CHAP. 15.— INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION 119

The recommendation refers to various practical provisions, the
usefulness of which has been tested by the experience of the States
which have already created minimum wage-fixing machinery.
If this convention and this recommendation are duly ratified many
fears of progressive countries that higher wages may play into the
hands of competitors will disappear. Backward countries will fall
Into line to gain social prestige. The prospects seem to be favorable
for the extension of minimum wage legislation among the States
which are members of the International Labor Organization.