delegates

Philadelphia (FP). - After nearly
three weeks of meeting in full session
and committee, the International La
bor Organization May 10 took the first
action of its 26th conference by adopt
ing unanimously Philadelphia Char
ter of broad aims and passing a recon-
mendation of specified social security
measures over the opposition of British
government and employer delegates.
The charter reafiirmed the principles
of improved labor standards, economic
advancement and social security pro-
posed in the Hos original charter 26
years ago and added a clause giving
the ILO the responsibility to examine
and consider all international economic
and financial policies and measures. 1t
proposed full employment and an end
to poverty as an objective for all ma
tiOns.
First attempt of the conference TO
write freedom from want into a spec
fic social security program led to a
stormy fight when employer delegate
backed an amendment proposed by
British government delegate George
TOminson, postponing action on the
social security recommendations until
next years conference
As news spread Of the attempt to
delay action on the drafted social Sc
curity program, worker delegates,
Will pf
conference in sight and no specific re-
suits 10 report back to their country
men, poured into the half-empty meet
ing hall.
From the rostrum Sir John Balling
all Forbes Watson, British employer
delegate, said he approved the aims of
the ILO conference but opposed sign
ing something on the dotted line" He
argued that there had not been sufli
cient time TO study the social security
or 10 know what the people
at home thought These things take
three or four years, he insisted.
Noise filled the hall as delegates
jumped TO their feet to answer Watson.
L. $. worker advisor Marion III.
Hedges of International brotherhood
of Electrical Workers (AFL) rose and
blasted the attempt Of the employers
and the British government ito con
fuse the issue" Then speaker from
occupied Europe brought silence from
the delegates.
1T seems To me we are forgetting |
..lt
delegate from CZechoslovakia, said |
grayely. "If we here are going to make |
4 contribution toward victory, we can |
At least adopt recommendation on
social security The workers of Europe |
ire going 10 have to expect n better
future after this war. We can't give
hem social security here-only the
nope We must give them that"
On the final rollcall vote the L. s.
government delegation sounded the
irst firm No to the amendment throw
ng It's weight behind action on social
security now. The amendment was de
'eated Ga To II. The social security
recommendation itself passed, a to 3.
II was conceded by many worker
delegates here that the significance OF
he Philadelphia Charter could not be
Judged by the statements ii makes bul
,nly by the chances of putting its
proposals into action. This will depend
M whether the ILO becomes IN organ
# the United Nations, delegates said.
md on whether the labor movements
If the III nations represented here can
levelop enough pressure to make gov
and employers listen and
.nrrN on 10 recommendations.