New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

+ba doreIctions of the churches In their relations
with the men who toll He is self-possessed.
ioIIv friar sort Of person, and takes 1t all in
good part but he seldom misses his opportunity
to tell laboring men what ne thinks to be their
duty in the matter
AS a result OF this wide experience-so wide
and varied that Mr.. Stelzle says he has not
heard a new question for many months, from
either vyorkingnen or ministers-he has come to
the conclusion that the chief difficulty in the en-
tire situation is that the churches and the work
ingmen simply fail TO understand one another
He thinks they should get together. Nearly all
the criticisms made on both sides due 10 mis-
apprehensons
Therefore he has evolved the plan of
change of 'fraternal delegates" between the
ministerial unions Of the country and the central
labor unions. There are five hundred cities in
the United States which support central labor
unions. Almost every one Of these has also
ministerial union, which includes the ministers
Of nearly all Protestant denominations Now
the fashion has been started for these two bodies
to exchange delegates.
The plan has been adopted in Brooklyn, Min
neapolis st. Paul. Omaha, Denver, Cripple
Creek, Des Moines. Wichita, Portland Ore;
Joliet New Brunswick. n. J.; San Jose, CAL.
Portsmouth. Ohio. and Bellingham, Wash. 1t
is being pushed in scores of other cities.
Mr. StelzIe was a machinist before he was
preacher. He served his apprenticeship with
the R. H. Hoe company. in New-York City ana
became a full fedged machinist. working Gk his
trade not only in New-York but in Minneapolis
as well. 1t is in a machnists' union in the lat
ter city that he holds full membership He has
maintained his membership ever since leaving
the work bench, because his field has always
been among working people, After he aban-
doned the machinst's trade for Christian work
he served in a mission the East Side of New
York and so successful he that he was
persuaded to offer himself to the Presbytery as
a candidate for the ministry. Later he assumed
charge of tho Markham Memorial Church. in
ST. Louis, a mission which he has made famous
in religious circles for its success in ministering
to the needs of workingmen and in reaching
boys He is the author of book upon boys, and
another book upon the labor problem, besides
many pamphlets the latter subject.
The fraternal delegate idea originated with
him, after consultation with well known union
lists Mr. Stezle is on intimate terms with
labor leaders, like Gompers and John Mitchell.
and he takes counsel with them on such plans
as this. He discovered that the unions were
quite ready to admit to their meetings as fra
ternal delegates any minister coming in the
right spirit The fraternaI delegate does not
have a vote in the meetings. but he does have
a voice Labor unions everywhere have given
enthusiastic approval to the plan, and it has
been adopted in fifteen cities, while others are
considering it. The consideration is usually
on the part Of the ministers; the willingness Of
the labor union may be taken for granted. The
latter feel that they need and should have
fair hearing before the churches. such as their
delegate to the ministerial union can secure.
While the fraternal delegate does not have
vote in the labor union meetings. yet he is
looked on as being truly the representative Of
the Ministers Union: and he is treated about as
a fraternal delegate from an allied labor union
would be treated. and has all the privileges
Of a brother