The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-29
Sound Counsel from the Pulpit.

"~HE TELEGRAPHIC dis
patches on Monday noted
Il briefly the fact that in his
sermon, preached the day
before, Rev. Father Phillips, pastor Of
St. Gabriel's congregation, of Halle
ton, a clergyman known to many per-
sons throughout Northeastern Penn
sylvanla for his activity in good works
and devotion to the welfare of his par
ishioners, counseled strongly against
a strike of the mine-workers of The
anthracite field. The text of this SER
mon has since been printed in the
Wilkes-Barre Record and it merits
more than casual consideration. Pre-
facing with the remark that the
threatened precipitation of strife be-
tween the mine-workers and their en-
ployers warranted a reference from
the pulpit, Father Phillips continued:
In certain quarters the statement is positively
made that there will be a ticup, while such
serious prospects the movement embraces are
viewed with complaccncy; with no apparent re.
gard for conditions that may mean distress, mis-
cry and destitutiOn, the stagnation of business
and general depression For my part, | can
not look upon such prospects with indifference;
cannot passiyely regard question that so deeply
affects the community, and particularly you, the
men and women composing the congregation OF
st. Gabrcrs, whose spiritual adviser it Is my
honor to be and for whose material Advancement
most earnestly hope and would zealously guard.
1t is, therefore, not only proper but imperative
that ! soud interpose at such time and ask
those directly concerned: Are YOU prepared for
struggle such as reports say is now imminent?
do not believe you are; IN fact, anow that
you are not. / fully realize that there
are weighty questions to be adjusted. No one
can remain long in the mining community with.
cut noting the causes giving rise to complaint,
and feeling in sympathy with the coal worker.
No who owes his being TO a coal miner par.
ticuarly can fail to respond in sympathy to the
appeals OF this class nor not to raise his voice
when opportunity offers for procuring recog
milton and relief My own father was a coal
worker and certainly with the friends Of toll my
sympathos rest. During my twenty-five
years in the priesthood | have witnessed many
contests OF tins kind. | know what are the re,
suits 10 the working man and the suggestion
of such a move now fills me with apprehension.
We are now enjoying comparative contentment
know Of no destitution in this vicinity, no dis.
tress, excepting possibly here and there iSo'
lated case where the brcadwinner of the family
has been stricken by misfortune. You are appar-
entity enjoying normal conditions ana are well
fed. You are clothed respectfully, and, in fact
know OF no congregation so large that is bet
ter dressed or makes a finer appearance col.
lcctvcly. To disturb this condition 10y Striking
to destroy the serenity OF the community would
be disaster which cXCites direct forchodngs
| and urges every man who has the welfare of the
community at heart to exercise whatever inGu.
ence he may have in opposition thereto. .
The great American principle on which large
questions are adjusted is arbitration. On this
both sides to the controversy agree, but differ
| as 10 the method of procedure. The working
men claim the right to send their representatives
to speak for them as attorneys in the case. This
| seems reasonable, but is not agreeable to the op.
| orators, who. as counter proposal say: 1--WE
will treat with employees only" This does not
appear satisfactory 10 the outher side. And 40
| the chasm opens, Now, from what | know OF
| the operators in this region, and ! know some
| Of them intimately, and all favorably, ] feel jus.
| tilted in saying that they will do whatever they
| agree upon. | can only Judge these men as | md
| them and compare their fangs or weaknesses
with those Of other mon. The question then
arises what would you do as an employer il
| your woIkmen felt dissatisfied and sent a rep.
| resentAtive 10 make known his complaint Let
me make an illustration:
| myself am an employer in a small way.
! hire one sexton and two domcStics Would
entertain committee picked from their ac.
| quaintanCcs, hut unknown 10 me who might
come 10 protest against certain treatment or de,
mand more pay? Most assurcdly not. Can you
| or ! prescribe another course tor a neighbor he
| he the employer of one man or one hundred
without appearing arbitrary or inconsistent? We
| cannot II the workmen send a committee com,
| posed from their own ranks TO the operators
state their grievances in a rentlemany and husi
nesslike way, | feel that no employer can decline
L..f.g HI.
some Of their burders will be relieved at least
! But il the operators decline to open their door
| what then--strikc! No, cmphatically, no. Their
what? ! make no pretensons at solution but
firmly believe the matter can be safely left tC
the decree Of that just and impartial bar
public opinion, Here credit will be PLACED
where il belongs II the operators are at fault
| the decision will be given without hesitation, OF
il the other Side like verdict will be rendered
From momentary chaos will come enlightenment
and elucidation which must result in greater
| degree Of prosperity, let us hope, TO both en-
| ployer and emplOye for labor and capital, mu
tually dependent, will inevitably rise or fall 10
gether.
| Whether effective or not at the mo-
ment of their utterance, these words
are true and the counsel which they
convey Is the best counsel which tn
mine-workers of our community car
receive. A strike in the mines is al
unequal contest, Whether the opera
tor be good, bad or only middling, h.
can shut down, await results and fee
sure that neither he nor his family will
want for food or clothing Not so will
the miner When he strikes his In
come stops, and upon his wife an,
children, parties innocent and helpless
the great burden of the sacrifice falls
No mine strike yet has gained for tn
strikers one-half what II has cos