CHAP. 11.—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO FIX WAGES 93

(see p. 94), but has even less foundation in Switzerland because
general employment conditions are not so unfavorable; it is also
rather disproved by the British experience (see p. 87).

AUSTRIA?

Beginnings and Development

POPULAR agitation for the establishment of wage boards began
about 1910. Government proposals were made to establish
boards, composed of separate chambers of employers and of employees,
 in each of which a majority of two-thirds would be needed
to fix minimum wages. Obtaining such a two-thirds majority of
the employers’ section seemed to be hopeless, and no harm was done
when the upper chamber rejected even that weak measure. After
the revolution things changed, and on December 19, 1918, a law
was adopted establishing wage committees composed of impartial
Persons and representatives of employers and of home workers,
all appointed by the Government. Two-thirds of the members
must be present at a meeting to make material decisions, but votes
are by simple majority.e

Machinery of Wage Fixing and Enforcement

THE law provides that central home-work commissions shall be
established for each industry in which goods are made by home
work, (Par. 16.) Their members are appointed by the Minister of
Social Administration; a part of them are nominated equally by
associations of employers and of employees. (Pars. 20 and 21.) Local
home-work commissions may be established in the various districts
(par. 33), to cooperate with the central commissions. (Par. 36.)
These central commissions are authorized to fix minimum wages for
home and shop workers and minimum prices for goods delivered by
the home workers and middlemen. (Par.26.) The determinations
must be ratified by the minister. (Par. 28.) Collective agreements
between associations of employers and of employees remain valid
even when contrary to determinations of the commissions. (Par.
31.) If employers do not pay the minimum wages in force, they are
liable to fine or imprisonment (par. 47) and the workers or middlemen
 can claim compensation of damages they have suffered thereby
(par. 45).
Principle of Wage Fixation

N O binding instructions are given to the wage committees. The
) problem is similar to that in Germany; but the consideration of
“what the trade can bear” was brought to the forefront by the
Industrial crisis in Austria. As will be seen later that principle—
“ what the trade can bear »—was twice applied—first in the fixation

2 Ag to the problem of family allowances, which are a feature of Austrian legislation,
See p. 77 as to the same question in France.
? Austria. Staatsgesetzblatt, Vienna, Dec. 27, 1918. No. 32: Gesctz vom 19, December,
1918, tiber die Regelung der Arbeits-und Lohnverhiiltnisse in der Helmarbeit.