The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-13

the ministerial unions. In this he
gives some interesting IL advice # and
suggests possible results from his al
lance of pulpit and workbench that
may be far-reachtng and revolution
ary.. For example:
III 1 were seeking to secure the
attention OF workingmen Of my city
there is no position: which I would
covet more earnestly than that of
fraternal delegate to the central la
Dor union. It would practically make
me chaplain OF organized labor in
my community and 1t would put me
into a position in which / could say
some things to workingmen which
| could say in no other capacity.
'Never before in the history of
organized labor has there been pre-
scented such an opportunity to secure
the interest Of workingmen as exists
today. Whereas ten years ago the
opposition to the church by working
men was most bitter, today the spirit
Is one which will permit the church
to do some things which would have
been spurned even two years ago.
1.-The fraternal delegate does not
ask the right to vote nor to have any
OF the privileges OF regular members
OF the union, but he is to be accorded
the right OF the floor on all occa-
s1ons. This will be readily granted
at nearly every meeting especially
during the good OF the ORDER when
some very practical helpful sugges-
lions may be given to the men in the
spirit Of brotherhood.
ITO the objection which might be
offered by some employers in the
church to this arrangement, which
they may say seems to indicate that
the ministers are lining up with the
labor unions, would say: 1t would
seem perfectly natural for minis
ter to belong to the commercial club
OF your city or to become identified
with any other association which is
composed almost exclusively of the
employing class. Is it not time that
we recognized, to degree, anyway,
the great masses of the people in their
associations?
Encourage the men to have lee
lures on subjects relating to their
interests. AS the labor question is
Fundamentally a moral or a religious
problem, these lectures should pos
sess high ethical value.
STUDY parliamentary law so that
you will be in position to help the
men out of the tangles which are a
frequent cause OF friction.
"Your knowledge of the affairs OF
the unions OF the city will permit
you to settle many dispute before
it reaches the acute point where
strike is ordered.
"Working together the ministers
association and the central labor un
ion may bring about municipal re-
forms. Indeed, united, there are few
things in this direction which they
may not accomplish in the cause of
good citizenship, Independent of par
tisan politics.
lin your position as fraternal dele
men in the union, but you may be-
come the leader OF your brethren in
the ministry and in the churches in
matters relating. to the problems of
the toilers in your CITY,. At intervals
especially on the Sunday. preceding
Labor day, try to have the churches
consider these questions particularly
in their moral and ethical aspects.
"A prominent labor leader said to
me recently: The fraternal delegate
can be of immense benefit IL he will
wade 1n-but not butt in Avoid
lengthy dissertations; and, above all,
do not preach, lecture or scold. New
er assume an air OF patronage or pa
ternaMsm. Make the men feel that
you are one OF them-a brother man.
DO not pose. Try to become a. good
'mfxer'''