BETTER PROTECTION FOR LABOR
Better Protection For Labor Program in England Provides Many New Benefits; Will the Toilers of the United States Get Equal Protection? SINCE the outbreak of the war several international labor...
...At a meeting of coalition peers November 18th Lloyd George, Premier of England demanded "Vast social reforms...
...A minimum wage Innst be introduced...
...Comparison of Wages...
...The watchword of the government is progress...
...I fear neither revolution ox Bolshevism but I do fear reaction and distension...
...High cost of living n.ay offset high wages...
...In some foreign lands wages are supplemented by other material comforts of great benefit to the workmen...
...There is value in the prevailing revolutionary spirit if wisely directed...
...Here too the watchword of government most be progress...
...This country may well take the lead in legislation for the benefit of workers for we have suffered much less by the war than have most other industrial countries with which we compete in the world's market...
...Prominent is the demand that all countries agree to establish minimum standards of social protection, as for example in England the plan has been heartily endorsed by labor representatives of all the principal European countries...
...Old j.ge pensions, invalidity Insurance, health insurance and unemployment Insurance are all within the English program...
...The American labor movement recently submitted preliminary peace-treaty proposals including "labor's bill of rights," recognition of the basic eight-hour day, and prohibition of child labor...
...But the comparison Is often unjust because it fails to show actual conditions...
...We too must demand large social reforms...
...It must be combatted by larger unity, Cooperation and sacrifice...
...New Social Program...
...We need not fear revolution but we must fear reaction...
...The general-trend in all countries is to give more consideration to the industrial workers...
...Tie question to be considered is what is the relative social conditions...
...Production through land reforms must be increased...
...SINCE the outbreak of the war several international labor conferences have insisted that a number of international labor standards be embodied in the peace treaty...
...LaFollette's will give any such program active support...
...I do not propose to go as far as the Paris resolutions...
...NOW at the close o' the war while employment is at flux the government should give special attention to social and economic legislation affecting workmen...
...Hours •f labor must be reduced...
...President Wilson's third point prevents any idea of an economic war...
...Meanwhile more than thirty state and national labor organisations in this country have gone on record for more complete protection through the various forms of social insurance...
...If labor organizations will come to the front with a well considered program they will find many legislators who are anxious to lend a helping hand...
...This demand was formulated by representative workmen in France—where the social insurance system is almost as deficient as in the United States and Turkey...
...He is quoted as saying, "A great rehousing problem is necessary...
...OUR employers are fond of comparing wages of our workmen with thuse in foreign countries...
...The British government has enacted or has under consideration labor legislation of far reaching importance...
Vol. 10 • November 1918 • No. 11
