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INTERNATIONAL LABOUR
OFFICE
GENEVA
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Studies and Reports
Series A.
No. 25.

30 December 1921.

The Tenth International Congress
of Textile Workers
(Paris, 19 to 24 September 1927)

CONTENTS
Page

Meeting of the International Committee
Opening session of the Congress
Extension of the International Secretariat
Action in support of the French and Belgian Strikers
Hours and Wages
Financial Beport
The International Strike Fund
The Russian Representative
Unemployment
International
Action
Works Councils
The Federation and the International Labour Office
Admission of Foreign Workers to the Management of Trade Unions
Accident Insurance
Changes in the Constitution
The next International Congress
Prevention of War
Meeting of the International Committee
Appendix : Affiliated Organisations

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3
5
6
7
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13
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The first international meeting of textile workers took
place in 1893 at Zurich. I t was then decided to hold an
International Congress of Textile Workers at regular intervals,
and the first met in Manchester in 1894, seven countries
having sent delegates representing a total of 179,000 members.
Shortly before the war, at the end of 1912, eight countries,
with a membership of 826,400, were affiliated with the International Federation of Textile Workers. The M n t h Congress
+™v TIICLOÛ. shortly before the outbreak of war in 1914 at

I LO - S R / A 2 5
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Blackpool (England). The next Congress was to meet in
1917 at Lyons (Prance), but had to be cancelled owing to
the war. It took place instead from 19 to 24 September
this year in Paris.
During the war relations were more or less suspended.
The International Committee did not meet again until 1920
at Amsterdam, and again at Berlin in March 1921. In view
of the difficulties involved in convening a congress in Paris,
it was decided at the later meeting to hold it in Austria.
However, through the intervention of the International Labour
Office, as reported in the Textilarbeiter of Berlin on 7 October,
all difficulties connected with the journey were successfully
overcome, so that at the last moment it was possible to
organise the Congress in Paris (x).
Meeting of the International Committee
The Congress was preceded by a session lasting two days
(16-17 September 1921) of the International Committee,
which is composed of one or two representatives of each
affiliated country. Its purpose was to come to a decision on
the applications for assistance made by the textile workers
on strike in Belgium and Northern France and by the Hungarian Union, the extension of the International Secretariat
and the abolition or strengthening of the international strike
fund. Eesolutions on all these points were drafted for the
consideration of the Congress.
Opening Session of the Congress
The Congress was opened on Monday, 19 September.
Mr. VANDEPUTTE (France) was in the chair. The Chairman
expressed the pleasure of the French Union that the first
meeting of the International after the war was being held in
Paris. He reported on the progress of the strike of textile
workers in the North of France and in Belgium. At his suggestion a telegram expressing sympathy was sent to them by
the Congress, as also to the textile workers on strike in Italy.
Mr. SHAW, the International Secretary, stated that the
Hungarian Union had sent a message to the Congress regretting
that it was unable to send a representative. The great American Textile Workers' Union had regretted being unable to
take part in the Congress on this occasion owing to the recent
demise of their President, but it still maintained its affiliation
to the International. Contrary to statements made in certain
journals, the Eussian Union had been invited to the Congress,
like all other unions, but all communications addressed to
it had hitherto remained unanswered.
\
Í1) A representative of the I. L. 0. was present at all the session of the
Congress.

Extension of the International Secretariat
A resolution in the following terms was laid before the
Congress by the International Committee :
The International Committee recommends t h a t Comrade Shaw
should be re-elected International Secretary and that a sufficient sum of
money should be put at his disposal to develop the International Secretariat,
and asks the Congress to empower the International Committee to take
any steps it may deem desirable for the further development of the
Secretariat.

Mr. SHAW gave an account of developments since the
last Congress, held in Blackpool in 1914. Soon after the
outbreak of war communications between the individual
organisations became quite impossible, and for some time this
was even the case between England and France. But on
the occasion of the first meeting after the war in Amsterdam,
such a spirit of friendship and oblivion of the past was displayed that one could only wish all other classes would show
a similar anxiety to reach a lasting understanding in the
future and thus prevent further war.
Since the Amsterdam meeting a keen desire had been
expressed on many sides that the International should extend
its activities, but for this purpose it possessed neither an office
nor a full-time official. It was decided to issue a Bulletin,
but the first number immediately showed that such action
was too expensive and that the many translations involved
resulted in too much delay. Later a system of exchanging
reports by correspondence once a month was adopted, but
this had proved just as unsatisfactory. The speaker continued:
I t has been generally desired to obtain more information on conditions
in all countries, including the non-European. Thus I have been invited
to go to India in order to co-operate there in developing the organisation
of textile workers. In Japan too the industry is rapidly growing. All
these countries must be covered if the International is really to fulfil its
purpose. Frontiers and race questions must not be allowed to hamper
the workers. The one object of the International must be the improvement
of the conditions of all workers. This is all the more necessary when we
remember that the industries and workers of the older countries cannot
permanently maintain their position as long as longer hours and lower
wages prevail in other countries.
The question of industrial democracy is also of great interest to us, and
reliable information in all other fields is desirable. But the difficulty of
obtaining such material is illustrated by the fact that not even the
constitutional rule is observed according to which each national Union must
send in an exhaustive report as to its own conditions six months before the
Congress. Something must be done if these requirements are to be more
adequately met in future.

In the second session of the Congress, Mr. JAECKEL (Germany) dealt with the same question.
The resolution before the Congress is a compromise between the Danish
proposal to appoint a permanent international secretary and the Swiss
proposal to transfer the seat of the Federation, which latter proposal was,

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however, unsupported by the other delegates. In view of the present
depressed economic situation, Comrade Shaw is against the appointment
of a permanent international secretary, but t h e expense to the International
of paying a few officials should not be allowed to be an obstacle in face of the
three or four hundred officials employed by our unions for national purposes.
The Danish and Belgian delegates finally proposed that an honorary
secretary should be elected, but that assistant secretaries and staff of various
nationalities should also be appointed, while t h e German and Swiss desired
the appointment of a permanent international secretary who would in
addition be given the necessary assistants. We adopted the text now
before you because it empowers t h e International Committee, if necessary,
to appoint a permanent secretary. The need for such a step will probably
be made evident very shortly. Further, the resolution naturally implies
that the secretary will at once appoint the necessary additional staff.
We are most anxious that Comrade Shaw should remain our secretary,
and that he should, at the same time, continue his parliamentary and other
public activities, as they cannot but be of service to our International.
With respect to the working of the Secretariat, we have a series of demands
which will be considered in full in an amendment to the above resolution,
These express the wish that the International Secretariat may advise,
support, and really lead the movement, and that we may not merely give
utterance to platonic aspirations but also be able to proceed to effective
action after careful examination of all the circumstances.

Mr. SMITH (Gì-eat Britain) moved an amendment to the
resolution to the effect that in the question of appointing
a permanent secretary the Committee should report to the
next Congress, with whom the final decision should lie. This
limitation was necessary because otherwise the powers of the
Committee would go further than was compatible with English
views; only the Congress itself should be allowed to decide
on the appointment of an international secretary or the leading
officials of the organisation. Such a decision could not be
left to a small body.
After a number of speakers had spoken for or against the
motions, the Congress decided to close the debate, and in
the course of the third session the following resolution was
unanimously, adopted, the Swiss delegation abstaining from
voting :
The International Committee recommends that Comrade Shaw be reelected International Secretary, and t h a t a sufficient sum of money be
placed at his disposal to develop the International Secretariat, and requests
the Congress to empower the International Committee to take any steps
it may deem desirable for the further development of the Secretariat.
The Secretariat will deal with all matters affecting the textile industry
and textile workers' organisations, and observe critically all movements,
and developments among employers' organisations. The national organisations are required to supply the International Secretary with all available
materia], and to comply promptly and scrupulously with all requests for
reports, etc. In addition to the work previously done, the Congress desirea
an extension of activity to the following matters :
( 1 ) Statistical reports on wages and hours of textile workers.
(2) Information to national organisations regarding important laws and:
regulations in the different countries.
(3) Publication of a comprehensive annual report.
(4) Eegular information to national organisations on
a) Mutual relations of the textile industries of different countries^
b) The supply of raw material, price fixing, etc.

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c) Development of the textile industry in non-European countries.
d) Commercial relations of the textile industries of all countries.
e) Technical progress in the textile industry.
The appointment of a permanent Secretary shall be made by the
Congress.

Action in support of the French and Belgian Strikers
Mr. VANBEPUTTE (France) gave a short account of the
position of the struggle, which involved 60,000 textile workers
in Northern France and 20,000 in the Vosges. As a result
of recent labour movements the funds of the organisation
had been exhausted. He hoped that, in spite of the clause in
the constitution which lays down that no grant of assistance
from the international fund can be considered until after nine
weeks, the Congress would this time make an exception,
especially as assistance would scarcely ever be possible under
the old rule.
Mr. HANNIOK (Belgium) proposed that similar assistance
be granted to the strikers in his union. He stated that 15,000
members of the Belgian Union were opposing wage reductions
in Northern France, while 5,000 were on strike in Belgium
itself. In the French areas it was difficult to maintain even
the small strike benefit of 15 francs per week, while the strikers
in Belgium received the regular benefit of 7 francs per day.
Mr. VOOGSGEERD (Netherlands) reported, on behalf of the
Sub-Committee which had dealt with this question, t h a t
the workers involved were now on strike for the third time
against wage reductions. It was a matter for congratulation
that their Italian comrades had been able to carry on their
fight unaided, but the French Union was in a very difficult
position. The Sub-Committee appointed by the International
Committee therefore recommended that the Congress should
appoint a committee in order to draft a proposal for supporting
the strikers. The Congress agreed to this suggestion, and
appointed Mr. Grinion ( Great Britain), Mr. Galli (Italy), and
Mr. Hoschka (Germany).
This Sub-Committee reported
later that the wages of the textile workers in Northern
France had fallen to 20 francs per day, which the employers
wished to reduce by 4 francs. On two previous occasions,
the workers, in spite of their efforts, had failed to prevent
wage reductions, but this time, in view of their unfavourable
economic condition, they had resisted with the utmost energy.
The Sub-Committee therefore proposed that preliminary relief
to the amount of 200,000 francs should be granted out of
the international strike fund, and that it should be left to
the International Committee to take further steps if necessary,
as dictated by the development of the conflict. The resolution
was adopted unanimously, the Belgian and French delegations
abstaining from voting. An Italian amendment to empower
the Committee to intervene in the struggle in other countries
if necessary was unsupported.

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Hours and Wages
Mr.VooGSGEERD {Netherlands) spoke in favour of a resolution
put forward by the Dutch Union for the introduction of the
45-hour week, which became law in the Netherlands in October
1920. In that country the working week would, after a
transition period, be 45 hours, or eight hours daily and five
on Saturday, as from 1 October 1922. Owing to the reaction,
however, a new Bill was now before Parliament fixing the
annual period of work at 2,500 hours, so that the 45-hour
week appeared to be in danger. The speaker therefore hoped
that the struggle for a similar shortening of hours in other
countries would be supported, and that for this reason the
Dutch resolution would be accepted.
Mr. SHAW stated that in Great Britain there was as yet
no legislation for the 48-hour week, but in practice the textile
industry enjoyed a 47%-hour week, involving a period
of work of at most four hours on Saturdays. Unfortunately
the British Government had not yet carried out the obligations
assumed at Washington.
Mr. CHBISTENSEN (Benmark) was of the opinion that the
maximum daily hours should be fixed, and not the weekly
hours, for otherwise there was a danger that in order to obtain
a free Saturday afternoon the 8-hour day would be turned into
a 9-hour day. As the workers readily agreed to such proposals,
they would fall an easy prey to the employers instead of carrying
the struggle for the principle of the 8-hour day.
Mr. E O E D E L (Germany) stated that in his country the
46-hour week had been introduced by collective agreement.
I t was true that the employers had given notice to terminate
the agreement, but hitherto the workers had been strong enough
to maintain what they had achieved. The Dutch proposal
did not go far enough for them, for they wished to establish
the principle of the 44-hour week.
Mr. MARTI (Switzerland) spoke in favour of the latter
proposal, which was in agreement with the programme of the
Swiss Union (maximum hours 8 daily, 44 weekly), although
this demand could not yet be realised. Swiss factory legislation prescribed a 48-hour week, but it was being violently
attacked by the employers, particularly on the grounds that
beyond the frontier in Austria textile workers worked 9 hours
or even longer.
Mr. OGDEN (Great Britain) moved, and the Congress
approved, the appointment of a sub-committee composed
of a French, an English, an Italian, a Czech, and a German
delegate, who would draft a single proposal to be laid before
the Congressi 1 ).
(1) See p. 12 for the text of the resolution proposed by the Committee
and passed by the Congress.

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Financial Report
The two auditors appointed by the Congress to examine
the financial report—a Belgian and a Czech delegate—moved
its adoption. They had found the books in perfect order.
They expressed surprise at finding expenses so low hitherto.
Their report was unanimously approved.
The International Strike Fund
Mr. HANNICK (Belgium) reported on behalf of the subcommittee appointed to deal with this question.
When the strike fund was established with the full consent of our British
comrades, it was generally hoped that this new measure would accelerate
progress. Today, however, our British comrades wish to abolish this
international fund, because they hold that in any case it is impossible to
make it an effective weapon. The Continental delegates, on the other
hand, are still of opinion t h a t the fund must be maintained in any case, and
that it is desirable to strengthen it, at least to the extent of raising the rate
of contribution to correspond to the increase in wages. The sub-committee
also proposes t h a t the clause of the constitution postponing the grant of
assistance until a dispute has lasted nine weeks should be amended, so that
assistance can be granted on request after four weeks.

Mr. SHAW agreed to increasing the contributions, which
in their present form were unfair. They ought to correspond
to the rise in wages in each country. Mr. OGDEN (Great
Britain) moved the abolition of the strike fund. This was
necessary because the international strike fund in its present
form was of small use, and greater sacrifices were impossible
in the present industrial depression which was already exhausting trade union funds. After the British delegation had met
separately, they proposed, as a compromise, that the question
be referred to the International Committee for consideration
and report to the next Congress. The German delegation
then proposed the adjournment of the session in order to
determine their attitude, because they demanded the immediate
strengthening of the strike fund. After their separate meeting
they did not relinquish their view, but as a concession they
agreed to withdraw the further resolution to empower the
International Committee to raise compulsory extra contributions for strike benefits. The British resolution to abolish
the strike fund and to refer the question to the International
Committee was rejected against the votes of the British
delegates. The following resolution put forward by the Committee was then adopted, only the British delegates voting
against it.
The International Committee, having considered t h e question of
strengthening the strike fund of the International, and recognising the
importance of a method of payment of contributions which will be
absolutely just, recommends the Congress to refer the matter to the
International Committee for consideration at a meeting to be held early
next year, at which thes3 contributions shall be fixed on the basis of the
average earnings of textile workers, ignoring rates of exchange.

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In the meantime the International Secretary will collect from each
nation a statement of wages before the war and at present, so t h a t a
comparison may be made and a rate fixed which will be fair to all countries.
After this information has been supplied and the International Committee
has fully considered the matter, the method of payment and the amount
of contributions shall be fixed, the Committee always bearing in mind
the position of the various organisations and the necessity of keeping the
contributions at such an amount as will permit all organisations to remain
members of the International.

The Russian Representative
During the fourth session. Mr. SHAW announced that
Mr. Jecupe, a French delegate, had presented to him credentials
from the Eussian textile workers' organisation and asked
for recognition as its delegate. A special committee consisting of one delegate from each country was appointed in
order to decide whether these credentials could be admitted.
At the beginning of the fifth session it was announced that
the sub-committee was unable to present a unanimous report.
The majority was against recognition, whilst the minority
desired that the French delegate should be admitted as representative of the Eussian Union. The committee therefore
presented two resolutions, the first having obtained 7 and
the second 3 votes on the committee. They ran as follows:
I. Since the Eussian Textile Workers' Union has ceased to pay
contributions to the International Federation, its affiliation has lapsed.
The Committee considers t h a t the Eussian Textile Workers' Union is no
longer a member of the International Federation, and in consequence
has no right to representation at the International Congress. If the Eussian
Textile Workers' Union desires to become a member of the International
Federation, it must make an application to that effect to the International
Committee. The Congress must determine whether the French comrade
deputed by the Eussian Textile Workers' Union should be admitted as a
guest.
II. In so far as an enquiry, which shall be instituted by the Executive
Committee of the International Federation a t the Congress itself, determines that the Eussian Textile Workers' Union is still according to the
constitution entitled to membership of our International, the Committee
moves that the Congress shall admit the delegate of the Eussian Union.
The Committee is of the opinion that it is out of the question to send a
Eussian delegate to the Congress, in consequence of the political tension
prevailing between Eussia and other States. For this reason it grants the
French comrade full rights of representation on behalf of the Eussian
Union.

Mr. E O E D E L {Germany) pointed out that the Eussian Union,
in accordance with a decision of the Committee meeting held
in Amsterdam, had been invited to attend the Congress.
However much one might object to the present leaders in
Eussia, one could not overlook the necessity of remaining
in touch with the workers, whose opinions undoubtedly
differed from those of their present rulers. Mr. SHAW said
that the Eussian Union, like all others, had been invited
to the Congress. The question was, therefore, whether,

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against all previous practice, a French delegate could undertake the representation of the Russian Union. It would be
necessary to lay down exact rules for such cases, and to rule
that only textile workers, members or officials of a union, could
represent an organisation. After a lively debate on this point,
in which many delegates took part, the vote was taken on
a motion for closure, during which the French delegate with
drew his Russian credentials ; when it was announced that the
voting was equal, and the motion therefore lost, he wished
to retain the Russian mandate, but the chairman refused to
reopen the subject (2).
Unemployment
Mr. HOSCHKA (Germany) addressed the Congress on this
subject.
The only resolution before the Congress on this point is the Belgian one.
I wish to point out that unemployment is rife in all countries, and t h a t
many sections of the German textile industry are also very much affected,
while others have to work for the capitalists of all countries. If conditions
in Germany remain as they are much longer, the German worker will soon
become the poorest in the whole world, for the present system means that
the country is being completely sold out by the perpetual fall in t h e value of
the mark. Our textile industry suffered most during the war, because of the
shortage of all raw materials, and the state had to organise special, although
inadequate, relief for textile workers. In addition to this, the costs of the
world war fall almost wholly on our shoulders, which inevitably has very
serious consequences for the workers. Of course we shall do everything
in order to meet the obligations which we have contracted as a nation, but
we are convinced that a remedy for the present world calamity can only
be reached by international agreements and by socialisation of the chief
means of production.

Mr. SHAW said that the chaos that had followed the war
was so great that capitalism could find no remedy. The only
possible solution lay in the co-operation of labour organisations. Unemployment reigned to-day in many countries
which could produce goods that would serve to promote
agriculture in other countries, and for lack of which these
countries were being ruined. But this would only be possible
if the working classes succeeded in acquiring economic and
political power.
Mr. ROSCHER (Czecho-Slovakia):
Our country has become one of the greatest textile countries. In the
German districts alone we have 24,000 workers unemployed and 46,000
on short time. In the Czech districts conditions are somewhat better.
We still have the former Austrian decree on unemployment relief, b u t it
has been modified most unfavourably. Until the enactment of the proposed
new law, the unemployment relief amounts at present, under certain
conditions, to 10 kronen daily, and 6 kronen for each member of the family
up to three. The Ghent system of grants in aid of the unemployment
benefits paid by trade unions is unfortunately ineffective, because, under
present circumstances, the unions themselves are unable to pay benefits.
If we mean to take immediate steps against unemployment, we shall
(2) Later the Italian delegation made a statement on this question,
protesting against the attitude of the chairman, and declining responsibility
for the decision reached.

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have to decide not to permit the setting up of new machinery in any
country, nor to allow weavers who previously worked three or four looms
to work more than two at the most. Similarly we should refuse to work
overtime as long as unemployment prevails, ana short-time workers should
receive relief, to be paid by the state and the employer. At the same time,
commercial agreements should be extended, so that the exchange of goods
may correspond more closely to the needs of producers and consumers.

At the beginning of the sixth session, the discussion was
resumed by Mr. B E N TURNER. (Great Britain).
The number of unemployed in Great Britain at present is approximately
three million. There is a general demand in our country for relief at the
full rate of wages, for unemployment is regarded as the result of the bad
economic system of today. As long as private profit, and not the
employment and service of all, is the object of labour, we cannot extricate
ourselves from our present difficulties. This is illustrated by wealthy
America, which, in spite of all her war profits, now has five million
unemployed. During the last eight months, our own trade unions have
had to pay out so much in relief to their unemployed members that they
have been compelled to withdraw benefits wholly or : n part.
An
improvement in the present situation can only be attained through a better
system of exchange of goods, and an essential condition for this is disarmament and the abolition of militarism. The revision of the Peace Treaties
is also necessary, as they have had nothing but evil effects on both sides.

Mr. E O E D E L ( Germany) said that perhaps the International
Secretariat could obtain more exact information as to the
number of looms worked by individual weavers. He asked
whether a resolution should not also be passed stating that
the only solution of the problem of unemployment was to be
found in Socialism.
Mr. MARTI (Switzerland) said that the embroidery industry
in his country had been almost completely at a standstill
for a whole year, and the silk industry for eight months.
Neither the employers nor the government could find a
remedy. At present 70 per cent, of their workers were either
wholly or partially unemployed. Immediately after the
Armistice, the government had been induced to grant a few
concessions in view of the general movement among the
workers, but they were now trying to withdraw them as far
as possible. The Swiss Union had already had to pay out
500,000 francs in unemployment benefit.
Further, the
embroidery employers were transferring their work to the
neighbouring district of Vorarlberg in Austria, where an hourly
wage of 100 kronen was only equivalent to 40 centimes of Swiss
currency, while the Swiss minimum wage amounts to 1.20 francs
an hour. As soon as the comrades over there demanded
higher wages, however, they too were threatened with a
stoppage of work.
Mr. DUCHESNE (Belgium) : Before the War only 35 to 40 per cent of our
workers were organised, and in consequence wages were low, and hours long.
In Verviers, for instance, a week of 60 to 63 hours was worked. However,
in Flanders we have at present 50,000 organised textile workers, as against
20,000 before the war, working under collective agreements, and in no case
more than nine hours a day. In the Verviers district all the textile workers
are organised, and since 1920 they have had an 8-hour day, while wagas

— 11 —
have Increased fourfold since before the war. A month ago an Eight Hour
Day Act was passed, which is to come into force on 1 October 1921. With
the help of our Socialist Labour Minister, the employers were induced to
create a fund from which the unemployed received relief to the extent of
5 francs daily, 1.50 francs for their wives, and 1 franc for each child under
14 years of age. Before the war a wage of 25 to 30 francs was paid for a
week of 63 to 72 hours in this district, but since 1 January 1921 the 48-hour
week has been in force, with a minimum wage of 100 francs.
In addition to the national fund, there is also a special fund of the
Employers' Association, from which those unemployed for long periods
receive 48 francs relief for each complete month of unemployment. The
single loom system has been introduced, but in spite of this 70 to 80 per
cent, of the workers are wholly or partially unemployed. The employers
ascribe this to German competition, which is based on relatively lower wages.
In view of present conditions, we should demand unemployment relief
at a rate approaching as closely as possible to normal wages. The more
democratically minded of our parliamentary representatives must be.urged
to press our demands in different Parliaments. The campaign for transferring the chief means of production to the ownership of the community
must also be prosecuted. We cannot, however, decide here on purely
political matters, because that would only lead to difficulties within our
organisations. This I say, although our trade union is directly affiliated
to the Socialist Belgian Labour Party, but within our union we abstain from
party politics.
Mr. GAXLI (Italy) : All branches of the industry in Italy have been more
or less affected by the economic depression. The low rate of our exchange
made it possible for Roumanian dealers to buy up our stocks at cheap rates.
Now our employers are demanding reductions in wages, in order to compete
with other countries in manufacturing new stock. In spite of this, however,
certain branches, such as the silk industry, will be as little able to survive
as in Prance. Unemployment relief varies between 2.50 and 3.50 lire.
I n order to mitigate the distress, our union has established a great cooperative undertaking, through which we purchase textile goods in large
quantities, in order to create employment and to sell these goods direct
to the consumer without employing middlemen. This undertaking has
been so successful, that in spite of the extremely low charges, we were able
to maintain the present great struggle out of the surplus without touching
t h e ordinary funds of the union. If the textile industry is to be Tevived, one
thing above all others is necessary, namely, the resumption of trade
relations with Russia.
Mr. DELVILLE- (Belgium) : We see that the present capitalist system
is unable to solve this problem, but we ourselves are powerless as well.
If Socialism is to be the solution, we must above all things be better
informed as to all the phenomena of the present economic system. We
must be acquainted with the exact circumstances of each group in each
country; then we should be able to attempt not only to standardise general
labour conditions, but also wages, so as to abolish unfair competition. For
instance, we see today t h a t the exchange value of the German mark has
become a great danger to Belgian industry, because our industries, which
pay comparatively higher wages, cannot meet this competition. If
nothing is done this will lead to the complete annihilation of our industries.
The German workers must therefore insist on higher wages, so that they
no longer fall behind ours, and for this purpose we ought to afford them
every assistance which may be necessary. In order to achieve some
practical results, I would suggest that we issue a carefully drafted
questionnaire, in order to determine precisely all t h e circumstances.

Mr. JAECKEL {Germany) proposed that the Committee
already appointed should also deal with the question of the
revival of the textile industry.

— 12 —
Mr. GESELL (France) reporting on behalf of the Committee,
laid before the Congress the two following resolutions on hours
of work, and on unemployment and reconstruction.
Résolution on Hours of Work
This Congress, representing over one and a hau million organised textile
workers, resolves that the affiliated national organisations shall engage
immediately in a campaign for the 44-hour week, namely eight hours on the
first five days of the week, and four hours on Saturdays. Hours of labour
should not be more than seven per day on shift work, and in this case
Saturday afternoons should be free. Every worker should be entitled to
annual holidays without loss of wages. Overtime should be permitted
only with the consent of the Union. No reduction of wages should take
place when hours are reduced.
The International Secretary is requested to get into touch with the
International Federation of Trade Unions at Amsterdam to obtain the
application of the 8-hour day and Saturday afternoon holiday in all European
and non-European countries in order to do away with the present unfair
competition.
Resolution on Unemployment

and

Reconstruction

Considering t h a t the economic ruin of all European peoples, as also
t h e terrible distress of the proletarian masses, and in particular the
catastrophic collapse of the textile industry throughout almost the whole
of Europe, are the necessary results of the terrible world war; considering
further t h a t the capitalist economic system continually produces within
itself the seeds of fresh military conflict between peoples, and prevents
honest co-operation between the nations and the progress of civilisation;
t h a t since the end of the war the policies pursued by capitalist governments, and the measures they have adopted, have led to a general
stoppage of business and wide-spread unemployment, and have not been
able to rebuild industry, b u t that on t h e contrary, in spite of the great
shortage of textile products, thousands of textile mills are standing idle;
This Congress declares t h a t the millions of textile workers united in the
International Federation hereby promise to devote all their efforts to the
abolition of the capitalist system, which is the source of all the evils from
which humanity suffers and to further the rapid development of a socialist
organisation of labour. They pledge themselves to offer the most energetic
resistance with all means in their power to the chauvinist and reactionary
forces in all countries, and, in case of further war, to refuse to work on the
production of war material, or to enlist in the army. In the class war of
the proletariat, and the concentration of proletarian forces throughout the
world in a united struggle for political power, the Congress sees the only
means of restoring the world. The Congress therefore urges the international
proletariat of textile workers to work enthusiastically during the transition
period for democracy in the state and in industry, and for a policy of justice
and frankness, and to fight against the old methods of imperialist
and militarist secret diplomacy.
The Congress demands of those at present in power the following
measures for combating unemployment :
(1) Provision of the largest amount of employment possible by the
undertaking of works of public utility.
(2) Unemployment relief at a rate equivalent to the wage aimed a t by
the workers of the same grade.
(3) Adoption of a maximum working week of 44 hours.
(4) Prohibition of all overtime.
(5) Limitation of t h e number of looms and other machines worked
by individual workers to a minimum, and determination of maximum hours.
(6) Introduction of short-time as long as unemployment prevails to any
considerable extent.
(7) Measures for stabilising the exchanges.

— 13 —
(8) Kesumption of unrestricted trade and exchange relations between
the former belligerent countries, including Russia.

Mr. LEFÈVRE (Belgium), Mr. CHRISTENSEN (Denmark),
Mr. GALLI (Italy), and Mr. ROEDEL (Germany) took part in
the debate on the resolutions. The last-named said that
the importance of the fact that hours were longer in backward
countries should not be over-estimated, for the output of
labour in these countries was relatively lower and in consequence their power to compete with more advanced countries
by no means so great as it appeared. The resolutions were
unanimously adopted.
International Action
Mr. HAEBERLIN (Switzerland) spoke in support of the motion
introduced by the Swiss Union demanding united action
by textile workers in all countries. In view of the fact that
under the pressure of circumstances governments and employers were prepared to grant concessions immediately after
the war, but that during the present economic crisis they
were everywhere steadily withdrawing these, labour must
be prepared to act with greater concentration, and to adopt
more severe measures in its defence. Social conflicts of a
purely local or national character could no longer lead to
success. Further, it should be remembered that conditions
in all countries were very similar, and that this naturally
made united action essential. Mr. CHRISTENSEN (Denmark)
feared that such a resolution could only remain on paper, for
in practice it could not possibly be carried into effect. How,
for instance, was an international strike possible when collective agreements in each country varied, and expired at
different periods. For the moment the struggle must be
left in the hands of the individual national organisations,
although of course every possible assistance should be rendered
them. Mr. LEFÈVRE (Belgium) considered that the influence
of the workers could best be strengthened by co-operation
between the trade union and the political movement. An
essential condition was, however, the avoidance of disruptions
such as had resulted in Germany and France. At the suggestion of Mr. MARTI (Switzerland) the matter was referred
to the International Committee.
Works Councils
Mr. E N G E L (Germany) reported on the German Works
Councils Act, and said that in spite of all its defects it had
meant an important step forward for labour (3). After
(3) See INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE : Studies and Reports, Series
B,No. 6, for an account of Works Councils in Germany, Luxemburg, Norway,
Austria, and Czecho-Slovakia.

— 14 —
Mr. Engel's report, the wish was expressed that the International Secretariat should obtain similar information from
other countries, and transmit them to the various national
headquarters. Further discussion was prevented by lack
of time.
Mr. JOTJHAUX, Secretary of the French Confederation
of Labour, welcomed the Congress on behalf of the International Federation of Trade Unions.
The Federation and the International Labour Office
A representative of the International Labour Office gave
a report of the execution of Part X I I I of the Treaty of Versailles, dealing with the International Labour Organisation,
the Conferences hitherto held, and the results of the work
of the International Labour Office (4). He dealt in particular
with the importance of this new institution to the trade
union movement of all countries.
Mr. SHAW : I too have something to say on this question. I know the
Director of the International Labour Office and a number of his colleagues.
I also know the work and t h e many publications of the Office. After all
that I have seen up to the present, I can only express the sincere hope that
our comrades will frequently take the opportunity t o go to Geneva, and
see the work for themselves. No doubt we are justified in asking if
everything has been fulfilled which was promised to labour by P a r t X I I I
of the Peace Treaty, but we must admit that by taking part in this institution we have been able to promote many an improvement. By the pressure
of labour alone,
Germany and Austria were at once admitted to this
organisation (5). I myself took part in t h e first Conference at Washington,
and was Chairman of the Commission on Hours of Labour. The difficulties
were not few, and although we would all have wished to have gone further,
yet we finally had to agree to what was then obtainable in order to return
home with practical results. No one can realise how great a step forward
the Washington decisions really represent, unless they are acquainted with
conditions in backward countries. I t was further expressly determined
t h a t no modification could be allowed of conditions which were already
satisfactory.
We Englishmen have a particular grievance against our government.
Although its representatives supported t h e Conventions adopted at
Washington, it now attempts to break the word which it pledged. The
British trade unions will insist all the more that the Washington Conventions
shall be carried out in Great Britain just because our country ought to set
a good example to the others in fulfilling the obligations contracted. But
we must all bring pressure to bear on our governments to obtain the
ratification of the Washington Conventions. This too will make it possible
to improve the conditions of labour in backward countries, and to eliminate
unfair competition. We were well aware t h a t the Conventions that were
finally accepted after much argument would not obtain the approval of
all our colleagues, but we preferred to obtain practical results rather than
give up opposition, and refuse to participate.
Another important function of the Labour Office which is of value t o
the trade union movement is the collection of material and the investigations
(4) See International Labour Review, Vol. I, No. 1, J a n . 1921, pp. 23-40 :
The First Year of the International Labour Organisation.
(5) See INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE : The Admission

and Austria to the International Labour Organisation.

of

Germany

London, 1920.

— 15 —
which the Labour Office can undertake on a scale that would never be
possible for an international trade union secretariat. I t is able to call on
the collaboration of a large number of linguistic and technical experts whose
work is thus placed at the disposal of all trade union organisations.

After a few remarks the Chairman stated that the Congress
endorsed the decisions arrived at in Washington, welcomed
the International Labour Organisation as a step in advance,
and urged labour to take energetic part in its extension.
I t further urged the International Committee to support
the International Labour Office in Geneva in every possible way.
Admission of Foreign Workers to the Management of Trade Unions
Mr. VANDEPUTTE (France) stated that as a result of trade
union law, foreign workers in France were prevented from
taking part in the management of trade unions. He therefore
wished that this matter should specially be dealt with, assuming
that similar regulations applied in other countries as well.
As he now learned that this was not the case, he would be
satisfied if the Congress energetically supports the French
demand for the amendment of this reactionary regulation.
Mr. GALLI (Italy) declared that similar special regulations
had been cancelled in his country. It was therefore all the
more surprising that they still existed in Republican France.
At his suggestion the Congress voted a protest on the lines of the
French proposal.
Accident Insurance
I t had been the intention of the French Union to lay a
full report before the Conference on this question, which had
been included in the agenda at its request, but in view of
recent developments this had not been possible. I t therefore
proposed to refer the question to the International Committee.
The Congress agreed to this proposal.
Changes in the Constitution
Mr. VANDEPUTTE (France) stated that the French delegates
had drawn up a full report now in the hands of the delegates.
He considered that the best method to follow would be to
discover whether there were any objections to their proposals.
In the main, their object was the creation of a smaller committee
as the executive organ of the International, so that it could
meet as often as might be required. Under present conditions
the annual sessions of the large Committee, provided for in
the constitution, are inadequate. In view of the shortness
of time, however, the French delegates were prepared to refer
this matter, too, to the International Committee for further
treatment, after hearing the various views on the subject.
Mr. SHAW feared "that the creation of a second committee
would only lead to difficulties, but considered that the existing

— 16 —
Committee could be given the necessary powers to act in the
sense desired by the French. Mr. VANDEPUTTE agreed to
this proposal, and the question of altering the constitution
was therefore referred to the International Committee.
The Next International Congress
A number of delegations invited the Congress to hold its
next meeting in their countries. A vote was taken on the
rival proposals of Dresden and Naples, and Naples was adopted
by 6 votes to 3.
Prevention of War
Mr. BAUDON (Belgium) moved that the International
Committee should also consider the question of the prevention
of future wars. Mr. SHAW held that this question could not
be solved by textile workers alone, and that it should be referred
to the International Federation of Trade Unions. An Italian
delegate proposed that in spite of this the Congress should
pass a special resolution on disarmament. Mr. JAECKEL
( Germany) agreed with Mr. Shaw, especially as the Congress
had already expressed its opposition to war on principle in
various other resolutions. Any further action on this matter
should be left to the general labour organisations. If these
reached decisions and determined lines of action, the individual
groups in the International could make plans in conformity.
Mr. BAUDON (Belgium) held to his proposal, which of course
could also be transmitted to the Trade Union International.
He had already been deputed by the Belgian Textile Workers'
Congress to lay this resolution before the Textile Workers'
International, and he was of the opinion that the latter ought
at once to adopt a definite attitude. After remarks by Mr.
Christensen and Mr. Shaw, it was decided to refer Mr. Baudon's
resolution, which runs as follows, to the Amsterdam
International.
The International Textile Workers' Congress of 19-24 September 1921
decides to place on the Agenda of the International Committee the question
of disarmament and the examination of ways and means for preventing
future wars.

After Mr. Shaw and Mr. Marti, the Chairman, had thanked
the French Union and other colleagues and had bid the delegates
farewell, the Congress was closed at 6 p. m. on 23 September.
Meeting of the International Committee
Another meeting of the International Committee was held
at the close of the Congress in order to discuss details connected
with the establishment of a permanent office in London.
The next meeting of the Committee is to be held in the
beginning of January 1922 at Eeichenberg (Czecho-Slovakia).

— 17 —

APPENDIX
STATISTICS OF AFFILIATED
ORGANISATIONS?)
Delegates

Membership of the Federation

Country (•)
Total

Switzerland
France ( 4 )
Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Great Britain
Holland
Italy
Sweden
Czecho-SIovakia :
German
Czech
Totals

Parliamen- Oller
tary repré- public
sentatives Officials

3
7
11
2

1

25
35
2
4
1

8
2

4
2

1

96

9
1
6
18
2

Total

Women

18 ,000
10 ,500
130 ,000
29 ,000 ( 6 )
60 ,000
10,000
6,000
600,000
413 ,000( 10 ) a b t . 6 0 %
6,300
150 ,000( 14 )
16 ,000
95 ,000
68 ,000

Fercent. ol
workers In
tie Industry
(approi.)

Average hrurly
wage rate

Hen

Women

20
(3)
(s)
15
8 0 (6)
(7) 8
g
100
)
132 öre( ) 82 öre(
1
95
S-SMk.í
*)
5-7 Mk.

50
10
30
48

£3 10s ( » ) £ 2 10s

85
85

)3.20-5.20 2.50-3.20
\ K M 1 5 ) Kr. (»)

(l3)

10 ore

(13)

75 ore

1 ,566 ,300

(11 The above table is based on returns made by the delegates present at the Congress.
(2) The Federation also has affiliated bodies in Austria, Hungary, and the United States, which
were not represented at the Congress.
(3) Cotton industry : men 95 centimes, women 75 centimes. Silk industry : men 1.09 francs,
women 85 centimes.
(4) The delegate from Alsace-Lorraine reported that 60 per cent, of the workers of that province
belong to the Union, i.e. 9,500 men and 13,500 women, whose hourly wage varies between 1.50 and 2.25
francs.
(5) Plus 10,000 children.
(6) If 80,000 unorganised home workers are included in the total of workers in the industry, this
percentage is reduced to about 40.
(7) The bafio wages of 1914 have been adjusted periodically according to the official index, numbers
of the cost of living.
(8) Piece rates 170 ore.
(9) Piece rates 110 ore.
(10) In the cotton industry 333,000 members; in the woollen industry 80,000.
(11) Minimum weekly rate. Maximum £4.
(12) Minimum weekly rate. Maximum £3 10s. Young persons £1 10s. to £2 10s.
(13) Weavers and spinners 20 to 30 florins per week.
(14) Cotton industry 60,000; woollen industry 50.000; silk industry 15,000; ribbon weavers 4,000;
jute workers 3,000; miscellaneous textile workers 18,000.
(15) Weavers 3.80 to 4.20 kronen; spinners 4 to 5.60 kronen; dyers 3.60 to 4 kronen.

— 18 —

STUDIES AND REPORTS
already Issued
Except where stated, all Studies and Reports are issued both in English and French.
Series A
No.

l.

T H E AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SPANISH WORKERS'
TIONS, issued 25 September 1920.

ORGANISA-

"

2.

T H E DISPUTE IN THE METAL INDUSTRY I N ITALY.
TRADE
UNION CONTROL OF INDUSTRY (Fust part), issued 25 Sept-

ember 1920.
'

3.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS 1920,

issued 4 October 1920.
"

4.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF WORKERS I N THE FOOD AND
DRINK TRADES, issued 11 October 1920.

"

5.

T H E BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE MINERS' FEDERATION OF
GREAT BRITAIN. CONFERENCE BETWEEN SIR ROBERT HORNE
AND THE MINERS' FEDERATION, issued 11 October 1920.

"

6.

T H E CONGRESS OF THE LABOUR AND SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL,

issued 14 October 1920.
"

7.

T H E MINERS'

INTERNATIONAL

CONGRESS,

issued

19

October

1920.
"

8.

T H E INTERNATIONAL LABOUR

ORGANISATION.

A

COMPARISON,

issued 21 October 1920.
"

9.

T H E INTERNATIONAL

CONGRESS

OF METAL

WORKERS,

issued

22 October 1920.
"

10.

T H E BRITISH GOVERNMENT
GREAT

MENT

BRITAIN.

AND

THE

AND THE MINERS'

CONFERENCE

TRIPLE

FEDERATION OF

BETWEEN

INDUSTRIAL

THE

ALLIANCE,

GOVERN-

issued

26 October 1920.
"

11.

T H E DISPUTE IN THE METAL INDUSTRY IN ITALY. TRADE UNION
CONTROL OF INDUSTRY (Second part), issued 4 November

1920.
"

12.

T H E FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BOOKBINDERS, issued

28 November 1920.
"

13.

T H E MINERS' STRIKE IN GREAT BRITAIN, issued

21 December

1920.
"

14.

T H E x v t h CONGRESS OF THE GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOUR
(CONFÉDÉRATION GÉNÉRALE DU TRAVAIL), FRANCE, HELD AT
ORLÉANS, 27 SEPTEMBER TO 2 OCTOBER 1920, issued 23 December

:

15.

T H E INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF GENERAL FACTORY WORKERS

1920.
'

issued 24 January 1921.

— 19 —
16.

TENDENCIES OF EUROPEAN LABOUR LEGISLATION SINCE THE W A R ,

issued 11 February 1921.
17.

T H E GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONISM DURING THE TEN TEARS 1910-

1919, issued 16 February 1921.
18.

F I R S T SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS, London,

22-27 November 1920, issued 15 March 1921.
19.

T H E MINIMUM PROGRAMME OF THE GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF

LABOUR OF FRANCE, issued 18 March 1921.
20.

INTERNATIONAL RAILWATMEN'S CONGRESS, London, 29-30 Novem-

ber 1920, issued 11 April 1921.
21.

T H E PROGRAMME AND ORGANISATION OF THE CHRISTIAN TRADE

UNIONS OF GERMANT (Congress at Essen 20-24 November 1920),
issued 3 May 1921.
22.

L E CONGRES

INTERNATIONAL

DES OUVRIERS

DU

TRANSPORT

(GENEVE, 18-22 Avril 1921), issued 13 August 1921. French only.
23.

N I N T H CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION O F HAT

MAKERS, issued 16 August 1921.
24.

T H E NINTH

INTERNATIONAL

CONGRESS

O F METAL

WORKERS

(Lucerne, 8 August 1921). issued 18 October 1921.
Series B
1.

COAL PRODUCTION

IN THE RUHR

DISTRICT.

Enquiry

by

the

International Labour Office, end of May 1920, issued 1 Septem
ber 1920.
2.

PAPERS RELATING TO SCHEMES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION
FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF RAW MATERIALS AND FOODSTUFFS,

issued 5 October 1920.
3.

T H E CONDITIONS OF LABOUR AND PRODUCTION IN THE UPPER

SILESIAN COALFIELD, issued 10 December 1920.
4.

T H E SOCIALISATION OF COAL MINES IN GERMANT, issued 25 January

1921.
5.

T H E ESSEN MEMORANDUM ON THE SOCIALISATION OF THE COAL

MINES IN GERMANT (6 Nov. 1920), issued 28 January 1921.
6.

WORKS COUNCILS IN GERMANT, issued 29 J a n u a r y 1921.

7.

T H E BILL TO ESTABLISH WORKERS' CONTROL IN ITALT, issued 28

February 1921.
8.

A DEMAND FOR WORKERS' CONTROL IN INDUSTRT I N FRANCE.
CORRESPONDENCE

BETWEEN

T H E FEDERATION

O F METAL

WOR-

K E R S AND THE ASSOCIATION OF METALLURGICAL AND MINING

INDUSTRIES, issued 31 March 1921.
9.

T H E REFORM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF LABOUR (CONSIGLIO
SUPERIORE DEL LAVORO) IN ITALT : TOWARDS A TECHNICAL

PARLIAMENT OF LABOUR, issued 14 April 1921.
10.

PROFIT-SHARING AND LABOUR CO-PARTNERSHIP. PROPOSAL OF THE
ITALIAN CATHOLIC PARTT, issued 16 June 1921.

i
— 20 —
Series C
1.

BRITISH

LEGISLATION

ON

UNEMPLOYMENT

INSUEANCE,

issued

23 October 1920.
2.

GOVERNMENT ACTION I N DEALING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT IN ITALY,

3.

T H E BULGARIAN LAW ON COMPULSORY LABOUR, issued 4 Novem-

4.

T H E ACTION

issued 27 October 1920.
ber 1920.
OF THE SWISS

GOVERNMENT

IN DEALING

WITH

UNEMPLOYMENT, issued 13 November 1920.
5.

T H E ORGANISAIION OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOY-

MENT IN FEANCE, issued 21 February 1921.

Series D
1.

STAFF EEGULATIONS ON THE FEENCH RAILWAYS, issued 4 September

1920.
Series E
1.

COMPENSATION

FOR WAR DISABLEMENT

IN FEANCE.

ACT OF 31

MARCH 1919, issued 28 February 1921.
2.

T H E COMPULSORY EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED MEN, issued 25 April

3.

COMPENSATION

1921.
FOR WAR DISABILITIES

IN GERMANY,

AUSTRIA,

POLAND, AND CZECHO-SLOVAKIA, issued September 1921.
Series F
1.

CANCER OF THE BLADDER AMONG WORKERS IN ANILINE FACTORIES,

2.

MÉMOIRE

issued 23 February 1921.
SUR L'INTOXICATION

SATURNINE

DANS

L'INDUSTRIE,

issued 20 September 1921.
3.

DÉSINFECTION DE LA LAINE EN GRANDE-BRETAGNE. PRÉVENTION

DU CHARBON, issued 20 September 1920.
Series H
1.

CONSUMERS'

CO-OPERATIVE

SOCIETIES

IN

1919

(Denmark

and

Sweden), issued 8 September 1920.
2.

SEVENTH CONGRESS OF THE BELGIAN CO-OPERATIVE OFFICE, issued

25 September 1920.
Series I
1.

T H E INTERNATIONAL

PROTECTION

OF WOMEN

WORKERS,

issued

15 October 1921.
Series K
1.

F I R S T INTEENATIONAL CONGEESS OF LANDWORKERS'
UNIONS
AFFILIATED TO THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF TRADE

UNIONS, issued November 1920.
2.
3.

AGRARIAN CONDITIONS I N SPAIN, issued 10 November 1920.
SMALL HOLDINGS IN SCOTLAND, issued 12 November 1920.

4.

T H E EIGHT HOUR DAY I N ITALIAN AGRICULTURE, issued 17 December

5.

T H E EIGHT

1920.
HOUR DAY IN AGRICULTURE,

BEFORE

THE FEENCH

CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, issued 10 February 1921.
6.

T H E REGULATION OF LABOUR IN AGRICULTURE IN FRANCE, issued

23 April 1921

•