The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-31
PASTOR CAUSES A STRIKE.
He Works on His Church Building
and Has No Union Gard.

Chicago, Aug. 31-Before Rev. How
| land Hanson, pastor of the Messiah
| Baptist church, FlournOy street and
South WaShtenaW avenue, donned the
cloth of his calling years ago, he was a
carpenter. And because he for a brief
space took up again the tools of his old
| profession and welded them with Wig
or on the new edihce which the cOngre-
cation of Messiah church is having
erected in Flournoy street, near Sacra-
mento avenue, ORGANIZED labor has
called q strike on the building.
The pastor and flock of Messiah
church found difficulties confronting
them when they negotiated for a new
structure big enough to suit their grow
ing needs. They accepted plans for one
to cost $4,000. In the treasury of the
church there was 81, coo and 81, 500 more
was borrowed. it'll $500 lacking to
complete the work, ground was broken
a few weeks ago, the foundation was
put in and work went rapidly forward.
Union briclxlayers had been engaged.
Last week the first story was compile
ted and there was work for carpenters.
Two union members of the craft were
hired Then Rev. Mr.. Hanson made an
economic calculation. By doing a little
work he could reduce the $500 deficit.
He dOffed his coat.
Pastor Hanson climbed over the NOR
tar and piles of debris that front the
church, picked UP a hammer and a
handful of nails and Joined the other
Workmen in the building. The cunning
of his old days came back to his arm
and he drove nail after nail without
manning his thumb or cracking a
board. And as he worked he figured
that the task Of paying for the new
church would be lightened for his be-
loved flock.
A walking delegate came along. He
halted before the new building from
which the clash of trowe1s and the
thump Of hammers rang out. the deity
welded tool of the clergyman sound
ing above the rest as cymbals resound
q how 81 frr11 ho11 717o <,.1-
ed at the busy carpenters and noted
the garb of the man of God contrasting
strongly, with it's white shirt and shin
ing collar, to the blue overalls of his
fellow workers. He advanced on Pas
tor Hanson.
Where's your working card?" he de-
manded.
The pastor rose, brushed some dust
and shavings from his broadcloth trou-
sers smiled gently and explained that
he was only working ito help OUT
You're not helping our union out so
it can be noticed retOrted the delegate
in harsh voice. You've got one pretty
good trade. You ought to stick to it,"
The delegate ordered strike.
Pastor Hanson sadly put on his coat.
left the building and thought hard.
Then he set out for the headquarters of
the union. He told the officers at the
Building Trades council hall the cir
cumstances; how the congregation had
struggled hard to raise enough money
to build a new church; how the wor-
shippers had collected an amount $500
short, and how he had thought to make
matters better by assisting in the work,
taking advantage of his early training
in the carpenter trade.
The clergyman sought to make bar
gain with the officers of the council
whereby the strike could be called off
and he and members of his flock be al
lowed to do just enough work to cover
the cash deficit. All the rest of the Ia
Dor could be done, he said, by union
men.
He was told the matter would be ia
ken under Amusement