653 .U5 Copy 1 UNITED STATES COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE RECONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION HERBERT N. SHENTON, Chief Readjustment and Reconstruction Information READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WASHINGTON, D. C. May 1, 1919 £3) WASHINGTON .' QOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1919 Glass ,\j ■■'■ . Book .±LJl Vv UNITED STATES COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE RECONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION HERBERT N. SHENTON, Chief Readjustment and Reconstruction Information READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WASHINGTON, D. C. May 1, 1919 WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1919 p* «* ?* Ml 39 1919 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Council of National Defense, Washington, May 1, 1919. The Hon. Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War and Chairman of the Council of National Defense. My dear Mr. Secretary : Sir: This report, prepared by the Reconstruction Research Divi- sion, of which Herbert N. Shenton is chief, contains extracts from and digests of articles concerning readjustment and reconstruction activities in foreign countries which have appeared in recent pub- lications. The material selected consists, mainly, of accounts of governmental activities in the organization and administration of readjustment and reconstruction work and of similar activities of important national industrial, commercial, and welfare organiza- tions. In making this selection the following publications were consulted : Commerce Reports, Daily, August 1, 1918, to April 16, 1919. Pub- lished by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United States Department of Commerce. Other United States official publications. Board of Trade Journal, Weekly, October 10, 1918, to February 13, 1919. Published by the British Board of Trade. The Bulletin of the Federation of British Industries, Weekly, November 21, 1918, and January 2 and 16, 1919. British Labor Gazette, Monthly, November, 1918, to January, 1919. Italy Today, Fortnightly, vol. 1, Nos. 1 to 8. Reviews of the foreign press, published by foreign Governments. American newspapers and other periodicals, of which an extensive clipping file on the general subject of readjustment and reconstruc- tion is maintained in the office of the Council. In arranging the items for each of the countries, no attempt has been made to bring related subjects together, the items being ar- ranged in chronological order according, to the dates of publication of the sources consulted. The information given is necessarily incomplete and fragmentary, but it is believed that all the important readjustment and reconstruc- tion activities in foreign countries, at least those which have occurred since the date of the signing of the armistice, were mentioned in the -sources used in the preparation of this report. 4 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,. Although the utmost effort has been made to check the actuality of the reported activities in enemy countries, the limited facilities for verification have restricted the possibilities of these efforts. It is possible that some of the statements to which reference 'is here made were issued primarily as propaganda. However, even if this be the case, the statements have been issued and the issued statements are themselves active factors which can not be ignored. The digests of the various reported activities, although they are put in the declarative form and are not regularly preceded by some such phrase as " it is reported," are to be considered merely as digests and not as statements of the Council of National Defense. Faithfully yours, Grosvenor B. Clarkson, Director of the Council of National Defense. CONTENTS. Alsace- Lor aine Argentina Australia Austria-Hungary Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China . Czechoslovakia Denmark European Countries-. Finland Finland and Sweden. France German- Austria Germany Greece Hungary !__. India International Italy Index Page. 7 8 8 14 16 19 19 20 30 31 32 33 34 34 34 35 54 55 79 80 83 83 86 Japan 101 Mexico 102 Montenegro 104 Netherlands 104 New Zealand 107 Norway 108 Panama Canal 109 Pan America 109 Peru 110 Poland 110 Portugal 111 Russia 112 Russia-Siberia 115 Scandanavian Countries 116 Siberia 117 South Africa 117 Spain 118 Straits Settlements 119 Sweden 120 Switzerland 120 Turkey 121 United Kingdom 122 Uruguay 170 173 EXTRACTS FROM AND DIGESTS OF ARTICLES IN OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE PERIODICALS CONCERNING READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. ALSACE-LORRAINE. Civil Government under French Administration. According to a decree of November 28, 1918, Alsace-Lorraine will be administered as follows : Until the signing of peace, civil government remains under the direct authoritjr of the secretary of the council of the war ministry, who, in so far as he may judge fit, shall delegate it to the under secretary of state. A representative of each ministerial department (and, if neces- sary, in each ministerial department, a representative of each im- portant public service) is temporarily appointed for the purpose of coordinating and controlling throughout the recovered territories of Alsace and Lorraine the operation of the services of the minis- terial department which he represents ; to provide for proper connec- tion with the services of that department and to study the condi- tions of final administrative organization after the signing of peace. A Chief Council of Alsace-Lorraine will assist the under secre- tary of state, who is by right its president. It will be composed of the president and vice president of the Alsace-Lorraine Conference and the presidents of the six sections appointed by the decision of August 22, 1917, for the purpose of examining and studying the con- ditions of Alsace-Lorraine. — [Temps, Nov. 28, 1918.] Economic, Political, and Social Problems. The economic, political, and social problems involved in the resto- ration of Alsace-Lorraine to France have formed the subject of a recent meeting of the Societe d'Economie Politique de Paris. The paper read before that society November 5, 1918, deals with the solu- tion of the problems of citizenship and property, and those involved in the general adjustment of the economic life of the restored prov- inces to France. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Jan. 21, 1919, p. 321.] 8 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Potash Output Needed for France. The United States War Trade Board lias announced that France will be unable, at least until April, to ship potash from the mines of Alsace. The entire output will be urgently required for agricul- tural purposes in France. Under the most favorable circumstances no Alsatian potash will be available for agricultural uses in the United States before June, 1919. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 385.] ARGENTINA. Agricultural and Live-stock Development. A large banking and investment company has been engaged in Argentina by the Swift packing-house interests which promises to take an active part in the agricultural and live-stock development of the country. It will engage to a great extent in the financing of cattlemen along the line of the cattle-loan companies in the United States. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Sept. ¥2. 1918, p. 971.] Shipbuilding, Encouragment of. On August 31, 1918, the President of Argentina submitted to Con- gress a project of law relative to the encouragement of shipbuilding, in order to augment the mercantile marine of that nation. — [Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 8, 1918, p. 530.] AUSTRALIA. Disabled Soldiers, State Help for. Amended regulations issued under the Australian soldiers' repa- triation act provide that a State board shall not grant loans for a longer period than 10 years. Where a borrower who has obtained a loan from the Government is unable to repay the amount due from him, a State board may write off the whole or any portion of the amount, but if the sum exceeds 100 pounds, it must be referred to the minister of repatriation for determination. Where soldiers with de- pendents are under treatment in hospitals, or institutions after dis- charge, they or their dependents may be given sustenance granted at a rate which will bring their incomes up to rates presented in regula- tions, which rates vary from 2 pounds 2 shillings to 3 pounds 2 shill- ings and 6 pence. Where it is necessary for the establishment in civil life of a returned soldier, a State board may make a loan up to 35 pounds for the purchase of furniture. In case where a soldier has land, but is not eligible to receive financial assistance under a State settlement scheme, a State board may advance by way of a loan amounts up to 50 pounds for the purchase of material, plants, and seeds. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 5, 1918.] AUSTRALIA. 9 Discharged Soldiers, Land for. In Victoria a number of properties have been purchased and nego- tiations for other purchases are in progress, according to announce- ments by the minister of lands, for soldier settlers. A visitor to some of the soldier settlers reported that they appear to be contented and to be making a success of their rural life. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 6, 1918.] Returned Soldiers' Political Federation. The returned soldiers' political federation has been formed by the affiliation of the soldiers' political parties in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The general secretary said the platform provided for voluntary reinforcements, destruction of pro-German- ism and disloyalty, elimination of exploitation, solution of war and repatriation problems, construction of mercantile marine, strategic railways, and of numerous air fleets, supplemented by adequate naval and military measures, electoral reform, elimination of party strife, restriction of borrowing, legislation to deal with menaces to public health, and other planks. The federation could not affiliate with existing political parties, but would cooperate with them to achieve common aims. — [Courier, Ballarat, July 6, 1918.] Soldiers' Widows, Assistance for. The minister of repatriation stated that soldiers' widows are now eligible, according to their circumstances, to receive grants for furniture, loans for the purchase of business establishments, assist- ance towards the transfer of onerous mortgages on homes, rental al- lowances, vocational training with sustenance during the period of training, and allowances for the care and education of children. These benefits are not bestowed indiscriminately, but with proper regard to the necessities of the individual. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 11, 1918.1 Land Settlement, Advances for. The South Australian system makes advances to soldiers up to 600 pounds for purchasing residences. This grant is withheld to unmar- ried men and to those with an income of 300 pounds per annum. Where land is bought with a view to building, it is stipulated that not more than 100 pounds can be paid for the site. — [Argus, Mel- bourne, July 12, 1918.] Discharged Soldiers, Land for. The minister for lands of New South Wales said that he would deal with the scheme for settling soldiers on the land on the principle of giving to each man an area sufficient to provide a living for himself and his family. — [Daily Telegraph, Sydney, July 13, 1918.] 10 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Vocational Training. The vocations chosen by returned soldiers who have received voca- tional training in Victoria include clerical work, French polishing, artificial limb making, poultry farming, cabinet making, book shiv- ing, fruit growing, picture operating, and wool pressing. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 19, 1918.] Approval was given July 23, 1918, to a scheme for carrying on vocational training for partly incapacitated soldiers at State insti- tutions. The scheme provides for the continuous training of at least 2,000 men at the 22 technical schools. — [Argus, Melbourne, July 24, 1918.] Children of Fallen Soldiers, Scholarships for. The education department's circular for August announces that 10 places in two educational institutions will be reserved annually for children of fallen and disabled soldiers. — [West Australian. Aug. 9, 1918.] Community Settlement Plan for the Subnormal. The Commonwealth ministry of repatriation proposes to establish community settlements where partially incapacitated men may be employed with advantage to themselves in industries suited to their capacity. It is expected that the majority of the dwellers in. the set- tlements will be engaged in the national workshops, but provision will also be made for their employment in rural and other industries. Each settlement will consist of a workshop with housing accommoda- tions for 100 workers and social accessories, such as hall, school, and church. The settlements will also contain the convalescent homes in- stituted by the ministry. The area of each settlement will be about 500 acres.— [Argus, Aug. 29, 1918,] Returned Soldiers, Employment of. The department of repatriation has called attention to the returned soldiers, with varying trades, who are registered for employment, and has requested employers requiring their services to communicate with the department. — [West Australian, Aug. 31, 1918.] Proposed Aerial Service Between Australia and London. A company has been formed in Australia for the purpose of devel- oping an aerial route for mail and passenger service between Aus- tralia and London. The purpose of the company is to explore the proposed route for landing sites which are to be approximately 300 miles apart. After the completion of the survey it is proposed to finance a company in London to operate the aerial service to Aus- tralia, which contemplates a complete journey in 150 hours between London and Sydney. — [Report of U. S. consul, Adelaide, Dec. 3, 1918, Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Feb. 5, 1919, p. 561.] AUSTRALIA. 1 1 Unemployment Insurance. An employment measure has just been passed which is still in a tentative state, and provides, in general, that a fund shall be created for each separate industry by contributions from employees and em- ployers, plus a Government subsidy. Thus a number of funds will be created and not one big national fund. In any industry in New South Wales the Government can form an industrial council which creates the fund which is called " an equalization of wages fund." The State can thus double this fund. The Government provides the chairman for this committee and the committee represents employers and em- ployees, while the Government administers the fund. — [Interview with the minister of New South Wales. U. S. Employment Service Bulletin, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 2.] Government Settlement Plan. Large tracts of public or purchased lands in New South Wales are subdivided for settlement purposes. The subdivisions are purchased by the settlers on a 33-year loan on easy terms. After a large tract is divided into community settlements, there is often a Government ex- periment farm located in the center, where a man in charge acts as adviser. Most of the farming is grains and fruits, also pig and poultry raising.— [Interview with the minister of New South Wales, U. S. Employment Service Bulletin, Jan. 24, 1919, p. 2.] Land-Settlement Act, 1916. Soldier settlement act, 1916, 7. George V, places the provisions of the act under the administration of the land board and land settle- ment advisory commission of South Australia. Advances up to $2,400 will be made, repayable in 21 years, at an interest rate of 4 per. cent; $220,000 has been appropriated and 10,000 acres have been purchased at $22 per acre. Settlers will be given a perpetual lease. Training will be given on farms comprising similar land. By provisions of the act the board is also empowered to make advances for improvements, equipment, stock, and seed. It may also purchase land worth $1,500,000 per year. It is desirable that applicants have some cap- ital. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Soldier-Settlement Plans. Discharged soldiers' settlement act, October 22, 1917, provides for soldier settlements. Provisions of the act will be administered by the Victoria land purchase and management board and State water com- mission. Advances up to 70 per cent of value of improvements, with maximum of $2,500 will be made, repayable in 31^ years. Interest at 6 per cent is charged. An appropriation of $11,250,000 has been made for this purpose. Irrigated lands in Victoria are to be opened 12 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. in settlements and 500,000 acres for wheat growing. Settlers may purchase their holdings in 31J years by depositing 3 per cent of the capital value and making 6 per cent annual payments, principal and interest thereafter. Previous agricultural experience is required before taking lands. Applicants should have at least $1,500 capital. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service. U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Returned soldiers' settlement act No. 21, 1916. amended 1917, of New South Wales, provides for soldier settlements under the admin- istration of the minister for lands. By its provisions an advance up to $2,500 on improvements is made to soldier settlers. Interest at 2-| per cent of capital value is charged. About 1.500,000 acres have been acquired on which settlers will be given a perpetual lease at 2-| per cent on the capital value besides water rent. Settlers must have six months agricultural experience, and education will be provided. Already there are 500 men on holdings, the average size grant being 50 acres. It is desirable that applicants have from $250 to $500 capital. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20', 21.] Discharged soldiers' settlement act, 1917, provides for soldier set- tlements. The provisions of the act will, in Queensland, be admin- istered by the minister for lands and land court. Buildings to the amount of $2,500 will be built on each farm and $3,500 worth of equipment furnished, payment for which can be made in anywhere from 10 to 40 years. Interest at from H to 5 per cent will be charged, according to length of the loan. The sum of $50,000 for administra- tion expenses has been provided. Sixty thousand acres of Crown lands have been set aside and 500,000 acres acquired by agreement or compulsorily. Settlers will be given a perpetual lease only, no fee simple title. Training farms will be established. Applications for farms can be made by relatives of soldiers, and terms can await their return. — ["Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Returned soldiers' settlement act, 1916. 7, George V. 20, provides for soldier settlements. Administration of provisions of the act in Tasmania will be under the minister of lands. Advances up to $2,500 are made to soldiers, to be repaid in 21 years, no payment the first year. Three and one-half to 5 per cent interest is charged. An ap- propriation of $750,000 has been made for this purpose. A grant of 100 acres will be made each settler on a 99-year lease or purchase after 10 years. Experience is necessary, and training may be obtained at State farms. There will be no taxes for four years, and loans may be made for clearing, fencing, drains, equipment, and seed. — [" Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] 13 AUSTRALIA. At a conference in 1917 of Federal and State autl onUes a b° a id consisting of the minister from each State was appointed to work out nZs for advancing money to soldiers desiring to settle on Govern- ment lands One hundred million dollars was appropriated for the p^ of buying land and making loans to «^.^^ culars were sent out to soldiers and it was found that 40,00 soldiers wanted land. At the time circular was sent out there were 300 000 Told"" Work and Homes for Our Fating Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept, of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Government Factories. .jfcj-i'ai The Commonwealth of Australia owns and operates five factories -clothing, cordite, harness and saddlery, woolen-fabr.es and small- * The report of the small-arms factory has not yet been SS5 the'total output of the other four factories from the date of their opening to June 30, 1918, has amounted to $13 997^25 The tot 1 cost P of operating these factories since their <***%£ has been $13,786,075, which includes depreciation of plant and bmldings, and interest on capital investment amounting » * 2 ,392,9o0 The operation of the factories was recently investigated by a royal com- mission, which congratulated the defense department upon the effi- dencv of the works, particularly the woolen-fabrics factory, which supplied the Government with materials said by the commission o be superior to goods supplied by outside contractors. ew*- fabrics and clothing factories have not only fully supplied the Aus- tralian troops at home and abroad, and the employees of the post- ma tor gen-al's department, but have provided returning soldier with civilian clothes at a cost, for pure wool, no h g"^ formerly prevailing for cotton and shoddy garmen ts._ [Commerce Eeport, TJ. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 12, 1919, p. 1166.] Unemployment. „ To take care of unemployed returned soldiers, the Federal Gov- ernment of Australia has appropriated $2,500,000 to construct pub- lic works pending completion of a larger scheme ^V^^^ home-coming Anzacs, along permanent lmes.-[The Public, *ew York, N. Y., Mar. 22, 1919, p. 310.] Vocational Training for Soldiers. The Australian cabinet has approved a plan for the expenditure of $6 500,000 in the extension of vocational training to returning soldiers who were under 20 years of age at the time of enhstment.- [The Public, New York, N. Y., Mar. 29, 1919, p. 331.] Shorter Hours Urged as Means of Solving Unemployment Problem. As a means of solving the unemployment problem, the trades hall council of Melbourne have inaugurated a movement for the estab- lishment of a 44-hour week in all industries in Australia. They 14 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. point out that the increased productivity during the war. the stop- page of work since the signing of the armistice, and the demobiliza- tion of soldiers have increased the unemployment problem. — [Amer- ican, New York, N. Y., Apr. 14, 1919.] Government Training Returned Soldiers. The State of New South Wales will bear the cost of training re- turned soldiers for the government railway workshops. The step will be taken in order to replace men who are leaving the shops through natural causes, and also to meet contemplated extensions of the railway. — [Republican, Springfield, Mass., Apr. 22, 1919.] Public Works Construction. A bistate scheme of public works construction, involving an ex- penditure of nearly $12,500,000 and offering ample employment to returned Anzacs, has been approved b} T a joint commission from the States of Victoria and New South Wales. — [Republican, Springfield, Mass.. Apr. 29, 1919.] Aerial Service. A company called Aircraft (Ltd.) has been organized for the purpose of establishing an interstate air service which expects to begin operations in the course of 9 or 10 months. Regular aerial service, charging 2| pence per mile, will be operated between the capital cities of the Commonwealth. The planes will probably carry 20 passengers each and maintain a speed of 100 miles an hour. It is thought that a commercial air service could profitably carry goods at the rate of 1 shilling per ton per mile. This service would be especially useful in convejdng garden produce and similar perish- able goods. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, May 5, 1919, p. 676.] AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. [See also German-Austria and Hungary.] Collieries, Public Ownership of. An appendix to the mining law, which will shortly come into- force, has for its object the giving to the central Government, the provincial administrations, and the municipalities, facilities for producing coal on their own account sufficient to cover their own consumption. — [Neue Freie Presse, Mar. 19, 1918.] Transition Organization. In March, 1917, a general committee for war and transition economy was attached to the ministry of commerce. It is chiefly concerned with the Austro-Hungarian commercial and shipping policy in the transition period. The commissioner general for war and transition economy has published a pamphlet on the tasks and fundamental questions of transition economy, from which it becomes AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 15 evident that a certain amount of Government regulation will have to continue for some time after the war, in order to avoid certain grave evils and inflation of prices. — [Hansa, 1918.] Transition Economy, Ministerial Commission for. The dissolution of the Austrian ministry for transition economy has been completed. The Government has ordered the creation of a ministerial transition economy commission to prepare and ac- celerate the agenda of transition economy. A central committee has also been formed to deal with matters connected with import, ex- port, and transit trade. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmachte, July 12, 1918.] Transition Economy, Committee of Private Organization to Deal with. The imperial union of German industrial associations has com- bined with the imperial handicrafts council, the German- Austrian industrial association, the central association of economic coopera- tive societies, and the chief industrial associations of employees in forming an industrial central committee which is to take over the functions of the war economic association for industries, and is to be considered as the general representative of industries as regards legislation and administration. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentral- machte, Aug. 23, 1918.] War Material, Utilization and Release of. In order to supply the necessary organization for the utilization of war material three departments have been formed : The " war material utilization office" in the Austro-Hungarian war ministry, the "common distribution committee" (gemeinsame verteilungsaus- schuss), and the "special committee for the release of war ma- terials." The first department decides what war material is to be retained for military purposes and what material is to be released for civilian use, the second manages the apportionment of the released material between Austria-Hungary and Bosnia, and the third has to see to the reemployment of the released material. Special " utilization companies " are to form the superstructure of the organization. — [Wirtschaftsdienst, Aug. 30, 1918.] Consumptive ex-Soldiers, Treatment of. The Austrian ministry for national health has announced an arrangement according to which consumptive war-disabled soldiers will be handed over to the civil authorities. These will place them either in convalescent homes or with private families where the liv- ing conditions are suitable. The patients will be taught some craft, and eventually suitable places will be found for them. Those placed in private families will be under the care of Government doctors, and the families will be paid for their board and lodging.— [Neue Freie Presse, Sept. 8, 1918.] 16 FOKEIGN KEADJUSTMEISTT AND KECONSTRUCTIOlSr. War-Disabled Men, Technical Assistance for. An association was formed in Austria four years ago known as the association for providing technical assistance for the war disabled. — [Neue Freie Presse, Sept. 17, 1918.] Reconstruction Conference, Ministerial. Early in September, 1918, a reconstruction conference was held at the ministry of public works in Vienna, attended by representatives of all the ministries and by the leaders of the sections of the recon- struction central. Various measures were issued to hasten the speedy building of dwellings and of providing the necessary materials for the devastated section of Galicia and to secure a supply of seed and corn. — [Nova-Eeforma, Sept. 17, 1918.] BELGIUM. Reconstruction. A number of Belgian manufacturers and traders whose business establishments are in Paris, London, and The Hague propose to form a purchasing body intended to insure a supply of tools and stock for Belgian industries and trade during the transition period, with the assistance of the Government. It is a cooperative society, en- titled " Comptoir National pour l'Activite Economique en Bel- gique." — [Informations Beiges, Apr. 19, 1918.] Reconstruction, Industrial and Agricultural. An Interallied Commission for the Industrial and Agricultural Re- construction of Belgium has been sitting for some time and has been dealing with the practical side of the reconstruction of Belgium. Its main center of activity is London. — [Commerce Reports, U. S'. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 7, 1918, p. 920.] Import Licenses. Licenses for the importation of foodstuffs, clothing, textiles, and tobacco are issued by the ministry of industry, labor, and revictualiz- ing. Licenses for importation of all other commodities (except cer- tain foods and fats which require no licenses) are issued by the min- ister of economic affairs. — [U. S. War Trade Board Ruling 488, Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 114.] Preparing for Resumption of Trade. The Belgian Government has taken steps in the direction of the reconstruction of trade and industry. Among the measures adopted is the immediate granting of ample credits to business concerns which have suffered from fires, without their having to wait for the effect of the war indemnity, which has still to be legally fixed. They are only to be granted to business concerns whose activities are m the interest of the general community, which are of Belgian nation- ality, and can show that they are actually and directly needed. BELGIUM. 1 7 President Wilson, in his message to Congress, said that an indemnity in money was insufficient, and that Belgium must not be left to her own resources in the general struggle for raw materials and tools. Belgian manufacturers interpret this as meaning that Germany will have to pay an indemnity not only in money but in materials. Belgium is already endeavoring to resume and develop her commer- cial relations with the Argentine. It is intended to take Germany's place as an importer to that country and to encourage especially the export to Belgium of raw materials and foodstuffs from the Argen- tine. — [Wirtschaftsdienst, Jan. 10, 1919.] Export and Import Control. In accord with a royal decree of November 8, a comite des ex- portation et importations is to act in an advisory capacity to the minister of economic affairs in controlling imports, exports, and goods in transit. — [Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 14, 1919.] Repatriation. The first consignment of Belgian refugees seeking shelter in Eng- land and Scotland has been returned to Antwerp. Those living in other parts of Belgium will be sent as soon as they can be received. The repatriation is at the expense of the British Government. — [Star, Washington, D. C, Jan, 14, 1919.] Railroad Equipment Loan. Belgium has asked the United States for a loan of 400 locomotives and 2,000 passenger cars in addition to the return of all the Belgian locomotives placed at the disposal of the American Expeditionary Forces.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919 ; Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1919.] Credit for Manufacturing to Reduce Unemployment. The Belgian Government has asked the Allied Powers for credit with which to recommence manufacturing and alleviate unemploy- ment.— [Post, Washington, D. C, Feb. 11, 1919.] Import Restrictions Removed. Many restrictions on Belgian imports have been removed. The remaining exceptions are cereals, sugar, tobacco, wines, spirits, malt, and coal.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 13, 1919.] Exports. According to an official Belgian statement, all exports from that country are prohibited except under license. — [Official TJ. S. Bulletin, Feb. 14. 1919.] Belgian Indemnity Investigation. The Peace Conference appointed, on February 15, a special com- mittee to study the claims of Belgium for indemnit} 7 . This com- 115488—19 2 18 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. mittee will consult with the Belgian commission in possession of figures as to Belgium's loss.— [Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1919.] Finances. London bankers are said to be anxious to invest heavily in financing Belgium's renascent industries. Nevertheless, the Belgian financial institutions have taken steps to establish a large credit in the United States; $100,000,000 is being asked for and a first advance of $50,- 000,000 actually being prepared by American bankers, for it is here that raw materials and machinery for the upbuilding of the Belgian industries will largely have to be bought, This credit, it is expressly stated, has nothing to do with so-called " rehabilitation financing " and is on a purely business basis, as beneficial to American in- dustry as it is to the Belgian. Neither the United States nor the Belgian Government is directly concerned in the transactions, though both, of course, have to consent to them and are interested in so important an operation. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y.. Mar. 1, 1919, p. 795.] Conflict in Handling Reconstruction. Miss A. Ruth Fry, in charge of the London committee of the Friends' War Victims Relief Committee, in a recent speech revealed many facts as to how Belgium is attempting to handle her reconstruc- tion problem. Miss Fry's speech may be summarized as follows: Belgium for many years has been divided by race — the Walloons and the Flemish. In recent years there has been considerable strife be- tween the Catholics and the Socialists which, if anything, has been increased in intensity by the events of the war. There is now added a new factor of misunderstanding — the emigres and the non emigres, those who fled before the invader and those who remained through all the hardships. In Paris, under the wings of the Allies, a com- mittee of Belgians have been working and planning for the re- construction of the country. At the same time other committees have been evolving their own plans under the shadow of the invader. Neither of these two groups knew of the existence of the other until after the armistice. Therefore, when the chairman of the Paris com- mittee went to Brussels he found himself and his work unknown, and his plans did not harmonize in all particulars with those who had remained at home. He also found that three ministries of the Bel- gian Government were each separately concerned in directing this work — the ministry of the interior, the ministry of public works, and the ministry of economic reconstruction. To-day Belgian relief is a mixture of stagnation and luxury. Food is scarce and prices are high, yet luxuries are plentiful as compared to necessities. The Bel- gian Government is anxious to assume control of its own relief work and has even seemed ungrateful in its refusal of offers of relief. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Apr. 5, 1919, p. 50.] BULGARIA. 19 BRAZIL. Protection of Allied Trade. The Portuguese, French, and Italian Chambers of Commerce in Brazil have decided to request their respective Governments to dis- charge from the army those individuals who as managers, directors, etc., of large concerns might be able to contribute toward the exten- sion of the influence of the Allies in Brazil, in order to counteract the influence of Germany, which is purposing to regain Brazilian trade after the war. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 21, 1918.] Domestic Agricultural Production. Since the entrance of Brazil into the war, great efforts have been made to increase domestic production of agricultural crops, in order to avoid using tonnage in importing commodities which might be produced in Brazil and to assist the Allied Nations in making up the shortage of food and other essential war supplies. — [Commerce Re- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 28, 1918, p. 788.] Industries Stimulated by War Conditions. The Brazilian minister of foreign affairs has requested the gov- ernors of the several States to report upon the economic situation of the districts under their jurisdiction, especially with regard to the establishment of new industrial plants since the beginning of the European War. These reports are published in detail as received. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 19, 1918, p. 262.] Coffee. Over 500,000 bags of coffee are ready for shipment to the United States, requiring 10 steamers during the next six weeks. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, Jan. 12, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] Japanese Colonization and Development. By a decree issued December 11, 1918, the Vice President of Brazil has authorized all Japanese international development to continue to operate in Brazil. A commission has been organized to engage in immigration and colonization projects, and related mari- time, industrial, and mineral industries. Its capital stock is about $4,500,000. — [Report of U. S. vice consul, Rio. de Janeiro, Dec. 14, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 735.] BULGARIA. Transition Economy. Preparations are to be made for the organization of transition economy in Bulgaria by the creation of an autonomous bureau in the ministry of trade. To this bureau will be intrusted the task of or- ganizing the economic life of the country during the transition 20 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. period immediately following the war, and of working out a plan for the commercial treaties to be concluded with foreign nations. — [Der Welthandel, Aug. 16, 1918.] Economic Conditions, Report of. A report has been issued by the director general of alimentation, who has recently made a tour of the country to ascertain actual con- ditions. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 14. 1918, p. 621.] CANADA. Discharged Soldiers in Search of Land, Reduced Fares for. An agreement has been made between the soldiers' settlement board and the Canadian railways, by which returned soldiers who are in search of land may obtain vouchers permitting them to travel at the rate of 1 cent a mile. Each application for a voucher for the reduced fare must be accompanied by a certified copy of the original discharge certificate of the soldier. — [Morning Bulletin, Edmonton and Alberta, July 24, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Treatment, Reeducation, and Employment of. The work that Canada has done and is doing for her disabled sol- diers in the way of hospital treatment and reeducation is fully set forth in a live-reel serial produced by the department of soldiers civil reestablishment, entitled " Canada's Work for Wounded Sol- diers." It will be exhibited in theaters throughout Canada. The film shows every phase of the work from the deck of the hospital ship in a Canadian port, to the shop, office, or farm where the re- turned soldier is working after having been educated at -Government expense. The film took eight months to complete. — [Morning Al- bertain, Calgary, Aug. 28, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Reeducation of. An order-in-council passed in July, 1916, empowers the invalid soldiers commission of the department for civil reestablishment to grant reeducational courses to discharged soldiers who, as a result of their disability received in service, are unable to carry on their former occupations. These courses extend over a period of from 3 to 12 months and are given in schools and colleges equipped and staffed by the men, and in factories and industries whose directors are willing to train men. As soon as a man joins a vocational class he receives an allowance equal to the highest rate of pension, and the pension previously allotted to him is suspended. As soon as a man's course of training is completed his former pension is resumed, subject only to medical reexamination. During the period of train- ing, the disabled men are given free medical attention, their homes are visited, and the welfare of their families is furthered in everv CANADA. 2 1 way by the commission. When the men have completed their courses every effort is made by the commission to secure employment for them, and the commission keeps in touch with them as long as possible after they go out. — [Daily Gleaner, Montreal, Aug. 31, 1918.] Government Encouragement of Flax Spinning. An order-in-council was passed by the Canadian Government on September 3, offering a bonus to Canadian manufacturers installing machinery and producing Canadian-made linens, threads, and } T arns. Negotiations are under way between textile manufacturers, the Gov- ernment, and the war trade board to start the industry. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 588.] Financing of Provincial and Municipal Public Improvements. As a result of the rescinding of war-time restrictions upon the issue of provincial and municipal securities, there will be a brisk de- mand for money from Manitoba and Saskatchewan municipalities during 1919. During the past four years a great deal of public work has been postponed until the end of the war, and there is a disposi- tion now to start work on all these improvements. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 9, 1918., p. 939.] Export Trade, Organization for Development of. An important step toward securing for Canada a substantial expan- sion of its export trade was the creation of a Canadian Trade Com- mission, with headquarters at Ottawa. It will closely cooperate with the Canadian Trade Mission in London with a view to securing for Canadian producers a share in the. business arising out of the recon- struction work in France and Belgium and in other war-devastated parts of Europe. The commission will be concerned chiefly with postwar export trade. The Canadian Trade Mission has been estab- lished in London, through which the Canadian Government is kept directly in touch with the activities and deliberations of the agencies concerned, with a view to securing orders for Canadian products for reconstruction purposes in the devastated areas and for the promo- tion generally of the Canadian export trade. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 21, 1918, p. 1106; Feb. 8, 1919, p. 621; British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 99.] Price Regulations. New cost of living regulations have been issued by the Government providing for extending facilities of investigations, for the publica- tion of fair prices, and for prosecution by municipalities or by the minister of labor in addition to the present method of prosecution by the provincial attorney general. The new regulations make it possible to investigate rentals and authorize procedure against hotels and restaurants which sell necessaries of life at a price higher than 22 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. is reasonable and just. — [Monthly Labor Review, IT. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 150, 151.] Labor Policy. Several resolutions were adopted at the conference of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, held in Quebec, September 16 and 21. These include one asking that a six-hour day shall apply to all under- ground mine workers and an eight-hour day to all surface workers in all mining properties in the Dominion ; one declaring for a six-hour day and a five-day week for all labor ; one asking for a complete con- trol by Canada of her immigration policy, the discontinuance of bonuses to immigration agents, literary tests for immigrants, pro- hibition of immigration until the returned soldiers have been pro- vided with employment, registration of immigrants, and legislation against the entry of Asiatics. Indorsement is given of Government ownership of railways. The Government is asked to adopt an old- age pension scheme, and establish a department of health. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December. 1918, pp. 355-357.] Maintenance of War Tariff. A private organization which has the backing of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association is of the belief that the one economic solution of Canada's financial burdens comes through the main- tenance of the present tariff on which there was a 7-J per cent increase all around in 1915 as a war measure. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, p. 442.] Demobilisation and Rehabilitation. The militia department, the department of soldiers' civil reestab- lishment, and the labor department in cooperation with other branches of the Government are completing their organization to deal with the problems of finding emplo} T ment for the soldiers as soon as possible after they land, and of restoring them to a satisfactory status in civil life. The medical branch of the militia department has charge of the sick and wounded. The department of soldiers' civil reestablishment which has been formed within the last year will care for the restoration of disabled men to fitness for their old employment and vocational training to men who desire to acquire knowledge of new trades. The board of pension commission are intrusted with the important matter of soldiers' pensions. The repatriation committee has for its duties the coordinating of these various activities, devising new policies, and insuring against any overlapping. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, p. 441.] CANADA. 23 Soldier-Settlement Plans. An act of the Dominion Government of August 29, 1917, provides for a soldier-settlement board of three members and advisory boards in each province. By its provisions advances of $2,500 are made to soldiers on first mortgage, repayable in two equal payments, the first two payments being deferred. Interest at 5 per cent is charged. An appropriation of $2,916,000 has been made for this purpose. All Dominion lands within 15 miles of railroads have been reserved. Free entry of 160 acres is provided at demonstration farms or with approved farmers at current wages. Applications from 606 persons for $690,800 have been approved, but no colonies have yet been established. Special transportation rates have been made for the settlers. Applicants must have some capital in order to secure loans. — [" Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior. 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Act 150, 1916, of the Province of Ontario, provides for soldier settlements, under the supervision of the deputy minister of lands. By its provisions the Dominion amount of $2,500 and provincial amount of $500 for stock and tools are advanced to soldiers on first mortgage repayable in 20 years. Interest at 5 per cent is charged on the Dominion amount of $2,500 and 6 per cent is charged on the provincial amount of $500. An appropriation of $5,000,000 has been made for this purpose. One hundred acres have been set aside for each settler — 10 acres cleared cooperatively. Training is pro- vided at the Monteith experiment farm at a wage rate of $2.50 a day to single men, .and $1.10 a day to married men with $20 a month to wife and $6 a month for each child. There is already one colony of 40 men, 24 men in training, and 500 applications on file. Appli- cants must have some capital in order to secure loans. — [" Work aim Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Under an act designated as 6 George V. 9, April, 1916, soldier settlements are provided for under the administration of the farm- settlement board of New Brunswick. By its provisions the Do- minion amount of $2,500 and a provincial amount ranging anywhere from $500 to $1,500 will be advanced to settlers on first mortgage repayable in 20 years. Twenty thousand acres have been set aside, each farm to be from 10 to 100 acres in size. Training is provided at demonstration farms, and employment can be obtained until farms are taken up. It is desirable that applicants have from $500 to $2,000 capital.— [" Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Under an act designated as 6 George V. 59. 1916, the government of British Columbia provided for soldier settlements under the ad- 24 FOKEIGIST READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. ministration of the agricultural credit commission. By its pro- visions the Dominion amount of $2,500 and an additional fund to be provided is advanced to soldiers on first mortgages repayable in 20 years. Interest at 5 per cent is charged. The board is empowered to spend $500,000 per year to purchase private land. Free entry of 160 acres is provided for each settler, with preemption claim for $10. No mention is made as to what training will be provided, or whether or not applicants must have some capital in order to secure loans. — ["Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Keclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Land Settlement for Returned Soldiers. The soldiers' settlement board, which comes under the jurisdiction of the department of the interior, has formulated plans for land settlement in conjunction with the department of agriculture and the department of colonization and immigration and with the agencies working under the provincial governments. Arrangements have been made that the soldiers should have priority of entry on free Government lands to the extent of 320 acres, and that, subject to the approval of the settlement board, they should be granted an advance of $2,500 at a low rate of interest to buy stock, implements, and erect buildings. Investigation has revealed the fact that the Government land now available is either of poor quality or lies at a considerable distance from railways and other facilities, such as schools. There are in Western Canada between 20,000,000 and 30,000,000 acres of excellent land adjacent to railways in the hands of land corporations and private speculators. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1919, pp. 441, 442.] Commercial Propaganda by Film. Realizing the value of moving pictures as a publicity medium for illustrating the natural resources of the Dominion and the national value of industrial development, the Canadian Government and the industrial reconstruction association are undertaking a comprehen- sive scheme of moving-picture propaganda. The labor body is issu- ing an initial one-half dozen pictures to be followed by others as the activities of the association develop. Pictures for the woolen industry will show flocks and grazing lands in Western Canada and will trace various processes of manufacture to the finished wool and knitted products. Other similar pictures will relate to the pulp and paper industry, grain and milling, the iron and steel industry, the packing industry, and agricultural implements. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 100.] New Labor Bureaus. The Province of Quebec will establish immediately three labor bureaus. Through these offices civilian labor will be handled and re- CANADA. 25 turned soldiers will be taken care of and helped to secure civil occu- pations. These bureaus will not complete the operating organiza- tion but every postmaster in the Province will be a representative and will be supplied with forms so that in the more remote localities service may be obtained by those wishing work. On the staff of each bureau will be a returned soldier whose duties will consist in meet- ing all returned soldiers applying for positions and giving them what help is needed in order that they may settle down to civil life. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Jan. 24, 1919.] Foreign Branches of the Royal Bank of Canada. Proposals of the Royal Bank of Canada for the establishment of foreign branches in some of the chief cities of South America and elsewhere are being discussed. Already this institution is repre- sented in Cuba and other countries of the Caribbean, and it now plans to extend the sphere of its influence by opening branches at Eio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay. A branch at Paris, France, will also be started, according to reliable local report. — [Report of U. S. consul at Quebec, Jan. 13, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 29, 1919.] Office of Labor, Research, and Employment Service. In view of the labor conditions in Canada incident to the ending of the war and the consequent necessity for developing and standardiz- ing the provincial employment offices, so as to work out the unemploy- ment problem with the least possible friction and inconvenience to, employers and workers, an order-in-council passed December 16, 191S, established under the minister of labor an office known as the director of labor, research, and employment service. The main duties of the new office will be to study and report on unemployment; ways and means of lessening unemployment; on unemployment conditions, including wages and hours, industrial accidents and dis- eases; and on ways and means of improving conditions of employ- ment, — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, February. 1919, p. 136.] Railway Adjustment Board. By an arrangement with the Canadian War Board and representa- tives of the six railroad brotherhoods a board known as the Canada Board of Adjustment, No. 1, was established to handle all contro- versies growing out of the interpretation and applications of the provisions of wage schedules or agreements, which are not promptly adjusted by the officers and employees of any of the railroads operated by the Government. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, pp. 165, 166.] 26 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Organization for Soldiers' Civil Reestablishment. The fitting back of veterans into civil life is intrusted to a separate Government department of soldiers' civil reestablishment, with a representative in the cabinet. To this department are attached the invalid-soldiers commission and the pension board. This department centers in one civilian organization the service of picking the man up after discharge from the army, looking after his disabilities, giving him his industrial reeducation, and endeavoring to locate him in a position where his capabilities will be best suited to the trade or profession he wishes to enter. The work of the department, apart from that of the pension commission, which is a self-contained branch of the department, is divided into five branches as follows : Medical service, commandants' branch, demobilization branch, voca- tional branch, and directors' branch. — [American Review of Reviews, New York, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1919, p. 177.] Model Houses for Industrial Workers under the War-Measure Act. A fund of $25,000,000 has been created by the Dominion Govern- ment and wil] be available by way of loans to the several provincial governments in connection with the carrying out of the program for the construction of model houses for industrial workers through municipalities or otherwise. The Dominion Government has fixed a low rate of interest of 5 per cent and will accept bonds, debentures, and other forms of secur- ity from any of the provincial governments for loans made to it. — |'U. S. consul at Calgary. Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Feb. 4, 1919, p. 551.] Production for the Rebuilding cf Europe. The Canadian Manufacturers' Association is calling upon Cana- dian manufacturers to organize into trade groups so as to be ready to compete for a share of the work of rebuilding Europe. They point out that manufacturers must be prepared to turn out standardized products in quantity. They have issued a condensed list of materials needed immediately in Belgium which includes copper, brass, con- tractors' equipment, transportation material for railroads, dredging equipment, and agricultural machinery. — [Iron Age, New York, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1919.] Demobilization. The Government at Ottawa had worked out plans for bringing the men home which involved a careful process of selection by which men would be brought home according to their occupation and the demand there would be for the labor and skill which each soldier had at his command. When the men in the army heard of it they objected, as they wanted to go home by units so that each battalion when it CANADA. 2 7 detrained at its destination could form up and parade with its colors flying and bands playing. The soldiers' protests have been heeded and the army will come home by units. — [Record, Philadelphia, Pa.. Feb. 16, 1919.] Expenditures to Provide Employment. In an address to the members of the Engineering Institute of Can- ada, the minister of public works stated that it is the duty of the Government to expend the public money so as to provide employment for the people whether the expenditures are politically sound or not, that for the next year money will be spent where it will do the most good in the prevention of unemployment, and that unemployment is always most acute in the larger centers of population. He added that the Government intended spending large sums of money on the con- struction of highways. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Feb. 22, 1919.] Dissemination of Trade Information. The Canadian Trade Commission receive a great deal of informa- tion pertaining to business which may be obtained in Europe. Much of this business is of an urgent character, and, in order that informa- tion relating thereto may be made immediately available to all con- cerned, the commission has asked manufacturers to organize into groups through which any information received by the commission may be transmitted. — [The Canadian Official Record, Mar. 4, 1919. P- 4.] Plans for Unemployed. The specific steps the Canadian Government is taking to solve the unemployment problem may be summarized as follows: 1. Twenty- five million dollars have been set aside for housebuild- ing. This is in the form of a loan allocated through provincial gov- ernments to the municipalities on which devolve the operation of the scheme. 2. Veterans are encouraged to go farming, and Government liter- ature describes this as "the most extensive settlement scheme ever evolved." Under it returned men may obtain land, funds, seed, equip- ment, and instruction. The essential part of this project is a system of loans under which a veteran may secure capital up to $7,500, with 25 years to repay it. 3. All public works are to be immediately resumed. 4. There will be construction and expansion on both Government and privately owned railways. One railway, it is said, will require 120,000 men this season. 5. Shipbuilding construction will be continued, providing Cana- dian yards can compete in cost with British yards. 28 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 6. Public highways on ambitious lines are to be constructed under a system of cooperation with provincial governments. — [World, New York, N. Y., Mar. 9, 1919.] Price Reductions to Soldier Land Settlers. The chairman of the soldier-settlement board has announced that soldiers who participate in the benefits of the land-settlement pro- visions will be given considerable reductions in price on the purchase of agricultural implements, live stock, and harness. Very favorable arrangements have been made with manufacturers of implements and harness, by which soldiers will be given a wide range of choice of first-class implements at prices substantially below those quoted to civilians. Twelve hundred retail lumber merchants will cooperate with the soldier-settlement board by giving soldiers who go on the land wholesale prices for lumber required for permanent improve- ments, plus the bare cost of unloading, handling, and other charges. — [The Canadian Official Record, Mar. 18, 1919, p. 3.] Demobilization. Canada is demobilizing her fighting corps, including the four- divisions at the front, by sending them home as units, so that Canadian committees are able to give a welcome to their home bat- talions. Through a system of exchanges each battalion has been re- constituted so as to consist of men from one given area. The rest of the army is to be demobilized on the " standard-draft " plan. Canada has been divided into 22 dispersal areas, the principal city in each area being the dispersal station. Men who have signified, their intention of going to the same dispersal area are assembled in concentration camps in England in drafts of 500. Each soldier chooses the area to which he wishes to go. In making up the drafts long-service men receive preference over those who have served a shorter time, and married men have priority over single men. The men receive their medical examination before leaving England, so- that all delay in Canada over this detail is avoided. Questionnaire cards, asking among other things for the soldier's previous occupa- tion, the occupation which he now prefers, and the locality in which he intends to settle are distributed to the men overseas. These cards,, after being filled out, are sent to Canada for the guidance of officials. On arrival at the dispersal station men who have been sick en route are immediately received by the district depot for medical treatment and receive pay as part of that unit. All other men fall in alphabetically and are paraded to a military depot, where, under one roof, are arranged the offices of the ordnance officer, the soldiers'" reestablishment disposal staff, the paymaster, the officer command- ing the dispersal station, and the railway agent. At the ordnance office each man turns in his equipment, except his steel helmet and. CANADA. 29 •clothing, which he is allowed to keep. A representative of the sol- diers' civil reestablishment department gives him such information and advice as he may require and a card of introduction to the nearest branch of the provincial returned soldiers' commission. To the head office of the latter a record is sent of all men interviewed by this representative. The paymaster issues the man a check cov- ering his back pay, clothing allowance of $35, and first month's war service gratuity. Finally the officer commanding gives each man his discharge certificate and passes him on to the railway agent from whom he receives a free ticket to his home town. The military au- thorities supply adequate quarters and rations for the men until train time and for those who wish to stay overnight. In order to secure employment for discharged soldiers, employ- ment offices are established in all the urban centers, and when neces- sary in smaller places. In each Province the local offices are linked together by a provincial clearing house in the capital city, which furnishes . information as to labor needs and opportunities in every locality. Also in every Province there are returned soldiers' commis- sions to keep former soldiers in touch with the nearest employment offices and to safeguard their interests. Regarding the wounded men, there are 32,000 hospital cases in England and 10,000 in France. While these men are receiving the best of care, just as soon as they are fit to move they are brought home on hospital ships in care of the Canadian Army medical corps. On arriving at the Atlantic ports they are taken on hospital trains to the various military hospitals and are kept in charge of the mili- tary authorities until certified by a board of medical officers as either cured or in such a condition as to require prolonged or permanent institutional care. In the latter case they are taken on the pay rolls of the medical service branch of the department of soldiers' civil reestablishment and placed in suitable hospitals. Soldiers so inca- pacitated through service that they can not resume their former occupations are trained by the Government for new activities. While undergoing training a single man receives $50 a month, a married man $38 a month for his wife. If he has a wife and child the allowance for them is $42. Where there are more children, larger allowances are granted, the maximum being $55. — [Literary Digest, New York, N. Y., Mar. 22, 1919, pp. 22, 23 ; 49-56.] Housing. The city of Toronto has appointed a permanent housing commis- sion whose procedure will be as follows : 1. Houses will be built to sell; not to rent. 2. The commission itself will not build the houses, but an incor- porated company will be formed. 30 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 3. About 300 houses will be built ; not all in one place, but in dif- ferent parts of the city, so that people of every section will have a chance to buy. Houses will probably be of the semidetached type, with a 25-foot lot for each; the cost to the buyer will be $3,000; and the exterior of the houses will differ in appearance. The reason why homes will be built for sale only was explained by one of the members of the commission by the statement that " the man who buys a home is more valuable to the city than the man who rents." — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 1919, p. 1428.] Creation of Department of Industry. On March 28 the British Columbia legislature approved a bill providing for the creation of a department of industry, for the administration of which the provincial government intends to set aside $2,000,000 to be raised by a domestic loan. This action is to some extent the result of representations made by returned soldiers to the effect that sufficient employment was not being provided, and that the Government should adopt stronger measures. The work of the department of industry will be a wide one, providing, as it does, for induslrrial research; to carry out an economic survey of natural resources and furnish advice as to the best methods of utilizing the same; to coordinate various industries, bringing together producer, manufacturer, and purchaser; to publish technical, scientific, and statistical information and encourage technical and industrial study ; to report on the establishment of industries in British Columbia where it appears such can be profitably carried on; to aid by loan, guaranty, or guaranty of securities on approved plans, any enter- prise calculated to encourage the economic and commercial manu- facture of the natural resources or products of the Province; and to deal with representative bodies of returned soldiers concerning employment through the establishment of new industries. An advisory council, consisting of not more than seven members, who will serve without pay, representative of the financial, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and labor interests, will assist the min- ister of industry in this work. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 17, 1919, p. 379.] CHILE. Extension of Irrigation. Plans have been laid before Congress for the construction of sec- ondary canals for feeding the large Laja Canal now nearing com- pletion. It is also intended to ask the Government to extend the irrigation law so as to allow for these branches being built on the same lines as the large canal. This latter will be finished next spring, but will be of little use without these secondary canals. Therefore CHINA. 31 it is very urgent that immediate action should be taken. This net- work of canals would cover about 333 kilometers and cost $1,657,256. — | Morcurio. Dec. 4, 1918.] CHINA. Foreign Trade, Monopolization of. It is reported that a central office for foreign trade has been estab- lished which will monopolize the entire import and export trade of China. The venture has been launched by the Japanese financial agent in China, and the requisite capital is said to have come from Japan, only 40 per cent of the shares being in Chinese hands. — f Deutscher Aussenhandel. Sept. 25, 1918.] Shipping. The Chinese Government is reported as considering favorably a joint proposal made by British and Japanese capitalists for the development of Chinese shipping. Shanghai is said to be develop- ing into an important shipbuilding center. The Wangpoo con- servancy board, the body that controls the port of Shanghai, plans an expenditure of $100,000,000 during the next two decades in mak- ing the harbor available for largest ocean-going steamships. — [Engi- neering News-Record, Nov. 2; Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1918. The American Legation has lodged a protest with the Chinese Government against the sanctioning of an export and import monopoly by a Chinese limited liability company. — [Tribune, New York, Nl Y., Dec. 30, 1918.] New Alphabet. It is predicted that the change in alphabet recently announced, showing a shift in the political thought of the Empire, will have a marked effect on the future of the new Republic through greatly facilitating the education of the nine-tenths of the population now illiterate.— [Times, New York, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1919.] Conciliation of Local Factions. The Chinese President has proceeded so far in his efforts at con- ciliation between the northern and southern factions of the Republic that the solution of the difficulties dividing the country seems now in sight. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Feb. 8, 1919.] Disclosure of Secret Treaties. The conciliation of local factions has been greatly aided by official instructions sent the Chinese delegation in Paris to disclose the secret agreements with Japan.- — [Tribune, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] 32 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. CZECHOSLOVAKIA. [Including Bohemia.] Economic Prospects. From an economic standpoint the Czecho- Slovak is the most pros- perous of all the national States in what was formerly the Dual Monarchy. Its wealth in natural products of every sort proves this conclusively. While the output of coal is from 35 to 40 per cent below the peace figures, none is being exported and consequently there is enough to work the railways and important undertakings. The sugar factories are able to handle all beets harvested, and are figuring on having a large surplus of sugar for export. This with a number of other products is intended to procure an equivalent value of foodstuffs and raw materials, especially, the latter which are greatly needed. The harvest is sufficient to feed the population for several months and the prices of foodstuffs have fallen. Production is not normal, however, except in the foodstuffs industry. Textile and other indus- tries are being held back on account of inability to secure foreign raw materials. The banks foresee a great business boom coming and most of them have increased their capital, although for the time being they have no use for it. — [Oesterreichischer Volkswirt, Jan. 11, 1919.] Agreement with Germany. A provisional commercial agreement has been made between Ger- many and Czecho- Slovakia whereby Germany agrees to deliver to the new Eepublic certain important commodities in return for others needed in Germany. In respect to the traffic on railways, trucks, and coaches the two Governments agree that until further notice this traffic shall be equal in both directions, the details remaining to be settled. Both Governments are prepared to release ships of the other party line and their territory together with the cargo of such ships. They agree that in the interest of an early resumption of railway traffic the detailed regulations shall be settled without delay by direct agreement. The two Governments will place no obstacles in the way of the unhindered passage of diplomatic couriers and their lug- gage. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 93.] Oversubscription to Liberty Loan. The Bohemian Government called for a loan of 500,000,000 crowns. The amount subscribed was 1,948,431,100 crowns by 191,410 sub- scribers. The loan bears interest at 4 per cent and was issued at par. — [Supplement to Ceskoslovenska Samostatinost, Dec. 11 and 25, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] DENMARK. 33 Resumption of Trade by the United States. In accordance with the recognition by the United States State De- partment of the Czecho-Slovakia Council as an independent Govern- ment, and in agreement with other associated Governments, the United States War Trade Board has announced the reestablishment of trade relations with Czecho-Slovakia. Further announcement will define the exact limits of this territory, but in a general way the portion now open to trade is the area which constituted the Provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, as they existed, on August 1, 1914. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 721.] DENMARK. Trade Education for the "Unemployed. The ministry of the interior has appointed subcommittees to ar- range trade lessons for the unemployed. This will afford an oppor- tunity to equip those out of work for other trades or to educate them so that the forced unemployment may be used to the best possible advantage. One course has been started for unemployed woman servants. A course on automobile questions is to be started for chauffeurs and for laborers on motors. Also courses on staining and polishing will be established for cabinetmakers, and courses on ac- counting, leveling, iron concrete, understanding of drawings, etc., for laborers. It is planned to get the cooperation of the different trades in this movement. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, p. 149.] Shipping Activities. With the prospect of peace at an early date and the resumption of normal trade routes, the Copenhagen free port expects to play an, important part in Scandinavian and Baltic trade. Considerable work has been done toward enlarging the area, dockage, and warehouse facilities of the port during the war. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 22, 1919, p. 1427.] Eight-hour Day for State Employees. The Government has acceded to the demand for an eight-hour day for all State employees. This will cost the State over $2,000,000 a year, as the new arrangement also allows one day off every week, while the present one gives them only one every two weeks. The Gov- ernment, however, has refused to grant the extra war allowances which were asked for. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Mar. 31, 1919, p. 1612.] 115488—19 3 34 FOKEIGN KEADJTJSTMENT AND RECONSTKUCTION. EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. Aerial Postal Service. Austria has had since April an aerial postal line from Vienna to Lemberg ; Hungary has instituted one between Budapest and Odessa, and Brest-Litovsk and Kiev; Denmark, between Copenhagen and Skagen, for mails and passengers; and Italy, between Eome and Turin, and between the mainland and Sardinia. A service between Paris, Brussels, and London is contemplated after the war. Lines are projected, but not yet working, between Paris and St. Nazaire; Paris, Marseilles, and Nice ; Stockholm and Gulf of Finland ; Petro- grad and Moscow ; Odessa and Constantinople ; Stavenger and Aber- deen. In Holland postal air communication is contemplated be- tween Amsterdam and Groningen ; and Rotterdam and Groningen.— [Deutscher Aussenhandel, Aug. 15, 1918.] Agricultural Conditions in England, France, and Italy. A summary has been issued of the report of the commission sent abroad last August by the United States Department of Agriculture to study agricultural conditions in England, France, and Italy. The report, which was prepared before the armistice was signed, states that the countries at war will become increased consumers of agri- cultural products when governmental restrictions are removed. Among other recommendations, the commission suggests that an in- ternational agricultural council be formed to consider the situation and needs of the various nations with regard to agricultural produc- tion.— [Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 7, 1919, p. 1.] FINLAND. A National Fair in 1919. At the suggestion of the commission of commerce and industry, the National Industrial League of Finland has decided to organize a national fair during the summer of 1919, the purpose of which will be to encourage all phases of agricultural, commercial, industrial, social, and educational life of Finland, and to strengthen and ameli- orate the industrial and national developments and changes brought about by the war. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 21, 1918, p. 1108.] FINLAND AND SWEDEN. Commercial Agreement. An agreement has been entered into between representatives of the Finnish and Swedish Governments whereby these Governments will aid each other by exporting quantities of goods, the exportation of which will not in any way injure the exporting country; and will also facilitate the transit of goods through the two countries in a FRANCE. 35 wav most beneficial to both.— [Svensk Export, November, 1918 ; Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 3, 1919, p. IT.] FRANCE. _ :- Economic Needs and Resources, Inquiries into. The ministry of commerce announces the beginning of two large economic inquiries. An order of the under secretary of state of this- department, published in the Journal Officiel of June 10, directs, simultaneously, the preparation of an " inventory of the economic needs and resources of France after the war," and an inquiry con- cerning the expediency of a protective tariff law (droit protecteur) to be enacted for the benefit of the industries which claim this assist- ance from the State and which demonstrate its justifiable needs. — [Exportation Franchise, June 27, 1918.] Xand Settlements foT ex-Soldiers and War Victims, Loans for. An act of April 9, 1918, allows military pensioners and civil vic- tims of the war to obtain loans from the credit agricole for the ac- quisition of small holdings in the country. The loans will be re- deemable in 25 years and granted at 1 per cent interest. The guar- antee demanded from the borrower will be a mortgage on the prop- erty and a life insurance effected in favor of the lending company. [Journal Officiel, July 21, 1918.] Electricity as a Eactor in Reconstruction. The directors and representatives of the large central power sta- tions and electric-lighting plants situated in the invaded regions have banded together under the auspices of the syndicate profes- sionel des producteurs et distributeurs d'energie electrique, and are studying the problem of reconstructing their central power stations. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 8, 1918, p. 515.] Collective Buying in Industrial Reconstruction. The French manufacturers in rebuilding the destroyed or dam- aged factories will buy their materials, not individually, but collec- tively through a small number of central purchasing agencies, each agency representing a group of French manufacturers engaged in the same or related industries and assisted by the credit of the French Government. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 27, 1918, p. 773.] New Commercial Highway. There is a movement in France which aims at providing Switzer- land and the Central European hinterland, Bohemia, and other na- tions, an Atlantic port in France, rendering them economically in- dependent of Germany. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Sept. 5, 1918, p. 886.] 36 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Fiduciary Societies. Among the more practical reforms tending toward the establish- ment in France of new postwar methods of work are the fiduciary societies (societes fiduciares) to act as intermediaries between the bankers and the heads of industries and commercial enterprises. Their aim is to study by means of close investigation the position, prospects, and potentialities of any given business establishments, in order to determine whether these warrant the extension to its promoters of such credit as they may desire. They will be entirely free from Government support. — [L'Economiste Franeaise, Sept. 14, 1918.] Division of the Country into Economic Regions. The French ministry of commerce is engaged upon the task of creating economic divisions in France, in order to insure the most effective cooperation of French chambers of commerce in solving the after-the-war economic problems. In this plan the existing depart- mental boundaries are ignored, the country being divided into 16 economic regions. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Sept. 30, 1918, p. 1201; British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 583.] Collective Trade-Mark. A group of industrial and commercial organizations have adopted the collective trade-mark " Unis-France," to guarantee the French origin of certain products. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Oct. 2, 1918, p. 24.] Aerial Postal Service. The interministerial commission has planned and elaborated to its smallest details the most complete system of aerial communication between the principal towns of France, which is ready to be brought into action the moment circumstances permit. The service most carefully worked out is that from Paris to Nice, calling at Dijon, Lyon, and Marseilles, to be eventually extended to Genoa and Rome. — [L'Economiste Franeaise, Oct. 26, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Reeducation of. The American Red Cross in Paris has recently published a report on the reeducation of disabled soldiers in France, the object of which is to show: How the American Red Cross can help in reeducating the disabled in France ; and in what way the experience thus gained can be of service in the United States in dealing with its own dis- abled men. It is the result of a survey made of the work actually done. — [Report of Miss Grace S. Harper, American Red Cross, Paris.] FRANCE. 37 Industries in the Invaded Regions. A special commission appointed by the ministry of commerce is investigating the condition of all industrial establishments in the neighborhood of Lille, Roubaix, and Tourcoing, with a view to ascer- taining which of these can be reestablished in working order with the briefest delay, and organizing their supply with raw textiles, thus to reduce to a minimum the import of manufactured goods. A second mission appointed by the minister of blockade is engaged m ascertaining details as to the needs of the invaded regions in ma- terials of all kinds, such as coal, leather-belts, copper, etc., and also their labor requirements. The two bodies are working in conjunction. Factories are classi- fied under four categories. Forms have to be completed showing their prewar and their present situation, in order to establish in the shortest possible time the measures necessary for the progressive revival of the textile industries. — [Temps, Nov. 12, 1918.] Reconstruction of Iron and Steel Industry. A " Societe Cooperative des Mines de Fer et de la Siderurgie des Kegions Sinistres " has recently been created in France for the pur- pose of conducting commercial or industrial operations necessary for the bringing about of the reconstruction and reorganization of the iron mines and steel works of the invaded regions. — [Commerce Ke- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 13, 1918, p. 593.] War Factories, Conversion to Peace Work. The minister of armament indicated in a recent statement to the army commission that a department had been created with the special function of settling rapidly all questions connected with the reorganization of war factories. Steps are being taken as far as possible to prevent unemployment, and to assure the French workmen and workwomen priority of employment over foreigners and prisoners. The manufacture of war material will cease progres- sively, taking into account outstanding military requirements and the extent of the available labor. — [Echo de Paris, Nov. 17, 1918.] Linking up Alsace-Lorraine Railways. A deputation representing the eastern railways of France recently met a German delegation, who came from Metz to Nancy in order to arrange details with a view to the connection of the railways of Alsace-Lorraine with the French system. — [Temps, Nov. 17, 1918.] Transport Conditions Return to Normal. The minister of public works had issued to all the managing bodies of railways a circular requesting them to speed up traffic, clear their stations, and return with the utmost promptitude to a normal state of affairs. He requests all railroad companies to hasten the trans- 38 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. port of manures, seeds, and everything subservient to food pro- duction, wines, and coal, especially from the northern mines. — [Nou- velliste de Lyon, Nov. 19, 1918.] Employment of ex-Soldiers. A new law providing for the compulsory reemployment of men in the posts they held before the war was enacted in November, 1918. The terms of the law are, briefly : 1. Government departments, as well as private employers, are com- pelled to reinstate their employees who have been serving in the army, provided, on the one hand, that the changes in economic con- ditions caused by the war make such reemployment possible; and on the other hand, that the men are not so severely disabled as to be unfit for their posts. 2. Men who were engaged under contracts for a definite period must be taken back to complete the terms of their contracts. All contracts made with men in the absence of those who have been called up will expire automatically as soon as the latter are reemployed. 3. Reinstated men will be eligible for any promotion, increase in salary or wages, or for any bonus provided for in the regulations ex- isting before the war. Where owing to economic conditions or to a man's disablement, it is impossible to reinstate him in his former post, a similar or suitable one should if possible be given to him. 4. Failing proof by the employer of the impossibility of rein- stating a former employee, he will be liable to damages according to the labor code.— [Journal Officiel, Nov. 22, 1918; Matin, Nov. 26, 1918.] Labor Reforms. The French workers general committee in their program advo- cate: Establishment of a League of Nations; no economic war nor economic protection; no reprisals, only reparation for destruction; and general disarmament. They urge that labor be represented at the Peace Conference, and that an international labor congress be established. They ask for restoration of freedom of speech ; suppres- sion of censorship ; liberation of interned aliens ; various trade-union rights for workmen and employees ; an eight-hour day ; and compul- sory education up to 14 years of age. Demobilization and economic reconstruction measures should be in the hands of a national economic council on which labor should be represented directly. They" recom- mend that the work of restoring the devastated provinces be put in the hands of new committees on which producers and consumers should be represented, and that measures be taken to make profiteer- ing impossible in this work. Other reforms asked for in this pro- gram are: State control over all branches of trade and industry FRANCE. 39 essential to the life of the individual or the nation ; measures to com- bat the various social evils; the right of any workman, whatever his nationality, to work wherever he can find it; the extension of in- surance of workers; the removal of octroi and customs duties from all foodstuffs and fuel in order to reduce the present high prices; the institution of a national service to supply the necessaries of life to workers at cost ; and additional taxes on war profits and increased legacy duties to pay for the war. — [Populaire de Paris, Nov. 26, 1918.] Provision for Unemployment. The General Council of the Seine has agreed to a proposal which aims at preventing unemployment subsequent to demobilization. A tabulated list of work to be done is to be drawn up not in accordance with the urgency of the work, but according to the kind of work, so that the greatest number of men may be given employment with the least possible delay. For the purpose of transforming war factories into peace factories and endeavoring to reestablish the economic life of the country, certain credits have been voted to the various minis- tries.— [Temps, Nov. 22, 1918; Journal des Debats, Dec. 1, 1918.] Future of the French Air Service. The vice president of the French Army commission makes the fol- lowing recommendations with the view of insuring the orderly de- mobilization of the air service, and of securing the highest interests of the country : 1. To define the importance of the air army in peace time and to constitute it an independent force. 2. To organize immediately aerial routes in France and its colonies, as well as landing-places, aerodromes, etc. 3. To enlist specialists in this service and to guarantee their posi- tion. 4. To arouse competition among engineers and aeroplane builders. 5. To encourage the formation of aerial transport companies. — [Journal des Debats, Dec. 1, 1918.] International Labor Legislation Proposed. The labor committee of the Chamber of Deputies adopted on No- vember 29 a report on clauses relating to international labor legisla- tion to be inserted in the Peace Treaty. A firm stand is made against night work for young industrial workers and a workday longer than 10 hours for women and youths in factories. Such questions as the minimum industrial age, eight-hour day, industrial insurance, etc., are to be submitted to an international labor conference, and periodic international labor conferences are to be called. — [Post, Washington, D. C, Dec. 2, 1918.] 40 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Public Improvements. The under secretary of public works and transportation, calls atten- tion to a proposed railway from Bordeaux to Odessa, and the much- talked-of tunnel under the English Channel, as part of the economic offensive which he is directing. This offensive includes railway, steamship, and canal extensions. — [Courier-Herald, Saginaw, Mich., Dec. 3, 1918.] Commissariat for Liberated Territories. By decree of the President of the Republic, a general commissariat for the reconstruction of the liberated territories has been created at the ministry of blockade and of the liberated regions. It will deal with: Relations with the transportation and food services, so as to meet the needs of the population ; the determination, in consultation with the army, of the assistance to be obtained from it ; the material reconstruction of the liberated territories ; and especially the rebuild- ing of ruined houses, and the restoration of the soil to a fit state for cultivation. The general commissioner is empowered to take im- mediately, in urgent cases, all necessary measures to meet urgent needs. He will make immediate use of all local administrations and will endeavor to obtain the collaboration of the headquarters of the Allied Armies. The services of prisoners of war and the French prisoners will be utilized. Material for the construction of provi- sional house accommodations will be sent as quickly as possible, rail- ways will be repaired, and the return of the populations will be effected with the provision of housing and the food supply. — [Journal des Debats, Dec. 4, 1918.] Repairs to Damaged Railways, locks, and Bridges. The minister of public works has had a conference with the repre- sentatives of the railway systems of the Nord and the Est with regard to repairs of the lines. The work will be carried on under State control. The railway companies are authorized to come to an under- standing with builders' and contractors' organizations with the view both of the urgency for execution of certain steps, and the recom- mencement of work. The minister has also requested that the repre- sentatives of these railway systems indicate to him the number of workmen necessary for these repairs, in order that he may demand their demobilization and their dispatch to the place where their presence will be most useful. There are 1,800 bridges to be rebuilt, 20 locks to be reconstructed, and at least 5,000 kilometers of rails to be repaired. — [Journal des Debats, Dec. 4, 1918; Le Matin, Dec. 8, 1918.] Government Aid in Trade Reorganization. The ministry of trade intends to amalgamate the various members of each branch of industry, to distribute them in groups and to FRANCE. 41 intrust to these the preparation of samples as well as information and services with a view to introducing economies and increasing their efficiency. He has announced that it is intended to reorganize the ministry of trade, to add to French diplomative representatives abroad, Government commercial agents, and to settle as many French firms in foreign countries as may be feasible. — [Weltwirtschafts- zeitung, Dec. 6, 1918.] Organizations of Export Credit in France. The minister of trade has made the following statement with regard to the establishment of the new French export bank on the occasion of its renewal of the privileges of the Banque de France. In addition to its permanent advances, the bank is to make, if neces- sary, an advance of 50,000,000 francs to the treasury to serve as the foundation capital of a French export bank whose organization is to be intrusted to a committee of 15 members, 8 nominated by the Chambers of Commerce of Paris, Lens, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Havre, and the rest by decree of the ministerial council. — [Welt- wirtschaftszeitung, Dec. 6, 1918.] American Committee for Devastated France. In order to assist in reorganizing remote war-torn regions, the women of the American Committee for Devastated France have in- stituted a modernized peddling system by means of which groceries and household necessities are distributed by autotrucks. — [Tribune, New York, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1918.] Agricultural Land Reforms. A law has been enacted which has for its object a redistribution of disintegrated rural properties so as to produce united estates on which agricultural operations will be more profitable. It provides that exchanges rendered necessary to the achievement of this are to be conducted by barter. The object is to give to each proprietor an area of land relatively equivalent either in extent or quality to the ground owned by him within boundaries of the land to be redis- tributed. Privileges, the mortgages, and other actual rights upon the real estate given in exchange are to be transferred absolutely to the property received in the exchange. All claims and complaints will be heard by a commission appointed under the law. — [L'Econo- miste Francaise, Dec. 7, 1918.] The Conversion of War Factories. The central committee of the employers union of vocational syndi- cates has called the attention of the minister of reconstruction to the following points concerning the conversion of war factories to the requirements of peace: Conversion can only be harmless as it is entirely provisional ; it should not compete with normal industry, but should assist them rather to increase their productive power during 42 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. the transitional period ; and the conversion of private war factories might disturb and injure existing establishments and particularly those of the liberated regions by reason of state favoritism accorded to such converted factories, and their competition in the manufacture of articles in which the existing establishments have long special- ized.— [Temps, Dec. 12, 1918.] Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. The Premier of France organized on November 17, 1917, under the title of ministry of blockade and of the liberated territories, the following four departments : 1. A department to take charge of the economic life in the liber- ated parts of France. It comprises services for — a. Provisioning of population through the local administration. ~b. Reestablishment of local authorities and schools. g. Relief work. d. Responsibility for such questions as the assessment of dam- ages wrought by the war and the indemnities to which the inhabitants are entitled. 2. A department to take care of the housing of the population. a. Supplies temporary wooden houses where homes, churches, and town halls are completely destroyed, to be replaced later by more substantial structures. b. Makes temporary repairs where houses are damaged but not destroyed. c. Supplies furniture to replace that taken by the Germans. d. Puts soil into fit condition for cultivation, removing shells, grenades, barbed wire, etc., also refilling trenches so that farmers may proceed with their work. 3. An office of agricultural reconstruction to restore to the liberated region all its prewar agricultural activity. a. Replaces cattle destroyed or taken away and farming imple- ments destroyed. h. Furnishes plants and seeds. 4. An office of industrial reconstitution comprising a central com- mittee of purchases composed of manufacturers from the liberated regions who are desirous of restoring to the devastated territories in the shortest possible time all prewar industrial activities. This com- mittee is subdivided into a number of important committees, almost every industry being represented, such as the spinning and weav- ing factories, breweries, coal-mining industry, electric power, etc. These committees are to submit a program of industrial reconstruc- tion and present their desideratum to the minister of liberated terri- tories through the office of industrial reconstitution. — [Article by Lieut. Maurice Boyer, in charge of reconstruction for the French High Commission in Washington; Times, Detroit, Mich., Dec. 12, 1918.] FRANCE. 43 Societe Mineraux et Metaux. _ At the suggestion of the French ministry of commerce, the societe mineraux et metaux, having as its aim the development m France ot mineral and metallurgical industries, has been organized to take a leading part in the purchase of metals in the United States.— [Wall Street'journal, New York, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1918.] Cooperation of Employees to Solve Food Problem. A report recently published in the Bulletin Economique Francaise refers to restaurants and stores maintained by cooperative societies and supported by employees of French munitions factories. By means of these societies there is secured a methodical organization and distribution of foodstuffs, thus frustrating the profiteering ol local tradesmen. It is expected that many of these organizations, called into existence during the war, will continue after its close.— [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 20, 1918, p. 1097.] Reconstituting Damaged Industries, Needs for. The United States commercial attache, at Paris, cabled that what France needs for reconstituting its damaged industries in the north and east are: Labor; credit; raw materials to keep French industries o-oing; such special equipment for iron and coal mines, steel works, textile mills, and other industrial establishments as France is not in position to make in sufficient quantity at this time; and ships.— [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 23. 1918, p. 1124.] Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. The office of industrial reconstitution of the invaded regions of the ministry of blockade and of the liberated regions, according to a decree of December 13, 1917, deals with everything relating to the reorganization of local life and means of habitation, the assistance to be given to sufferers in the reestablishment of destroyed property, the repair of war ravages, the restoration of the land, and industrial and agricultural reconstruction. Its function is to lay down pro- grams of purchases and to supervise and control their execution. An act of August 6, 1917, sanctions a credit of 250,000,000 francs and charges the ministry of commerce to purchase and institute the necessary materials for reconstruction purposes through the office of industrial reconstitution. It provides for the transfer of actual operations by agreement to a third party responsible to that office and subject to the audit of the ministry of finance. The central in- dustrial purchasing office for the invaded regions is the third party concerned. . . The central association for the resumption of industrial activity in the invaded regions (association central pour la reprise de l'ac- tivite industrielle dans les regions envahie) comprises a group of 44 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. manufacturers in the invaded districts with the object of " pursuing by every suitable means the reconstitution of plants and stocks in industrial enterprises and factories." Being prohibited by law from undertaking commercial operations, the association established a central industrial purchasing office for the invaded regions (comp- toir central d'achats industriels pour les regions envahies). The central industrial purchasing office for the invaded regions, established by the central association for the resumption of indus- trial activities in the invaded regions, is a limited company with a capital of 1,000,000 francs. Its functions are defined by act of August 6, 1917, and by agreement entered into with the French Government on October 4, 1917. The duties of the comptoir central are to submit data for purchasing programs to the industrial office; to find out and discuss purchases and supplies ; to place contracts, to supervise their execution ; and to receive and store the material and distribute it to the manufacturers concerned. Their purchases may be made either upon specific requests from the manufacturers or with the object of constituting stocks for distribution when required. Cessions of material, which are subject to a formal undertaking on the part of the recipient only to use the material for reconstruc- tion purposes, are made by the comptoir central on behalf of the ministry of blockade either against cash payment or by debiting their value to potential indemnities of war damages. — [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1918.] Demobilized Soldiers' Bonus. In addition to a provision for soldiers' families during periods of unemployment, sums ranging from 250 to 410 francs are being paid soldiers immediately upon demobilization. — [Post, Washing- ton, D. C, Dec. 27, 1918.] Franco-American Board of Commerce and Industry. The Franco-American Board of Commerce and Industry was formed December 26, 1918, by French officials and commercial rep- resentatives to develop American markets for French manufacturers. Headquarters where French goods will be exhibited are to be estab- lished in New York and branches will be established in France. — [Sun; Herald, New York, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1918; Wall Street Journal, Dec. 28, 1918.] Reconstruction of French Railway lines. A bill has been passed for the restoration of the railways to their prewar condition. The necessary rolling stock will be purchased by the State. Authority is given to the minister to guarantee extra bonuses for the staff on the main lines equal in amount to the bonuses paid to Government servants. The total expenditure has been fixed at 600,000,000 francs, 480,000,000 of which will go to pay the staff, FRANCE. 45 and 120,000,000 will be available for the reconstruction work. — [Journal des Debats, Jan. 2, 1919.] Housing Reforms. In order to bridge the gap between the indemnity and the value of destroyed homes, and to insure model planning from the stand- point of sanitation and beauty, a patriotic organization, le village reconstitute, is offering premiums to villages that will accept stand- ard plans drawn up by famous architects for the rebuilding of their villages. The town councils are free to choose their architects and contractors. — [Star-Eagle, Newark, N. J., Jan. 2, 1919.] Young Women's Christian Association Foyers. The food and recreation centers established by the Young Women's Christian Association in all large manufacturing centers during the war are to be continued, to help the French women in industry in the present industrial crisis. French women have asked that the withdrawal of the personnel of these centers may be gradual enough to permit the French to carry on the work without interruption. — [Living Church, Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 4, 1919.] Readaptation of Private Factories. The minister of finance has been authorized to bring in a bill for the readaptation of private factories which have been working for the national defense. These establishments will receive important orders for materials needed by the administration of the post office, telephones, telegraphs, for the reconstruction of the French mer- chant marine, and also orders for agricultural machinery. The former minister of armament will distribute orders among private factories for the manufacture of tools and other articles much needed in the country. The expense which it will be necessary for the country to assume in this connection amounts to some 2,000,000,000 francs ($400,000,000).— [Report of U. S. commercial attache, Nov. 27, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 49.] Ministry of Industrial Reconstruction. The important economic problems now before the country and the necessity for coordinating all efforts to secure the best possible transition between war and peace have rendered necessary the trans- formation of the ministry of armaments and munitions into a min- istry of industrial reconstruction, to assure the best economic utiliza- tion of the resources and of the industries which the war has de- veloped or created. The organization which, during the continua- tion of hostilities assured the construction of a considerable plant, the control of mines, the distribution of fuel, and of metallurgic manufactures of all sorts was first relieved of certain services which 46 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. would naturally return to the ministry of war from whence they were taken. All the other services pertaining to the ministry of armaments and munitions remained with the ministry of industrial reconstruction. In utilizing these organizations its principal duties are: 1. To assure by every means and in conjunction with the minis- tries interested, the development of industrial production of all kinds according to available labor and raw material and according to the needs of the Republic. 2. To distribute among French industries the orders given by the different ministers in agreement with those ministries. During the war the ministry of armaments has directed the dis- tribution of all products utilized in metallurgic or chemical indus- tries. He will retain control of all products which require to be dis- tributed, this control to disappear progressively with the return of economic equilibrium. The minister of this new department will assist in the preparation of projects relating to the increase of national production. A program has been elaborated with the object of adapting munitions factories to peace industries. Thus a vast arsenal will be devoted to the rebuilding of old and the construc- tion of new railway material; explosive factories will manufacture chemical fertilizers ; and shops which have been working in wood for aviation will manufacture windows, doors, and other parts for building construction, etc. — [L'Economiste Francaise, Nov. 30, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 49.] Reconstructing the Devastated Region. In a report submitted by the American commercial attache in Paris, an account is given of a visit to the devastated regions of northern France, and attention is called to the problems facing the French people and the part which America can take in the reconstruc- tion of these areas. The problem, as seen by him, is one of social engineering in the solution of which great weight must be given to the local tastes, prejudices, laws, and. needs in each area. The organization and execution of the work of reconstructing is a task which must largely fall upon the French people. America will have to supply French factories with raw materials that France does not produce and to fill in certain gaps which at present exist in French industries. In anticipation of the part to be taken by Amer- ica, it is recommended that facts be gathered bearing on the French problem and that an effective export selling organization be created to respond to the call that France will ultimately make upon our cooperation. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 15, 1919, p. 209.] FKANCE. 47 Economic Organization. The commission appointed to inquire into the economic organiza- tion of France has submitted its report to the Government. The most important points are : Credit: French capital must be prevented from leaving the coun- try. It should be used for the development of French industry and agriculture. Export trade: A department for establishing a long-dated credit for export trade and for acquiring information essential for export- ers should be established. Consuls should be experts in economic questions. Transport : Railway rolling stock must be increased, and modern loading machinery purchased. A revision of freight rates is neces- sary. Inland waterways must be improved and connected more sat- isfactorily with the railways. The maritime transport service must be developed. Customs : The tariffs must be revised. Foreign propaganda : It is essential to carry on an active propa- ganda in foreign countries to make France and her products better known. — [Temps, Jan. 16, 1919.] Loans for Agricultural Workers. The general council of the Loire department voted a sum of 600,- 000 frances ($115,800) to be issued for the purpose of encouraging agricultural enterprises and the repopulation of the farming dis- tricts. A minimum of 8 to 10 hectares (about 20 to 25 acres) may be alloted to each agriculturist not over 30 years of age, if not mobilized, and not over 35 years of age, if mobilized, who will promise to re- main 10 years at the head of his farm. A fixed premium of 1,000 francs ($193) worth of farming implements, ($96.50) worth of agricultural implements for each 10 hectares (about 25 acres), or a total up to 2,000 frances ($386) is granted, to be refunded within 15 years. If children are born after taking possession of the farm, parts of this loan are canceled according to the number of children. — [Eeport of U. S. consul at St. Etienne, Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 18, 1919, p. 32.] Suspension of French Iron and Steel Consortium. The French ministry of industrial reconstruction had announced that the control of the iron and steel consortium over imports was withdrawn from January 2, 1919, and the stocks on hand are being liquidated. The consortium will continue to exist solely for the liquidation of stocks of iron and steel now held in various parts of France. — [Cablegram from the clerk to the U. S. commercial at- tache at Paris, Jan. 16, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 353.] 48 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Agricultural Machinery Needed. The agricultural machinery needed by France, according to the head of the American Eed Cross reconstruction work in Paris, is of the fol- lowing variety: 81,000 plows, 56,000 cultivators, 30,000 mowing ma- chines, 115,000 farm wagons, 88,000 harrows, 50,000 rollers, 48,000 hoes, 36,000 seed drills, 13,000 fertilizers, 16,000 belt extractors, 21,000 winnowing machines, 18,000 horse-drawn rakes, 32,000 reapers and binders, and 53,000 root cutters, besides other farm implements. There are now no horses in the devastated portions of France. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S'. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 363.] Export Prohibition. The French minister of blockade has decided upon the revision of the list of prohibited exports, which is in contemplation, all goods covered by a direct bill of lading to their port of destination, made out at the port of shipment, may be reexported from France with- out special authorization, after transit through or transshipment in that country, to all Allied countries and to neutral countries other than those in the neighborhood of Germany. This facility is also extended to the northern neutrals, so far as concerns goods which may be exported to those countries without the formality of a guar- antee certificate. — [Annales des Douanes, Jan. 15, 1919; British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p; 116.] Disposal of War Stores. The French minister of finance has set up a special office (office de liquidation des stocks) responsible for the disposal and sale of stocks of miscellaneous war stores, animals, materials, and goods of all sorts, surplus to the requirements of Government departments; including those handed over by Allied Armies for disposal, and also stocks abandoned by the enemy. The various State departments are re- quired to notify this office, of stocks available, and it will provide for their storage, transport, and sale. — [British Board, of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 102.] Reorganization of Ports. The inadequate equipment and organization of the chief seaports of France have during the war occasioned great wastage of foodstuffs and other imported goods, and merchant shipping has been held up in overcrowded ports at a time when the full utilization of all tonnage was of the utmost importance. The conference of port and dock workers, in trying to introduce reforms, has pointed out that the first requisite for reorganization is that the working machinery of the harbors should be nationalized instead of remaining the property of private firms; that electric cranes should be provided to permit of extra speed in loading and unloading; that new gangways must be constructed in order that large ships may draw up alongside more FRANCE. 49 quickly ; and that capacious warehouses must be built for perishable merchandise. The conference further emphasizes the necessity for the solution of general transport problems, such as the development of railways and canals.— [Europe Nouvelle, Jan. 25, 1919.] Rebuilding Devastated Areas. The office of agricultural reconstruction of the ministry of blockade and of the liberated regions has been voted a credit of $60,000,000 and a revolving fund of $20,000,000 for its work; and the office of indus- trial reconstruction of the same ministry, a credit of $50,000,000 and a revolving fund of $20,000,000. It is expected that the Chamber of Deputies will pass a bill granting full payment for every kind of damage, including any extra expenses caused by the increased cost of Hying, materials, and labor. In the meantime, advances in cash or in kind up to 90 per cent of the appraised property damage are being made to people who wish to reestablish their property without delay. A law has been put into effect providing that the State could requisition the piled-up ruins of buildings to work over for new buildings. A furniture indemnity law will also be passed which provides for paying damages for furniture loss up to $2,000, and a decree has been issued which allows the individual who has suffered loss of furniture to buy his own furniture with an advance, which will be made to him by the State, of a sum not exceeding $200 for the head of the family and $40 for each other member of the family. If the person prefers, the State will provide him with the furniture out of the stock which it is accumulating.— [Geo. B. Ford, in Engi- neering News-Record, New York, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1919, pp. 218-226.] Forestry Scheme Planned by Norwegians. A forestry party of about 50 Norwegians fully equipped with trees, tools, tents, and stores is to be sent from Norway to assist in the restoration of the devastated parts of France by planting a belt of Norwegian forest trees. It is intended to begin operations this spring. The tentative zone for planting the belt of trees is from the Ardennes toward the Belgian frontier behind Arras, where there formerly was fine forest; but action will be taken in accordance with the desires of the French.— [Canada Lumbermen, Toronto, Canada, Feb. 1, 1919; Commerce Reports, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 621.] Mercantile Marine. Maurice Loir, founder of the Ligne maritime francaise in 1898, has published a pamphlet of 60 pages, wherein he pleads for the maintenance and increase of the French Navy and mercantile marine. The four years of war, he says, have shown how much France de- pends upon her shipping, and it is imperative, for future prosperity, to have an adequate mercantile marine, first-rate commercial ports, 115488—19 4 50 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. and a first-class navy. In the four years 1913-1918, France paid about 11,000,000,000 francs to foreign shipowners. — [Le Petit Mar- seillais, Feb. 5, 1919.] Restoration of Forests. An important part of the great work of reconstructing the de- vastated sections of France will be the restoration of forests. Neces- sarily this will be slow and tedious, and help will be asked from the outside. A plan now in contemplation involves the planting of 250 acres annually for five years by Norway, which has a superabundance of trees.— [Times, Troy, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1919.] Summary of Damage of France in the War. A hasty investigation since the signing of the armistice shows the total destruction in France of something like 500,000 buildings dam- aged and at least 250,000 buildings completely destroyed. This de- struction of buildings is estimated at $6,000,000,000 by the Govern- ment engineers. The total cost of repairing and replacing the used or destroyed public works is estimated at about $2,000,000,000. The Nord railroad alone has lost 1,731 bridges and 338 stations. It is estimated that 250,000 acres are rendered uncultivable by the war. The total damage in the north of France, including buildings, agri- culture, industry, furniture, and public works, is estimated at about $13,000,000,000. These were the figures reported for the committee on budget in the Chamber of Deputies, December, 1918. — [Article in New York Times by George B. Ford, Eesearch Department, Ameri- can Red Cross in France; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 629.] Reoccupation of Devastated Land. The French Parliament passed a law during the war whereby abandoned farms which from lack of labor and cultivation are un- productive can be reoccupied by refugees who would bring the soil back to productivity. For their efforts they will be allowed by their Government $75 an acre. The American Committee for De- vastated France took over two large farms whereon it established many refugee families and gave them shelter and occupation in culti- vating the neglected areas. It applied to the French Government for an allowance under this law and received $30,000. This action has set a precedent which will be of inestimable value to all farmers in France. — [American, Baltimore, Md., Feb. 16, 1919.] French Telephone Service Resumed. Telephone communication between the various departments of France, which has been suspended since the beginning of hostilities, was resumed February 16. Only the narrow zones bordering the Swiss and Spanish frontiers are excepted. — [Tribune, New York, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1919.] FRANCE. 51 Materials for Reconstruction. In its work of reconstruction of the devastated districts, there will be a need of millions of dollars worth of materials, steel, machinery, and agricultural implements, and America is the one ration in a favorable position to bid for this gigantic market. It is believed that the import bars which have been up since the armistice went into effect will be removed. — [American, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] Financing War Debt. As part of his financial policy, the minister of finance announced the institution of a tax on capital spreading over a number of years, making evasion impossible ; continued appeal to the public for credit at reduced interest rate, minimum taxes, etc. ; and possible request for an interallied loan. — [Star, Washington, D. C., Feb. 19, 1919.] Reconstruction in the liberated Regions. The ministry of finance presented to the Chamber of Deputies "pro- visional credits for exceptional military and civil expenditures for the second quarter of 1919. Among other items, the bill calls for an expenditure of 62,000,000 francs for reconstruction of industries and 1,256,000,000 francs for the needs of the liberated regions. — [Times, New York, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1919.] Dutch Government to Help in Reconstruction. The Dutch Government sent a commission to Paris, which will study the requirements of the liberated territories and the measures suitable for Holland to take in order to assist in the work of re- construction there. The preliminary interviews with the French authorities have shown that Holland's assistance will be most useful in the matter of supplying building materials, agricultural machin- ery, and live stock. Her help will also be welcome in other direc- tions, such as the rebuilding of houses and factories, for supplying dredges, tugs, lighters, barges, and engines, as well as technical engineers, labor, and public works contractors. The commission has returned to Holland to submit its report to the Government. — [Echo de Paris, Feb. 21, 1919.] Reconstruction. The American commercial attache at Paris has stated that France will ask but very little in the way of commercial aid from the United States ; that certain raw materials may be needed and France is apt to find that she can not get along without a variety of American man- ufactured goods, but for the present American business men will only be wasting their efforts by attempting to gain a hold on the French reconstruction markets. He further said that during the war the French munition factories rapidly absorbed all refugees from the in- vaded districts, while every eligible man was thrust into the army. Now, however, there is no longer any need for extensive armament, 52 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. no longer any need for a large army, and the French Government has a tremendous problem of unemployment to settle, and it claims the privilege of settling it by doing its own reconstruction. — [Record, Boston, Mass., Feb. 21, 1919.] All through the war the French Senate has had a commission studying the economic organization of the country for the purpose of understanding clearly the situation after the war. Taken in order, the following points sum up what the most responsible representa- tives of French business deem necessary now: 1. France needs all her own capital to develop her own and her colonies industry, trade, and agriculture; 2, the French manufacturers and merchants must organize for the purpose of exportation, " with the aid of the State, if need be," and develop exact and practical business information for the benefit of exporters, using particularly the consular service for this purpose; 3, the 930,000 tons of French shipping destroyed by the enemy must be restored, keel for keel and ton for ton, from German and Austro-Hungarian ships, France to buy at once 1,000,000 tons shipping from England and 1,000,000 tons from the United States, and American shipyards to be opened to French shipbuilders for the construction of 2,000,000 tons of freight steamers which will be authorized to fly the French flag; 4, a customs revision among the Allies is recommended, and even the establishment in France of free ports and free zones ; and, 5, for the Peace Treaty it is recommended that the freedom of the Rhine, which even Switzerland needs, be guaranteed and the interests of Alsace-Lorraine in mines and Strasburg as a port be provided for, with the settlement of all ques- tions of raw materials until Germany no longer has that advantage over France which she has gained by her destruction in war. — [Post, New York, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1919.] Reconstruction of Devastated Areas. The United States War Finance Corporation has stated that esti- mates of the French High Commission indicated that France would need $414,000,000 in materials from the United States early this year for reconstruction. This includes food, cotton, gasoline, and petrol, window glass, locomotives, railway cars, and agricultural imple- ments. The United States War Finance Corporation proposes to extend credits to exporters based on orders for these materials from the French Government or responsible French commercial inter- ests.— [Record, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 23, 1919.] labor Platform. The general federation of labor has requested Premier Clemenceau to create a national economic council including representatives of labor organizations, and having as its objectives the improvement of economic conditions of the country and the coordination of the coun- try's resources and genius. — [World, New York, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1919.] PRANCE. 53 Treatment of Consumptives. The chief of the health service has put before the French Chamber of Deputies a proposed law for the treatment and care of tubercu- losis. He stated that France has cared for 55,000 tubercular soldiers during the war and that there are to-day at least 500,000 cases of con- sumption in France, which is a serious figure in a country which r even before the war, was beset by the problem of depopulation. Ther proposed law provides for dispensaries and hospital care wherever necessary, and for pensions to families when the wage worker is in a hospital. The estimated cost is an initial expenditure of 84,000,000 francs and 100,000,000 francs more are to be expended annually. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y. 5 Mar. 1, 1919, p. 803.] Reconstruction of Transportation Facilities. The minister of public works, in a report to President Poincare y said that 900,000,000 francs should be expended for the construction of new main railroad lines, 875,000,000 francs for the construction of local railway lines, 350,000,000 francs for the reconstruction of waterways, 200,000,000 francs for building and rebuilding roads, and 600,000,000 francs for the reconstruction and improvement of maritime ports. — [American, Baltimore, Md., Mar. 24, 1919.] Air Traffic. The interministerial commission of civil aeronautics has submitted to the French ministry of war a report which comprises a " Project of international convention regarding air navigation," and proposes to forbid the carrying of cameras, war appliances, or ammunition on airships without special authorization, and to allow the contract- ing Governments to forbid private individuals of any nationality to fly over certain specified zones of their territory. Provision is made for the classification and registering of all airships, whether planes, balloons, or dirigibles, the lists to be exchanged between the contracting Governments. It is also proposed to standardize the conditions under which navigation licenses will be granted machines and to pilots. Various annexes to the report offer provisions for the standardization of lights on airships and for route and driving regulations, and suggest a number of distress signals which it is proposed to offer as a basis for an international code. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 1, 1919, p. 15.] Financial Aid for Restoring Devastated Provinces. A few days after the entry of the French troops into Alsace a committee was formed to raise money to assist in restoring the devastated northern Provinces of France. The committee has for- warded 1,000,000 francs to President Poincare as a testimony of the gratitude of Alsace to France. — [Standard, Cortland. N. Y., Apr. 1, 1919.] 54 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Reconstruction of Devastated Areas. The Department- of the Somme is beginning to clean up the fields and lodge the laborers as near as possible to their property, so that when the war damages have been paid actual building can be imme- diately started. In each commune a new plan has been elaborated. The plan of the village is first drawn up, then the ruins are cleared away according to a recent law. The State pays for this, and each man is advised of the operation when the turn of his house comes, so that he can watch the operation, for many people have hidden valuables on the premises or hope to find some valued souvenir of their former home. Attempts are being made to get all the inhab- itants of each commune to put their money into a common fund, and maintain one building yard for each town. — [Sun, Baltimore, Md., Apr. 13, 1919.] GERMAN-AUSTRIA. Public Welfare. The sphere of activities of the ministry for the social welfare (ministerium fiir soziale fursorge) in Austria is to be divided into five main departments : The care of the young ; the care of those dis- abled and those bereaved by the war ; national insurance ; industrial legislation and the protection of the workmen; housing. The main object of the new ministry is the express care of the public welfare in general as well as the improvement of the condition of the laboring and less wealthy classes. Its policy will be to foster " a constant harmonious cooperation of Government administration with autono- mous bodies, and with directorates of charitable societies." — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 1, 1917.] Relief of Unemployed During Transition Period. The German-Austrian secretary of state for social welfare has issued instructions for the formation of industrial district commis- sions to deal with the question of unemployment and its consequences during the transition period. They will be appointed by him, and are to consist of a chairman, vice chairman, and four to eight members, of whom half will represent employers and the other half the workers. They appoint from their number subcommittees for individual branches of industry and, if necessary, for particular trades in which employers and workpeople are to be equally represented. A central industrial commission will be formed at the social welfare office to determine general measures to be adopted for the relief of the unemployed, and will work through the agency of the existing central labor exchange. The expenses of these commissions will be borne by the State. Any employer who proposes to dismiss more than 20 workers in the course of a week will have to inform the local industrial commissiop. of the number and date of dismissals GERMANY. 55 and the wages of those dismissed, under penalty of a fine not exceed- ing 2,000 marks. Arbitration officers have also been appointed. — [Neue Freie Presse, Nov. 5, 1918.] Organization for Demobilization. To deal with the question of demobilization in German-Austria the national council has appointed an industrial commission repre- sentative of employers and employees, which will be extended to in- clude mercantile and technical elements. Six hundred thousand mu- nition workers have to be cared for ; and the commission has already prepared schemes arriving at securing food for the workers, abolish- ing compulsion in war work, reviving peace-time production, and preventing immediate dismissals by arranging the date and order of closing down of munition works. Some relief is to be effected by sending off workers of foreign nationalities to their own States. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 7, 1918.] Provision for the Unemployed. The national council has empowered the secretary of state to carry through a scheme for the maintenance of the unemployed. All work- ers subject to sickness-insurance obligations, and belonging to Ger- man-Austria, receive from November 18, 1918, to February 15, 1919, for every day of certified unemployment an allowance to the amount of the daily sick pay, in most cases 4 to 6 krone, in addition to a daily bonus of 1 krone for every member of the family, wife, or child under 14 years of age who does not receive any public relief. Men of foreign nationality, who were previously employed in Ger- man-Austrian works, receive such allowance only if their own coun- try acts reciprocally. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 29, 1918.] Measures to Combat Unemployment. The German-Austrian cabinet council has been occupied with various measures intended to combat unemployment. In order to facilitate the financial management of business concerns it is in- tended to establish a loan office for the transition period in order to advance money on future production by issuing bonds. More- over, an announcement is to be made that the full utilization of the water power in the country, and the supply of electricity, is to be entrusted to an electricity office. The various offices of the State are to consult together with regard to public works, agriculture, com- munications, and trade. The daily increase of unemployment neces- sitates the acceleration of these labors. — [Neue Freie Presse, Dec. 15, 1918.] GERMANY. Scheme of Legislation of Social Democratic Party. The executive of the social democratic party submitted to the annual conference of the party held at "Wurtzburg a scheme of social 56 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. legislation after the war. The following topics are covered in the scheme : 1. Protection of labor. a. General. b. Protection of health. c. Daily working hours. d. Night work. e. Sunday rest. /. Protection of female workers. g. Protection of children and juveniles. h. Protection of home workers. i. Industrial inspection. 2. Workmen's insurance. 3. Public health. 4. The right to strike. 5. Reform of the labor law. 6. Eepresentation of workers' interests. 7. Arbitration offices. 8. Employment exchanges and care of the unemployed. 9. Poor law. 10. Care of juveniles. 11. Housing. 12. Imperial office for social legislation. 13. Measures on behalf of ex-soldiers, including the disabled. [Bremer Burgerzeitung, Oct. 19, 1917.] Transition Economy, Imperial Commission for. The imperial commission for transition economy is composed of the imperial commissioner and nine colleagues, of whom one is the deputy of the imperial commissioner, and the remainder are dis- tinguished representatives of agriculture, industry, commerce, and shipping, nominated by the imperial chancellor. Each of the nine is head of a department. For each one of them a general repre- sentative has been appointed, who is permanently engaged in the imperial commission. The organization is as follows : The imperial commissioner for transition economy ; his deputy. Dept. 1. Finance. Dept. 2. Organization for transportation. Dept. 3. Iron ores, manganese ores, slag, chrome, wolfram and molybdenum ores, timber, paper, stone. Dept. 4. Lead, antimony, zinc, tin, nickel, cobalt, copper, and their corresponding ores, china, clay, graphite, machinery. Dept. 5. Textiles. Dept. 6. Cereals, barley, maize, bran, and other albuminous feeding- stuffs, meat, live cattle. Dept. 7. Seaborne imports. GEEMANY. 57 Dept, 8. Overland imports, import restriction, coal and other min- eral fuels, phosphates with the exception of phosphates and pyrites to be found in Asia Minor. Dept. 9. General organization of transition economy, regulations re- garding the amount and sequence of meeting require- ments, prior purchases. Special Dept. a. General matters relating to administration, finance, personnel. Special Dept. &. Statistics. The imperial commission has established expert committees and subcommittees for the various groups of commodities. Some of the above departments have subdepartments. [Norddeutsche Allge- meine Zeitung, February, 1918.] Housing, Provision for. The Reichstag has accepted the proposals laid before it by the committee for housing. This provides that the imperial economy office, as the central office for transition economy, is to undertake the direction of a systematic scheme for providing houses after the war. It provides 500,000,000 marks from the imperial exchequer for mak- ing grants and loans on reasonable terms as well as for forming a guarantee fund. The insurance offices, cooperative trade societies, and public savings banks are to invest all available sums as far as possible in loans on small buildings at a moderate rate of interest. Numerous other provisions are made to encourage construction of housing accommodations. — [Frankfurter Zeitung, May 12, 1918.] Discharged Soldiers' Welfare. On June 1, a reorganization of military welfare work was initi- ated by the establishment of special maintenance offices in all army corps districts. These offices are to look after the maintenance of and provisions for discharged soldiers of the lower ranks, and their dependents, as prescribed by law ; vocational advice and measures, in connection with the return to civilian occupations of officers and men ; proposals for special courses of treatment for invalids, as well as pensions for dependents. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerkschaften, June 29, 1918.] Textile Trade after the War. The Bundesrat on June 27, 1918, issued a decree prescribing the economic measures to be taken for the transition period in the tex- tile industry. It establishes an imperial office for textile economy, subordinate to the imperial chancellor, and separate imperial eco- nomic suboffices for cotton, wool, silk, artificial spinning materials, waste stuffs, flax, hemp, jute, hard fibers, and substitute fibers. The purpose of this organization is to remedy the grievances of the tex- 58 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. tile manufacturers during the transition from war to peace econ- omy. — [Reichsanzeiger, July 1, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Company for Training and Giving Employment to. In Baden, early in 1917, a company was formed for the purpose of starting special centers and industries for the purpose of providing training and employment for disabled men. Most of the capital re- quired was subscribed by Baden manufacturers. The company's plan is to carry On industries of its own which will serve not only as train- ing centers but as industrial concerns in which men, who are not likely to hold their own in the ordinary labor market, can be em- ployed permanently according to their capacity. The establishments acquired by the company include a sawmill, a machinery construc- tion and repair business, a jewelry factory, and wood-working estab- lishments. — [Concordia, July 15, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Reinstatement in Municipal Service. The German Municipal Association instituted an inquiry the be- ginning of this year 1 as to the reinstatement by municipal authorities of employees who have been disabled in the war. It was found that all municipal authorities are agreed that their disabled employees must be given suitable reemployment and that they must be treated sympathetically, many having passed resolutions declaring rein- statement to be their duty. Some municipalities, however, have re- served the right to impose considerable limitations. — [Kommunale Praxis, August, 1918.] Housing Administration during Transition Period. An imperial commissariat for housing has been appointed in the imperial economic office for the special duty of administration in the housing domain during the transition period. The following duties were assigned to him : 1. Distribution of available military and naval stocks of building materials of the army and navy, which can be dispensed with. 2. Encouragement of the production of building materials. 3. Control of the sale of building materials. 4. Grant of building subsidies from funds to be supplied by the imperial commissariat. The imperial commissariat represents the state secretary of the imperial economic office in carrying out the above duties on his own responsibility. A committee will be appointed to which fundamental questions will be referred. — [Berliner Tageblatt, Sept. 3, 1918.] Transition Economy. The imperial economy office has prepared regulations for three departments of transition economy : " Colonial goods," textile indus- tries, and navigation. — [Oesterreichisher Volkswirt, Sept. 7, 1918.] GERMANY. 59 Unemployment Relief in Transition Period. The Frankfort town council has approved a scheme for unem- ployment relief in the transition period. Unemployment relief is to be given, within fixed limits, to persons who have not been inde- pendent but earning full-time wages, and who, in consequence of lack of employment, require relief. Such persons are : 1. Males over 16 who have lived for at least 26 weeks in Frank- fort, or who lived in Frankfort up to August 1, 1914, and were not in merely temporary employment. 2. Females over 16 who live alone or manage the household, or are the breadwinners of husband, parents, grandparents, or brothers and sisters, or who before the war were full-time wage earners, pro- vided that they have lived in Frankfort for 26 weeks and have not merely come to the city to work in war industries. A schedule of rates of relief has been adopted. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Sept. 7, 1918.] Peace Economy Committee. In Hamburg a committee for the reconstruction of peace economy has been formed and is actively supported by the leading figures in the commercial world of Hamburg. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Sept. 8, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Fund for the Relief of. An appeal for contributions to the "Ludendorf fund" was launched in May, 1918, and was indorsed by the highest officials of the Empire. The purpose of the fund is not to relieve the State of the duty of providing pensions, but to give relief in cases where the law, on account of its rigidity, could not make sufficient provision. Many sick and internally injured soldiers were discharged without pensions, and are, therefore, dependent on voluntary aid. In carry- ing out the plans for vocational training, finding employment, pro- viding homesteads, etc., funds over and above the State grants are indispensable. — [Soziale Praxis, October, 1918.] Blinded Soldiers, Care of. The pensions and allowances for blinded soldiers vary according to rank, the total amount per year for a private being 1,368 marks. Several private funds have been created for the benefit of blinded soldiers. There are two official committees which deal solely with the welfare of the blind, the imperial committee for the care of blinded soldiers, and a committee appointed by the ministry of trade and of public instruction. The first named keeps in touch with all provincial or- ganizations and institutions for blinded soldiers, and the other investigates the possibility of employing the blind in factories. The men themselves have organized a " German League of Blinded Soldiers." 60 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. The best methods of training the blind are being investigated. The various institutions for the blind in existence before the war have undertaken the training of blinded men, and a few institutions ex- pressly for service men have been established. The decision of a committee set up by the ministries of trade and of public instruction seems to be that it is quite practicable to give blinded men work in paper, incandescent lamp, chocolate, button, box, tobacco, pen, and tool factories. They find that many manufacturers are willing to employ them, and that the risk of accident will be quite small if proper protective measures are taken. — [Soziale Praxis, October, 1918.] Labor Department Created. By an imperial decree dated October 4, 1918, matters relating to social policy, administered hitherto by the imperial economy office, are to be within the province of a special central authority under the direct control of the imperial chancellor, entitled the imperial labor department. — [Der Welthandel, Oct. 12, 1918.] Commercial Policies after the War. On the invitation of a committee representing the large commercial and shipping interests in Hamburg, members of the German Gov- ernment and Eeichstag visited Hamburg on June 15 and 16 to dis- cuss the main features of German commercial policies after the war. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 19, 1918, p. 266.] Disabled Soldiers, Railway Concessions for. German railway authorities have decided to exempt disabled sol- diers, when traveling on journeys undertaken for the purpose of obtaining treatment, training, or employment, from the 100 per cent increase on express-train fares. — [Hamburgischer Correspondent, Oct. 19, 1918.] Reconstruction Scheme of Trade-Unions. A reconstruction scheme has been drawn up by the various German trade-unions and associations of shop assistants and clerks, and pre- sented on June 30, 1917, in the form of a petition to the Bundesrat and the Reichstag. The demands contained therein are ranged under seven heads: General economic measures, food, supply employment exchange, discharge of soldiers and men of auxiliary service, protec- tion of labor, protection of soldiers and their dependents, housing. — [Correspondenzblatt der Generalcommission der Gewerkschaften Deutschlands, Oct. 20, 1918.] Discharged Soldiers, Clothing for. The national clothing office has published arrangements for pro- viding needy discharged soldiers with clothes, some of them made out GERMANY. 61 of military uniforms. Applicants for the clothes must show that they are unable to buy them in the open market at prevailing prices. Some of the clothing will be given away free to the poorest and others will receive a grant of 10.14 marks toward payment. The treasury has granted 21,000,000 marks for this purpose. In addition the mu- nicipalities must allot to discharged soldiers one-third of the worn clothing they have collected. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. Oct. 21, 1918.] Demobilization and Placement. The "Neue Borzenberichte " addressed a circular to a number of joint-stock companies with a view to ascertaining the opinions of their directors as to industrial prospects in the event of peace. The replies received differed considerably, but nearly all were agreed that while the first months of the transition period would be accom- panied by certain inconveniences, as a general rule there would be no lack of opportunities for employment. — [Der Welthandel, Oct. 26, 1918.] Demobilization of labor, Commission for. In the Reichstag committee for industry and commerce it was an- nounced that a commission had been convened for the demobilization of labor.— [Kolnische Zeitung, Oct. 28, 1918.] Employment for the Demobilized. The union of employers' associations has declared its readiness to support the Government measures for demobilization to its utmost capacity by taking back, as far as possible, all men previously in their employ. It is expected that the Government will supply the raw material necessary to restart factories, and that Government contracts will be extended and fairly distributed in the interests of the working population. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Oct. 28, 1918.] Employers' Socio-Political Program. German employers' organizations are taking every opportunity to bring before the public, by means of the press, pamphlets, and speeches, their own special point of view on every economic and socio-political question. The argument is skillfully adduced how nobly German industry and private enterprise have worked together in the war and how fervently desired is the abolition of all State control. Their understanding of " social policy " is " the laying- down of principles for a suitable standard of living by statute and practice, as well as the encouragement of the individual in his work and his capacity for doing it, and the raising of the status of the worker generally by strengthening and enlarging his responsibilities." A wage policy is defined as being sound " when it combines the possi- bility of a competent livelihood for the workers with that of increased prosperity of the undertaking." To grant wages beyond the scale of 62 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. moderate pretensions would be " to change the undertaking into a charitable institution " and permanently injure the whole business. The organizations state that wages should be profitably and suit- ably expended on housing and domestic requirements; that em- ployers of labor should cooperate with the communities and the State in this object; and that they will gladly promote the physical and mental development of employees and give advice as to the choice of trade, apprenticeships, and vocational training. The frequently advocated insurance against unemployment is dep- recated — unemployed should be given work, not pensions. The right of organization for all employees and employers is maintained. It is advocated that the employer must not be restricted by statute in his choice of employees and in his power of discharging them. This applies to the engagement of disabled soldiers, in which matter the employer must be left complete freedom of action. In public contracts the employer is to have the benefit of the strike clause, and no compulsion is to be applied to employers who consider collective wage agreements injurious to their establishments or industry. — [Soziale Praxis, Aug. 22, 1918 ; Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, November, 1918, pp. 70, 71, 72.] Transition Organization. An imperial commission for transition from a state of war to a state of peace was organized in August, 1916. An advisory council, now numbering 398 members, was appointed to assist the commission in financial, commercial, and industrial problems. In October, 1917 r Germany created an imperial ministry for national economics. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 5, Nov. 5, 1918, p. 7.] Offers for the Sale of Army Material. The imperial chancellor has announced that in order to provide for the utilization of material belonging to the army and navy and im- perial authorities to be set free at demobilization, a utilization office is being established. Its main duties will be to take over all available and realizable property of the army and navy and imperial authori- ties; to establish or reform as far as may be necessary all existing organizations for the realization of property; to distribute in ac- cordance with a fixed scale all property which is not to be realized by the central organizations; to determine the principles which are to guide the fixing of prices and their supervision; and to exercise general supervision over the issuing of property of this kind belong- ing to the army, navy, or imperial authorities. — [Weser Zeitung, Nov. 7, 1918.] Housing, Grants for. The Bundesrat, on October 31, 1918, prepared the regulations gov- erning the grants towards building expenses supplied from imperial GERMANY. 63 funds and fixed the first instalment at 100,000,000 marks. The ac- ceptance of this proposal by the Reichstag is a matter of course. These measures hold good only for the war and the transition period, as long as there is no encouragement to private persons to build and there is a pressing demand for housing. The Empire provides half the grants ; the other half is borne in common by the Federal States, the communities, and, in certain circumstances, by the employers. The grants will only be made to districts in which there is great need for moderate-sized dwellings. They may be given to private specu- lators direct, provided that they comply with certain regulations and accept the responsibility of seeing that the plot of ground for a period of 10 years is used only for building purposes ; that the rent with all subsidiary payments is fixed with the approval of the community; and that the needs of large families and of the families of ex-soldiers are specially to be considered.- — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 7, 1918.] Demobilization Organization. A supreme imperial office, with the title " Imperial Office for Economic Demobilization," has been established, and the imperial chancellor has nominated a State commissary for demobilization who will issue all necessary regulations for the Empire and the Federal States in order to maintain economic life during the transition period. The imperial office for economic demobilization will take in hand all matters connected with demobilization, get into touch with all central provincial and local authorities, and take measures in conjunction with them or will act independently. The State commissary has appointed demobilization commissaries in the States and Provinces. These will form district and local commit- tees. The duties of the commissaries and committees will be to maintain the economic life, and to find employment for ex-soldiers and discharged munition workers. Farmers and manufacturers are obliged to take back those workers who were in their employ prior to the war whenever conditions permit. In order to employ as much labor as possible, working hours are to be reduced to a minimum of six hours per day. In weaving mills no operative is to be em- ployed on more than one loom. For the present, raw materials will continue to be controlled by the existing war organizations, but facilities are being arranged. A living wage will be enforced. Where absolutely no work is to be found the authorities are to furnish emergency work for which the Government will furnish the money. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 14, 1918; Kol- nische Zeitung, Nov. 15, 1918.] No Confiscation or Repudiation. The National Government has issued a proclamation declaring that it does not propose to confiscate bank and savings-bank deposits 64 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. or stocks of money, whether cash, bank notes, or securities of any description; that it does not intend to declare subscriptions to the ninth or to any of the war loans to be invalid, nor to interfere with their legal validity. Provisions for allowances, pensions, and other legal claims of official employees, officers, and soldiers, the war disabled, and widows and orphans of these persons will remain in force without any modification. A similar proclamation has been made by the Bavarian Government. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zei- tung, Nov. 13, 1918 ; Kolnische Zeitung, Nov. 16, 1918.] Solution of Housing Problem in Bavaria and Baden. The town of Ludwigshafen has acquired 250,000 square meters of land adjacent to the 200,000 square meters presented by a large manu- facturer, and proposes to divide it into some 400 building plots for the benefit of returning soldiers. The town of Ingolstadt contem- plates leasing certain town property for the same purpose. Fre- quently, the method adopted by the municipality has been that of facilitating the work of building societies by the provision of cheap capital and suitable land, and the introduction of efficient building regulations. The founding of a Bavarian building bank is also con- templated. — [Kommunale Praxis, Nov. 16, 1918.] Foreign Trade, Measures for Extension of. Steps have been taken to promote foreign trade by private asso- ciations, exhibitions abroad, and educational activities; and to cre- ate a foreign bureau (auslandsamt) to deal with foreign questions other than political. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 19, 1918, p. 675.] Gradual Demobilization of the Army. A demobilization army order has been issued providing as fol- lows: As demobilization can not be carried out all at once, and in the interests of railway traffic, discharges will take place by instalments. Such duties as preserving public security and order, and guarding prisoners and the frontiers, must be maintained ; likewise, the carry- ing out of the demobilization program must be guaranteed. Men necessary for these duties, otherwise entitled to release, will be retained for this service at the discretion of their respective unit commanders. Inactive officers and those of the reserve of military age are to be released on similar lines, older categories in accordance with their own personal wishes. Officers, noncommissioned officers, and men who belong to Alsace- Lorraine and do not wish to remain in the service are to be released as quickly as transport means permit. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Nov. 21, 1918.] GERMANY. 65 Social Measures of the New Regime. On November 12 the people's council published a proclamation as- serting that the Government, which has emerged from the revolution and which in its political tendency is purely socialistic, has set itself the task of realizing the socialistic program. The following measures among others have been given the force of laws : The abolition of the state of siege, the removal of the censorship, the liberty of expres- sions of opinions in speech and writing and in the practice of re- ligion, and amnesty for political offenses. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 21, 1918.] Demobilization Insurance. In order to facilitate the return of soldiers from the western front, blockage zones have been established, especially at the Rhine cross- ings, so that the soldiers may be allotted to their own units and their arms may be collected. Each private soldier and noncommissioned officer, as soon as he leaves his reserve battalion, is to receive gratis a suit of clothes, the sum of 50 marks discharge money, and, in most cases, a further sum of 15 marks marching money. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 21, 1918.] Housing in Garden Villages and in Small Holdings. The partly State-assisted policy of settlements has made consider- able progress lately ; and in the country not only have sites been pro- cured for small farmers, rural artisans, and agricultural laborers, but also properties have been acquired in the vicinity of towns which are adapted to vegetable and fruit growing on a small scale. Thus, in- dustrial workers can be housed in semirural surroundings at no great distance from manufacturing towns. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 24, 1918.] Demobilization. The demobilization now in progress is in the main proceeding smoothly, though in a few isolated cases the soldiers' and workmen's councils have interfered with the execution of the prearranged schemes. Prisoners of war are being repatriated via Holland, Switz- erland, and the Balkan ports. Soldiers from the Ehine country, with certain exceptions, are being released on the homeward march. Offi- cers and men on leave in their homes or previous places of work were able to obtain certificates of discharge at the local military offices un- til November 30. Those who desire to remain in the army will be permitted to do so. In order that the economic position of the men, whose continued service with the forces is at present regarded as in- dispensable, shall not fall too short of that reached by the men dis- charged it has been decided to improve their pay. The following regulations have been laid down : 1. Labor battalions are to be dismissed, or, if retained, are to be regarded as civilians. 115488—19 5 66 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 2. Soldiers who are temporarily employed on work usually in- trusted to civilians are to receive 50 pfennigs per hour addi- tional pay. 3. Men who volunteer, after their dismissal, for special service with 10 days' notice are to be paid 30 marks monthly, together with a daily sum of 5 marks for leaders and 3 marks for men. 4. Pay will vary according to whether the troops are in barracks or not, but all will receive 30 marks monthly. The demobilization office has issued a decree to the effect that every member of the army or navy must undergo a medical examination before dismissal, in order to prevent the spread of disease. No man can be billeted as a private citizen without showing a health certifi- cate. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 28, 1918.] Demobilization, Order of Dismissal. The immediate release of the officials of the great economic organ- izations of employers and workers has already begun, as well as of labor-exchange officials and all school teachers. Dismissals are tak- ing place on the following lines: 1. Men belonging to the trans- port industry, including postal organizations; 2, miners and pro- ducers of raw materials ; that is, of coal, stone, metals, wood, building materials, leather, fibre, and foodstuffs; 3, men employed in gas, electricity, waterworks; the remainder on military principles. — [Soziale Praxis, Nov. 28, 1918.] Housing, Building Material to be "Used for. In order to devote the existing building material to those purposes most deserving of promotion from social economic consideration, the Bavarian building authorities have decreed that building contracts in the immediate future may only be undertaken for dwelling houses, agricultural buildings, and business and industrial erections, as far as these are needed to provide the people with articles in daily use: For other building projects the consent of the demobilization com- missioner is necessary before approval can be given. — [Deutsche All- gemeine Zeitung, Nov. 28, 1918.] Unemployment Relief. An order issued by the imperial office for economic demobilization requires an extensive measure of cooperation with the communes on the part of the trade-unions. The communes are obliged to grant relief to all unemployed persons who have their domicile within the communal district, so far as these persons can not be found suit- able employment under conditions reasonable and noninjurious to health. . The relief must be sufficient in amount, and for the indi- vidual unemployed person must be equal in amount to the local wage as fixed by imperial insurance order. Suitable additional pay- ments must be made to married persons and members of families. GERMANY. 67 The communes will be repaid six-twelfths of their total outlay on unemployment relief from the imperial exchequer and four-twelfths from the Federal State concerned. Existing unemployment arrange- ments which may benefit the unemployed more than those contem- plated by the new order are to be maintained.— [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerkschaften Deutschlands, Nov. 30, 1918.] Debts of ex-Soldiers, Period of Grace. While a law of August 4, 1914, which exempts soldiers from the payment of their debts no longer applies when they are discharged, an act of June 8, 1916, provides that they shall have time to regulate their economic position and satisfy the demands of their creditors by degrees. A period of grace will be granted on application to the courts where immediate payment would result in hardship to the debtor.— [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Nov. 30, 1918.] Demobilization. According to a German wireless of November 18, 1918, a decree of the war ministry orders the demobilization of soldiers in the Fatherland consistent with the traffic possibilities and industrial life. The classes up to those born in 1879 will be first released, as well as all Alsace-Lorrainians who are not serving voluntarily, and people from the evacuated regions of the left bank of the Rhine and of the Bridgeheads, in so far as they do not belong to the 1898 and 1899 classes.— [Daily review of the foreign press (British war office), Reconstruction Supplement, Dec. 4, 1918, p. 54.] Resettlement of Demobilized Men. The field marshal has issued a proclamation to the returning sol- diers to the effect that everything is being done to provide them with homesteads. Hundreds of thousands of cottages are being built for farmers, gardeners, and rural artisans at the public expense, and houses are being erected in garden cities and garden suburbs for those who are employed in towns, only a moderate rate of interest on the initial cost being required. The soldiers are urged to devote their energies to becoming owners of this property. The proclama- tion has been followed by two appeals issued by the minister of labor to agricultural and town workers in the army, respectively. The former are exhorted to return to the land, where they may easily find employment on account of the withdrawal of prison labor and losses occasioned by the war. Besides the prospect- of eventually becoming independent, the attraction of improved conditions is being held out. The old laws against agricultural laborers have been withdrawn and they have gained the right to combine ; so that wages and conditions of work may be settled, and collective bargaining by the landowners and workers progresses. The appeal to the town workers also urges everyone able to do so to get back to the land ; the advantages of 68 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. such employment and the better prospects, as compared with indus- trial work, are emphasized, and directions are given as to the best procedure for finding agricultural work. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 5, 1918.] Agricultural Program. The national committee for agriculture, which has gained the sup- port of all the farmers' organizations and laborers' unions, has arranged the following program : A farmers' and laborers' council is to be elected in every inde- pendent commune. Each council is to consist of at least six members, half of whom are independent farmers and the other half laborers who own no land. In each administrative area a district farmers' and laborers' council is to be formed, and a central council, with offices in Berlin, will issue orders and instructions to the district councils. The duties of these councils will be to support the authorities in the following ways : 1. By cooperation in the control and care of existing stores of food, in the management of its delivery to those entitled to it, and in combating illicit trade. 2. By maintaining agricultural industries; by promoting produc- tion, especially in the direction of securing seed and adopting more intensive methods of cultivation; by resumption of cattle breeding; and the encouragement of cooperation. 3. By cooperation in the reinstatement of discharged soldiers and in the provision of work and housing for the latter, in accordance with the decisions of the demobilizing authorities. 4. By mutual aid in the protection of persons and property. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 5, 1918.] Collective Agreements Between Employers and Employees. An agreement entered into by the general commission of the trade- unions with the most influential employers' organizations, on Novem- ber 15, has introduced collective agreements between associations of workmen and employers in industries where attempts in such a direc- tion have long been in vain. Several of the industrial employers' associations have informed the unions' directorate of their willing- ness to discuss the reengagement of discharged soldiers, and negotia- tions will be commenced whenever traffic conditions permit. The miners' unions have had negotiations with the Westphalian Mine Owners' Association, with the result that the latter recognizes the trade-unions as the legal representatives of the miners. The eight-hour day, inclusive of entry and exit; fixed minimum wages; a general rise in wages of 25 to 50 per cent ; extra pay for overtime and Sunday work; the abolishment of female labor as soon as possible, and of GEEMANY. 69 lockout agreements by the different mines ; and the institution of the labor bureau of the mine owners' association on a footing of equal representation, are the chief concessions of the employers. Further points are still under discussion. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerk- schaften Deutschlands, Dec. 7, 1918.] Socialization of Industry. A statement has been issued by the commission on socialization, according to which it regards as its task the preparation of measures for placing the means of production at the disposal of the public. It is aware that this process must be gradual, and that the revival of production is the first essential for economic reorganization, and that the economic situation of Germany imperatively demands the re- sumption of the export industry and of foreign trade. For this pur- pose the existing organization must for the present be retained; similarly, the reinstating of industry requires the retention and extension of the credit system, and, therefore, the unimpeded func- tioning of the credit banks. It is not proposed to interfere with the existing conditions as regards property and methods of cultivation of the peasant population ; but it is hoped to raise the level of produc- tion and intensive cultivation by suitable agricultural measures, and by the support of cooperative societies. On the other hand, the com- mission is of the opinion that those branches of national economics which practically became private capitalistic monopolies should first come into consideration for socialization. The most important raw products, such as coal and iron, must especially be at the dis- posal of the public, Investigations will be made as to what other departments of production and sources of power are adapted for transference to public administration; and what other branches of economies, such as the insurance system and the mortgage banks, are fitted for socialization. The commission is aware that the success of socialization is dependent on increased production, which must be obtained by the best factory organization and the elimination of all unnecessary costs under the guidance of experienced technicians and merchants. It will be guided by the same principles, under the name of agriculture, in the administration of the State lands and forests. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 11, 1918.] Use of Commandeered Metal. The imperial demobilization department has issued an order re- garding the use of metals supplies for war purposes which, in the future, are to be used for peace economy. For all the stocks of metal in the hands of the metal-using industries that were supplied to them for war purposes at preferential prices, the industries are now obliged to pay to the war-metal corporation, in favor of the imperial treasury, the difference between the preferential prices at which they 70 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. obtained the metal and the mean average market prices. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 11, 1918.] Dismissal of Disabled Employees. The war office has issued an order to factories engaged on army work forbidding the dismissal of disabled employees, unless other jobs hare been provided for them. The ministry of labor has issued a similar order throughout Prussia. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 12, 1918.] Textile-Trade Restrictions. It is reported that the Government intends to forbid for a certain period of time the production of an increasing quantity of cotton, woolen, and linen goods. Substitutes are to be used in their manu- facture for the present. The Government control has for its aim the impartial distribution of raw materials to the different firms with a view to supplying work for returning soldiers, and intends to retain this control until the conclusion of peace assures such supplies. While it retains this control, it has made a concession by which it intrusts to the Central Woolen Trade Company the distribution of the stocks held by war office raw -material and woolen-supply depart- ments. — [Konfectionar, Dec. 12, 1918.] Settlement Plans for Discharged Soldiers. The president of the scientific commission of the war office has formulated a proposal for comprehensive settlement plans which will soon become law. The bill aims, first, to provide agricultural laborers with land on lease, which can be taken over by the municipalities in case of necessity ; and, second, to promote agricultural colonization in the place of large, landed properties. The latter point touches princi- pally the Crown lands which can be offered to public-utility settle- ment companies at prewar rates. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 12, 1918.] Housing, State Funds for. The Government has intimated to the municipal representatives of Greater Berlin that 58,000,000 marks would shortly be placed at their disposal for building expenses. The housing committee, created on November 7, has formed a subcommittee of six to have the control of the money given over by the State and to set the work in motion with the least possible delay, beginning with the large undertakings. Small dwellings are also to come under this committee. The housing com- mittee will proceed at once with the foundation of a recently pro- posed Greater Berlin settlement bank. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 12, 1918.] Transition Economy. Great numbers of Dutch workmen who were discharged by Krupps are reported to have been reengaged. The Krupps are busy con- structing railway material, especially trucks, and in preparing for an GERMANY. 71 extensive commercial campaign to be initiated after peace is signed. — [Commercial Eeports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Dec. 13, 1918, p. 1006.] Economic Effects of the Loss of Alsace-Lorraine. A discussion by the financial editor of the Berlin Tageblatt, Oc- tober 19, 1918, points out that Alsace-Lorraine is one of the most highly-developed manufacturing sections of Germany, and one of the chief sources of raw materials, the latter being petroleum, potash, and iron-ore deposits. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Dec. 13, 1918, p. 993.] Use of Inland and Maritime Waterways. The demobilization department has requested the board of trade to assist in relieving the railway traffic by the use of shipping, as there is an ample amount of shipping tonnage available. The department urges that the inland waterways and maritime waters should be more extensively used. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 13, 1918.] Regulation of Working Hours. The imperial office of economic demobilization has issued an edict dated November 23, 1918, which regulates the carrying out of the eight-hour working day. The regulation applies to all workers in industrial undertakings, including men workers in the service of the Empire, the Federal States, and communes and communal associa- tions, even when such concerns are not carried on with a view to making a profit ; and to subsidiary agriculture undertakings of an in- dustrial nature. The regular daily working hours, exclusive of pauses, may not exceed eight. If this rule is departed from by agreement, so that the working hours are curtailed on the evenings preceding Sundays and holidays, the time thus lost may be made up on other working days. In case of general exceptions to the fore- going rules made necessary in industries connected with communica- tions, including the railways, post, and telegraph service, and called for by the conditions of the time, agreements must be arrived at be- tween those responsible for the undertakings and the workmen's asso- ciations. Heavy penalties are provided for violations of the rules prescribed in the edict. — [Correspondenzblatt der Gewerkshaften, Dec. 14, 1918.] State Lands and Money for Dwelling Purposes, Grants of. In Berlin a conference took place of representatives of the build- ing, finance, and labor ministers, the State housing commissioner, and the provincial authorities, with the object of providing without delay State lands in Greater Berlin on which to erect small dwellings. The chairman explained that the new Government, in furnishing the land necessary for this purpose, looked more to social than fiscal ends. It was arranged at the conference that the housing association 72 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. of Greater Berlin should immediately get into touch with all the bodies concerned and nominate a representative whose duty it would be to arrange as to the extent of building land required, the style of buildings, and the price of land, etc. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 14, 1918.] The Leather Trade, Control of. The control of the leather trade has been placed in the hands of the board of demobilization for the transition period. A new central committee is to be formed to superintend the working of the organi- zation. Subcommittees will conduct the distribution of raw material and finished goods. The supplies released by the army will go to the various distributing centers. A special reserve for the supply of returning soldiers is being accumulated. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 16, 1918.] Standardization of Wages. The State labor office is preparing a regulation for standardizing throughout the country the legal force of wage schedules, the system of industrial arbitration, and the formation of employees' commit- tees. Until the regulations are published the alteration or reelection of employees' committees must be suspended even when ordered by workers' and soldiers' councils, in so far as the latter are not acting on Government instructions. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 18, 1918.] Contracts Not Affected by Revolution. The change in the political situation has wrought no change in business obligations. The imperial office for economic demobiliza- tion and the council of people's delegates point out that civil law is still in force, so long as it has not been abolished by the order of the Government or by the competent offices of that body. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 18, 1918.] Ministry for Foreign Trade. Negotiations are being conducted between the foreign office and the economic office with regard to the formation of a new depart- ment which is to deal with foreign trade. The idea is to create a bureau of information to which all Government bodies and private business people could apply in regard to all questions relating to the import and export trade. In the new department these sections of the foreign office and economic office, which have hitherto been dealing with foreign trade, are to be united. A journal (Commer- cial, Industrial, and Agricultural News) is to be issued. The late German consul general in New York has been appointed to organize this new department on behalf of the foreign office in conjunction with a commissary delegated from the economic office. — [Der Wel- thandel, Dec. 20, 1918.] GERMANY. 73 Agricultural Work for Discharged Soldiers. The secretary for the imperial ministry of labor has issued two proclamations — one urging industrial workmen to leave towns and overcrowded centers and lend assistance in the work of establishing the agricultural settlements; the other to soldiers returning home, warning them to avoid industrial centers and advising them to go on the land, where they have prospects of independence on small hold- ings. The appeal to returning soldiers stresses the improved status of agricultural workers, which results from the repeal of the clause refusing the right of combination to that class of workers. An act is stated to be under consideration which will compel municipalities to provide the land needed for houses and gardens. — [Correspondenz- blatt, Dec. 21, 1918.] Municipal Unemployment Relief. The imperial demobilization directorate compels all municipalities to institute unemployment relief, which is to have a legal basis dif- ferent from that of relief for the poor and for which the directorate lays down certain prescribed rules. — [Kommunale Praxis, Dec. 21, 1918.] Replacement of Temporary Employees toy Demobilized Men. The tariff office of the cooperative association has adopted the fol- lowing plan of reinstating soldiers formerly in their employ by re- placing the following temporary employees : According to length of service — 1. Women engaged to fill men's posts — a. Wives whose husbands are in a situation. h. Girls and women who have no one to support. c. Girls and women supporting one or two persons. d. All other girls and women. 2. Male assistants — a. Bachelors, with no dependents. h. Childless married men, and bachelors with dependents. c. All of the men engaged during the war. [Correspondenzblatt, Dec. 21, 1918.] Transition Economy; Rationing of Industries to Provide Work. The secretary of state of the demobilization office has stated that his first aim would be to restore the men discharged from the muni- tion factories, or returning from the front, as quickly as possible to their old position. The shortage of coal and restriction of raw ma- terials make it difficult to obtain opportunities for work in industries. Great economy must be exercised with coal, and there is danger that initiative on the part of producers may be checked. Small, medium- sized concerns should be subsidized so as to relieve the unemploy- ment. The distribution of orders will be regulated by a new associa- 74 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. tion, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft, consisting of a joint board of em- ployers and unions, which latter must adapt themselves to the changed conditions. Special technical organizations will see that the orders are advantageous to the entire capabilities of the industry ; and among the first objects of attention will be the agricultural in- dustry, the congestion of traffic, and shipbuilding. Efforts should be made to draw the masses of unemployed hands away from in- dustries and large towns, in order that they may work in coal mines, on the land, at forestry, or be engaged on emergency schemes which require no raw material. — [Frankfurter Zeitung, Dec. 23, 1918.] Employment of Disabled Soldiers. In answer to a demonstration of disabled soldiers at the war office, Berlin, the secretary of the ministry of labor announced that an order would soon be passed forbidding the discharge from factories of dis- abled soldiers, as well as the deduction of pensions from wages paid. At the same time, employers will be compelled to employ a certain percentage of disabled men. It was also promised that the imperial union of disabled soldiers would henceforth have voting powers in the administration of relief for the poor and an improvement was promised in the regulations for war pensions. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 24, 1918.] Reinstatement of ex-Soldiers in the Metal Industry. An agreement has been arrived at in the Berlin metal industry be- tween the association of metal works owners and the joint league of employees' associations, whereby employees discharged from the mili- tary service are, as a general rule, to be received back by the same firms by which they were employed on August 1, 1914, or since that time. Men who wish to leave the service in order to take up employment with their former employers are given a period of 14 days in which to send in their applications, while doubtful or disputed cases must be referred to an arbitration court. Discharges which may become necessary may take place by degrees and in accordance with definite principles. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 26, 1918.] Labor Bureau's Peace Conference Plan. At the instance of the peoples' commissaries, the imperial labor bureau, with the cooperation of the other competent offices and the organizations of employers, employees, and social reformers, have drawn up a program of social policy. This program is based, in the main, on the resolutions of the Laborers' Congress held at Leeds in July, 1916, and on those of the Berne Conference of October, 1917. In addition, the German program contains a proposal for an eight-hour day, which has become a law. The new German Peoples' State proclaims its firm alliance with working men and women throughout the world with regard to social policy, the GERMANY. 75 right of labor, social insurance, and workmen's protection. The main features of the program relate to domiciliary liberty, right to com- bine, labor conditions, labor agencies, labor market statistics, social insurance, protection of workers, working hours, hours of rest, home work, labor inspection, and international agreements. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 26, 1918.] Resumption of Activities. Unemployment is increasing in many large towns and industrial districts of Germany, although, judging by the advertisements in the papers, manufacturers are showing feverish activity in accepting new contracts and in taking advantage of new inventions and new proc- esses of production. The majority of the workers are beginning to realize that unreasonable wage demands are not adapted to facilitate recourse to new tasks and new methods. — [Soziale Praxis, Dec. 26, 1918.] Labor Shortage in Certain Occupations. The union of employers' and employees' associations has issued an appeal, stating that industrial and agricultural districts are con- fronted by a shortage of labor caused by overcrowding in larger cities. The mines are undermanned, the coal famine has become in- tense, and factories are forced to close down. There is a lack of fuel, warm clothing, and housing accommodations. There is a shortage of labor in the iron and steel industry. Without agricultural ma- chinery there can be no harvest, and consequently no food. In many places there is a shortage of labor in the transport industry. Agri- culture and forestry lack men. Potatoes are still in the ground and threaten to rot ; there is no one to look after the cattle ; grain remains unthrashed. Trees have not been felled ; and there is a lack of timber for building, fuel, and mine props. The adjustment of the forces of labor is the necessity of the hour. Men out of employment must ask for it in agriculture and forestry. The appeal requires all men out of employment to apply at once to the labor bureaus and ask advice of the demobilization committees. The railway fares of all who change their place of employment will be defrayed from public funds. [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 29, 1918.] "Unemployment. The steadily increasing number of unemployed men in Coblenz and other towns in the occupied area is causing American officers con- siderable anxiety. Many of the idle men are discharged German soldiers. Those who can not obtain work are entitled to daily boun- ties of 3 marks, 50 pfennig from the city. To unemployed laborers work has been offered by the city at 4 marks per day ; but only a few have accepted, as the ordinary wage is 6 marks a day. Efforts are being made to restore discharged soldiers to their prewar occupa- 76 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. tions, replacing, if necessary, women now holding the positions. There is plenty of work in the country, but officials have found diffi- culty in inducing laborers to leave the cities, particularly in a time of social unrest like the present, [Times, New York, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1918.] Demobilization. On October 29, 1918, a commission for the demobilization of wage- workers was appointed consisting of representatives of the imperial authorities, the Federal Government, industry, trade, agriculture, the salaried classes, and the labor organizations. This commission had appointed a committee of nine members who in consultation with the military authorities, the communes, and the most important trades were to make the requisite preparations as speedily as possible. Plans were prepared for a system of unemployment relief both for wageworkers and salaried employees. Orders for public works which had been suspended were distributed immediately and new works started. [Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, pp. 74-76.] Foreign Trade Before the War. The United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce has issued a statistical report showing the prewar German trade with each country by articles in such detail that the goods ordinarily in demand in the various markets can be conveniently ascertained. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 8, 1918, p. 97.] Excessive Demands of Industrial Workers. Many manufacturers complain that the excessive demands of Ger- man workers threaten industrial chaos. Among the demands are that a workers' council be associated with the employer with authority to discriminate concerning the dismissal and engagement of em- ployees and the control of the profit-bearing capacity of the business ; a supplement to wages from August 1, 1914; the establishment of a Christmas box amounting to a full month's salary, a 40-hour week and a 20 per cent increase of salary. [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1919.] Centralization of Imports. The imperial food minister, in answer to numerous requests for the abolition of the central purchasing company and the release of im- ports from central control, has announced that present conditions make the maintenance of this central control more urgently necessary than ever. Exports from neutral States are still prohibited ; only specific quotas are released for exports and all exports outside such quotas are reckoned upon the German quota as soon as they come to the knowledge of the neutral Government's concern. Under a system of free importation, Germany would have to pay intolerable prices GERMANY. 77 and the prices on the home markets in the exporting countries would also reach heights intolerable for the population. — [Munchener Nachrichten, British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919.] Reconstruction of World Trade Relations. A limited liability company has been formed in Germany for the purpose of reconstructing the world trade relations of German in- dustrial undertakings, and to reestablish agencies and warehouses abroad. [Frankfurter Zeitung, British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 83.] Immigration After the War. In May, 1918, there was started in Germany the " reichsstelle fur deutsche auswanderung und riickwanderung " to work for the re- turn of Germans from foreign countries and, at the same time, to guard and replace their former properties. [Svensk Handelstidning, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 17, 1919, p. 260.] Shipping After the War. Germany's merchant fleet has been reduced by more than 50 per cent, but the German shippers are firmly convinced that the remain- ing 2,500,000 tons of cargo space is sufficient to satisfy Germany's requirements, provided they are subjected to no unnecessary restric- tions and are given a free hand. They still maintain the standpoint that the placing of cargo space in the unrestricted hands of the ship- ping firms guarantees that it will be used in the best possible way and that, given a sound economic policy, the provision of cargo space should be a comparatively easy task for transition economy.— [Ham- burgicher Correspondent, Jan. 22, 1919.] Finance. The minister of finance told the German National Assembly that credits of $6,325,000,000 were needed. Of this amount $75,000,000 would be needed for building houses. Total German credits and loans now aggregate $35,000,000,000 not including $1,500,000,000 in treasury notes. Bank bills in circulation amount to $10,875,000,000 — [Wall Street Journal, 'New York, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1919.] American Plants in Germany. The German custodian of enemy property announces that American factories in Germany are intact and in readiness to restart operations as soon as the Peace Treaty is signed. The American factories have been operated under German supervision and accounts kept of the surplus profits which will be available to the owners after a 1 per cent charge for bookkeeping and the war tax have been deducted.— [Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1919.] Unemployment. There are 1,000,000 unemployed in Germany, one-fourth of whom are in Berlin. Agriculture needs labor, but the workingmen of the 78 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. cities do not want to go to the country and the farmers do not desire their unskilled help. Unemployment will continue and will increase in Germany until raw materials are furnished in sufficient quantities to permit of the reopening of industrial establishments. — [Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb. 22, 1919.] Chambers of labor for Socialization of Mining Industry. On February 8 the National Government issued a decree estab- lishing chambers of labor for the mining industry. It is planned that a chamber of labor shall be established for the coal mining industry of the Ruhr district, and also for that of Upper Silesia. Similar chambers may be established for other districts and other departments of the mining industry. It will be the duty of the chambers of labor, each in its own district, to collaborate in the preparation of measures for exercising a comprehensive influence upon mining throughout Germany, and for securing to the whole community a share of the profits — i. e., for the socialization of mining. With this object the chambers of labor will collect in- formation, expert opinions and suggestions, and will take steps to secure representation on all associations for the control and disposal of the products of the mines. The chambers of labor will pay due regard to the collective interests of the industry, as well as to the special interests of employers and workpeople. In this task they will have the advice and support of the State and communal authori- ties, and their cooperation in the carrying out of all socio-political and hygienic measures. The number of members in a chamber of labor will be at least 20, of whom 10 shall be elected by the em- ployers and 10 by the workpeople. The expenses of the establish- ment and working of the chambers of labor shall in the first instance fall upon the communal authorities of the district in which the works represented by the chambers are situated. The cost will then be calculated and apportioned equally between the employers and wageworkers concerned. — [Deutscher Reichsanzeiger, Feb. 22, 1919; British Labor Gazette, March, 1919, p. 87.] Preparations for Reentering World Markets. German business circles fully realize that the signing of peace will only mean the beginning of a new and even harder commercial war, and that all the resources of business will be required to put industrial Germany on a sound defensive basis. The German press announces several large measures which are either partly carried through or projected, and which involve the efforts of various lines of trade to bulwark themselves for the coming struggle. A veritable network of organizations is growing up, which may be divided into two groups, those which are commercial-scientific and those which are purely commercial. The technical fair recently planned in Leipzig will GREECE. 79 undertake to promote the trade interests of manufacturers of ma- chinery, electrical apparatus, tools, chemicals, factory equipment, railway rolling-stock, etc. It expects to develop and encourage the German inventive genius and, through a suborganization known as the broker's bureau, will advertise new technical ideas and attempt to make commercial applications of all kinds of technical inventions. The company for home and foreign undertakings, Hamburg, is plan- ning a series of broad-scope measures for the revival of trade and the placing of German goods. The Germans believe that one of the requisites for increasing commercial relations with foreign countries is the dissemination of information concerning business opportuni- ties abroad and the cultivation of a broad and thorough study of con- ditions in foreign markets. Special commissions have been ordered organized for the study of foreign countries and to collect business and political information, which will be sent out publicly by an infor- mation bureau. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 17, 1919, pp. 1265, 1266.] Commission to Stimulate Industrial Production. The minister of finance announced on May 7 the creation of a national commission of three cabinet members to stimulate indus- trial production, so that Germany can pay for foodstuffs in manu- factured articles as well as in gold. "There are," the minister said, " four means of payment — gold, foreign securities, credit, and manu- factures. It is impossible for Germany to reduce further her dwindling gold supply, and the credit of the country has been weak- ened by a superfluity of paper money. Manufacturers, therefore, are the only remaining source. It is necessary to loosen the bonds which hitherto have restricted foreign trade in such a way that neither the local consumers nor the general interests are damaged. The measure must be taken with great speed. The commissioners must have great power so as to break down technical difficulties. Germany has many things it can export, and can make more." — [Times, New York, N. Y., May 9, 1919.] GREECE. Reconstruction Organization. The Greek minister of national economy is inviting several heads of industrial affairs to deliberate with him in order to establish an economic policy for Greece in the future. The subjects under discus- sion are to be : 1. The advantages and instruction Greece has obtained from the war ; 2, the best way of finding fuel for the factories, includ- ing the adaptation of the boilers; 3, the encouragement of private initiative by the State ; 4, how the mechanical industries can best help industry in general, and how best to furnish raw materials to the 80 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. different industries, also the conditions of the various industries; 5, food conditions and munitions; 6, how to strengthen existing indus- tries and create new ones ; 7, industrial legislation and elementary and secondary technical instruction. Two manufacturers will be ap- pointed to present a preliminary report on each subject. — [Messager d'Athenes, June 5, 1918.] Nationalization of Mines. The lignite mines at Fiorina are to become State property. This is the first step toward the acquiring by the State of all mines in Greece. — [Messager d'Athenes, Sept. 19, 1918.] HUNGARY. (See also Austria-Hungary.) Transition Economy. The Hungarian minister for transition economy has secured the appointment of a number of honorary commissioners for transition economy who are to assist his department as advisers, inquiring agents, and supervisors. They will have much to do in the work of demobilization, when they can act as civilian advisers to the return- ing soldiers side by side with the military advisers. Transition econ- omy commissions are also being organized and their work will be co- ordinated with that of the commission by a provincial inspector for transition economy to be appointed. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zen- tralmachte, Mar. 15, 1918.] Transition Organization. The Hungarian minister of trade has submitted to the landesindus- trieamt a proposal for a united provincial direction of Hungarian industry. The new organization is to insure supplies and fair dis- tribution of raw materials after the war, and must reorganize many businesses, concentrating the same, insisting on specialization for others, and observation of a rigid economy in all. Besides such tech- nical questions, the organization would deal with all workmen's dis- putes, labor agencies, and unemployment relief, and arrange matters between employers and employees, as well as expert agreements be- tween foreign countries and Hungary.— [Neue Freie Presse, May 7, 1918.] Agriculture Reforms. In Budapest an agricultural council has been formed, among its members being representatives of the owners of moderate-sized estates and small holdings. This body, in conjunction with the national council, will supervise agricultural reforms. Following are some of the projected reforms outlined by the ministry of agriculture: The first measure adopted has been to put a stop to the commandeering HUNGAEY. 81 of live-stock fodder. The next step will be to carry out a reform of landownership which will give the land to the great masses of the people, on the principle that land belongs to the man who tills it. It is proposed that the Government should acquire at a reasonable price the greater part of the estates of the communes, churches, and finan- cial institutions, parcel them out into small holdings as far as possible equal in size, and hand them over to farmer applicants, on the under- standing that amortization shall be completed within 50 years. Every incumbrance on land and property will be removed. On an average each small holding will contain about 14 acres. The council has many other schemes for developing agriculture in order to give work and wages to ex-soldiers, and so ameliorate the conditions of the transition to peace economy agreement. By the establishment of chambers of agriculture and active propa- ganda in favor of increased production, it will soon be possible to increase the yield of the harvests. These chambers will be organized on a thorough democratic basis, each individual who cultivates at least If acres of land being compelled to be a member of the chamber. Similar organizations will be combined in district chambers and these again in a national chamber. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 22, 1918.] Finance Program. The head of the finance ministry of Hungary has outlined the fol- lowing program : To establish a special Government committee in the finance ministry charged with the care of the finance system of the village communities. Preparations are being made for a levy on capi- tal and stern measures will be adopted to meet any possible occasion for evasion. The department responsible for direct taxation has been requested to work out a scheme for adding a progressive surtax to existing direct taxes, which is expected to yield a surplus revenue of 500,000,000 krone. A similar progressive surtax will be added to the inheritance tax. Small incomes and capital in small amounts will be left free of taxation. The management and control of Government factories and industrial undertakings will be placed in the hands of workmen's organizations, and an agreement has already been arrived at between the Government and the iron and metal workers' trade union. This cooperation with the trade-unions will leave the techni- cal and commercial management of the works undisturbed. The finance ministry will take its full share in directing the Government policies with regard to landed estates. The Government is in com- munication with the central credit cooperative societies which, with their network of village organizations, are best suited to keep in touch with agricultural populations. 115488—19 6 82 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. The first few days of its existence the Hungarian Peoples' Govern- ment has decided to close all the war central offices, in order to per- mit the return of unrestricted trade. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 22, 1918.] Water-Power Development. The Government will develop a uniform system of waterworks in the form of a monopoly, and will sell the electric power to industrial and other concerns. After the conclusion of peace, with the aid of a Government loan, it is hoped to erect waterworks developing at least one million horsepower, which would suffice to cover the motive power required by the industrial and agricultural concerns of the country. It is expected to place drainage and irrigation under the Government management, as also the production of wine and fruit, which might become one of Hungary's main sources of revenue. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 22, 1918.] Unemployment Relief. At a session of the industrial demobilization council, recently held in the ministry of war, at which representatives of industry and labor were present, the following principles for demobilization were de- cided upon: The workers belonging to mining companies who are now being discharged from the army are to apply for work to the company; the nonorganized workers, to the national labor exchange office. Those who, in consequence of a prospective shortage of coal, obtain no employment receive a State grant to an amount which takes into consideration the present conditions of living, but does not equal the sum which they might earn. This grant will be paid to organized workers by the companies and to nonorganized workers by the national labor exchange office. The question of a shortened working day and better housing has also engaged the attention of the council. — [Weltwirtschaftszeitung, Nov. 22, 1918.] Resumption of Work in Coal Mines. The minister of labor has ordered miners to resume work in the coal mines. This entails the return of workmen to the coal and iron works connected with the mines. Men unemployed are urged to apply to the labor bureaus for employment on the railways and other important public works. Factories standing idle have to telegraph to the provincial coal commission within four days the amount of their coal reserve. — [Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 12, 1918.] All State Debts to be Honored. The newly appointed Hungarian finance minister is reported to have said that all State debts and loans will be honored, interest will be promptly paid, and obligations will be duly redeemed at their full nominal value. Hungary's future and its entire economic program INTERNATIONAL. 83 make this essential. Moreover, the Government realizes that in the future it will be financially dependent on the present neutral States. The open credit of Hungary will be universally respected not only by the Radicals but by the Social Democrats. — [Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dec. 14, 1918.] INDIA. Development of Water Power. The Government of India has recently addressed a letter to each of the provincial governments with reference to undertaking a syste- matic survey of the water-power resources of India for the genera- tion- of electric energy. It has been decided that surveys of water- power sites can no longer be left to private enterprise, but that the Government must itself be responsible for the work. — [Report of U. S. vice consul at Calcutta, Nov. 26, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 396.] INTERNATIONAL. International labor Legislation. The International Association for Labor Legislation has submitted to the Swiss Federal Council a memorandum requesting the latter's support for the incorporation in the world's Peace Treaty of a pro- gram of international protective labor legislation. It demands : 1. The revival of the international protective labor treaties of Berne of 1906. 2. The adoption of the draft of 1913 relating to the protection of juvenile workers, with reservation of the right to shorten the 10-hour workday by the number of hours' attendance at continuation schools required, should attendance be made compulsory. 3. An agreement establishing 14 years as the minimum age for ad- mission to employment in all industrial establishments, with the res- ervation of the right to raise this minimum if development of the continuation-school system requires it; and advancing the minimum age to 16 years for underground employment in mines. 4. Fifty-four-hour week for female workers, providing for eight weeks' leave for woman with child, distributed over the period before and after confinement. 5. Eight-hour shifts in mining and in establishments with continu- ous operation. 6. The regulation by special agreement of the Sunday rest, and, in particular, the abrogation of the numerous exceptions from the Sun- day and holiday rest. 7. Protection against industrial poisoning, prohibiting the use of white phosphorus in the match industry, and an international pro- hibition of other injurious substances (especially lead compounds 84 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. for which substitutes exist) ; the international prohibition of the em- ployment of children and juveniles on work with such substances and, in establishments particularly dangerous for women, of the em- ployment of women also. 8. The enactment of international safety measures for workers en- gaged in international transportation on water and on land. 9. The assurance, through international agreement, of the protec- tion of legal claims of workers abroad against unequal treatment with respect to their pension claims in all fields of social insurance; and provision for the neutralization, even in case of war., of the in- surance contributions of alien workers, through the transfer of their claims to a neutral country. 10. The conclusion of a special agreement regulating the labor con- tract in order to prevent international labor disputes. 11. Provision for the protection of emigrant labor through inter- national agreements and organization. 12. A special international agreement providing that the reports of supervisory officials as to the enforcement of protective laws be made in comparable form. — [Monthly Labor Keview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, November, 1918, pp. 56, 57.] Uniform Classification of International Foreign-Trade Statistics. Renewed steps have been taken toward the securing of a uniform classification of international foreign-trade statistics. A schedule of 186 classes of commodities was adopted at a session of the Interna- tional Statistical Congress at Brussels in 1913, which was ratified by the principal European and 13 American countries. It was stipulated that each country, in addition to publishing statistics of imports and exports according to a classification suited to its own needs, would furnish annually to an international bureau of commercial statistics to be located at Brussels reports of imports and exports in accordance with the international classification. The war has delayed the estab- lishment of this bureau. The United States Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce has presented a statement of imports and ex- ports according to this new international classification for the calen- dar year of 1917. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 52.] Interallied Council of Relief. The associated Governments have decided to establish a Supreme Council, consisting of two representatives each of France, Italy, the United States, and Great Britain, to deal with the question of food, victualizing and supplying the liberated and enemy territory, and to coordinate such supplies with supplies for Allied and neutral coun- tries. Certain measures had already been taken in anticipation of the establishment of the Supreme Council. The associated Govern- INTERNATIONAL. 85 ments are fully alive to the importance of the problem of the provi- sion of supplies, and there is every reason to hope that the Supreme Council will shortly be able to establish a comprehensive scheme for dealing with the whole situation. — [British Board of Trade Jour- nal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 71.] Resumption of Paris-Constantinople Railway Service. The International Sleeping Car Company announced its inten- tion to reestablish the Orient Express from Paris to Constantinople as soon as conditions render such action possible. The train will run from Paris to Milan and thence through Venice and Trieste to Constantinople. The reestablishment of the Orient Express to Con- stantinople will be the first step in the development of communica- tion with the East. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce,. Feb. 10, 1919, p. 641.] Berne Conferences. Five questions filled most of the nine days of discussion at the Berne Conferences. They were as follows : 1. The question of responsibility for the war: A resolution con- demning Germany was passed, and fuller discussion postponed to a later conference. 2. The League of Nations: A general resolution calling for a League of Nations, arbitral courts, disarmament, free trade, etc., was voted. 3. The " labor charter " : The recommendations of the trade-union conference which sat at the same time were approved. 4. Territorial questions: A resolution was passed declaring for self-determination of peoples; for plebiscites; for protection of minorities; and condemning forced annexations and the determi- nations of frontiers according to military considerations, so-called historic rights, or supposed economic necessities. 5. Bolshevism: The question being too hot for unanimity, two declarations were put before the conference and over a score of speakers expressed their views, but no vote was taken. All factions agreed upon the sending of a Socialist commission to Russia to study the situation. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 15, 1919, pp. 855-858.] International Labor. The commission on international labor legislation of the Peace Conference has issued its report. Since it touches on vital aspects of national economy, it promises to become a subject of considerable dis- cussion and, possibly, disagreement when brought up in the full con- ference. The report recapitulates demands already put forward at two previous international conferences on labor legislation (Berne y 86 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. 1906 and 1913), and asks for their incorporation in the Treaty of Peace. It submits a number of subjects, with no very definite in- structions, for consideration by a larger international labor confer- ence. The most important of these subjects are : 1. Prohibition of labor by children under 15 years of age; eight- hour' workday in mines and factories; Saturday half -holiday. 2. Motherhood protection and insurance; prohibition of women's work in mines and dangerous trades; equal pay for equal work; medical inspection of home workers and of their dwellings ; abolition of all statutes hindering free combination and association of work- people, and making such hindrance a penal offense. 3. Foreign workers to have a right to the same wages and condi- tions of work as agreed to between employers and native workers of a trade. No prohibition of emigration or immigration generally, except that immigration may be restricted temporarily in a period of economic depression or for the protection of public health. Wages boards, with equal representation of employers and em- ployed, to fix legal minimum rates of wages in cases where collective bargaining between a workers' trade-union and employers proves impracticable. Linking up of public employment bureau systems for the exchange of information on the state of the labor market ; unem- ployment insurance, and State insurance against industrial accidents ; a special code for the protection of seamen. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 15, 1919, pp. 866, 867.] Reforestation. Announcement has recently been made that the American For- estry Association will aid in restoring the forests of Great Britain, France, and Belgium, which were sacrificed to the Allied cause in the war. In announcing formal acceptance by the three European Gov- ernments of the American offer of aid, it is declared that about 1,500,000 acres of forest land in France had been destroyed by shell fire or cut down for war needs ; that virtually all of Belgium's forests of timber value had been felled by the Germans, and that Great Britain's sacrifice in forests amounted to fully 450,000 acres. — [Courant, Hartford, Conn., Mar. 21, 1919.] ITALY. Transition Economy. The Colonial Institute has decided to create a commercial and colonial information office, with headquarters at Rome, which, at the suitable moment and with adequate funds, can be enlarged and changed into a properly constituted national office of economic information and commercial expansion. This is to aid in the solu- tion of the complex problems of the resumption of normal relations ITALY. 87 with the other countries, and the necessity of expanding in foreign trade the economic forces which the war has created. — [Corriere de 'Italia, May 14, 1918.] Raw Materials, Supply of. A decree has been published creating a committee for the supply of raw materials for the national industries and agriculture during the transition period from war to peace. This committee will be attached to the ministry of industry, commerce, and works. It will consist of representatives of industry, commerce, agriculture, direc- tors of banks, and of the various interested Government depart- ments. It will be divided into three sections, whose functions will be, respectively: 1. To estimate the needs of the various industries, etc.; 2, to organize and finance the purchases; 3, transport. — [Tri- buna, June 10, 1918.] Transition. A committee of 100 has been appointed in Italy to report on the necessary measures to be adopted in connection with the transition period. — [Corriere della Sera, July 16, 1918.] Italian Council of Labor on Transition Economy. The permanent committee of the upper council of labor presented recently its report on the most important steps to be taken in the transition period. Its proposals may be summarized as follows : 1. The increase of national production is the basis of all prep- aration for the economic reconstruction of the country in the transi- tion period, and for this purpose are required : a. The coordination of all national energies. b. A financial policy which realizes the difficulties inseparable from the abnormal conditions. c. The prompt carrying out of necessary public works. d. The careful transformation of war industries. e. The constitution of a domain of public lands. /. The regulation of the emigration of workers. 2. A schema for general and technical education, liberally sup- ported, ought to form the basis of a program of intensive production and social legislation. 3. The State must adopt an industrial and commercial policy which, unshackled by adherence to any system of protection to the prejudice of the consumer, will safeguard production in the interests of consumers, towards which end powerful assistance can be lent by cooperation. 4. The professional representation of capital and labor should exercise direct influence on transition economy. — [II Sole, Aug. 8, 1918.] 88 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Industrial Mobilization. A decree by the ministry of arms and munitions was recently published by which the offices of industrial mobilization have been reorganized. Two central institutions are clearly defined: The cen- tral committee of industrial mobilization, and the general direction of industrial mobilization. To the first belong the characteristics of an advisory body, possessing controlling and advisory powers; while to the second are assigned the functions of a central body which acts, organizes, and controls with the powers and responsi- bilities of the ministry on which it depends. The latter has services and offices, quite distinct, and fairly numerous, formed with a prac- tical view of facilitating relations with the industrial circles. The services will relate to the following: General business; recruiting and labor; social, economic, and disciplinary treatment of labor; electro-technics; information and distribution ; transport. — [II Sole, Aug. 15, 1918.] Emigration, Regulation of. The emigration section of the Italian Reconstruction Commission in its report emphasized the necessity of regulating emigration in such a way that it would not check the imperative increase of national production. The section instructed some of the members to examine this complex problem and collect some materials on which to base practical proposals. — [II Sole, Aug. 17, 1918.] Reconstruction Mission. A special mission has been dispatched to the three capitals of Paris, Rome, and London to study the problems of reconstruction after the war.— [Embros, Sept. 4, 1918.] Monopoly of Coffee Importation. A voluntary society (consortium) for the importation and distri- bution of coffee has been formed. It undertakes to apportion all coffee imported into the country at prices fixed by the Government, and will cease to operate six months after peace is declared. The details of the organization, object, and administration of this society are contained in a decree of September 15, 1918. — [Gazzetta Ufficiale, Sept. 23, 1918 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1227.] Future of Women Workers. Among the formidable problems to be solved by the Italian Recon- struction Commission is the question of what is going to be done with the vast army of women workers which has been created owing to the exigencies of the war. — [Corriere d'ltalia, Sept. 29, 1918.] ITALY. 89 Better Utilization of Land. The Italian ministry of agriculture is studying a series of ques- tions' pertaining to the " industrialization " of Italy, namely, the bringing up to the maximum efficiency such land as might not be well cultivated. ■ A careful survey of the land of the whole Kingdom will be made, and it is planned that any tract that is not being cultivated in an efficient way will, if necessary, be taken over by the Government, so as to have it competently developed to maximum production, through scientific cultivation. The most likely plan to be adopted by the Government is the coercion on landlords to rent out their in- active property for improvement to proper firms, persons, or the State before any forcible sale takes place. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] Land Drainage. As an after-the-war reconstruction activity the drainage of swamp lands undertaken in Italy now covers an area of 4,537,500 acres, or one-fifteenth of the entire productive area of the country. The total expense of this reclamation work is about 700,000,000 lire (about $140,000,000), of which a little over one-half is furnished by the National Government and the remainder by the Provinces and local Governments.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] Farm Loans. By a recent decree the fund of 40,000,000 lire (about $8,000,000) appropriated for advances to farm loan banks for the purpose of facilitating loans made to stimulate the cultivation of wheat and other cereals, vegetables, and edible tubers has been increased another 5,000,000 lire (about $1,000,000), which amount has been credited to the savings fund of the Bank of Naples for the provincial farm-loan banks under its administration, and for other similar institutions. The fund is under the direction of the Bank of Naples, which is em- powered to distribute these loans according to the needs of the various single banks.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] Proposed Government Aid for Peasants. A bill has been introduced in the Italian Chamber of Deputies providing for the granting of land, the financing of purchases of seeds and implements used in its cultivation, the education of the peasants, and the prevention of diseases prevalent among them. Help is to be extended only to those communities where the land available for cultivation is not sufficient for the population. In such com- munities a farm society would be organized, to which would be as- signed lands belonging to the State, the Provinces, or the municipali- ties, and if need be, private lands near the communities which are uncultivated.— [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 23.] 90 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Greatest Drydock in the Mediterranean. Plans have been completed for the construction of the greatest drydock in the Mediterranean, which will be located in Naples. Government decrees have been signed which authorize construction. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 5, 1918, p. 22.] Cold-Storage Facilities. The minister of the interior, at the recommendation of the com- mission for cold-storage facilities, has ordered an examination of all the refrigeration facilities in Italy, with a view to determin- ing the needs for new installations to conserve the large quantities of meat and food products that will be imported after the war. — [Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 11, 1918, p. 157.] Reconstruction, Industrial. The president of the economic subcommission for reconstruction recently convened a meeting in Rome of the heads of the largest Ital- ian industries in order to discuss some of the problems of the period immediately following the war. They placed before him their pro- grams for the transformation of the various industries from war to peace work; and they asked the Government, in order to avoid any stoppage of work, to prepare without delay the program of the vari- ous public works to be carried out and to give out the contracts for same, and to provide for the supply and transport of coal and raw materials necessary for the various industries immediately after the war. They also asked that the Government provisions for the re- construction period should be made in accordance with the wishes of the laboring organizations, and that everything should be done to bring about collaboration between capital and labor. — [Corriere della Sera, Oct. 29, 1918.] War-Disabled Persons, Assistance to the. The National Institution for the War Disabled, founded by the Government in March, 1917, will continue its existence as long as there remains a war-disabled person in need of assistance. The assistance granted by the institution comes under the follow- ing heads : • Medical attention in hospital or at home ; orthopedic and prothetic assistance; the placing in families or institutions of those unable to help themselves, who have no one to look after them ; provision of educational facilities ; reeducation or trade training ; legal assistance ; care of tubercular and insane cases ; assistance in finding work, or in obtaining securities, where necessary, for employment; relief for de- pendents; help to purchase houses, cottages, or land given disabled men by means of loans arranged through societies and savings banks. The institution is not a pension service, pensions being paid by the State direct to the disabled persons. The institution benefits ITALY. 91 not only men who have been disabled in the present war, but also those disabled in previous wars, and civilians disabled by act of war. The affairs of the institution are administered by a council, com- posed of doctors, professors, disabled officers and men, and of offi- cials. The association of disabled soldiers nominates four disabled soldiers as its representatives on the council. An executive commit- tee is chosen by the council from among its members. There are branch offices, with local committees, in every provincial capital and in many of the smaller towns. — [Corriere d'ltalia, Oct. 30, 1918.] Reconstruction Organization. As early as 1916 a special office for the study of after-the-war problems was established in Italy ; but in the political and military upheavals which followed, the bureau was smothered. By the begin- ning of 1918 its reestablishment was sought, and on June 30 a decree was issued creating a National Royal Commission for the study of measures relating to the period of transition from war to peace. All the active elements of the nation were invited to take part in the com- mission — representatives from the fields of politics, economics, in- dustry, commerce, education, labor, agriculture, and the army and navy. The organization of the commission consists of a central committee presided over by the president of the council, by the vice president, and by a member of the Chamber of Deputies; of a sub- committee for the study of legal, administrative, and social questions, divided in sections for legal questions of international character, revision of war legislation, reforms in the administration of tribu- taries, Provinces, and communities, reform in State administration, reconstruction of the national wealth in the invaded territories, financial measures, colonial questions, reforms in private rights made urgent by the war, social legislation, and military justice; and sub- committees for the study of economic questions, divided in sections for agricultural production, industrial production (raw materials, metallurgical, and mechanical industries, extractive industries, manu- facturing and industrial organizations), utilization of hydraulic and electric power, credit arrangements, establishment of a merchant marine and a shipbuilding industry, increasing commerce, public works, civil life, utilization of war materials, special problems of the unredeemed provinces. Wherever possible, steps will be taken so that the most diverse war organizations will be able to be transformed without great change or waste of effort into organizations adapted to the problems of peace. The central committee will draft the general program to be fol- lowed, apportion the questions to be treated by the subcommittees, examine the findings of the subcommittees, and on the basis of their decisions draw up a general report to Parliament. — [Italy Today, 92 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION". Vol. 1, No. 5, Nov. 5, 1918, p. 7 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, June 6, 1918, p. 902.] Municipal Public Works Scheme. The commune of Milan has prepared a complete program of urgent public works to be carried out amounting to a total of 150,000,000 lire. As far as possible, the contracts will be given to labor cooperative societies. — [II Sole, Nov. 10, 1918.] Disabled Soldiers, Private Fund for. A volume summarizing the work done by all the committees and societies in Italy for the aid and reeducation of those blinded, crippled, or otherwise incapacitated, has been published by the National Federation of Aid Committees in Italy. It gives in detail the actual accomplishments of every society in its respective district, its organization, and methods. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 24.] Community Warehouses for Farmers. An association to protect farmers against the speculative prices for agricultural material and implements has been formed by the Bank of Central Italy for Agriculture and Commerce. The asso- ciation plans to. purchase large quantities of all things needed in the cultivation of land direct from the manufacturers and producers at a time when prices are most convenient, and then to sell them to the farmers without profit. A system of rationing the supplies of seed and implements will be established so as to insure a fair and equitable distribution. Warehouses will be planned in various cen- ters so that the farmers need not be forced to dump their products on a market when oversupplied. In these the farmers will be per- mitted to store their goods at a small cost, and money will be ad- vanced to them, if needed, with the stored goods as a guaranty. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 22.] Reconstruction Organization. The agrarian division of the commission has recommended pro- visions for protecting the forest lands, and for decreasing the slaughter of live stock. It urged a census of the wood available and the requirements of the country for construction work, for timber, and for charcoal, and the distribution of the supply to the essential industries first. It urged the intensification of the importation of frozen meat so as to reduce the slaughter of live stock in Italy. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 22.] Shipping Control Policy. Under a recent decree, all new merchant ships which become part of the merchant marine from August 27, 1918, to December 21, 1920, ITALY. 93 if acquired abroad; or from January 1, 1920, to June 30, 1921, if constructed in Italy, may not enjoy the liberty of free operation, but will be chartered by the Government for two years. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 10.] Cooperative Societies of Government Employees. Cooperative societies of State employees have been established in Italy under a national decree recently issued by the minister of the treasury. Branches of the society will be opened in the main cities of all the provinces under the management of a central organization. The largest of these will soon be opened in Naples, with a member- ship of about 240,000. Special provisions for credit advancements, acquisition of provisions, and management of the organizations are set forth in the decree. To defray the original expenses of setting up the establishments, the Government has provided for the advance- ment of loans at 4 per cent and for the opening of charge accounts for purchasing supplies. A sum of $2,000,000 has already been set aside for this purpose. Banks and savings institutions have been authorized to advance credits to the cooperative stores. The Govern- ment will supply direct to the cooperative societies, at cost, agricul- tural, food products, and other commodities the distribution of which is under Government supervision. The societies are formed for the purpose of purchasing foodstuffs or other goods from the State or in the open market, for distribution among its members and their families at cost, plus general working and administrative expenses, with a moderate margin of profit. They are at liberty to establish their own factories. — [Corriere d'ltalia, Oct. 5, 1918 ; Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 6, Nov. 15, 1918, p. 14.] War Work and Supplies, Suspension of. In order to facilitate the transition of industries from war to peace work, a decree has been published, adopting the following temporary provisions for firms producing war materials : 1. The following work and supplies for war purposes are sus- pended : New contracts ; the execution of contracts on which work has not commenced; the completion of contracts in course of execution; the employment of raw materials, except by authority of the ministry of industries ; or for the production of goods in general use. 2. Manufacturers are authorized to commence work for the pro- duction of any kind of goods using raw materials supplied by the State on conditions based on new prices, which will be published shortly. Manufacturers may use their own raw materials, the State, however, retaining its right to a prior claim on these. — [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 16, 1918.] 94 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Economic Expansion, Organization for. The reconstruction commission being convinced of the immediate necessity of reforming the organizations for economic expansion by the vigorous resumption of the export trade, has forwarded the fol- lowing recommendations to the Government : 1. The appointment to the ministry of industry, commerce, and labor, of: a. A political-commercial commission, for the purpose of studying the interior and foreign political economic problems. b. A department of commercial intelligence, which should, how- ever, have no executive powers, these being left to private organiza- tions. 2. The appointment to the ministry of foreign affairs of an inter- ministerial commission to which should be left the direction of eco- nomic activity abroad, and which should coordinate the functions carried out up to the present by the ministries of industry and of foreign affairs. Representatives of industry, commerce, agriculture, and finance should be appointed to this commission. 3. The reform of the consular service, in the sense of greater specialization of the consular corps, so as to render more efficacious its economic activities. According to this plan, the central organ for obtaining information and for studying the problems relating to economic action abroad, would be the ministry of industry through its political-commercial commission; the directing organ of foreign economic policy would be the interministerial commission; and the executive organ, the ministry of foreign affairs through its diplo- matic and consular agents. — [II Sole, Nov. 16, 1918.] Transition Organization: War Contracts, Arbitration, Unemployment Fund, Public Works. By a decree of the Italian Government, a committee has been formed by the ministers of finance, war, marine, munitions and transport, and public works and industry. This committee will pro- mote and coordinate the actions of the various State administrations for the transition from a state of war to a state of peace. Any contracts in course of completion at the date of publication of this decree, between the State administration and private firms for supplies and work depending on a state of war, can be suspended, rescinded, reduced, prorogued, transformed, and modified by the committee. The committee will also have the power to deal with contracts abroad. The committee will be authorized to dispose of : a. The cession to State administrations, private firms, and asso- ciations of raw materials, semimanufactured and manufactured goods, out of war supplies. b. Works and manufactures, even if infringing regulations in force, of State administration and public authorities. ITALY. 95 c. General regulations for the fixing of prices of raw materials and manufactured goods, and deciding the character of such manufac- tures. If, in consequence of these provisions, indemnities are paid to firms for the reduction or rescission of contracts ; and the amount of such indemnities renders a firm liable to excess profits duty, the amount of the indemnity rendering a firm liable to excess profits duty shall be taxed at the rate of 100 per cent. The provisions established by the committee will be executed by a board of management, the staff of which will be provided by the ministry of finance. A sum of 1,000,000 lire will be provided by the ministry for the purpose. An arbitration board will be appointed, consisting of a president ; not less than five magistrates; not less than three councilors of State; not less than three councilors or referees of the court of ac- counts ; and not less than three technical men, engineers or chemists, belonging to the public administration. No appeal will be allowed against the decision of the board of arbitration. The State will place a sum of 100,000,000 lire at the disposal of the semiemployment fund. The expenditure of 1,000,000,000 lire is authorized for the execu- tion of public works; 1,800,000,000 lire for railway works, renewal of rolling stock, etc., by the railways; 500,000,000 lire by ministries of post and telegraphs, agriculture, industry, finance, education, the interior, and the colonies for works of public utility. The Deposit and Loan Bank is authorized to make advances to communities, Provinces, and associations, for a total amount of 500,000,000 lire, at 3 per cent interest, for the execution of public works.— [II Sole, Nov. 22, 1918.] Compensation for War Damage. A commission set up in regard to war damage has issued a decree recognizing the right to such compensation. It does not apply to ships other than small craft. While only Italian citizens are entitled to the privileges of the decree, compensation will be granted to for- eigners under agreements to be concluded with the foreign States to which they belong. The commission will decide doubtful cases. An indemnity of from 5,000 to 15,000 lire will be granted to dependents of a person whose death was due to some act of war. Where perma- nent total incapacity is caused an indemnity of from 10,000 to 20,000 lire will be granted. The commission will determine the amount and form of the indemnity, which may be satisfied in bonds of the public debt, or in other bonds issued by the Italian treasury. No indemnity is due if the death or incapacity occurred in the course of military service, nor to dependents or the persons injured if they have a tax- 96 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. able income higher than 5,000 lire. Personal or real property lost, destroyed, or damaged, through an act of war, within the realm, dis- tricts that may be annexed, or colonies of Italy, will be compensated for.— [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 26, 1918.] Protection of labor Against Unemployment. At the invitation of the president oi the commission on economics for reconstruction, a meeting was held of the leading industrial heads in Italy to discuss the most immediate problems which would face Italy at the cessation of hostilities. Kepresentatives of the minister of arms, ammunition and aviation, the minister of war, transporta- tion and industry, and the director general of railroads were also present. Program of Public Works. The commune of Milan has prepared a program of public works which it will carry out during the next five years. The detail ex- penditure during this period is estimated at 242,980,000 lire. With reference to housing, in addition to recommendations made to the Government, the commune will grant new sites to the institute for popular housing and will grant them 1,000,000 lire in 1919, on ac- count of the 10,000,000 lire which will be granted to them in the course of the next five years. — [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 28, 1918.] Demands of Union Workers. A series of resolutions were passed by the workers' union demand- ing the abolition of various war-time restrictions and the adoption of measures to combat unemployment. The principles advocated with respect to dismissal of factory hands include the following : The right to dismiss all female labor and men not called out, on the basis of factory contracts ; greatest possible freedom of transfer for mobi- lized labor to different factories or districts ; right to demand transfer from war to peace industry to be granted to discharged, recalled, and nonmobilized men; easy release of industrial labor for agriculture; employers to communicate with the home commission before ordering wholesale dismissals and to observe certain specified principles in the matter. With respect to unemployment, the union demands the establish- ment of adequate employment bureaus; maintenance allowance for workmen thrown idle, the amount to be increased in proportion to the number of dependents, this assistance to be given irrespective of war-time unemployment measures ; a lump sum to be paid by employ- ers to women seeking release in order to return home; freedom of emigration and free traveling for workmen with families abroad; discharge to be granted to employers of the war-economic organiza- tions of agriculture, industrial cooperative societies, and to agri- cultural workers on farms which have no male labor. ITALY. 97 For men who have been on active service the confederation de- mands a fair indemnity to be paid to discharged men; pensions in serious cases and indemnities in others ; disabled and invalid soldiers employed in industry, commerce, and agriculture to receive the same wages as other workmen. — [Tribuna, Nov. 30, 1918. p. 91.] Program of Public Works. A resolution was adopted at a meeting of industrial chiefs asking the Government to make a survey of the public works that need to be done at once and to assign these works to factories now doing war work on the basis of the number of persons employed. It also asked the Government to see that sufficient coal be available to cover the demands of Italian factories in order to avoid unemployment. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 7, Dec. 2, 1918, p. 52.] Expenditures for Municipal Public Works. Public works involving an expenditure of $30,000,000 will be begun at once by the city of Kome, so as to give employment to those form- erly in war industries. Wherever possible, factories engaged in war work will be transformed so as to manufacture building material and railroad supplies and equipment. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 7, Dec. 2, 1918, p. 57.] Reconstruction of Railways. The Italian Supreme Command has announced that the military engineering railroad authorities have, with the consent of the rail- way authorities, taken up the work of reestablishing railway con- nections in the liberated territories of the North. Bridges will be reconstructed and telegraphic service will be restored with the utmost speed. — [Giornale DTtalia, Dec. 4, 1918.] State Monopolies. The Italian Government adopted a law on November 22, 1918, to go into effect at the discretion of the Government, and the minister of finance has issued a decree providing for the monopolization by the State of the supply and sale of coffee and coffee substitutes, tea, sugar, petroleum, benzine, paraffin, and other heavy and light mineral oils (excluding lubricants) , and the residues from their distillation, coal (excluding domestic coke), denatured alcohol, explosives, elec- tric lamps, and the extraction of mercury and quinine. The minister of finance stated that the paramount necessity of in- creasing the fiscal revenues has led to this step, but that the Govern- ment had taken the greatest care to disturb private interests as lit- tle as possible. The alternative of taxing new manufacturers and supplies would only lead to still higher prices against the consumers' interests.— [Corriere della Sera, Nov. 23, 1918 ; II Sole, Dec. 5, 1918 ; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 6, 1918, p. 897.] 115488—19 7 98 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Industrial Reorganization. At a meeting of the association of limited companies, held in Kome, resolutions were passed which provided that representatives of industrial organizations should be called upon by the Government to act as technical consultants regarding the economic policy; that export permits should be granted on such a scale as to permit Italian industries to compete in foreign markets; that all monopolies of essential raw materials should be abandoned; that day and evening technical schools should be opened for employees of private firms; that the advice and proposals of industrial organizations should be taken into consideration by the Government. — [Tribuna, Dec. 14, 1918.] Expenditures for Public Works. An expenditure of $600,000,000 has been authorized by the Italian Government for public works to be undertaken by concerns formerly engaged in war industries. This is part of the plan approved by the Italian cabinet to facilitate the transformation of industries from a war to a peace basis. The assigning of contracts for public works to firms formerly in war industries is regulated by a decree which authorizes the following expenditures : $360,000,000 for rail- road materials and work, or railroads generally; $200,000,000 for drainage works and reclamation of waste lands, bridges, harbor im- provements, and roads; $100,000,000 for works of public character which are under the ministries of health, education, etc. A fund of $20,000,000 has been set aside, in addition to $1,500,000 already raised, to help those who, because of the nature of their work, may be forced into an involuntary period of unemployment. — [Italy Today, Vol. 1, No. 8, Dec. 16, 1918, p. 28.] Profit Sharing in Industry. A new Italian Government decree sanctions and allows the consti- tution of a profit-sharing fund between capital and labor in those firms which have set aside a special reserve fund after paying the limited dividends now allowed. It is established that one-third of such reserve must be invested in State securities, while the rest may form a special joint capital and labor fund. The principle is also laid down that the relations between employers and employees should be regulated on the basis of the fair distribution of profits, and indi- vidual industrial undertakings are empowered to take the necessary measures for putting their respective profit-sharing schemes into practice, each proposal, however, being first submitted for approval to the minister of industry, commerce, and labor, at whose instance the decree referred to was issued. — [Weekly Bulletin, Canadian Dept. of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa. Canada, Dec. 30, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce. Jan. 20, 1919, p. 319.] ITALY. 99 Railway Program. The State railway administration has put forward a vast program for the completing and repairing of locomotives, wagons, coaches, etc., involving the use of 400,000 tons of metals and the expenditure of 600,000,000 lire. The contracts are being placed with private firms.— [Tribuna, Dec. 30, 1918.1 Agricultural Unions. Membership in agricultural unions is almost universal in northern Italy and the prevalence of a six-hour day for agricultural labor is one of the derived benefits. — [Post, New York, N. Y., Jan. 17 r 1919.] Trade With United States. The Italo- American Economic Committee, which was formed at the end of last year, is now ready to commence its practical work, which will be as follows : 1. Agreements between competing producers, so as to eliminate the waste of unregulated competition. 2. Agreements for the increase of sales of noncompeting products in the two countries, and eventually to organize depots for redistri- bution to other markets. 3. Development and introduction into Italy of industries, with Italian and American capital, on modern lines, giving a maximum of efficiency. 4. Investment of Italian and American capital for the development of the natural resources of Italy. — [Corriere della Sera, Jan. 21, 1919.] Government Control of the Silk Trade. Under State control there has been formed a central silk-trade office in Italy, whose function it will be to protect the interests of this Italian trade, and which will have charge of all purchases (at fixed prices) and sales of silk produced from the native silkworm. It is believed that the office has been created to better the silk-trade situa- tion and stabilize the market. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 341.] Opposition to Coal Monopoly. Italian senators and chambers of commerce in the larger Italian towns are opposing the new State monoply on coal as destructive of important Italian industries. — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston,. Mass., Jan. 30, 1919.] Emigration of Italian Labor. The president of the emigration section of the Colonial Reconstruc- tion Congress has stated that many foreign countries will be in need' of labor immediately after the war, and that Italy will be able to> 100 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION". supply some of the demands of these foreign countries, and that the Italian workingman will be in a position to choose the market for his labor and the occupation for which he is best adapted. He stated that in the past foreign countries in need of Italian labor created the impression that by employing this labor they were performing an act of charity ; but henceforth the demand for this labor will come from abroad, and it is necessary for emigrants to realize that the giving of work to Italians will be no longer a matter of charity or philanthropy, but of absolute necessity; and that countries needing Italian labor will have to give guarantees assuring these workmen proper living and working conditions before they will respond to the invitation. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, February, 1919, p. 274.] Metallurgical Report. The Italian Metallurgical Association points out in its recent re- port that the metallurgical industries of the country can not long be satisfied with native ore supplies. — [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1919.] Emigration. The present agitation in the United States against immigration is causing a great deal of concern in Italy. This matter is of great im- portance to Italy, owing to the large number of emigrants leaving the country to cross the Atlantic. Should the United States prohibit immigration it would be necessary to find another outlet for Italy's surplus population. Australia has been suggested, although it is understood that the labor organizations in that country are against a great inroad of immigrants ; and, again, it is difficult to divert the stream of immigration in any other direction, the Italians having formed the habit of crossing the Atlantic. Therefore, it is particu- larly toward France that the stream will turn, as it is estimated that not less than 3,000,000 men will be required to carry out the work of reconstruction in that country. — [Corriere della Sera, Feb. 4, 1919.] Replacing Rolling Stock. Out of 3,300,000,000 lire voted for public works, no less than 1,800,- 000,000 has been set aside for railway works, of which 1,000,000,000 are to be expended for the acquisition of rolling stock. A total of 22,000 trucks and 600 locomotives have been ordered in Italy, and 10,000 trucks and 300 locomotives in America. The Italian railway admin- istration by promptly placing these large orders has greatly helped in preventing unemployment on demobilization, as these orders are sufficient to keep the Italian factories for railway materials busy until the end of 1920, and with the normal quantity of work coming in as well, they should be fully employed for five years. — [Corriere per cent in- terest is charged. Appropriations by the provincial parliament have been made for purchase of private lands at prices not to exceed $7,500 for each settler who furnishes one-fifth of the price. Settlers will each be given a lease for 5 years and option to purchase at price fixed at time of lease, with 20 years to pay. There will be no rent the first year ; the second and third years it will be 2 per cent ; the fourth and fifth years, 3-|- per cent; and the sixth to tenth years, 4 per cent. Training will be provided. — [" Work and Homes for Our Fighting Men"; Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] SPAIN". Nationalization of Railways. The Espana Economica y Financiera announces that the Spanish Government intends to issue a loan for 2 or 3 billion pesos in order to take over the Spanish railways and to build new branch lines. — [Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 14, 1918.] Economic Program of the Spanish Government. The minister of public works has outlined to the Spanish press the steps which the Government hopes to take in order to set in motion the work of Spain's economic reconstitution. A commission has been appointed by the Spanish Minister of Fi- nance which will work out a comprehensive economic program, which includes : 1. The purchase of the railroads and their operation by the State. 2. The utilization of the waterfalls for motive power. 3. A special mining law providing for the participation of the State in " extra profits." 4. The creation of a national industrial bank. 5. The rebuilding of the nation's industries. ^Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 28, 1918, p. 788 ; Nov. 6, 1918, p. 507.] STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 119 ■Organization for Post-War Competition. A Congress of Civil Engineers will be convened in the spring of 1919. the object of which will be " the organization of Spanish civil engineers for their mutual benefit and the development of their re- sources to enable them to compete efficaciously in large enterprises that will be undertaken after the war." A study will be made of Spanish production in its relation to other countries, etc. — [Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 8, 1918, p. 529.] Possibilities of Commercial Expansion, Investigation of. A commission of engineers has been appointed by royal order to study the actual state and probable development of the metallurgical industries in the Republics of South America, including an investiga- tion of the possibilities of Spanish commercial expansion, the mar- kets for Spanish metallurgical products, and the procuring of raw materials. The creation of this commission is regarded in Spain as necessanr to domestic economy in preparation for the time when peace will have put commerce on a normal footing. — [Report of U. S. consul general at Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 10, 1918; Commerce Re- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 6, 1919, p. 63.] . Opportunities for Investment of American Capital. The following is an abstract of a statement recently made in con- ference by a high Spanish authority : The time has never been so opportune as it is at the present mo- ment to establish broad commercial bonds between Spain and the United States. This is for several reasons : 1. The very great prestige which the United States has gained in the eyes of Spain, due to the wonderful success that was attained in connection with the war. 2. The very great need in Spain of importing certain raw mate- rials, but more particularly manufactured articles to replace used-up stock and equipment, (railways, tramways, factories, etc.). 3. The need of a larger outlet for Spain's own exports. 4. The vital need of the development of Spain's own industries through financial support from outside. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 397.] STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. New Steamship Lines to the United States. Several new lines of direct steamship communication between Singapore and the United States ports are being added to those- already in operation, with the result that the facilities for the carry- ing of trade between the United States and this important port and 120 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. trade center will be vastly increased in the near future. — [Report of U. S. consul general, Singapore, Nov. 22, 1918, Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 390.] SWEDEN. Foreign Service Reorganization. The assistant secretary of state announces that the foreign service of Sweden is to be reorganized ; the diplomatic and consular services are to be amalgamated. Many additional commercial attache positions will be established throughout the world. — [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 14, 1919.] Foreign Trade, Resumption of. A central council of export industry has been formed at the instance of the general export association and of the industrial association. — [Der Welthandel, May 31, 1918.] High Cost of Building. The price of building materials of all kinds has risen between 400 and 500 per cent, and this is hampering house building, the need for which is great, especially in the large cities where there is much con- gestion. A municipal committee in Stockholm has recommended that, to bring down prices, export duties should be imposed on wood and iron. The committee further suggests that import of such ma- terial be duty free, and that a bounty on imports be paid, the expenditure to be covered out of the yield of the export duties. — [Standard Daily Trade Service, New York, N. Y., Mar. 4, 1919, p. 438.] SWITZERLAND. National Trade-Mark for Swiss Exports. A syndicate named "Spes" (Syndicat pour l'Exportation Suisse) has been formed under the auspices of the Chambers of Commerce of Basle, Geneva, and Zurich for the purpose of encouraging the export of Swiss products. Goods of purely Swiss origin will be marked with the trade-mark " Spes." Any Swiss producer of trade commodities may belong to the syndicate, provided he has fulfilled the statutory conditions regarding the Swiss origin of his goods, the capital employed, and the persons engaged in their production. — [Der Welthandel, May 31, 1918.] Electrification of Railways. In order to avoid in future the political awkwardness and danger arising from dependence on foreign countries for the fuel needed in operating its transportation system the general direction of the Swiss federal railways has outlined a detailed plan for electrifica- tion by the utilization of its water-power resources. TURKEY. 121 The railway management of the Canton Berne has adopted the electrification program and has contracted for part of the work. The cost of this undertaking is estimated at 150,000 francs per kilometer or 50,000,000 francs for the whole line. This cost will be met by the railway companies, the Canton, the communes concerned, and the Swiss Federation. — [Commerce Reports, TJ. S. Dept. of Commerce,. Nov. 7, 1918. p. 524; Kolnische Zeitung, Dec. 7, 1918.] Swiss Parliament. The Swiss Parliament is considering a revision of the Swiss Con- stitution to include proportional elections for the National Council and an increase in the number of members of the Government from seven to nine. — [Post, Washington, D. C, Jan. 29, 1919.] Economic Agreement Ratified. The Swiss Federal Council has ratified the economic agreement made with France in Paris on March 25, to be valid until December 31. The French Government is to deliver to Switzerland each month 60.000 tons of coal from the Saar mines, and assure Switzerland of a supply of steel. Switzerland is to export to France 25,000 head of cattle, 15,000 to be delivered immediately. — [The Public, New York, N. Y., Apr. 19, 1919, p. 410.] Swiss Relief and Creditors' Association for Russia. For the purpose of protecting Swiss commercial interests in Rus- sia, there has recently been formed an organization known as the Swiss Relief and Creditors' Association for Russia. The leading chambers of commerce are represented in this organization, and the aid and cooperation of Swiss diplomatic and consular officials in Russia have been assured. Many of the leading manufacturers and exporters in the embroidery industry in eastern Switzerland have had a large prewar trade for their products with Russia, and an effort is being made to have such interested parties become members of this new association. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce. Apr. 28, 1919, p. 579.] TURKEY. Transition Economy. The Turkish minister of finance, during the discussion of the budget last year, made an announcement with reference to Turkey's foreign trade during the first years after the war. In the debate at this year's budget the minister again referred to the matter, and with such de- tail that it is clear that the Government has already made definite plans for transition economy. Import is to be restricted, export ex- tended. He regards it as desirable that Government control of im- ports and exports shall continue for about six years after the war, 122 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. the Government control to be exercised by means of the admission or refusal of foreign bills. — [Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmachte, Aug. 23, 1918.] British Government Dairy Farms and Other Agricultural Undertakings. The British military authorities have established model dairy farms at seven different points in Mesopotamia. These are man- aged by experts and the milk is treated under hygienic conditions. Each farm has been equipped with an up-to-date dairy plant and machinery, and the whole dairy produce, consisting of milk, cream, and butter, is turned over to the military hospitals. Large numbers of cattle have been imported from India, and efforts are being put forth to improve and increase the herds. The department of agri- culture, which henceforth will control the dairy farms, has been very active in different directions. Various demonstration farms, such as poultry, wheat, and cotton farms, have been established. New canals, irrigation channels, dams, reservoirs, and the reconstruc- tion of similar works which have long fallen into disuse, have been undertaken. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 15, 1919, p. 323.] British Banking Activities. In connection with the resumption of commercial activities in Constantinople by various foreign interests the British Trade Cor- poration has created a branch for near-eastern trade, known as the Levant Co. (Ltd.) ; has purchased a controlling interest in the local firm of Whittall & Co., which formerly had exten- sive shipping connections with the United States, and also in the National Bank of Turkey. It is also reported that at least one of the London " Big Four " commercial banks will establish a branch in Constantinople and in other main cities of Asia Minor. SeveraJ Constantinople business men who have always been interested in American trade are urging the necessity of the establishment of an American bank in Constantinople, with branches in Smyrna and other important shipping points. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 15. 1919, p. 324.] UNITED KINGDOM. Ministry of Reconstruction. The ministry of reconstruction was created by act of Parliament, 1917, to continue for the duration of the war and for two years after its conclusion. The functions of the minister of reconstruction are to institute such inquiries, prepare such schemes, and make such recommendations as he thinks fit concerning problems arising out of the war; to be acquainted with all proposals for dealing with post- war problems which are under consideration by Government depart- UNITED KINGDOM. 123 ments or committees, ori put forward by responsible bodies or per- sons; to study them in their bearings upon each other; to initiate proposals for dealing with matters which are not already covered; and to build up out of all this material, for submission to Parliament, a reasoned policy of reconstruction in all its branches. An advisory council representative of all the leading interests concerned in re- construction assists the minister of reconstruction, and he is also being aided by 87 different committees and commissions set up to deal with after-the-war questions. — [British war cabinet, report for year 1917, ch. XVI.] Industry and Commerce. The committee on commercial and industrial policy after the war in its report states that, while British industry engaged in such lines as coal, cotton and the textile trades generally, shipbuilding, and some branches of the engineering trades (such as textile machinery), has made great strides forward ; the iron and steel trades had made comparatively little progress, and had come to be overshadowed by their great competitors in German}^ and the United States; that in the rise and expansion of the more modern branches of industrial production the United Kingdom had taken a very limited share; and it is admitted that in a number of smaller trades, foreign manu- facturers had shown greater enterprise and originality. Certain branches of production, of great importance as a basis for other manufactures, had come to be entirely or very largely under German control due to the Germans' persistent scientific work and organizing skill. A proposition is made that in the transition following the war. enemy goods be prohibited for at least 12 months following peace, especially to prevent Germany from recapturing fields of trade which had been built up by the British during the war. Ex- tended discussion is given to Government control and Government purchase of raw materials, and the encouragement of their produc- tion at home. Adoption of the metric system and of decimal cur- rency, and several other important subjects are reported upon. — [British committee on commercial and industrial policy after the war, December, 1917.] Government Policy Concerning Agriculture. The agricultural policy subcommittee in its report recommends, inasmuch as agriculture is regarded as a dangerous industry to in- vest in. due to climate, pests, weeds, and the policy of the Gov- ernment with regard to imposts, that taxes and reclamation projects be handled with these facts in mind; that pests and weeds be con- trolled as far as possible through seed inspection and inspection of manure supply; that a standard uniform system of weights and measures be substituted for the current practice; and that trans- 124 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. portation facilities be administered with a view to aiding agricul- ture. — [British agricultural policy subcommittee's report, Jan. 30, 1918.] Improvement of Social and Industrial Conditions. In its interim report the committee on adult education states that, in order to safeguard society itself from internal civil dissension, as well as from external war, certain definite conditions of life are deemed indispensable. To this end it is proposed that the workday be shortened ; that purely economic ends be not pursued to the sacri- fice of social and human values ; that heavy and exhausting work be restricted to less than eight hours per day, and that monotonous work be relieved by alternating forms of employment calling for initiative; that overtime be closely restricted, and that night work be substantially eliminated; that a weekly half holiday should be allowed and taken, and an annual vacation provided for; that the housing problem be solved to the end of relieving women of un- necessary drudgery, that their work may be pleasant and satisfac- tory and their leisure more happy and worthwhile ; that the domestic servant, especially, be relieved of the customary long and irregular hours, and of her usual unwholesome isolation; and that industrial women workers should be relieved of the double burden of domestic duties so often added to their industrial occupations. — [British adult- education committee's interim report, Mar. 14, 1918.] Education in the Army. The adult education committee, in their second interim report, rec- ommend that army education be provided, with the thought that the older as well as the younger men are to be reached. Education of a general character, nonvocational, should be most emphasized. Edu- cation for life and citizenship, modern languages and literature, his- tory and political science, industrial and social economics should be encouraged. Special care should be taken to train men for service in demobilization, and after cessation of hostilities particular care of educational facilities should be taken. There should be established an education branch of the war office. — [British adult-education com- mittee's report, July 3, 1918.] Economy Through Standardization. The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its ad- visory council, wherein it recommends that, as England is at a dis- advantage in respect to its railroad Construction and equipment owing to the prevalence of much unnecessary diversity of type, a few stand- ard types should be substituted, with interchangeable parts provided for wherever economically possible. In prewar times the big railway companies themselves manufactured over 50 per cent of the locomo- tives used by all the railways, and thus " other countries have not UNITED KINGDOM. , 125 suffered as much from this riot of individuality," because their equip- ment was purchased from private firms. — [British advisory council's report upon standardization of railway equipment, July 4, 1918.] Conference on Imperial Economic Policy. The imperial war conference and the imperial war cabinet have been holding important sessions in London. It appears that the Do- minions are very much interested in the strong development of close imperial cooperation in matters of economic policy. Various con- fidential resolutions have been adopted relating to postwar economic policy. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 24, 1918,"p. 738.] British Firms Advised to Prepare for Future. Attention is called in the British Board of Trade Journal of August 1, to the expansion of export trade after the Avar; and it advises examination of methods of production and distribu- tion, the seizure of every opportunity of studying the rapidly chang- ing conditions in overseas markets which the war has brought about, and preparation for the renewal of exporting activity after the war. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 29, 1918, p. 806.] Provisional Advisory Council for the Board of Trade. Pending the formation of an advisory council for the board of trade on a permanent basis, the president of the British Board of Trade has invited the chairmen (or other representatives) of various board of trade committees, including those on trade after the war, the presi- dents (or other representatives) of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of British Industries, and representa- tives of labor interests to form a provisional council to advise the department of commerce and industry. The council also includes representatives of the foreign, colonial, and Indian offices, and the Dominion Governments have been invited to nominate members. The first meeting of the council was held at the board of trade October 9.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 10, 1918, p. 450.] Commerce and Industry After the War. In an address before the industrial reconstruction council in Octo- ber, 1918, on " Commerce and Industry after the War," the president of the board of trade dealt with the present position of British indus- try, after-the-war competition, production during the war, the need for large-scale production, the securing of supplies of raw materials, scientific research in its application to industry, cooperation between employers and employed, distribution of commodities, functions of the Government in the efforts to attain the largest possible production, the maintenance of " key industries," sea and land transportation, conservation of coal, cooperation with Dominions and Allies, and transitional control by the Government. — [The speech is published in full in the British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 10, 1918, p. 452.] 126 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Financial Center of the World. The president of the London City and Midland Bank in an ad- dress on September 14, in speaking of after-the-war problems, dwelt chiefly upon the necessity of making every effort to insure that Lon- don remains the financial center of the world. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 12, 1918, p. 161.] Coal-Saving Expedients. The advisory committee appointed by the coal controller to recom- mend ways of economizing in the domestic consumption of fuel, has prepared an interim report dealing with the adaptation of existing types of open fires, closed stoves, and cooking ranges, so as to increase their efficiency. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 14, 1918, p. 187.] Potash Supplies. According to expert opinion, the present outlook for the supply of potash in Great Britain is very hopeful. Day by day the country be- comes more independent of the German product.— [Commerce Re- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 15, 1918, p. 198.] Committee on Wages Awards. With a view to immediate action concerning the situation which may result at the end of the war in regard to the various wages awards which have been made during the war, the minister of recon- struction, with the concurrence of the departments affected, has ap- pointed a committee with the following terms of reference : 1. Whether the compulsory operation of awards made under the munitions of war acts, of orders extending such awards, and of orders regulating wages made under those acts should be continued after the war. 2. Whether the power to make such awards or orders should be continued after the war. 3. The manner in which awards and orders, if made or continued, should be enforced after the war, and for what period. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 17, 1918, p. 488.] Organization for Industrial Reconstruction. It is recognized that the resettlement of the industries of the coun- try on a peace basis could not satisfactorily be left to unguided private effort; and the Government is, therefore, endeavoring to se- cure the early establishment of properly constituted bodies, repre- sentative of employers and employees, to which questions affecting the different industries may be referred. Three forms of such bodies are being organized : 1. It is intended that in each industry which has reached a suffi- ciently high level of organization there shall be set up a joint stand- UNITED KINGDOM. 127 ing or national industrial council, consisting of equal representation of associations of employers and of trade-unions, in accordance with the " Whitley Report/' the policy of which has been adopted by the Government. The ministry of labor undertakes the duty of assisting the industries to create such councils. A number of these bodies are already in existence and others are in process of formation. 2. Where industries are not sufficiently organized, or for some reason are not in a position to form national councils, interim indus- trial reconstruction committees are formed. These committees are dealt with by the ministry of reconstruction and it is expected that they will eventually form national industrial councils. These com- mittees are allowed a good deal of latitude as to scope, the idea being that if employers and employees in any industry can be brought to- gether to discuss any questions, whatever, they will learn to know and trust one another. At present the ministry of reconstruction is ask- ing its committees primarily to deal with questions concerning de- mobilization and general commercial matters which will arise im- mediatel}' after the war. 3. A third form of organization is the trade-board. These can be provided in unorganized areas on application of a national indus- trial council with the approval of the ministry of labor, or in the less organized industries where the ministry of labor deems it neces- sary. Such industries can, with the approval of the ministry of re- construction, form interim industrial committees, and later, with the approval of the ministry of labor, national industrial councils. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Oct. 24, 1918, p. 446.] Elimination of Fuel Waste. Four hundred experts have been appointed by the coal controller to consult with and advise steam-power users how to eliminate waste. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 26, 1918, p. 357.] Raw Materials. The potash industry is to be encouraged in order to make the country independent of Germany for their supply of this com- modity. Scientists have discovered formulas utilizing abundant raw materials in the production of potash. — [Wall Street Journal. New York, N. Y.. Oct. 31, 1918.] Imperial War Conference, Report of the. A full report has been issued of the proceedings of the imperial war conference (Cd. 9177) together with the various memoranda which were laid before it and upon which the discussions were based. Among the subjects which came under discussion were the non- ferrous metal industry, the control of raw materials, shipping, in- 128 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. terimperial communications, imperial mineral resources, etc. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Oct. 31, 1918, p. 549.] . 3uilding After the War. The committe on building industry after the war published a re- port in which it stated that there will undoubtedly be a general shortage of building material, and correspondingly high prices ; and that to meet this situation there should be appointed a central build- ing industry committee, with regional subcommittees, whose aim it shall be to increase supplies, aided by the early release of pivotal men from the army, favorable control of transportation rates and facilities, repression of nonessential uses, and the careful attention to the labor situation, to the end of securing maximum produc- tion. — [British committee on bldg. industry after the war report. Nov. 4, 1918.] Xey Industries. A key industry exposition was held in London, October 8, under the auspices of the Tariff Eeform League, the object of which is to present the facts to the public in order to create a sentiment in favor of maintaining and protecting these vital industries in the United Kingdom. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 513.] Postwar Priority. The war cabinet recently set up a cabinet committee to deal with postwar priority questions. It consists of General Smuts, the pres- ident of the board of trade, the minister of labour, the minister of shipping, the minister of munitions, and the minister of reconstruc- tion. A standing council of postwar priority has been appointed to assist the cabinet committee, and is now at work. The council has had before it a survey of the existing stocks of the more impor- tant raw materials, and in giving urgent consideration to the question of releasing such materials from any form of control at the earliest possible moment. It is the intention of the council to consult the trade bodies concerned with regard to any matters affecting the in- dustries they represent, and, by taking them into their confidence, to make the utmost possible use of their organizations in any alloca- tion of materials which may be found necessary. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 7, 1918, p. 580.] Demobilization and Resettlement, Civil Department of. The British Government has created a' civil department of demobi- lization and resettlement responsible to the ministry of labor, under the controller general, to deal with all questions affecting reemploy- ment and resettlement of navy, army, and air forces, and of civil war- workers.— [Wall St. Journal, New York, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1918.] UNITED KINGDOM. 129 Export Trade, Development of. The British Manufacturers' Corporation has been organized, hav- ing for its main object the development of British export trade after the war. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 11. 1919, p. 566.] Demobilization of Munitions Works and Liquidation of Contracts. The minister of munitions has appointed a demobilization board to deal with all measures affecting the demobilization of munitions works and liquidation of contracts apart from the questions assigned to the resettlement board under the minister of labour. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 609.] Shipping, Control of. The shipping controller has announced that it is not contemplated that the control of merchant shipping should continue for any longer period than is necessary to provide for the extraordinary conditions arising out of the war. Privately-owned ships now under requisi- tion are to be released from control as soon as the tonnage available is considered clearly sufficient to provide for such essential shipping- services as may be necessary in the national interests. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 609.] Demobilization of Munition Workers. The ministry of munitions has issued the following instructions to all factories and firms engaged on work for that ministry : 1. There should, so far as possible, be no immediate general dis- charge of munition workers. 2. All workers, however, who desire to withdraw from industry or to leave for any reason, and all workers who can be absorbed else- where, should be at once released. 3. Production or contracts for guns and gun ammunition, machine guns, small arms, and small-arms ammunition; trench-warfare mor- tars, bombs, and stores, pyrotechnic stores, aerial bombs; all acces- sories of the above stores, aircraft and aero engines; and the manu- facture of explosives, should be reduced in the following way : a. All overtime should be immediately abolished. b. S} r stems of payment by results should be temporarily suspended, and the customary notice of the transfer from payment by results to time-work should be given. c. When a transfer to time-work has taken place, a reduction of the hourly week, should, wherever possible, be introduced. The re- duction of hours will also apply to men already on time-work, and, in their case, the customary procedure as to reduction of hours should be followed. 115488—19 9 130 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. d. Whenever reduced hours are worked on a time-work basis, the number of hours worked must not be less than one-half of the hours in the present normal working week of the establishment. Earnings will be made up by the employer, who will be reimbursed by the State in any case which for the full weekly number of hours on the short-time system fall below the following : Men of 18 and over, 30 shillings per week. Boys under 18, 15 shillings per week. Women of 18 and over, 25 shillings per week. Girls under 18, 12 shillings and 6 pence per week. Where time is lost, the amounts payable will be sums proportionate to the number of hours actually worked. The adoption of half-time may cause unavoidable discharges, but every effort should be made to minimize unemployment, utilizing employees for a short period on laboring and clearing-up work. In allotting this work preference should be given to workpeople who are ordinarily dependent upon industrial employment. All persons discharged, or claiming release, can obtain free rail- way warrants for journeys from the place of employment to their homes, or to places where they have found new employment. — [Brit- ish Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 626.] Unemployment Donation to Demobilized Civilian War Workers. To provide for the abnormal period that must immediately follow on the cessation of hostilities, the Government has adopted as a temporary measure the following general scheme of noncontributory unemployment donation, which has been laid before it by the min- ister of reconstruction in agreement with the minister of labor. The broad conditions of the scheme are that the donations shall re- main in force for a period of six months from a date to be an- nounced by the Government and that the benefit can be drawn for a maximum of 13 weeks during that period in cases where unemploy- ment can not be avoided. Under the temporary noncontributory scheme, which will remain in force pending the introduction of a general contributory scheme, demobilized civilian war workers will receive benefits on the following scale: a. To unemployed men over the age of 18 years, 24 shillings a week. To unemployed women over that age, 20 shillings a week. b. There will be an additional allowance in respect to the first dependent child under 15 years of age, 6 shillings for each additional dependent child under that age. c. There is a further provision for unemployed juveniles be- tween the ages of 15 and 18 of 12 shillings per week for boys and 10 shillings for girls, conditional on their attending a course of in- struction approved by the board of education or other central de- partment concerned. UNITED KINGDOM. 131 While the above is operating, the existing compulsory unemploy- ment insurance scheme will remain in suspense so far as benefits are concerned. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 627.] Passport Regulations. The home office has announced that on and after November 23 all passengers leaving the United Kingdom for the United States must obtain a visa on their passports from the American consul in London. Passengers to France, or via France to Italy, Switzerland, or Greece must obtain a visa from the French bureau des passeports in Lon- don, or the French consul at Liverpool, Southampton, or Folk- stone. Passengers to certain other countries must obtain permits from the British permit office in London. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 14, 1918, p. 630.] Decimal Coinage. A royal commission has been appointed to consider the advisability of placing the currency and money account of the United Kingdom on a decimal basis. The Federation of British Industries is giving its hearty support to the attempts being made to introduce the deci- mal system of coinage. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin. Nov. 21, 1918.] Labor Party's Reconstruction Program. The British Labor Part} 7 adopted in June, 1918, resolutions setting forth its views on reconstruction. The subjects covered include in- creased production and the maintenance of the standard of life ; pro- vision for soldiers, sailors, and civilian war workers, and restoration of trade-union conditions; unemployment; political reforms, includ- ing improvement of conditions as to education, housing, relief of the poor, health, temperance, agriculture, and rural life. Government ownership of railways and other means of communication and of mines is advocated, with greater control over industry. Revision of methods of national finance are urged, so as to place a greater share of the burden of taxation upon accumulated wealth. Sir Arthur Henderson, secretary of the British Labor Party, states that the four " pillars of the house " of the labor party's program are : a. The universal enforcement of the national minimum ; b. the demo- cratic control of industry; c. the revolution in national finance; and (/. the surplus wealth for the common good. — [Resolutions on Recon- struction of British Labor Party, 1918; Survey, New York, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1918; "The Aims of Labor," Sir Arthur Henderson, Janu- ary, 1918.] Standardization of Railway Plants. A report upon the standardization of railway equipment has heen made to the ministry of reconstruction by the advisory council: of the 132 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. ministry. The report states that competition between the big rail- ways has resulted in an unnecessary multiplication of types and that in no other country has individuality been allowed so much free scope, with the result that British railways are severely handicapped and their operation not so economical as it might be. The committee recommends certain steps to be taken for carrying out standardiza- tion of railway plants as far as it is practicable to .do so. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 21, 1918, p. 641.] Shipping Policy of Government. In a statement to the House of Commons, the parliamentary sec- retary to the ministry of shipping said that the declared policy of the Government with regard to shipping is to restore the position that obtained. It, therefore, follows that the Government has contem- plated the sale of the Government ships to private owners, and a be- ginning of the sale has been made. In relation to every matter con- cerning shipbuilding, first-class priority will be given, whether it is for steel, for labor, for the supply of material, or for the supply of houses for workmen that are needed in connection with these ex- tensions. It is the desire of the shipping controller that private yards should in future be open to shipowners. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 21, 1918, p. 649.] Acquisition of Land for Public Purposes. Two reports of the committee on law and practice have been pub- lished by the ministry of reconstruction. The first report recommends the creation of a new " sanctioning authority," to pass promptly on all except local applications for power to acquire land compulsorily for public purposes. The second report states that the " lands clauses acts are out of date and should be repealed and replaced by a fresh code " ; that the owner should be paid the market value plus compensation for consequential injury, but without allowance for the compulsory acqui- sition, and without any increased value which might have arisen " by reason of the suitability of the land for a purpose to which it could only be applied under statutory powers," and no compensation for value arising from use of premises contrary to sanitary or other laws and regulations ; that where a particular improvement increases the value of neighboring land, the State or local authority should be en- titled to participate in such increased value; and that injurious af- fection should also be compensated. — [British law and practice com- mittee's reports, Jan. 9-Nov. 20, 1918.] Demobilization of Munitions Workers. The ministry of munitions has issued a circular letter pointing out the necessity of firms conferring immediately with the local employ- ment exchanges, with a view to facilitating the transfer of workers discharged under the scheme of demobilization to other work of na- UNITED KINGDOM. 133 tional importance or their return to their homes or previous employ^- ment. In every case the local employment exchanges must be informed at least 14 days in advance of the numbers of workers expected to be' dispensed with. When the notices of discharge are served on the men and women there must be furnished to the employment exchange a list of their names, addresses, and previous occupations. When the discharge of a considerable number of workers is in contemplation the following order of discharge is suggested : 1. Those who were not industrial workers prior to taking up muni- tions work and are willing to withdraw voluntarily. 2. Workers who can readily be absorbed in their previous occupa- tions or in the staple industries of the place, where such industries exist and vacancies are available. 3. Bad timekeepers. 4. Workers who have not served a given length of time (to be agreed in each case) in the following order: a. Those originally brought in from other districts. b. Those workers who are making a specially heavy demand on transport service. c. Others. [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 21. 1918. p. 663.] Financial Facilities After the War. The committee on financial facilities has published a report present- ing a study of the financial machinery and its peace operations, show- ing the manner in which the gold standard has automatically regu- lated credit and international prices. The war-time substitution of currency note issues, not legally limited in amount, for gold and check circulation, permitted inflation of credit. Opposition is made to at- tempt to rebuild industry by means of further indiscriminate expan- sion of credit, which would endanger London as the world's financial center and also threaten ultimate disaster. Reconstitution of industry on sound financial basis is advised, calling for an effective gold stand- ard, a check on undue expansion of credit and incidental rise in prices, and steps to reduce to normal proportions the inflation of credit due to the war. The reconstruction will call for more long-term credit on capital goods with relatively less short-term trade credit. The banks will have to increase their paid-up capital and encourage long-period deposits in order to meet the demand for these long-time loans. Un- essential enterprises must be checked and speculation repressed. It is hoped that the British Trade Corporation may be of real value, in overseas trade especially. The committee looks with favor on some control over new capital issues, at least until State borrowing in con- nection with the war is completed, especially so inasmuch as much public work will have to be resumed, and the country's resources 134 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. should be restricted to essential activities. They oppose State aid to banks and also to private enterprise, bringing as it does a degree of State control ; but perhaps excess-profit taxes might be retained for a time as a Government loan at interest, as a helpful addition to avail- able liquid resources. — [British committee on financial facilities re- port, Nov. 21, 1918.] Demobilization of Army. " Demobilizers," made up for the most part of officials and army men, will assist in the actual process of demobilization. The order will be, 1, " Pivotal men," those upon whom a great deal of industry and employment in a pivotal trade and works depend ; 2, " Slip men," those for whom definite work is actually available and for whom places are being kept open ; and, 3, men engaged in the various trades and professions in accordance with a priority list based on a quali- fication of the trades and professions in their order of national im- portance. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 1918.] Demobilization of Civil War Workers. The policy of the Government with regard to demobilization of civil war workers appears to be to carry on munition work at a re- duced rate for the present, with a view to gradually putting an end to surplus war production and finding the displaced workmen suf- ficient employment in peace trades. Every encouragement will be given to firms who are able to turn over to peace work, and sugges- tions as to peace industries which can easily be taken up are invited. Employment exchanges will advise firms as to order of discharge, etc., and free railway warrants to their homes or new employments will be issued through the labor exchanges for all persons discharged or claiming release. The Government has adopted a temporary non- contributory unemployment allowance under which unemployed men, women, and children will be granted so much per week for a maxi- mum of 13 weeks. The benefits to boys and girls are conditional on their attending a course of instruction approved by the board of education. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 1918.] Disposition of Government-Owned Materials, Plants, and Machinery. The ministry of munitions will do all in its power to maintain stability in price, and will therefore not attempt to dump huge stocks of surplus materials on the market, but they will be fed out gradually. Contractors in possession of plants and machinery owned by the. Government who wish to utilize the same for civil work may do so upon serving proper notice and paying a reasonable hire. Or- ders and instructions will be issued shortly under which restrictions, which have hitherto existed prohibiting manufacturers from under- UNITED KINGDOM. 135 taking certain classes of orders and from using certain materials otherwise than for specified purposes, will be relaxed as far as possi- ble.— [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Nov. 21, 1918.] Internal Transport System, Recommendations Concerning. The select committee of the House of Commons, which was ap- pointed on August 6, has issued a second report (Cd. 136) which con- tains the following conclusions: 1. That the organization of the transport agencies of the country, and particularly the railways, can not be allowed to return to its pre- war position. 2. That the temporary .arrangements for the control of railways and canals during the war would not be satisfactory as a permanent settlement. 3. That unification of the railway system is desirable under suit- able safeguards, whether the ownership be in public or private hands. Any one of the following courses would be, consistent with the con- clusions stated above, but without further evidence the committee is not in a position to recommend which of these methods should be adopted in the first instance : 1. Further amalgamation of railway companies as a step towards unification. 2. Unification accompanied by private ownership and commercial management. 3. Unification by means of nationalization followed by — a. Establishment of a Government department to manage the railways. h. Constitution of a board of management not directly represented in Parliament. c. Leasing of the system to one or more commercial companies. [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 677.] i Wages and Arbitration. The ministry of labor has called attention to the " wages (tempo- rary regulation) act" which recently passed through Parliament. The main purpose of the new act is to secure the maintenance for a period of six months of the minimum wages generally applicable at the date of the signing of the armistice in each trade or branch of a trade or district to each class of workmen, except in so far as these minimum wages are varied by arbitration or by agreement with the approval of the minister of labor. The act provides for the estab- lishment of a court of arbitration which will deal with differences referred to it by the ministry of labor, in cases where the parties have been Tillable to settle as to what the prescribed rate should be. The minister of labor has established a wages and arbitration depart- ment to deal with questions relating to wages, etc. — [British Board of Trade Journal. Nov. 28, 1918, p. 696.] 136 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Disabled Men Discharged and the Workmen's Compensation Act. Iii view of the fear expressed that disabled men are more liable to meet with accident in the course of employment or to make the results of an accident more serious than they would be normally, the Govern- ment has decided in principle that any increased charge incurred for compensation in respect of disabled men shall be borne by the State, and has adopted a scheme which has been worked out by a home office committee. The scheme proposes that an arrangement should be entered into by the Government with the insurance com- panies by which the companies would undertake to insure disabled men at the general rates for the occupation, and not to increase their general rates in the future as the result of the employment of dis- abled men, the Government under certain conditions to reimburse the loss, if any, which the companies may thereby incur. In the case of large firms who carry their own risk the Government proposes to enter into special arrangements, if so desired, to reimburse the firms for any increase over the normal charge which they may incur in respect to the disabled men whom they employ. The details of the scheme are being completed and will be announced later. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 696.] Woolen and Worsted Industry, Needs of. The army council has appointed a wool council : 1. To advise as to the needs of the woolen and worsted industry in regard to raw materials during the transition period. 2. To prepare plans which will facilitate the turnover from war to peace conditions. 3. To act as an advisory body to the war office on matters outside the terms of reference of the board of control of the woolen and worsted industry. 4. To advise and assist Government departments and any recog- nized organization connected with the industry, on such matters as may be referred to them. The council is composed of representatives of trade and labor organizations, the war office, board of trade, ministry of reconstruc- tion, and ministry of labor. The first meeting of the council was held on November 21, 1918. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 678.] Transport of Peace Material. In June, 1918, the minister of reconstruction established an inter- departmental committee to deal with the difficulties of storage and transport to be met at the close of the war. This storage and transit committee has been given executive power to enable it to allocate storage accommodations between departments and to adjust counter- claims should they arise. One principle governing the evacuation of UNITED KINGDOM. 137 all storage places occupied by Government departments is that they shall be evacuated one by one in the order of precedence laid down by the dock, wharfage, and other authorities in reports which they have presented to the committee. — [British Board of Trade Journal,. Nov. 28, 1918, p. 692.] Munitions Plants and Machinery for Civil Work. The minister of munitions has announced, under date of Novem- ber 21, 1918, that contractors in possession of plants and machinery owned by the ministry of munitions, who wish to use such plants and machinery for civil work, may do so on condition that they notify the superintendent engineer in their area within one week from the date on which the plants and machinery were first used for purposes other than those for which they were provided. The use of such plants and machinery will impose no obligation on the contractor to purchase, or on the ministry to sell, although should a sale not be effected to the contractor he will be required to pay a reasonable hir& and to release the machinery when requested to do so. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 698.] Demobilization and Resettlement. When general demobilization of men serving with the forces begins, priority of release will be given to officers and men who have definite employment awaiting them. Instructions to employers having such positions open and the forms to be used by them have been prepared. Officers and men in the forces will be provided with a civil em- ployment form on which they may state whether an employer has- promised them work, whether they wish their names to be sub- mitted to a particular employer, or giving other information as to their intentions. These forms when filled up will be transmitted, through the proper channels, to the local district director of the appointments department or to the employment exchange. Men for whom it is thus ascertained that vacancies are awaiting will b& termed "slipmen"; and subject to naval and military considera- tions, they will receive priority of release when general demobiliza- tion begins. Arrangements are being made for a strictly limited number of men to be released in advance of general demobilization, namely, " pivotal men " ; that is, men whose early release will be of immedi- ate national value, for purposes of reconstruction, or to facilitate the absorption of the returning soldiers and of unemployed labor. A selection has been made by the ministry of labor of the industries, businesses, and professions which are entitled to a share in this limited pool of men. 138 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. An elaborate scheme of demobilization and reemployment, in which this principle is applied, has been outlined and is being used by the British Government. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Nov. 28, 1918, p. 693; Dec. 19, 1918, p. 795.] Postwar Financial Policy. The first interim report of a committee appointed in January, 1918, by the British treasury and the ministry of reconstruction to consider various problems, which will arise in connection with cur- rency and foreign exchanges during the period of reconstruction, has been made. It reviews the present financial situation and makes certain recommendations. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Dec. 2, 1918, p. 833.] Nonferrous Metal Industry. Announcement has been made of the formation of the British Metal Corporation, capitalized at 5,000,000 pounds ($24,330,000). The board of directors contains a prominent official of the depart- ment of munitions and three members of the board of trade com- mittee, who reported on the position of the nonferrous metals trade after the war, the outcome of which was the passage by Parliament of the nonferrous metals act. The corporation will provide ma^ chinery for carrying on a form of control over the nonferrous metal industry. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 3, 1918, p. 849.] War Risk Cargo Insurance. Notice has been given that on and after December 9, 1918, the granting of fresh insurances on cargo against the war risks by the war risk insurance office will be discontinued except in special cases. The underwriting office will remain open for the closing of provisional insurance. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 703.] House Building', State Help for. The minister of reconstruction appointed a committee to consider how to encourage private enterprises in building houses for the working people. This committee has presented an interim report dealing with public utility societies. A public utility society is one registered under the industrial and provident societies act, which limits its interest and dividend to 5 per cent. The committee recommended that loans of 80 per cent of the value of any housing scheme carried out by such a society should be made by the State at the lowest rate at which it can lend without loss. Repayment may be spread over 50 years, and advances made during building. The majority of the committee expressed the opinion that if the State wants houses, it should bear the whole loss incurred by a society in building at once; otherwise, there will be UNITED KINGDOM. 139 temptation to wait until building is cheaper, and houses urgently needed will not be forthcoming. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 710.] Demobilization; Pivotal Men Released for Work in Ports. The central advisory (port-labor) committee has been formed by the minister of labor for the purpose of advising the minister on general questions relating to labor in the ports, coordinating the work of the local port-labor committees, and allocating the pivotal men to be released from the army for work in the ports to the differ- ent ports claiming service. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 728.] Notice of Discharge to Munition Workers. Munition workers, in accordance with the provisions of the mu- nitions of war act, 1917, are, with certain specified exceptions, en- titled to a week's notice of discharge, or a week's wages in lieu of notice. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 728.] Demobilized Men, New Reserve for. In order to make provision for the recall of men released from the colors in the event of an emergency immobilization becoming neces- sary, the army council has decided to form a new class of army re- serve to be designated class Z, which will be kept open until the de- posit of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace. All men released from service with the colors will be passed to this class, except men to be discharged as physically unfit for further service or on medical grounds and certain others. Class Z army reservists will receive no pay from army funds, they will not wear uniforms nor be subject to military discipline, and their placing in this class will not interfere with their resettlement in civil life nor be a bar to their emigration or repatriation oversea. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918, p. 728.] Apprenticeship, State-Aided. Provision is being made, through the employment department o'f the ministry of labor, for the technical and commercial training of discharged officers and men of like standing. The ministry has set up two committees to advise the department: One, on training and education, technical and commercial; and the other on the resettle- ment of ex-officers. A scheme of State assistance has been devised for apprentices whose apprenticeship has been interrupted by war- service. — [Report of the U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918.] Housing Needs. It is estimated that 100,000 new houses are needed in London alone. The London County council has 100 acres on which houses are to be built at once, which can accommodate 17,000 persons. It is proposed 140 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. to spend 3,500,000 pounds ($17,032,750) on this program. Other coun- cils in Greater London have made application to erect houses on 60,000 acres. The local Government board has a scheme for erecting 300,000 houses, and various municipal authorities have also plans under way,, but the procuring of the material required is a great problem. The British industries at present can not furnish all these materials and the Government will have to import considerable quantities. A fairly reliable estimate is that 500,000 houses are needed in the United Kingdom at once, to cost $1,000,000,000.- — [Reports of U. S. com- mercial attache, London, England, Dec. 6, 14, 1918, Commerce Re- ports,. U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219; Jan. 21, 1919, p. 324.] Dye Industry, State Aid to. A white paper (Cd. 9194) has been presented to Parliament con- taining a memorandum by the board of trade on the scheme for State assistance to the dye industry. This memorandum deals with the allocation and administration of the funds provided by Parlia- ment for the development of the British dye industry by means of financial assistance to companies and firms in aid of developments,, extensions, and research. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Dec. 9, 1918, p. 933.] Xoans for Local Public Works. The local Government board or other appropriate department is y in conjunction with the treasury, prepared to consider applications from local authorities for permission to raise loans in order to enable them to put into operation schemes of public utility, such as housing, water supply, sewerage, hospitals, gas and electricity, and mainten- ance and construction of roads, which are of urgent importance. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 12, 1918, p. 742.] Workmen from Overseas, Return and Resettlement of. The minister of labor has announced that in addition to free con- veyance home for British workmen from overseas after working con- tinuously on Government contracts, a sum of 5 pounds will be paid toward the expenses of resettlement; and between 2 and 5 pounds will be paid in respect to the expenses during the sea passage, varying according to the distance traveled. — [British Board of Trade Journal,. Dec. 12, 1918, p. 760.] Agricultural Reconstruction, Organization for. A temporary establishment will be formed by the amalgamation of various branches within the board of agriculture and fisheries,, which will be charged with all reconstruction measures for the better organization of the commercial side of agriculture, with the farmers' supplies, rural transport, and cognate matters. It will also supervise the provision of colleges and other buildings on small UNITED KINGDOM. 141 holdings, and farm colonies required for -the resettlement of service men on the land.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 12, 1918, p. 761.] Proposed Improvement of Governmental Machinery. The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its com- mittee on machinery of Government, in which it advises the extension of research meant to " organize the knowledge required for the appli- cation of science to industry." Proposals are offered for the elimi- nation of overlapping and consequent confusion in the work of the departments. They propose that better parliamentary control be secured through improvement and clarification of estimates and accounts. The departments are reported upon individually ; internal alterations are suggested; and improvement of interdepartmental relations recommended, as, for example, acquaintance by the treasury with the work of other departments " desirable to dissipate the tradi- tion that all departments have a natural disposition to extravagance, and that the treasury is irreconcilably opposed to all increases of expenditure." It is suggested that the appointment of a minister of justice might facilitate legal reform. — [Machinery of British Government committee's report, Dec. 14, 1918.] Industrial Readjustment. The Federation of British Industries, at its annual meeting, de- clared itself as being anxious for maximum Government support and minimum control. It considered that too much continued Gov- ernment supervision was a " strangle-holcl on industry." — [Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass., Dec. 15, 1918.] Labor Program. The labor party's plan for reconstruction includes abolition of secret diplomacy, withdrawal of troops from Russia, freedom for Ireland and India, and withdrawal of Government control. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1918.] Shipping Policy. Ships are the prime factor in British reconstruction. The recon- struction ministry and private owners urge building of many ships to keep up with America and other competitors. Quality and low cost of production are the chief aim. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1918.] British Wool Council. As a result of trade conferences called by the war office and held in London in October, a British wool council has been formed in place of the board of control to prepare plans for the relaxation and ultimate abolition of control, and to facilitate the turn-over from war to peace conditions. The council is authorized to deal with any 142 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. other matters which may be referred to it by the war office, the board of trade, tlje ministry of reconstruction, the board of control, or any recognized trade or labor association connected with the industry. The council consists of 41 trade members, 23 representing employers and 18 employees. It is understood that the Government depart- ments will have 12 representatives in the council, but they will not have any right to vote. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Com- merce, Dec. 18, 1918, p. 1058.] Continuance of Control of Wool Trade. The director of wool-textile production recently called attention to the need for continued control of the wool trade. The particular form of Government control which may be necessary is a matter to be considered by the reconstruction committee to be set up by the wool council, and it is intended by the war office that very free discussion shall take place before the form of machinery to be set up is decided upon. — [Commerce Reports, IT. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 18, 1918, p. 1057.] New Method of Handling Irish Flax. As a result of what is termed " a revolution in flax handling," the growing of flax on an extensive scale in Ireland now seems assured. Recently invented mechanical devices have so lessened the amount of manual labor required that this big problem of the industry appears to be solved. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 19, 1918, p. 1079.] Price of Cereals Guaranteed for 1919. The board of agriculture and fisheries has given notice to farmers that the prices to be fixed for the 1919 crop of the cereals at present controlled will in no case be less than the prices at present in opera- tion for the 1918 crop. These cereals are rye, wheat, oats, and bar- ley. The notice applies to England and Wales only. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 19, 1918, p. 797.] Methods for Handling Unsupported and Unemployed. A report published by the local Government committee states that County and Borough councils should provide maintenance and educa- tion for all unsupported children ; and care and support for the sick T infirm, and mentally defective. Unemployed -able-bodied adults should be handled by a committee on unemployment and training, to act in conjunction with the Government employment exchange. When no employment is available to one seeking employment, he- should be offered training for suitable employment which is avail- able. If he refuses both employment and training, and such refusal results in neglect to care for himself or his family ; and if such refusals, are repeated and persisted in, he should be sent to a detention colony UNITED KINGDOM. 14 3 on order from a magistrate, subject to an appeal. One or two such colonies are estimated to be sufficient for the whole country if the work of the employment exchanges and the unemployment and training committee is efficiently performed. — [Local British Govern- ment committee's report on " Transfer of Functions of Poor Law Authorities in England and Wales," Dec. 19, 1917.] Land for ex-Soldiers. The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of its ad- visory council, wherein it recommends that County councils acquire land bj r purchase or lease to equip soldiers desiring small holdings; that means' for housebuilding and reclamation be made available; and that men be trained in agriculture. The question is raised as to the number of soldiers desiring such places; and as to the worth of such a place to a man, unless he were a tradesman of some sort who could supplement with earnings the produce of his small landhold- ing. Desirability of village life is dwelt upon, and suggestions are made for the provision of a village hall in each village. It is pro- posed that the State pay ex-service men enough to make their incomes equal to prevailing earnings of farm laborers. A minority report of the council casts doubt on the availability of land in England for such small holdings. — [British advisory council's report, sec. IV, Dec. 20, 1918.] Cost of Living of the Working People. A committee appointed by the chancellor of the exchequer on Mar. 21, 1918, to inquire into and report upon the actual increase since June, 1914, in the cost of living of the working people and any counter-balancing factors, apart from increase of wages, which may have arisen under war conditions, has issued a report in which it is estimated that the average rise in family expenditures of the working people between July, 1914, and June, 1918, was 74 per cent, the in- crease of expenditures of skilled workers being 67 per cent and of unskilled workers 81 per cent. Counter-balancing factors, other than increased wages, were abundance of employment, rise of workers from unskilled to skilled groups, and a large addition of women to industry who have supplemented family incomes. — [Commerce Re- ports, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 26, 1918, p. 1153.] Reconstruction. The Sinn Feiners of Ireland elected to the House of Commons will not take their seats. They will forfeit the 150 pounds which they had to post as an election fee, and which is returnable only when a member takes his oath and his seat. In the meantime, the Government in Ireland is concerned mostly with the problem of reconstruction of industry, and plans are being prepared for the expenditure of money 144 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. on industrial and agricultural improvements. This movement may be affected adversely by the absence of Ireland's members from Parlia- ment, if the Sinn Feiners carry out their threat. — [Star-Eagle, New- ark, N. J., Dec. 27, 1918.] Readjustment of Industry to Peace Conditions. The parliamentary secretary of the ministry of munitions predicts that British manufacturers will turn over to peace production more readily than they did to a war footing. — [Report of U. S. com- mercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1217.] Disposal of War Materials. Motor-car manufacturers, as well as manufacturers in other lines, are bringing pressure to bear on the Government to so regulate the sale of war stock as not to injure their business during the period of readjustment. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219.] Operation of Railroads by the Government. The minister of munitions has announced that the British Govern- ment expects to take over the operation of the railways, as improved transport facilities are needed to enable a rapid revival of industry ; and there is evidently no way in which private interests can properly handle this problem in the United Kingdom, at least under present conditions. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219.] Work of the Ministry of Reconstruction in 1918. In its report to Parliament for the period ended December 31, 1918, the ministry of reconstruction, which was formed in August, 1917, " to consider and ach 7 ise upon the problems which may arise out of the present war, and may have to be dealt with upon its termination; and for the purposes aforesaid, to institute and conduct such en- quiries, prepare such schemes, and make such recommendations as it thinks fit," tells of the work undertaken by its various branches as follows: 1. The transitional economics branch dealt, generally, with the economic questions of supply and control created by the shortage of tonnage, raw materials, and capital arising out of the war; and has kept in close touch with the ministry of shipping, in view of the essential connection of shipping with the problem of raw materials. 2. The commerce and production branch dealt with questions of production and improved commercial organization to secure increased production ; questions of internal transport, power, and storage ; and "UNITED KINGDOM. 145 a considerable proportion of the time of the officials of this branch has been occupied in dealing with personal and written applications from commercial men for advice on schemes for developing their business after the war. 3. The labor and industrial branch concerned itself with all ques- tions regarding labor and industrial organization during the transi- tion period from war to peace, its first problem being that of the demobilization of the army, the reinstatement of members of the forces in civil life, and the resettlement of civilian war-workers. 4. The rural development branch dealt with those reconstruc- tion questions specifically affecting the rural areas, such as the development of its resources in land and agriculture, village recon- struction and rural industries, the development of transport facili- ties by a comprehensive system of narrow-gauge railways in rural areas, land for sailors' and soldiers' settlements, means for attracting returning sailors and soldiers to the land, and the economic position of women in agriculture. 5. The social development branch dealt generally with questions affecting the social (as distinct from the purely industrial) condi- tions of life in the United Kingdom during the transitional period, and its main business has been that associated with the proposals for the establishment of a ministry of health. — [British ministry of re- construction report for period ending Dec. 31, 1918.] Import and Export Restrictions, Relaxation of. There has been a certain relaxation of import and export restric- tions, and it is probable that further relaxations will steadily take place to meet the needs of British industry. It may be expected, however, that there will not be any general abandonment of import restrictions until British industry is ready to meet the competition of foreign merchandise. — [Keport of U. S. commercial attache, Lon- don, Dec. 6, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1219.] Raw Materials, Relaxation of Control of. Government control of raw materials is being considerably re- laxed to enable factories to shift over quickly to normal production, but regulation is still being employed to guide industry into the most fruitful channels. The minister of reconstruction has given out the following list of classes of work to which materials and pro- ducing capacity set free from war work should, as far as possible, be devoted in the near future : Maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing machinery and plants in the United Kingdom. Maintenance, repair, and renewals for railways, tramways, canals, roads, harbors, and docks in the United Kingdom. 115488—19 10 146 FOKEIGN KEADJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Shipbuilding, and the maintenance and repair of merchant ships and fishing vessels in the United Kingdom. Manufacture of agricultural, milling, food-producing, mining, and textile machinery, machine tools, building materials and equipment used in the public utility services in the United Kingdom. Manufacture of approved orders placed by the Government of the United Kingdom, the Dominions, or the Allies. Manufacture of goods for export, subject to such Government reg- ulations of export as ma}^ from time to time be found necessary. — [Report of U. S. commercial attache, London, Dec. 6, 1918, Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1218.] Boys and Girls in Industry. The ministry of reconstruction has caused an extensive inquiry to be made to ascertain the condition of juvenile employment during the war and probable conditions after the war. Fully 3,000 reports have been returned ; and a report based on this material, and recommend- ing how this juvenile labor problem should be dealt with, is being issued by the ministry. After describing the very great demand there had been for juve- nile labor, the disproportionately high wages which this labor has earned, and the long hours frequently worked, the report described the effects of these war conditions upon the young people themselves as mischievous and demoralizing. It goes on to urge that, though these mischievous effects wrought upon the rising generation of the last four years can not be effaced, they need not be intensified. A scheme is recommended, the general principle of which, briefly, is to insure that all boys and girls thrown out of work on the return of peace should be maintained in conditions which would prevent them from being demoralized by unemployment; to improve their physique, their character, and their industrial qualifications; and to prepare them to return to industrj^ as soon as there are suitable openings. It is suggested that centers for unemployed boys and girls be estab- lished in all towns with a population of more than 20,000, managed by committees drawn from the local education authorities, the juve- nile employment committee, trade-unions, employers' associations, and other organizations concerned with the welfare of young people. They should be financed from national, not local sources. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Dec. 5, 1918. Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1221.] Joint-Industrial Councils. Considerable progress is being made in the establishment of joint- industrial councils. One of their main functions is the consideration of wages, hours, and working conditions. Demobilization and reset- UNITED KINGDOM. 147 tlement, the training of disabled soldiers and sailors, and the position of apprentices returning from military service are also receiving at- tention.— [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December,. 1918, pp. 34-36.] The Industrial League. The Industrial League began in a very small way by the occasional meeting about the dinner table of a few employers and labor leaders for the purpose of frank discussion and mutual enlightenment. It exists for the sole purpose of creating a better relationship between employer and employed. Its functions are purely educational, and it is prepared to place any information in its possession at the disposal of its members. Those eligible for membership are employers' organ- izations" and individual employers of labor; firms, trade-unions, and labor organizations and their officials ; employed persons of either sex: and any other individuals who approve of the objects of the league. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 40, 41.] Education. The education act, 1918, effects a complete change of principle and method in the national system of education. Its main proposals may be briefly summarized as follows: 1. Preparation by local educational authorities of schemes for all forms of education within their area. 2. Raising the age limit for compulsory full-time attendance at a school to be 14 years of age. 3. Establishment of continuation schools for compulsory part-time education up to 18 years of age. 4. Restriction of the employment of children. 5. Development of the work of public elementary schools. 6. Promotion of the health and physical training of children and young persons. 7. Extension of the work of local educational authorities in regard to medical inspection and medical treatment of children. 8. Provision of nursery schools for children between 2 and under 5 years of age. [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, p. 42.] Housing Program. Representatives of the Federation of British Industries, of the National Alliance of Employers and Employed, and of labor gen- erally, met in London recently to consider the scheme outlined in the recent reports of the housing committee relating to the formation of public utility societies as a partial means of solution of the housing problem. The scheme aims to use the federation organization to 148 FOREIGN" READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. bring together all sections of the communities interested in the pro- vision of houses, and also to bring together members of the building and building supply trades, and to secure the cooperation and sup- port of organized labor. The Government has agreed to provide 75 per cent of the capital required for the public utility societies, and the societies will be expected to find the other 25 per cent. The Government loan can run 50 years. — [Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 331, 332.] Urban Housing Recommendations. The women's housing subcommittee of the ministry of reconstruc- tion have handed in an interim report on urban housing, advising that any houses iioav built should be planned with reference to a higher standard of living than that which prevailed when many of the housing schemes were carried through. They recommend more space, both by having a wider frontage and by planning for an addi- tional room. Each cottage should have a minimum of six rooms. Numerous suggestions are given as to the interior arrangement of the houses, and the report is emphatic in its recommendation of the neces- sity for a bathroom and a hot-water supply. A central hot-water system for a whole street or block of houses is advocated, and the de- velopment of cheap electric power on a large scale. — [Monthly Labor Eeview, U. S. Dept. of Labor, December, 1918, pp. 335-337.] Sale of Securities Authorized. Notification is given by the treasury permitting the sale abroad of foreign, colonial, and Indian securities other than those which have been the subject of treasury regulation under the defense of the realm act. The proceeds of such sales, however, must be remitted to the country and retained there. — [Federation of British Industries Bul- letin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] Release of Coal Miners. The controller of coal mines announced that coal miners are being demobilized under special arrangements made between the various services and the coal mine department, and colliery proprietors need take no action for the return of their former employees, except such action as the controller from time to time may ask them to take. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] Financing Exports. The minister of blockade announces that a notice is being sent to bankers relieving them of formalities required before financing ex- ports from this country to neutral European countries. All restric- tions and returns rendered necessary by the war are being reviewed by the finance section of the ministry of blockade with a view to further simplification. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 2.] UNITED KINGDOM. 149 Proposals for Reforming Government Departments. The committee on machinery of government of the ministry of reconstruction has issued a report (Cd. 9230) containing proposals for reforming the Government departments. The report is divided into two parts: The first, covering the functions of the cabinet, the formulation of policy, the allocation of functions between the depart- ments, departmental organization, and parliamentary control; the second part dealing in turn with each of 10 groups into which the business of the various departments should be distributed. These groups, within which would fall all classes of business of the Gov- ernment, are as follows: 1. Finance; 2 and 3, national defense and external affairs; 4, research and information; 5, production (includ- ing agricultural, forestry, and fisheries), transport, and commerce; 6, emplojmient; 7, supplies; 8, education; 9, health; 10, justice. — Fed- eration of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1919, p. 29.] Civil Aerial Transport. In May, 1917, the British Government appointed a committee to report with regard to: The steps that should be taken with a view to the development and regulation after the war of aviation for civil and commercial purposes, from domestic, imperial, and interna- tional standpoints; the extent to which it will be possible to utilize for these purposes, the trained personnel and the aircraft which the conclusion of peace may leave surplus to the requirements of the naval and military air services. The various chapters of the com- mittee's report cover the following subjects : 1. Municipal control and legislation. 2. Technical and practical questions as to the possibilities of per- formance of aircraft, and as to requirements of aerial services. 3. Business questions relating to the position of the aircraft manu- facturing industry after the war, the possibilities of the establishment of aerial transport services, and the steps which would be necessary for the maintenance of this industry and for the development of these services. 4. Questions of labor arising in the aircraft manufacturing indus- try and in aerial transport services. 5. Problems of scientific research and the special education of expert designers, engineers, and pilots. An interesting detail is a memorandum on the establishment of an air-mail service, one machine being run each way daily between London and Glasgow, via NeAvcastle and Edinburgh. — [U. S. consul general. London, Dec. 10, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 4, 1919, p. 42.] Release of Sole Leather for Civilian Purposes. The army council has ordered that English sole leather, except certain classes, be released for civilian purposes. A limit is placed 150 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. upon the quantity that ma}^ be purchased by any individual. — [Cable- gram from U. S. consul general, London, Jan. 4, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 113.] Rural Development. The ministry of reconstruction is embarking upon a scheme of rural development, by the construction of a large number of light railways to connect the country districts with the main railways. The cost will be borne in part by the county authorities and in part by the Government. Upon completion the lines will be leased to the operating companies under adequate guarantees. — [Star, Wash- ington, D. C, Jan. 9, 1919.] Increased Shipping, Space Available for Cargo. The ministry of shipping announced increased tonnage available for bringing imports to Great Britain by 10,000,000 tons of goods a year. The amount of space available for commercial cargo in North America is doubled ; and instead of cargo competing for space, space is now competing for cargo. — [Cablegram from U. S. consul general, London, Jan. 6, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 113.] Purchase of Lumber in Canada. Great Britain has negotiated for 1,000,000,000 square feet of Cana- dian lumber of all grades valued at approximately $40,000,000. It is understood that this will be allocated among the several timber Provinces. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 15, 1919, p. 237.] Resumption of Steamship Service with Canada. North Atlantic ocean, traffic between Canadian ports and Liffey, Ireland, by direct steamers has been resumed by the Ulster Steam- ship Company " Head Line." — [Report of U. S. vice consul at Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 13, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 15, 1919, p. 283.] The Dye Industry. The board of trade has appointed a trade and licensing com- mittee, the functions of which will be to determine the colors and intermediates which shall be licensed for imports into the United Kingdom after the conclusion of peace, and in what quantities ; and ?to advise the commissioner for dyes as to color and intermediates the manufacture of which should be specially encouraged, and the order of their importance. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 66.] demobilization of Royal Air Force in France. The general scheme of demobilization for the Royal Air Force in France is the same fundamentally as that of the army. The actual UNITED KINGDOM. 151 demobilization is being carried out by the headquarters of the Eoyal Air Force; but after demobilization, the dispersal of personnel is through army channels. Each officer or enlisted man on demobili- zation will be sent to the military dispersal station in the United Kingdom nearest to his own home. The priority scheme laid down by the war office is being observed in the Koyal Air Force. " Sur- plus Squadrons " will fly their machines to England to aerodromes specified by the air ministry. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 89.] Transportation Regulations. The Government has announced its intention to propose to Parlia- ment the establishment of a ministry of ways and communications. The prime minister has also announced in a statement to the national union of railway men on January 10, that the Government will in- troduce in the new Parliament, which meets on February 4, pro- posals for dealing with the whole of the railways transport services, and the electrical industry, both for transport and power purposes. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 22.] Demobilization, Statistics of. Since the date of the armistice and up to noon January 13, 8,390 officers, and 463,993 men of other ranks, have been demobilized or otherwise discharged from the service. In the same period 2,130 women have been demobilized. Men are being released from the fighting forces at the rate of 20,000 a day, and this figure is expected to increase to 50,000 shortly. The labor exchanges are now handling 17.000 applications daily. — [Federation of British Industries Bul- letin. Jan. 16, 1919, p. 19.] Shipping Difficulties. The shipping controller has issued a statement expressing the de- sire that the tonnage released from war service which is now being reallocated should be so distributed as to meet all essential require- ments. He has, therefore, requested shippers, whether exporters or importers, to furnish him with full particulars of any difficulties which they experience due to port congestion or other causes affect- ing the free movement of goods overseas. — [Federation of British Industries Bulletin, Jan. 16, 1919, p. 20.] Importation of Gold and Silver Coin. An order in council of January 14 modified the previous order prohibiting the importation of foreign coins, and authorized for the present the importation of gold and silver coins. — [Commerce Re- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 18, 1919, p. 273.] War-Savings Organization to be Retained. The British Government has decided to retain the present organi- zation for the sale of national war bonds and war-savings certificates 152 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. as a permanent part of the national machinery. The organization now comprises nearly 2,000 local committees, 50,000 war-savings associations, and some 15,000 official agencies, through which war- savings certificates and war-savings stamps can be purchased. It is almost entirely administered by volunteer workers, who number about 250,000.— [IT. S. consul at Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 4, 1919, Com- merce Keports, U. S. Dept, of Commerce, Jan. 20, 1919, p. 317.] War-Service Men in New Parliament. Of the 703 members elected in the new House of Commons, 250 served in the war, while the whole British membership owes its elec- tion to war services of one sort or another. All ranks of the army are represented, from general to sergeant. Not only the army and navy, but the industries of the war will have their representatives among the legislators. No other British Parliament in the long history of this institution has contained so many men from whom the country might reasonably expect so much vigor and originality and so keen a sense of the realities of the day. — [Star, Washington, D. C, Jan. 22, 1919.] Clothing for Demobilized Soldiers. An alteration has been made in the arrangements for supplying suits for demobilized soldiers. It was at first intended to include these in the standard-cloth scheme, so that the soldiers should be able to go into any store and on presentation of coupons obtain a standard suit at preferential prices, a proposal which was acceptable to the traders concerned. Under the new arrangement, says the Yorkshire Post, each demobilized soldier will receive a suit or about $13 in cash. If he decides to have a suit, he will choose his pattern of cloth, his measurements will be taken, and as soon as possible afterwards a suit will be forwarded to his address. He will be entitled to keep his uniform, but the overcoat will have to be re- turned, and a payment of $5 will be made to him in exchange for it. Men who do not desire to keep their uniforms on discharge will be able to sell them at stores to be set up. In the event of a large quantity of suits being returned, they will be redyed and used for clothing needy people in Allied countries. If too far worn to be used in this way, they will be turned into shoddy. — [Report of U. S. consul at Leeds, Dec. 6, 1918; Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 342.] Diversion of Material for Civilian Clothing. In addition to the diversion of the material for making suits for demobilized soldiers it is proposed to divert some part of the mate- rial intended for military purposes to the making of standard cloth for civilian wear, both for men and for women. — {Report of U. S. consul at Leeds, Dec. 6, 1918; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 22, 1919, p. 342.] UNITED KINGDOM. 15$ Financial Risk. The minister of reconstruction has published a report of the com-, mittee on " Financial risks attached to the holding of trade stocks."' This committee was invited to inquire and report as to any measures^ which could be adopted with a view to securing that manufacturers and others should be financially in a position to hold stocks after the war; and that reasonable safeguards should be established to prevent serious financial losses, as a result of possible depression fol- lowing on a period of great inflation in respect to stocks of materials required for industry. The committee expressed the view that five main causes are material to bring about a drop in prices: The dis- appearance of war-risk insurance, etc. ; reduction in freights clue to increased availability of shipping; fall of wages compared with rates prevailing during the war due to increased availability of labor on demobilization; additional production of staple articles now standing at " scarcity prices " ; reduction of the note issue to restore an effective gold standard, or, in other words, " deflation " of credit. Three lines of possible relief have been suggested by traders :. Lower rates of taxation during the war; the Government to bear a share (out of taxes already received) in any losses after the war; a redefinition of " profits " now chargeable to taxation by way of per- mission to create reserves before arriving at the sum, chargeable to, taxation as profits, or by the adoption, when making up periodical accounts, of different principles of valuing stocks from those gen- erally obtaining in industry hitherto, or admitted bj^ the taxing authorities. The committee preface their general recommendations by saying they regard as most desirable that the position of industry should be specially strengthened, when on the threshold of a period in which the markets have to be reorganized or created and in which industrial conditions are in the highest degree uncertain. The most hopeful line of approach to a solution of this problem lies, they think, in a reduction of the present rates of excess-profits duty. The committee recognized that they have been unable to formulate any scheme of relief for those who pay no excess-profits duty. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 98.] Reconstruction. The main committee of the engineering trades division, of the new industries committee of the ministry of reconstruction, makes certain general observations regarding conditions under which new indus- tries should be set up if they are to develop successfully, touching upon such questions as finance for industry, export trade, foreign competition, improved methods necessar} r if British engineers are to maintain a leading position, industrial and scientific education, and labor conditions. — [Journal of Commerce, New York, N. Y., Jan.. 23, 1919.] 154 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. New Engineering Industries. The ministry of reconstruction has published a report of the engi- neering trades division, which was appointed to compile a list of articles, suitable for manufacture by those with engineering trade experience or with plants, which were either not made in the United Kingdom before the war but were imported or were made in the United Kingdom in insufficient quantity and for which there is likely to be a considerable demand. Branch committees were appointed, each of which gave detail consideration to one of the following groups of articles: Agricultural machinery, hollow-ware and sheet-metal machinery, scientific apparatus, textile machinery; light section-rolling and extension wire-drawing machinery, print- ing machinery, printers' general machinery, paper-making machin- ery, leather-making machinery, aircraft, and motor industry. Each committee consisted of expert members drawn from industries ap- propriate to its group, but was presided over by a member of the main committee.— [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 100.] Aircraft and Bombardment Insurance. No new insurance will be granted under the Government aircraft bombardment insurance scheme after January 31, 1919. Aircraft policies which are still in force cover the risk of damage by aircraft of the Royal Air Force, and aircraft bombardment policies cover in addition the risk of damage by the explosion of mines which drift upon the coast. Eisks hitherto insurable by the Government policies are now left to the open market. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 95.] Employment of Disabled Soldiers. The minister of labor, after meeting the representatives of the national federation of discharged and demobilized sailors and sol- diers, conveyed the following decisions on points raised by them: With regard to Government factories, the disabled soldier employed in the same will, other things being equal, be discharged after the dilutee and the ex-service man, and will have the last priority of discharge in his class of skill. The minister of labor will make an appeal to all factories, other than Government factories, asking them to adopt in regard to this matter the same procedure as the Govern- ment. He will obtain the necessary powers to take over from the ministry of pensions the responsibility for training ex-service men who require training ; the ministry of pensions retaining, however, the powers necessary to enable them to deal with the training men, while undergoing medical treatment — that is, training in establishments of the institute type. The minister of labor has promised to schedule a list of occupations which are suitable for disabled men; and an UNITED KINGDOM. 155 appeal Mill be sent out by the prime minister urging employers to employ disabled men in such occupations when a post becomes va- cant, and also to substitute disabled men for temporary war workers at present filling such posts. With regard to other occupations the -employers will be appealed to to make every effort to employ disabled men wherever possible. The ministry of pensions will obtain powers to proceed with the setting up of a number of factories solely for the employment of certain classes of disabled men, who on account of special disability may be found to be unable to engage in ordinary industrial occupations. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 122.] Casual Labor. The minister of labor has appointed a committee, to be known as the port of London casual labor committee, consisting of representa- tives of employers and working people in the London dock trade; to inquire and report what action, if any, should be taken to regulate the work and reduce, if necessary, the number of casual laborers in the London docks; and also, in view of demobilization of the army and the cessation of munition work, to report on the best methods of preventing numbers of workmen who are in difficulties as regards finding employment in their own trade from resorting to the docks and wharves and thus making the conditions of employment there more irregular than before the war. — [British Board of Trade Jour- nal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 122.] Resumption of Shipping 1 Service. Arrangements have been made through the shipping controller to restore as quickly as possible all the prewar liners' services. Shippers and merchants are therefore advised to get into touch with the ship- ping companies which previously served the ports abroad to or from which they desire to ship cargo. He draws attention to the announce- ment of January 15, as to the early release of general tonnage from requisition. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 122.] Civil Aviation. The secretary of the air ministry has announced that the civil aerial transport committee is proceeding to carry into effect legisla- tion and international agreements required to enable civil aviation to be recommenced as soon as possible. To provide for the need of civil aviation, as well as for the needs of the Royal Air Force, reor- ganization of the air ministry is necessary, and that reorganization is being carried on. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 23, 1919, p. 121.] Handling Demobilization. In accordance with the principles laid down in the Government's scheme for demobilization of the forces, namely, that the men demo- 156 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. bilized first shall include those who have been ascertained to have definite employment awaiting them, and that the highest priority shall be given to pivotal men, the Government announced on Decem- ber 12, 1918, a plan to afford employers an opportunity of securing direct communication with their former employees to whom they can now offer employment. Such a definite offer of employment, in writing, if produced to his commanding officer by the officer or man concerned, will be accepted as evidence that employment is awaiting him, and the man will be registered by his commanding officer to be demobilized. It is not necessary for offers of employment to be sent to officers or men for whose release as pivotal men application has been made, and officers and men who have notified their commanding officers that their civil occupation is that of a student or teacher. Officers and men who in civil life practice a profession or are their own employers can secure their registration for demobilization most rapidly by filling in their own civil-employment forms. Special arrangements are being made with port labor committees about men employed before the war at docks, wharves, and harbors. Soldiers will be discharged at their domiciles rather than at the headquarters of their regiments. Each soldier, after accounting for his equipment, is granted a 28-day furlough, with pay, rations, and family allowances; unemployment insurance payable for 20 weeks within one year from date of discharge; a railway warrant for the journey home ; and any gratuities that may be due him. At present there are three classes of men being demobilized — coal miners, certain shipyard workers, and " pivotal men." The latter group includes those whose return will be of the greatest immediate value in creating employment for others and in reconstructing indi- vidual business and professional life. — [Eeport of clerk to the Ameri- can consulate, London, Dec. 18, 1918, Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept.. of Commerce, Jan. 24, 1918, p. 372.] Flour Allowance. British food controller has authorized householders to purchase- and keep in the house up to one sack of flour per household, notwith- standing existing orders. — [Eeport of U. S. consul general, London,.' Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] Reduced Shipping Rates. British shipping interests announced January 27 a cut of more than 66f per cent in all rates to Europe. The new rates do not apply to Government cargo. Five big shipping interests are repre- sented in the combination which arranged the cut in. rates.— [Sun,. New York, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1919, p. 11.] UNITED KINGDOM. 157 Increased Activity in the Cotton Industry. The British cotton board has permitted an increase of 10 per cent in the amount of machinery to run in the cotton trade. It is reported that these concessions are granted on account of the fact that at the present time more cotton is available, and that the men are being released from the army. — [Report of the U. S. consul, Manchester, Jan. 23, 1919; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.] Demobilization. At a special meeting of the cabinet, recommendation was made that a standing army of 1,000,000 be maintained for the purpose of prop- erly garrisoning the various English colonies and for the army of occupation. This means that three out of every four men will be demobilized and the fourth retained " to finish the job." The men thus retained until the reorganization of the new standing peace army will have their pay largely increased and a new scheme of leave will be introduced. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1919.] War Memorials. Construction of war memorials in England is to be taken up at once on a large scale. A veterans' club, containing 1,000 bedrooms, and a convalescent home for discharged men, costing approximately $5,000,000, are being planned by the veterans' association. A hotel in London, to be known as the " Overseas Memorial," for the accom- modation of overseas men and women, is also being planned. — [U. S. Employment Service Bulletin, Jan. 31, 1919, p. 8.] National Alliance of Employers and Employed. On December 7, 1916, 40 representatives of industry and trade- unionism met in London and formed the national alliance of em- ployers and employed. This is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical organi- zation, without industrial bias, having two avowed objects. These are to make provisions beforehand to secure the reinstatement on de- mobilization of sailors and soldiers and of the vast body of workers in war industries; and, as far as possible, to prevent industrial dis- putes in the future. It believes that this can be done by representa- tives of employers and employed on a basis of equal responsibility and equal administrative authority, with Government cooperation but without Government control. Several meetings followed the in- augural meeting, and in March, 1918, 12 important trade-unions and over 90 leading employers of labor officially affiliated with this movement. Among the many things the alliance advocates are im- proved Avorking conditions, satisfactory housing accommodations, maximum output and Avages commensurate with output, adherence to trade agreements, and employment during time of slack trade. — [Monthly Labor Review. U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, pp. 67-70.] 158 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Pood Control. Orders issued by the British food controller, which became effective- November 18, 1918, are designed to secure on local food control com- mittees a more direct representation of labor, women, and the cooper- ative movement. The food controller has already established the maximum price that may be paid to a producer for milk sold at wholesale during the winter months. This price, however, is subject to modification by local food committees. The food controller has also- constituted a body called the butter and cheese import committee,, who are engaged in distributing butter to the retailers; and has taken control of the whole potato crop of England and Wales. The price to be paid for this crop will be determined by a commission appointed jointly by the food controller and the president of the board of agriculture. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, January, 1919, pp. 115-118.] National Endowment of Motherhood. In September, 1918, a committee formed " to discuss the establish- ment of a national scheme of family endowment " issued a report rec- ommending a scheme of State endowment for mothers and small children. It would pay $3.04 a week for the mother and $1.22 for the first child, with $0.85 for the second and each subsequent child- The payment to the mother should begin eight weeks before her first confinement and continue as long as she has a child under 5 years of age. Payments should be made direct to the mother and re- sponsibility for administering them should be fixed on her. It is- calculated that the cost of the scheme, based on the birth rate of 1911, would require an annual expenditure of approximately $700,- 776,000. The committee believes that the effect on the birth rate* would be good. — [Monthly Labor Review. U. S. Dept. of Labor,. January, 1919, pp. 282-285.] Conservation of Boy Power. In the past decade there has been a complete change in the attitude- of the Government towards young workers helping to maintain England's place in the industrial world. About 130 juvenile- advisory committees had been created by the beginning of 1917. These com- mittees, which are controlled by the board of education, had be^ come very efficient in securing particulars as to the educational and physical qualifications of school boys who seek work; in gatherings accurate data on the opportunities' for boys in the various trades, conditions of work, qualifications required, and the chances for ad- vancement. Thus, the boy and the job have easily been brought together. A large and efficient corps of welfare officers inspect the- factories, report on conditions, and make recommendations to the em- UNITED KINGDOM. 159 ployers. The boys are encouraged in starting athletic clubs and cadet corps. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Janu- ary, 1919, pp. 129-135.] Industrial Fatigue. A research board has been appointed by the department of scien- tific and industrial research and the medical research committee jointly, to consider and investigate the relations of hours of labor and all other conditions of employment, including methods of work, to the production of fatigue, having regard both to industrial efficiency and to the preservation of health among the workers. The duty of the board will be to initiate, organize, and promote all research investi- gations in different industries with a view to finding the most favor- able hours of labor, spells of work, rest pauses, and other conditions applicable to the various processes, according to the nature of the work and its demands on the worker. For these investigations the board looks forward to receiving the help of employers and workmen in the industries which are studied, and in certain cases representa- tives of both will be invited to serve as temporary members of the board. — [British Labor Gazette, January, 1919, p. 36.] Soldier-Settlement Plans. Under an act designated as 6 and 7 George V. c. 38, soldier settle- ments are provided for. Provisions of the act will be administered by the board of agriculture and fisheries. An appropriation of $10,000,000 has been asked for. The board is authorized to purchase 60,000 acres, which will be leased to the soldiers. They will be given training on a demonstration farm at fair Avages. — ["Work and Homes for our Fighting Men," Reclamation Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 1919, pp. 20, 21.] Industrial Training for Crippled Soldiers. The patients at the pavilion military hospital are soldiers who have undergone the amputation of one or more limbs. They come to this hospital as soon as they are able to leave the base hospital, but while they are still in need of medical treatment. By the joint operation of workshops and hospitals the men receive the curative ef- fects of industrial work at the same time they are being given medical treatment. The workshop classes afford instruction in such trade subjects as motor mechanics, metal fitting and turning, electrical en- gineering, commercial subjects, motion-picture machine operating, cabinetmaking turnery and joinery, boot and shoe making and re- pairing, tailoring, mechanical drafting, carving and letter cutting, stained-glass work, and designing. — [U. S. Employment Service Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919, p. 3.] 160 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Demobilization Provisions. The new British demobilization plan provides for a 28-day fur- lough for each man, with pay, rations, family allowances, unemploy- ment insurance payable for 20 weeks within one year from date of discharge, and free transportation home. While the press has been insistent in its demand of rapid demobilization, the Government, with a discreet foresight of serious labor conditions which would be occasioned by the wholesale demobilization of the army, has turned a deaf ear to the insistent demands. Only three classes of men are being demobilized — coal miners, certain shipyard men, and those men who it has been ascertained have definite employment awaiting them. Next in line will be men for whom employers have executed sworn statements that they were in their employment on August 4, 1914, and offering them employment. If the man desires to accept the employment offered he will hand the statement to his commanding officer, who will then register him for demobilization. — [U. S. Em- ployment Service Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919, p. 2.] Removal of Restrictions on Looms and Spindles. The cotton control board has withdrawn all restrictions on the run- ning of looms and spindles, and all manufacturers are at liberty to run machinery as desired. Orders fixing maximum prices of raw cotton remain in force. — [Cablegram from U. S. consul general, London, Feb. 4, 1919, Commerce Reports, Feb. 8, 1919, p. 617.] Hew Legislation Suggested. At the opening of the new Parliament and the House of Com- mons, Lloyd George presented a report of the program of the Peace Conference and discussion of means to meet satisfactorily the pres- ent industrial unrest. King George, in his speech from the throne, appealed to Parliament to expedite legislation designed to improve conditions among the working classes, stating that if industrial unrest continues the consequences will be grave to trade and industry, and that prompt laws should be enacted to take care of this. — [Tribune, New York, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1919.] British Sea-Training School. At a conference of the board of trade and the ministry of shipping last autumn it was decided to institute a new system of training youths for sea service to meet the present existing shortage of men in* the mercantile marine. The school was inaugurated on September 23, 1918, at Gravesend ; and training in knotting, splicing, boat han- dling, rowing, swimming, heaving, and loading, knowledge of the compass, steering, signaling, cleaning brass and bright work, scrub- bing, preparing and serving the mess, coal trimming, and other prac- tical duties on board ship was at once commenced. As the result of its first three months' work the school shipped 126 youths on a variety UNITED KINGDOM. 161 of vessels, ranging from the finest mail steamers to colliers. There were 180 lads at the school at the beginning of the year. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Jan. 9, 1919; Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 722.] Relaxation of Food Regulations. It has been intimated officially in Great Britain that after the present ration coupon books have been used others will not be issued, but the control of price and quantity through the wholesale and re- tail trades will continue to be exercised by the minister of food. — [Report of U. S. consul general, London, Jan. 1, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 761.] Readjustment Program. It is plain from the King's speech opening Parliament and from Lloyd George's address in the House of Commons that the British Government does not intend to let the country drift into chaos during the period of demobilization into peace conditions. The disturbed conditions of labor, the numerous social problems created from the discharge of soldiers and sailors from the service, and the difficulties involved in providing for war workers in various fields are to be anticipated, and their cause is not to be put off until distress or dis- order compels action. A ministry to conserve the public health, a ministry of ways and communications to improve the transportation facilities, measures to insure better housing, and for encouraging agriculture are details of the program. — [Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1919.] England's ministry of reconstruction, in working out a general scheme, is making not only an accurate, scientific, and an exact grasp of the problem in its practical aspects, but is also creating an ideal of reconstruction. This spirit is national and governmental. It is establishing a new system, a new ideal, a new plan for industry, for labor, and in some lines at least for Government. The problem in England begins with shipping, and then raw materials. The Gov- ernment has decided not to ration raw materials to individual indus- tries; but to industries in a group which, in turn, through representa- tive councils made up from both employers and trade-unionists, will apportion among themselves. Roads will be rebuilt, neglected rail- roads improved, and the canal system extended to take care of the transportation problem. " Increase the national output," is the chief ideal of the new order, with the idea that debts can not be paid or the condition of workers improved unless the new efficiency of production is held as the first consideration. What is known as the Whitley committee on industrial reconstruction is giving great aid in this work, b}' the establishment in the highly organized industries of joint 115488—19 11 162 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. councils of employers and trade-unionists. The whole industrial fabric is being closely investigated ; and hours of labor, wages, regula- tion of earnings, health, sanitation, safety, accidents, insurance, night- work, overtime, holidays, dangerous trades, industrial control, and child labor are under the scrutiny of the Government. In the ideals of reconstruction comes a new rural life, the use of land for public rather than private interests, the reclamation of waste land and par- celing it to soldiers and sailors. Health, housing, and sanitation are receiving especial attention. — [C. H. Claudy, in Scientific American, New York, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1919.] Aerial Transportation. Official control will be exercised over commercial flying. The aerial navigation acts of 1911 and 1913 will continue in force. They provide for the notification of all aircraft crossing the coast line and all aircraft from abroad landing in the United Kingdom ; specify a large number of areas over which flying is prohibited ; and illegalize crossing the coasts at all save a few points. The new aerial bill will compel the registration of all pilots and passengers on every journey made outside the limits of an aerodrome, but the air ministry will delegate many important duties to aeronautical bodies and manu- facturers. It is considered that the safety of the public will be insured by the responsibility of the aviation companies, the check secured by insurance, and the heavy loss of money and reputation entailed by accidents. By April 1, it is anticipated that a number of concerns will be in operation, enabling the general public to en- joy flights at quite moderate fares. — [Daily Telegraph, London, Feb. 25, 1919.] Reconstruction in Ireland. The chief secretary for Ireland, in receiving a deputation from Irish municipalities, dealt with reconstruction. He said that the Government had given an interim grant of $1,250,000 to provide for reconstruction work for demobilized soldiers and war-workers, but that the scheme was merely provisional. He assured the deputa- tion that any national scheme of reconstruction would be applied to Ireland.— [Evening Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1919.] Railway Control. On February 26, 1919, a bill was introduced in the House of Commons to establish a ministry of ways and communications. The new ministry would take over control of railways, tramways, canals, waterways, roads, and power. It would maintain the war-time con- trol over railways and might make such changes as it thought neces- sary with the sanction of the House. — [Post, Washington, D. C.,Feb. 27, 1919.] UNITED KINGDOM. 163 Ministry of Health. The King, in his speech at the opening of Parliament, and mem- bers of the Government have promised the speedy introduction of a bill to create a ministry of health. At present there are in Great Britain 18 Government departments and 3,300 local bodies engaged in the improvement of the public health. The main purpose of the bill is to coordinate all these activities under one head. The scope of the new department includes all measures for the prevention and cure of disease, the treatment of physical and mental defects, the collection and preparation of information and statistics, and the training of persons engaged in health services. Its responsibilities will range from administration of health insurance to medical in- spection of schools, clinical treatment of children and young persons, also the care of the health of disabled soldiers after they have left the service, and administration of the lunacy and mental deficiency acts.— [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 1, 1919. p. 807.] Industrial Training. The Government has decided to set up a special department of the ministry to deal entirely with questions of industrial training. The minister of labor has appointed the former director of the munitions training section of the labor supply department of the ministry of munitions, controller of the new department. This department will not only administer various schemes for the vocational training of discharged soldiers and sailors, of civil-war workers of either sex, and of women who are being discharged from the various auxiliary corps, but will, in due course, take over from the ministry of pensions the training of disabled men, with the exception of those who require medical supervision or training of a curative nature. Further, the new department will lay down the general lines upon which the training of serving soldiers and of men in hospitals will be carried on. Representatives of the trade-unions and employers will be con- sulted in regard to the proposed systems of training, so as to receive their advice and cooperation in the work of the department. Ar- rangements are also being made to insure the interest of local authori- ties in all training work. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Feb. 13, 1919, p. 227.] Preference to Skilled Men. The minister of labor announces that priority of emplojmient should be given to fully skilled men over " dilutees," i.e., workers who have during the war been introduced to perform a class of work upon which, before the war, their introduction Avould have been contrary to the rule, practice, or custom obtaining in the trade or establish- ment concerned ; that if a skilled man and dilutee are employed in 164 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. the same department on the same class of work and one must be dis- charged, the dilutee should go; and that if a skilled man is unem- ployed (whether as a result of discharge from a factory or as a result of demobilization) and presents himself for employment at a factory where dilutees are employed in the trade in which the applicant is skilled, he is entitled to claim engagement and should not be refused employment at his trade on the ground that there are no vacancies and that his engagement would involve the discharge of a dilutee. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Feb. 13, 1919, p. 227.] Housing for London. The minister of reconstruction has organized a house-building scheme for London, and it is anticipated that building work will be commenced almost immediately and be developed as fast as the local schemes are approved. The Government scheme will be adminis- tered by a chief commissioner in London and eight district commis- sioners of housing, all of whom are to be men with wide knowledge and experience of housing. A manual will shortly be issued which will embody plans of several types of houses of the latest designs. Practically all the essential fittings are being standardized, including doors, windows, kitchen ranges, baths, bolts, locks, etc., and arrange- ments are being made with the ministry of munitions to place orders for these standardized fittings, and where practicable existing muni- tion factories and works will be utilized for the production of fittings with a view to employing as many munition workers as possible. A village of model houses will be erected in London. Each house will be a complete model for the guidance of local authorities through- out the country, as regards both architectural style and internal arrangements. — [Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 7, 1919, p. 1071.] Disposal of Surplus Government Property. A surplus Government-property disposal board, under which will be 17 sections to deal with the different classes of property, has been set up by the minister of munitions. At the head of each section will be a " controller," who, in carrying out the duties intrusted to him, will have the assistance of an honorary advisory committee of men whose special knowledge and experience will insure that the various classes of property are disposed of to the best advantage. In ac- cordance with arrangements made with the various Government de- partments concerned, no property, surplus to the requirements of these departments, will in future be disposed of except through or by arrangement with the disposal board. This equally applies to surplus stores in the various theaters of war. A special section is being established to deal with sales to neutral countries. — [Com- merce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 10, 1919, p. 1106.] UNITED KINGDOM. 165 Investigation of Motor- Car Markets. The department of overseas trade and the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers have completed arrangements for the dispatch of an investigator to Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Far East to ascertain the conditions and prospects in those territories for the sale of British motor vehicles, their parts and accessories. The cost of the investigation is being defrayed in equal shares by the association and by the Government. Among the sub- jects to be covered in the investigation will be technical specifications of the cars most in demand, facilities for obtaining fuel, road sys- tems, customs duties, legislative restrictions, importers, trade organ- izations, methods of competitors, and transport facilities. — [British Board of Trade Journal, Mar. 13, 1919.] leather Industry. The British fancy leather-goods business has been termed as " one of the trade romances of the war, prior to which Germany had a monopoly of the industry." It is claimed that to-day the trade has passed to Great Britain, the credit for which is mainly due to the national leather-goods manufacturers' association. It started by re- vising the technical education of the workers ; classes including special training for wounded soldiers were formed and the Cordwainers' Company placed colleges and teachers at the service of the association. Valuable information was thus spread, with the result that the British worker is now said to be second to none in this trade, while the quality of British leather goods is exceedingly high. The pros- pects for the industry are considered very bright, as the large British colonial market formerly controlled by Germany will in the future be transferred to Great Britain. While confident for the future, leather-goods traders maintain that restriction of competing imports is necessary, if they are to keep up present wages and produce an ar- ticle to win in any market of the world. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 15, 1919, p. 1261.] Industrial Research. Thirty trades are cooperating in the Government department of scientific and industrial research, which aims at a complete revalua- tion of science in the scale of British thought and practice. The de- partment hopes to become a clearing house for all information bear- ing on research work. Valuable work has already been done in many directions, notably in the glass industry, where success has been had in defining the ingredients required for the manufacture of optical glasses, hitherto made exclusively at Jena, and, in addition to this, three completely new glasses, previously unobtainable, have been discovered. Something like $100,000 has been spent in the past three years on work in this department, and in the coming year another 166 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. $150,000 will be spent on grants to individual students and workers. In the pottery trade a new ware has been invented, also a new cheap glaze, which will enable the British trade to hold its own with the hard porcelains produced in Germany and Austria. — [Commerce Ee- ports, IT. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 18, 1919, p. 1322.] Government Grant for Road Work. Owing to high prices, lack of materials, transport difficulties, and the need of much repair and reconstruction work, as well as the de- sirability of stimulating useful work, the Government has decided on making a grant of $50,000,000 to promote work on roads and bridges throughout the country. The road board has represented to the Government that the kind of work most urgently required at present is the strengthening and resurfacing with improved materials of important roads and bridges, and that preference should be given to highways on which there is, or is likely to be, a large volume of heavy motor traffic. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 19, 1919, p. 1331.] British Steel Combine. Messrs. Baldwin, steel manufacturers, have acquired the under- taking of the British Steel Corporation, which was formed last October, with a capital of $5,000,000. This corporation had acquired the Briton Ferry Works and a site of 305 acres, situated between the Swansea Docks and Neath Biver, on which blast furnaces and coke ovens, with a capacity of 20,000 tons of pig iron, are to be erected. When this amalgamation is completed the new corporation will have the largest productive capacity in Great Britain and one of the largest in Europe. Other negotiations are in progress for the extension of the Baldwin interests to the manufacturing side of the steel busi- ness. Another recently announced amalgamation of steel interests was that of the Furness group and the Seaton Carew Iron & Steel Co. This is the second merger negotiated by the Furness Cor- poration this year, the firm of Cochrane & Co. having been acquired a short time ago. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 19, 1919, p. 1330.] Public Electric Power. The British ministry of reconstruction proposes the establishment of 16 public electric stations to furnish heat, light, and power for all industry. This will make possible unlimited, uniform, standardized power, distributed by great trunk lines to every industrial center. It is estimated that under this plan 25,000,000 tons of coal will pro- duce as much as the 80,000,000 now used. Also that relieving the railroads, canals, and coast vessels of the coal traffic would be equiva- lent to adding one-third to present transportation equipment. The UNITED KINGDOM. 167 committee calculates that " all these savings and advantages can hardly be put at less than $500,000,000 per annum." — {Gazette, Niagara Falls, N. Y., Mar. 19, 1919.] Reconstruction. The British Government has announced that it has set aside $50,000,000 to be used in road building and in the reconstruction of bridges allowed to fall into decay during the war. About 2,500 miles of roads will be constructed, and the work will give employment to fully 100,000 men, most of whom will be discharged soldiers. — [Ga- zette, Trenton, N. J., Mar. 24, 1919.] Organization for Foreign Trade. At a meeting of the British Manufacturers' Association called for the purpose of considering amalgamation with the Federation of British Industries, the proposal for amalgamation was carried unani- mously. The new organization will appoint what are called overseas trade commissioners to protect, guide, and advise members, numbering 16,000 firms. These overseas trade commissioners are to be men of high commercial qualifications, conversant with the customs and com- mercial needs of the countries to which they are appointed, and will be settled in suitable offices in the chief commercial centers of the world with competent staffs. They are expected to report on the work of their foreign competitors and to collect such information as British manufacturers are presumed to need. — [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 25, 1919, p. 1500.] Foreign Commerce. The British bureau of foreign commerce and the association of civil engineers are combining to send to Brazil a special agent who is to study the market in that country for English construction machinery. The researches of this mission will comprise : 1. Conditions of the market, importers, methods of packing and distributing goods, Brazilian laws governing various articles, etc. 2. Inquiries into industries which may prove to be channel? for the sale of English engineering materials, such as shipbuilding, foreign carriers, port works, dikes, hydraulic and electric construction proj- ects, and public works in general; coffee, cocoa, cotton, wool, whale oil, coconut oil; mining and mineral industries; sugar, cotton, rice, and jute mills; sawmills; manufacturing of candles, soap, and stear- ine ; and metal foundries. 3. Investigation of markets in iron, steel, and other metals ; in con- struction materials for railroads, etc. ; in agricultural machinery, au- tomobiles, and automobile trucks; in materials for slaughterhouses and the refrigeration of beef ; and in materials for the construction of boilers, steam and gas motors, Diesel motors, etc. — [Commerce Re- ports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Mar. 26, 1919, p. 1517.] 168 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. Industrial Parliament. On February 27, 1919, the peace parliament of employers and work- ers convened by the British Government met in London. Eight hun- dred delegates, representing trade-unions, trade boards, joint indus- trial councils, and reconstruction committees, attended the conference. The great majority of trade-unionists present clearly desired to enter into working relations with the employers in order to restore industry to a normal basis. A proportion of the employers wished to arrange better working conditions for their men and were ready to concede some share in control of management to the workers. Nothing really definite was accomplished except that it might be said that, if this conference is equally successful on its second meeting, which will take place within a few weeks, it may prove to be the first step in the creation of a permanent industrial parliament. It was brought out at the conference, however, that the workers are sick of talk about " capturing the markets of the world," " speeding-up de- vices," and " higher production." They have worked to the limits of their strength for four years and are utterly weary. No motivation will now avail to draw on the deeper sources of their productive power, except one that finds its dynamic in' a full measure of collec- tive benefit.— [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 29, 1919, p. 917.] Reconstruction Plans to Stimulate Agriculture. The minister of reconstruction announced that the reconstruction plans of the British Government are being based on an estimate that the United Kingdom, if its soil were properly cultivated, could produce enough food for about 30,000,000 people. He stated that Great Britain must not be purely an agricultural nor purely an in- dustrial nation, but a blend of both; that some manufacturers must go out of business, but enough will remain to employ those persons not engaged in agriculture and to maintain an export trade that will supply the United Kingdom with the remaining foodstuffs needed. The minister declared that the policy of the Government is to stimulate agriculture to the utmost, while at the same time maintaining the nation's industrial importance. — [American Archi- tect, New York, N. Y., Apr. 2, 1919.] Putting Household Employment on an Industrial Basis. English housewives are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining servants. Discharged women war workers do not show any desire to return to domestic service. To meet this situation the women's legion is preparing a minimum wage scale for household workers, which ranges from $90 a year for a scullery maid to $250 for a housekeeper. The workers are to live with the employers; but they are to have definite periods of leave and leisure, which will include two hours off every day besides time for meals, half a day and part of Sunday off UNITED KINGDOM. 169 every week, and a yearly holiday of two weeks with pay. The Women's Industrial Council of England propose a " Household Or- derly Corps." This corps would enroll domestic workers and supply them to employers on the basis of a minimum wage of about $7.50 for a week of 48 hours, with overtime at a higher rate and one day off a week, the workers to provide their own lodging, laundry, and food. At Bristol an appeal tribunal, consisting of equal numbers of mis- tresses and maids, has been set up by the Bristol employment exchange to adjust differences arising- between employers and servants. A group of labor party women has recently drawn up a scheme for domestic employment which involves living out, a minimum wage of $8.75 a week, a 52-hour week, overtime counted as time and a quarter on week days and as double time on Sundays and holidays. Strong organizations for domestic workers are urged as the only basis for a satisfactory arrangement of the problem. — [The Survey, New York, N. Y., Apr. 5, 1919, p. 56.] Additional Transportation Facilities for Scotland. In view of the fact that a considerable quantity of railway plant, barges, and road rollers at present in France will shortly be set free, the Scottish divisional council for demobilization and resettlement are planning to ask the Government that a certain amount of it be sent to the north of Scotland for the purpose of extending transportation facilities there. It is pointed out that in addition to the importance of obtaining this plant for the purpose of fostering future industrial development, the construction of railways and roads would give immediate employment to large numbers of men. It is estimated that no less than 400 miles of railway will be required, representing a cost roughly of $10,000,000.— [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 8, 1919, p. 182.] Cinema Exhibits to Promote Foreign Trade. The Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool has announced that its project for advertising Liverpool commercial interests by sendiag a cinema exhibit on a world tour is meeting with success, and that several contracts have already resulted from this effort. — [Commerce Keports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 16, 1919, p. 363.] New Method of Paying Wages. A large soap manufacturing concern is contemplating the intro- duction of a new method of paying wages, which is outlined as fol- lows: Each man is to have a little private banking account in a bank of his own selection near his own house. The firm's bank is to be instructed to credit each man from the pay sheet with the amount of money he is entitled to receive for his wages. Under this system a man will draw out of his bank what he wants for his household expenses, and what he does not need will rest in the bank. The 170 FOREIGN READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION. amount left as deposit with the bank will be supplemented by an ad- dition from the firm, and the money will earn 5 per cent interest. It is thought that if this arrangement can be put into operation, the tendency of the worker will be to leave a little more money each week in the bank, and also that instead of the money lying home it will be earning interest. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 16, 1919, p. 356.] Formation of Bank to Handle Postwar "Undertakings. A new bank for foreign trade, called the British Overseas Bank, has been formed by five British banks — the Anglo-South American Bank; Glyn, Mills, Currie & Co.; the Northern Banking Co. (of Ireland) ; Union Bank of Scotland; and Williams Deacon's Bank. The capital will consist of 1,000,000 pounds in ordinary shares, to be subscribed by the banks interested in the venture; and 1,000,000 pounds in preference shares, which carry participatory rights, will be offered to the general public. The primary purpose of this merger is to provide necessary size and strength for the financing of post- war undertakings. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Apr. 19, 1919, p. 436.] Proposed Industrial Parliament. At a recent conference of British employers' associations and trade-unions, approval was given to a plan for the formation of a national industrial council on the following lines : 1. To establish an industrial parliament to discuss all questions of difficulty and dispute which may arise in the future between em- ployers and employed. 2. Mutually to agree as to a minimum rate of wage in all in- dustries. 3. To fix the standard working hours and the conditions of service. 4. To -act as the expert advisory body to the Government in all proposals for legislation affecting industry. It is anticipated that immediate Government action will be taken to give statutory power to this proposed new advisory body. — [Com- merce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, May 5, 1919, p. 691.] URUGUAY. Commercial Congress. The Uruguayan Government has issued a decree providing for the first American Congress of Commercial Education and Economic Commercial Expansion, to be held at Montevideo. The object will be to study the manner in which commercial education is to be guided and developed in each country, and to study the means of accomplishing in an adequate manner the economic-commercial ex- pansion of and between the nations of the American Continent. — [Commerce Eeports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 31, 1918, p. 845.] URUGUAY. 171 Price Fixing. According to a report from the United States consul at Montevideo, the Uruguayan subsistence board is continuing its activities in con- nection with price regulation and conservation of supplies. They have issued a decree fixing the wholesale price of meat and other foodstuffs. They have also established maximum prices for gasoline and kerosene. — [Monthly Labor Review, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Jan- uary, 1919, pp. 113-114.] INDEX. Page, Adults, nonvocational education of, recommended by British committee 124 Aerial service : Australia 10, 14 European countries, postal 34 France 36, 39, 53 New Zealand . 107 United Kingdom 149, 155, 162 Agriculture and forestry : Argentina 8 Austria-Hungary 16 Brazil 19 Canada 27 France 34, 40-43, 47, 48, 51 Germany 67, 68, 73-75, 77, 78 Hungary 80, 81 Italy 34, 89, 92, 96, 97, 99 Mexico 103, 104 Montenegro 104 New Zealand 108 Portugal 112 Russia 114, 115 United Kingdom 34, 123, 124, 131, 140, 141, 145, 162, 168 (See also Land settlement.) Allied Powers requested by Belgium to extend credit for manufacturing 17 Alphabet, new, in China 31 Alsace-Lorraine : Digest of reconstruction activities in 7, 8 Fund for restoration of northern France raised as testimony of grati- tude 53 Germany, effect on, of loss of 71 Mines, interests in, and port of Strasburg 52 Railways of, linking up to those of France : 37 Apprenticeship, rules for, in Great Britain ; State aid where interrupted by war 139 American Federation of Labor, cooperation with labor of Mexico 109 Arbitration and conciliation of labor disputes : Canada 25 Hungary 80 United Kingdom 135 (See also Industrial relations.) Argentina : Digest of reconstruction activities in 8 Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 Australia : Digest of reconstruction activities in 8-14 Market for British motor vehicles in 165 Outlet for Italian emigration in 100 Austria-Hungary : Aerial postal service in 34 Digest of reconstruction activities in 14-16 Banking. (See Finance, banking, and credit.) Belgium : Digest of reconstruction activities in 16-18 Reconstruction work in, Canada to attempt to secure share in 21 Reforestation of, to have American aid 86 Berne, international conference at 85 173 174 indjsx. Bohemia : Page. To have Atlantic port provided by France 35 (See also Czecho-Slovakia.) Bolshevism, discussion of, at international conference at Berne 85 Bonuses or gratuities for discharged soldiers and sailors : Canada 29 France 44 Germany 65 Netherlands 106 (See also State assistance.) Bounties for agricultural production in Portugal 112 Brazil : British trade with 167 Digest of reconstruction activities in 19 Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 British Columbia : Department of industry 30 Land settlement of soldiers ^ 23, 24 British Empire, economic cooperation of constituent parts of 125 Buenos Ayres, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 Building, resumption of: Austria-Hungary 16 Canada 29, 30 France 40, 42, 49, 51, 54 Germany 58, 67 . Sweden 120 United Kingdom 128, 138-140 (See also Housing; Industry, rehabilitation of.) Bulgaria, digest of reconstruction activities in 19, 20 Canada : Digest of reconstruction activities in 20-30 Lumber, sale of, to Great Britain 150 Steamship service with Great Britain, resumption of 150 Steamship service with Vladivostok, resumption of 117 Cargo insurance in Great Britain 138 Cereals, prices of, guaranteed for 1919 in England and Wales 142 Child labor : International 39, 83, 84, 86 United Kingdom 146, 147, 158, 159, 162 (See also Education, compulsory.) Children of deceased and disabled soldiers, scholarships for in Australia- 10 Chile, digest of reconstruction activities in 30, 31 China, digest of reconstruction activities in 31 Clothing for demobilized British soliders, and use of uniforms not re- tained 152 Clothing, manufacture of, by Government of Australia 13 Coal, production and conservation of: Austria-Hungary 14 France 43 Germany 73,75 Greece 79 Hungary 82 Italy 90,99 Netherlands 105 Switzerland 121 United Kingdom 125-127, 166, 167 (See also Mining.) Coffee, production of and trade in : Brazil . 19 Italy 88 Coin, gold and silver, importation of into Great Britain authorized 151 Collective agreements and bargaining between employers and employees : Germany 67-69, 76 Italy 101 United Kingdom 126, 127 (See also Industrial councils; Industrial relations.) INDEX. 175 P?ge. Collective buying of materials in France 35 Commerce, foreign. (See Trade foreign.) Commercial Education and Economic Commercial Expansion, American Congress of, called at Montevideo by Uruguayan Government 170 Commissions, committees, conferences, and ministries on reconstruction or transition : Austria-Hungary 14-16 Belgium 16-18 Bulgaria 19,20 Canada 26 France 36, 42, 43, 45-47, 52 German- Austria 54, 55 Germany 56, 57, 59. 62, 63 Greece 79, 80 Hungary 80-82 Italy 86-88, 91, 92, 94-96 Japan 101 Netherlands 105 Poland 110, 111 United Kingdom 122-125 Constitution of Switzerland, proposed revision of 121 Contracts for war supplies, adjustment of: Italy 94,95 United Kingdom 129 Cooperative purchasing, distribution, and storage, societies for, in Italy 92, 93 Copenhagen, meetings held at, for cooperation of Scandinavian countries in economic and commercial affairs 116 Cordite, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 Cost of living : Canada 21,22 France 39 New Zealand 108 United Kingdom 143 Cotton industry. (See Textile industry.) Councils, joint industrial, of employers and employees, in Great Brit- ain 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 Credit. (See Finance, banking, and credit; Loans.) Currency, decimal, adoption of, by United Kingdom _: 123, 131 Czecho-Slovakia, digest of reconstruction activities in 32, 33 Damage caused by war, amount of, in France 50 Damage caused by war, compensation to individuals for : France : 42, 49 Italy 95.96 Debts of soldiers, payment of, in Germany 67 Demobilization : Canada 22, 26-29 Germany 61, 63-67, 73-76 Hungary SO Netherlands 105, 106 United Kingdom 128, 134, 137-139, 146, 150-152, 155-157, 160, 161 Demobilization of labor. (See Munition workers.) Denmark : Aerial postal service in 34 Digest of reconstruction activities in 33 Economic cooperation with other Scandinavian countries 116 Devastated regions, restoration of : Austria-Hungary 16 France 37, 38, 40-44, 46, 4S-54 Italy 91 Disabled employees in Germany not to be dismissed unless other employ- ment is provided 70 Disabled men in Great Britain, insurance of, under workmen's com- pensation act 136 Disabled soldiers and sailors. (See Families; Medical, etc., treatment; State assistance.) 176 INDEX. Disabled soldiers, voluntary funds for relief of : Page. Germany 59 Italy 92 South Africa 117 Disputes between employers and employees. (See Industrial relations.) Dock trades, employment in, in Great Britain 155 Domestic service in Great Britain 168, 169 Dye industry in Great Britain 140, 150 Economic conditions, needs, and resources, investigation of : Alsace-Lorraine 7 Belgium 16 Brazil 19 Bulgaria 20 Czecho-Slovakia , 32 France- 35-37,52 Germany 61, 71, 73, 74, 79 Italy 86, 87, 91, 94, 98 Japan 101 Spain 118,119 United Kingdom 122-128, 133, 134, 144, 145, 161, 162 Economic conditions. (See also Finance, banking and credit; Food; Housing ; Industry ; Labor ; Power ; Tariffs ; Trade, foreign. ) Education act, British, of 1918 147 Education, adult, British reconstruction committee's reports on 124 Education, compulsory : France 38 International 83 United Kingdom 147 (See also Child labor.) Education, higher, in Japan 101, 102 Education in China, new alphabet to facilitate 31 Education in English language in Japan 102 Education. (See also Vocational education; Vocational training.) Electric power: France 35,42 Hungary 82 India 83 Italy 91 United Kingdom 148, 166, 167 Electrification of railways in Switzerland 120, 121 Emigration, regulation of: International 86 Italy 87, 88, 96, 99, 100 Employer and employee. (See Industrial relations.) Employers, programs of: Germany 61, 62 Italy 90 Employment bureaus: Germany 75 Hungary 82 International 86 Italy 96 South Africa 117 United Kingdom 133, 134, 143 Employment of returned soldiers: Australia 10,13 Canada 20, 22, 26-30 France 38 ' Germany 57, 58, 61, 63, 67, 68, 70, 73, 74 Hungary 82 Italy 90,97 South Africa 117 United Kingdom 128, 137-139, 154-157, 167 (See also Land settlement; Settlements, industrial; Unemployment; Vocational training.) INDEX. 177 England : Page. Agricultural conditions in, investigation of, by United States 34 Price of cereals for 1919 guaranteed in 142 War memorials in 157 (See also United Kingdom.) European countries, aerial postal service in 34 Exports : Alsace-Lorraine 8 Canada 21 China 31 France 8, 44, 47, 48, 52 Italy 94,98 Japan 101 Mexico 103 Spain _ 119 Sweden 120 Switzerland 120, 121 Turkey 121, 122 United Kingdom 125, 129, 145, 146, 169 (See also Trade, foreign.) Factions, conciliation of, in China 31 Factions, conciliation of, in Mexico 103 Factories, Government operation of, in Australia 13, 14 Factories producing war materials, conversion to peace production : France 37, 39, 41, 42, 45, 46 Germany 70, 71 Italy 87, 90, 91, 93-95 United Kingdom 129, 130, 134, 137 Families of soldiers and sailors, assistance for : Australia 8-10 Germany 57 Italy 90 South Africa 117 (See also State assistance.) Farm loans. (See Agriculture; Land settlement.) Fatigue, industrial, investigation of, in Great Britain 159 Federal Reserve Board, United States, announces credit to Peru 110 Fiduciary societies in France, to determine whether extension of credit to business establishments is warranted 36 Finance, banking, and credit: Argentina 8 Canada . 25 Czecho-Slovakia 32 France _ 36, 41, 43, 47, 51, 52 German-Austria 55 Germany 56, 57, 63, 64, 71, 72, 77 Hungary 81 Italy 91, 95, 97 Mexico 103,104 Peru 110 Poland „ 110,111 Russia 114, 115 Spain 118 Turkey 122 United Kingdom 126, 131, 133, 134, 138, 140, 148, 151, 153, 170 Finland, National Industrial League of, to hold national fair in 1919 for encouragement of industry, etc 34 Finland and Sweden, trade agreement between 34,35 Flax, new method of handling likely to greatly increase production in Ireland 142 Food scarcity, relief of; food regulations: Belgium 18 France 40-43.45 International 84, S5 115488—19 12 178 INDKX. Food scarcity, relief of; food regulations — Continued. I'age. Russia 114 United Kingdom 156, 158, 161 Foreign trade. (See Trade, foreign. Forestry- (See Agriculture ; Reforestation.) France : Agricultural conditions in 34 Alsace-Lorraine, government and rehabilitation 7 Coal and steel to be furnished to Switzerland in return for cattle 121 Digest of reconstruction activities of 35-54 Emigration from Italy to 100 Netherlands special commission to promote trade with 105 Potash output of Alsace required for a time 8 Railway plant, road rollers, etc., to be returned to United Kingdom. 169 Reconstruction work, Canada to attempt to secure share in 21 Reforestation of, to have American aid 86 Release from army of men who might contribute to extension of Allied influence in Brazil 19 Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy territory, representation on 84, 85 Freedom of speech and press, removal of restrictions on, in Germany 65 German-Austria, digest of reconstruction activities in 54, 55 Germany : Commercial interests in Russia 113, 115 Digest of reconstruction activities in 55-79 Indemnity to Belgium 17, 18 Trade agreement with Czecho-Slovakia 32 Glass industry in Great Britain 165, 166 Government, change of, effect on contracts, credits, currency, and other obligations : Germany 63, 64, 72 Hungary 82,83 Government departments, improvement of machinery of, in Great Britain 141, 149 Government of Alsace-Lorraine until signing of Peace Treaty 7 Government ownership of colleries in Austria-Hungary 14 Government ownership of railways : Australia 14 Canada 22, 27 Italy 98, 99 Mexico r 102 Spain 118 United Kingdom 131, 135 Great Britain. (See United Kingdom.) Greece, digest of reconstruction activities in 79, 80 Hague, The, Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16 Harbor improvements. (See Ports.) Harness and saddlery, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 Health, ministry of, proposal to create in Great Britain 163 Hours of labor, reduction, regulation, and investigation of : Australia 13, 14 Canada 22 Denmark 33 France 38. 39 Germany : 63, 71, 74-76 Hungarv 82 International 83. 86 Italy 99, 101 Netherlands 107 United Kingdom 124. 129, 146, 159. 162, 168, 169 Housing : Canada 26. 27, 29, 30 France 42, 45, 51 Germany-Austria 54 Germany 56-58, 62-68, 70-73, 75 Hungary 82 rNDEX. 179 Housing — Continued. Page. Sweden ^20 United Kingdom 124, 131, 138-140, 147, 14S, 157, 161,~162, 164 Hungary, digest of reconstruction activities in 80-83 (See also Austria-Hungary.) Illiteracy in China 31 Immigration : Canada 22 Germany 77 International §g Imports : Belgium „ 16? 17 China 31 France 47> 48 Germany 57> 76) 77 Italy 88i 90 Japan 101 Mexico 104 Sweden -^20 Turkey m , 122 United Kingdom 123, 145, 151 {See also Trade, foreign.) Indemnity : Belgium 17 18 France ' 45 (See also Damage.) India, development of water power of 8 3 Industrial councils of employers and employees, in Great Britain 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162. 168 Industrial League, The, in Great Britain 14 7 Industrial parliament convened by British Government 168 Industrial parliament, proposed by a conference as a permanent institu- tion in Great Britain, with parliamentary sanction 1 7 Industrial relations : Canada 25 Germany 6 7-69, 76 Hungary 8 q Italy 101 Norway 108, 109 United Kingdom 126, 127, 131, 135, 146, 147, 157, 160-162, 168, 170 Industry, department of : Canada 30 Mexico 102 Industry, investigation of conditions of. (See Economic conditions.) Industry, nationalization and socialization of. (See Socialization.) Industry, rehabilitation and readjustment of: Belgium 1 6> 1 7 Czecho-Slovakia 32 France.— 37-39, 41-47, 51 Germany 57. 58, 70, 71, 73-77, 79 Greece 79,80 Hungary _ 8 Italy 87, 88, 90, 91, 93-95, 100 Spain us, 119 United Kingdom 123, 125, 129, 134, 137. 141, 144-146, 153, 154, 165, 166 Insurance, aircraft and bombardment, discontinued by Government of Great Britain 154 Insurance, cargo, in Great Britain 138 Insurance, nationalization of, in 'Russia 113, 114 Insurance or allowances for unemployment : Australia 11 German-Austria 54, 55 Germany 59, 62, 66, 67, 73, 75 Hungary 80 International 86 Italy 96,98 United Kingdom 130, 131, 134 180 INDEX. Interallied Commission for the Industrial and Agricultural Reconstruc- Page, tion of Belgium 16 Interallied council of relief 84, 85 International foreign-trade statistics, uniform classification of 84 International labor legislation: German imperial labor bureau's program 74, 75 Proposals of International Association for Labor Legislation 83, 84 Proposals of labor committee of French Chamber of Deputies 39 Report on, of commission of Peace Conference 85, 86 International matters, digest of references to 83-86 International Sleeping Car Co. 85 International conferences at Berne 85 Ireland : Production of flax in 142 Reconstruction problems in 143, 144 Reconstruction work for demobilized soldiers and sailors in 162 (See also United Kingdom.) Iron and steel industry and other metal industries : France 37, 43, 47 Germany 69, 70, 74 Italy 91, 100 Spain 119 United Kingdom 123, 127, 138, 166 Irrigation. (See Reclamation.) Italy : Aerial postal service in 34 Agricultural condition in 46 Digest of reconstruction activities in 86-101 Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy territory, represention on 84, 85 Japan : Development by, of Chinese shipping . 31 Development by, of colonization in Brazil •■ 19 Digest of reconstruction activities in 101, 102 Monopolization of trade of China 31 Relation to Siberian railway system 115 Secret treaties with China 31 Joint industrial councils, of employers and employees, in Great Britain 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 Key industries in Great Britain 125, 128 King George V, speech of, opening Parliament 160, 161, 163 Canada 24, 25 Germany 60, 74, If. Labor disputes. (See Arbitration; Industrial councils; Industrial rela- tions.) Labor, hours of: (See Hours of labor.) Labor legislation : France 38 German- Austria . 54 Germany . 55, 56 United Kingdom 124 (See also Child labor; Hours of labor; Wages; Working conditions.) Labor legislation, international : France 38, 39 Germany 74, 75 Proposed by International Association for Labor Legislation 83, 84 Report on, of commission of Peace Conference 85, 86 Labor organizations, programs of: France 38, 39, 48, 49, 52 Germany 55, 56, 60, 74- 76 International 85 Italy 96,97 United Kingdom 131, 141 Labor shortage in Germany 75 Land, acquisition of, for public purposes, in Great Britain 132 Land settlement of soldiers and sailors : Australia . 9,11-13 Canada 20, 23, 24, 27, 28 INDEX. ' 181 Land settlement of soldiers and sailors — Continued. Page. Germany J 67. 68, 70 Hungary 81 New Zealand 107, 108 South Africa 118 United Kingdom 143, 145, 159 Leather goods industry in Great Britain 165 Leather, sole, to be released for civilian purposes in Great Britain 149, 150 Linen, production of, in Canada 21 Liquor traffic, restriction of. in Paraguay , . 109 Liverpool, use of motion pictures by Chamber of Commerce of, to advertise commercial interests ■ 169 Lloyd George, Premier, address of 161 Loans for agriculture. (See Agriculture; Land settlement of soldiers.) Loans, Government : Bohemia 32 Germany 64 Spain IIS Loans to industrial and commercial concerns. (See Finance, banking, and credit: Industry, rehabilitation of.) Loans to soldiers and sailors : Australia 89 Italy 90 (See also Land settlement; State assistance.) London : Aerial service from Australia 10 Bankers of, anxiety to invest in Belgian industries ■. 18 Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16-18 Canadian Trade Mission in 21 Exchange rate with Peru fixed 110 Italian mission to, to study reconstruction problems.- 88 Speech of Miss Fry, of London branch of Friends' War Victims Relief Committee, on conditions in Belgium___ . ;- IS Lumber, purchase of, by Great Britain in Canada 150 Lumber, sale at cost by Canadian merchants to soldiers settling on land 28 Manitoba, financing of public works in 21 Melbourne, Trades Hall Council of, inaugurates movement for 44-hour week in Australia 13, 14 Materials, war, disposal and utilization of. (See War materials.) Medical, surgical, and hospital treatment of disabled soldiers : Austria-Hungary 15 Canada 20, 26, 28, 29 France 53 Italy 90 United Kingdom 154, 159, 163 Merchant marine : Argentina 8 Canada 27 China 31 Denmark 33 France 49, 50, 52 Germany • 71, 74, 77 Italy ; 90-93 United Kingdom 123 127, 129, 132, 141, 144, 146, 150, 151, 155, 156, 160, 161 Metal industries. (See Iron and steel.) Metric system, proposed adoption of, in United Kingdom 123 Mexico : Digest of reconstruction activities in 102-104 Organized labor in, cooperation of with American Federation of Labor. 109 Milan, public works in 92,96 Mines and mining : Alsace-Lorraine S, 52, 71 Austria-Hungary 14 Child labor in, proposed international legislation as to S3 France *_ 42, 43, 45, 52 Germany 56, 66, 68, 73-75, 7S 182 ' INDWX Mines and< mining — Continued. Page. Greece ! 80 Hungary 82 International _,, , S3, 86 Netherlands . ;_ 105 Poland 111 Spain 118 United Kingdom 126, 127, 131, 148, 160 (See also Coal.) Monopolies, Government : Italy 97-99 Poland ' 111 Montenegro, steps taken to develop agriculture in 104 Montevideo, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 Motherhood, national endowment of, proposed in Great Britain 158 Motion pictures for commercial propaganda : Canada 24 United Kingdom 169 Motion pictures showing work of Canada in treatment, reeducation, and employment of disabled soldiers 20 Motor vehicles, British, investigation of markets for, in Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Far East . 165 Munition workers and other war workers, demobilization of: Germany 61, 65, 73 United Kingdom 128-130, 132-134, 139," 140, 145, 157, 161 JSTational Alliance of Employers and Employed, Great Britain 157 National Industrial League of Finland to hold national fair in 1919 34 Nationalization of industry. ( See Government ownership ; Socialization. ) Nationalization of insurance in Russia 113, 114 Netherlands : Assistance of, in reconstruction of France . 51 Digest of reconstruction activities in 104-107 New Brunswick, land settlement of soldiers in 23 New South Wales : Agreement with Victoria as to public works 14 Land settlement of soldiers in 9, 11, 12 Political federation of returned soldiers in 9 Training of returned soldiers in, for Government railway workshops. 14 Unemployment insurance in 11 New York : Exchange rate with Peru fixed 110 Exhibition of French goods in 44 New Zealand, digest of reconstruction activities in 107, 108 Night work. (See Hours of labor.) Norway : Digest of reconstruction activities in 108, 109 France, assistance in reforestation 49, 50 Organizations of returned soldiers and sailors for political purposes in Australia 9 Pan American Federation of Labor 109 Panama Canal Zone, resumption of radio service in 109 Paris : Belgian reconstruction committee in 18 Belgian traders in, unite to purchase supplies for Belgium 16 Express trains to resume service with Constantinople 85 Italian mission to, to study reconstruction problems 88 Peruvian exchange in 110 Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in 25 Societe d'Economique of 7 Parliament, British, inclusion in of many army service men and others distinguished for service in war 152 Passports for leaving Great Britain 131 Peace Conference, report of commission on international labor legisla- tion ■- 85, 86 Pensions, allowances, and compensation for disability^ to soldiers and - sailors and their families: Australia 9 Canada 22, 26, 29 INDEX. 183 I .'elisions, allowances, and compensation for disability, etc. — Continued. Page. Germany 59 Italy 90, 91, 97 South Africa 117 (See also . Bonuses ; Families; Medical, etc., treatment; State as- sistance.) Peru, digest of reconstruction activities in 110 Poland, digest of reconstruction activities in 110, 111 Political federation of returned soldiers in Australia , 9 Ports, improvement of : France 48,49 Italy 90,98 United Kingdom 145 Portugal : Digest of reconstruction activities in 111, 112 Release from army, of men who might contribute to extension of influence of Allies in Brazil 19 Postal service, aerial, in European countries 34 (See also Aerial service.) Potash, Alsatian, effect of loss of on Germany 71 Potash output of Alsace needed for France 8 Potash supply for Great Britain 126, 127 Pottery industry in Great Britain 166 Power development : France 35,42 Hungary 82 India 83 Italy 91 Spain 118 United Kingdom 144, 148 Prices, Government regulation of : Canada - 21,22 Russia 1 113 Sweden 120 Uruguay 171 Prices, probable course of, in Great Britain 153 Priorities in use of raw materials in Great Britain 128, 125, 146 Profit sharing in industry in Italy 98 Public welfare, ministry for, in German-Austria 54 Public works, construction of, to relieve unemployment: Australia 13. 14 Canada 21, 27, 28 France 40, 44, 45 Italy 87, 90-92, 95-98 New Zealand 107, 108 Poland HO, 111 United Kingdom 140, 145, 161, 166, 167, 169 Queensland : Land settlement for soldiers in 12 Returned soldiers' political federation 9 Radio service, resumption of, in Panama Canal Zone 109 Railroad equipment : Belgium 17 France 47 I ta ly 95, 99, 100 Mexico 103 Spain n9 United Kingdom 124, 125, 131, 132, 145, 169 Railroads and other transportation facilities, reconstruction and develop- ment of, and restoration to normal conditions : C^ innrli - ~*-~ ~* ***' France~"I.rJ 37, 38, 40, 44, 45, 47, 49, 53 International °* Italy 95,97-100 New Zealand 1° 8 Siberia JJJ Switzerland 12 °- m United Kingdom 124, 125, 131, 132, 135, 145, 150, 161, 169 184 INDEX. Railroads, Government ownership, operation, or control of : Page. Australia . 14 Canada 22,27 Italy , 98, 99 Mexico- : 118 Spain 102 United Kingdom 131, 135, 144, 151, 162 Railway service, express, resumption of, between Paris and Constanti- nople : __. 85 Raw materials, need, distribution, and control of : Belgium 17 France 37, 43, 46, 51, 52 Germany ___: 75 Greece 79 Hungary.. 80 Italy__ 87, 90-95, 98 Netherlands « 104 Poland— 111 Spain : 119 United Kingdom 123, 125, 127, 128, 144-146, 161 Reclamation and irrigation of land : Chile 30,31 Italy 89,98 New Zealand 108 Turkey 122 United Kingdom 123 (See also Land settlement.) Reforestation : Belgium 86 France 49, 50, 86 United Kingdom 86 Repatriation of refugees in Belgium 17 Reserve, British, demobilized men to be placed in, until ratification of peace treaty 139 Rhine, freedom of, recommended by French commission to be guaranteed by peace treaty 52 Rio de Janeiro, location of branch of Royal Bank of Canada in 25 Road building : Canada 27,28 Italy 98 New Zealand 108 United Kingdom 140, 145, 161, 166, 167, 169 (See also Public works.) Rome: Mission dispatched to, to study reconstruction problems 88 Public works of 97 Russia : Commercial relations with Switzerland _ 121 Digest of reconstruction activities in 112, 115 Russia-Siberia, digest of reconstruction activities in 115, 116 Safety of workers, proposed international legislation as to 83, 84 Safety of workers. (See also Working conditions.) Saskatchewan, financing of public works in 21 Scandinavian countries, plans for cooperation between 116 Science and invention, application to industry : Germany 75, 78, 79 United Kingdom 125, 165, 166 (See also Economic conditions, investigation of; industry, rehabilita- tion of.) Scotland, request of, for railroad and road machinery and equipment, on its being set free in France 169 Scotland. (See also United Kingdom.) Settlement, land. (See Land settlement.) Settlements, industrial, for returned subnormal soldiers and sailors in Australia 10 Shipbuilding : Argentina 8 Canada 27 INDEX. 185 Shipbuilding— Continued. p8 « e - China 31 Germany 71 Italy 91 United Kingdom 123. 132, 146, 160 (Sec also Merchant marine.) Shipping. (See Merchant marine; ports.) Siberia, digest of reconstruction activities in 115-117 Silk trade in Italy 99 Skilled men, preference of, over dilutees, in Great Britain 163,164 Small arms, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 Socialization of industry : Prance 4S Germany 69, 78 Greece 80 Italy 92 Poland HI Russia 112-115 Siberia '- 116 (See also Government ownership.) South Africa, digest of reconstruction activities in 117, 118 South Australia, land settlement of soldiers in 9, 11 Spain : Commercial agents of Mexico in 104 Digest of reconstruction activities in 118, 119 State assistance for soldiers and sailors : Australia = 8, 9 Austria-Hungary 15 German-Austria 54 Germany 57, 60, 61 (See also Bonuses; Families; Loans; Land settlement; Medical, etc., treatment; Settlements, industrial; Vocational training.) Steel manufacture. (See Iron and steel.) Stock raising in Argentina 8 Stock raising. (See also Agriculture.) Storage, cold, of foods in Italy 90 Storage facilities in Great Britain 136, 137, 144 Straits Settlements, new steamship lines from, to United States 119, 120 Supplies, disposal and utilization of. (See War materials.) Swift & Co. ; activity of, in securing financing of Argentine live-stock de- velopment 8 Sweden : Commercial interests in Russia 113 Digest of reconstruction activities in 120 Economic cooperation with other Scandinavian countries 116 Trade agreement with Finland 34, 35 Switzerland : Atlantic port for 35 Digest of reconstruction activities in 120, 121 Fieedom of Rhine advantageous to 52 Tariffs : Canada 22 France 35, 47, 52 International 85 (See also Economic conditions; Trade, foreign.) Tasmania, land settlement for soldiers in 12 Toronto, housing plans of 29, 30 Taxation and revenue. (See Finance, banking, and credit.) Telephone service, resumption of, in France 50 Textile industry : Canada ~t France ' ,r" Cerni'inv _ 56—58, <0 united kingdom"::::::::::"-"- 123, 136, 142, 157, ieo Timber resources of South Africa, report on question of making avail- able for general industrial purposes 118 Trade-mark, collective, for French products j>*> Trade-mark, collective, for Swiss products 1^0 186 INDEX. Trade, foreign : Page. I Belgium 16,17 Brazil , 19 Canada j 21 27 China ' 31 France 44 ; 47 Germany _" 60, 64, 72, 76-79 International ; uniformity of statistics 84 Italy _ 86-88, 91, 94, 98, 99 Japan 101 Mexico 103,104 Netherlands 105 Norway 1 108 Peru 110 Russia , 112-114 Spain 1 119 Sweden 120 Turkey 121, 122 United Kingdom . 125, 129, 145, 150, 165, 167 (See also Economic conditions; Exports; Imports; Tariffs.) Transition period, organization for. (See Commissions, etc.) Transportation of discharged soldiers: Canada 20 Germany : , 60 Transportation of munition workers to homes in Great Britain 130 Treaties, secret, between China and Japan 31 Tuberculosis : Austria-Hungary 15 France 53 Italy 90 Turkey, digest of reconstruction activities in 121, 122 Unemployment : Australia 10, 11, 13, 14 Canada 25, 27 Denmark 33 France 39, 44, 51, 52 German-Austria 54, 55 Germany 56, 59, 61, 73-78 Hungary 82 Italy 96, 98, 100 Netherlands 104 Poland _ 111 United Kingdom 131, 142, 143, 155, 164 (See also Employment of returned soldiers; Vocational education; Vocational training.) Unemployment insurance, or Government allowances: Australia 11 Canada 27 German-Austria 54, 55 Germany 59, 62, 66, 67, 73, 75 Hungary 80 International 86 Italy 96,98 United Kingdom 130, 131, 134 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Aerial service between London and Australia 10 Banking activities in Turkey 122 Dairy farms, establishment of, in Mesopotamia 122 Digest of reconstruction activities in 122-170 Investment in Belgian industries 18 Mexican trade with 104 Netherlands to appoint special commission to promote trade with 105 Reclamation work in Mesopotamia 122 Reforestation of, to have aid of American Forestry Association 86 Return of refugees to Belgium 17 Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy territory, representation on 84, 85 index. 187 United States of America: Page. Alsace, potash from, not available in spring of 1919 8 Belgium, extension of credit to, by bankers 18 Belgium, request by, for loan of railroad equipment 17 Czeeho-Slovakia, trade relations with 33 England, France, and Italy, report of commission of United States Department of Agriculture on conditions in 34 France, supply of raw materials and manufactured articles to 46, 51, 52 French board to develop markets in 44 Germany, condition of American-owned factories in - 77 Great Britain, France, and Belgium, assistance of American Forestry Association in reforestation of 86 Italy, trade with 99 Mexico, relations with — Claims for damages through Mexican revolution 103 Commercial agents of Mexico in 103 Conciliatory policy of Mexico toward 103 Organized labor, cooperation of, in Mexico and United States___ 109 Railroad equipment, supply of, to Mexico 103 Norway, exposition of American goods in, during summer of 1919 108 Peru, extension of credit to HO Portugal, extension of trade with m Russian trade, activities with respect to 114, 115 Spain, closer commercial relations with 119 Singapore, steamship communication with 119, 120 Supreme Council dealing with supply of food to liberated and enemy territory, representation on 84, 85 Vladivostok, resumption of steamer service to 117 Uruguay : Digest of reconstruction activities in 170, 171 Royal Bank of Canada to have branch in ' 25 Victoria : Agreement of with New South Wales as to public works 14 Land settlement of soldiers in 9, n, 1 12 Returned soldiers' political federation in ' ■ 9 Vocational training of soldiers in 10 Vladivostok, resumption of steamship service with Canadian and United States ports 117 Vocational education, general : Denmark 33 Greece 80 Italy 8 7 )9S United Kingdom 142,143, 163 Vocational training and rehabilitation of returned soldiers and sailors: Australia 10 13 14 Austria-Hungary ' 15' ±q Canada 20-23, 26 ' 29 France ' 35 Germany ~_ 53, 60 Italy 90 New Zealand 107 South Africa 117 United Kingdom 147, 159, 163 Wages, new method of payment of, by a British concern 169, 170 Wages, regulation of : France 38 Germany 61, 62, 72, 76 International 84, S6 Netherlands 107 United Kingdom 126, 135, 146, 157, 162, 168, 170 Wales, prices of cereals for 1919 guaranteed in 142 Wales. (See also United Kingdom.) War materials, disposal and utilization of: Austria-Hungary 15 France 48 Germany 62, 69, 70 188 INDEX. War materials, disposal and utilization of — Continued. 2»e». Italy 91 United Kingdom 134, 135, 144, 149, 152, 164 War memorials in England 157 War risk cargo insurance, Great Britain . 138 War savings organizations, British, continuance of 151,152 War Trade Board, United States, statement of as to Alsatian potash 8 War workers. (See Munition workers.) Warsaw, conferences of heads of Polish Government held in 110, 111 Washington, D. C, meeting of committee of Pan American Federation of Labor in 109 Water power. (See Power.) Waterways, use and improvement of: Germany 71 United Kingdom 145 Weekly day of rest. (See Hours of labor.) Whitley report, of British reconstruction committee on relations of em- ployers and employed, recommending formation of joint standing in- dustrial councils ; developments thereunder 126, 127, 146, 147, 161, 162, 168 Women, employment of, international restrictions as to : Proposed by International Association 83,84 Proposed by Peace Conference commission 85, 86 Women war workers : Germany : 73 Italy 88 Wool, abolition of control over, in Great Britain , 141, 142 Woolen and worsted industry in Great Britain 136 Woolen fabrics, manufacture of, by Government, in Australia 13 Woolen manufacture. (See Textile industry.) Working conditions and safety of workers : Germany . 56, 76 International 83, 84 United Kingdom 157, 161, 162 Workmen's compenstation in Great Britain ; reimbursement by Govern- ment of losses of insurance companies due to greater liability of dis- abled men to serious accident 136 Young Women's Christian Association foyers in France, continuance of, work by French 45 o Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Owde Treatment Date: JUN 4JU1 PreservationTechnologies A«ORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVAT.O. * 111 Thomson Park Dnve Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724) 779-2111 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 007 694 145 2 •