The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-10
JUSTIFIES LABOR
 UNIONS
Extracts from Sermon by Rev l.. F. Reynolds of East
 NOrWalk.


 the Advent Christian church in East Norwalk. contained the following:
 No one can well deny that values are created by labor. The raw materials are provided by a beneficent Creator. but that which converts the material into commodities convenient for mans use is labor. This being true it fol- lows that a just proportion of these values should be labor's compensation. There is something essentially wrong with the system which in it's workings gives the least of the improvements and conveniences of our times to the people who by their skill and toll have produced the n. The teaching of the Bible on this point ought to be recog- nized. viz: "The 1aborer is worthy of his hire,'' and 'the husbandman that labOreth must be first partdker of the fruits.'
 Again. the time is past when any fair unprejudiced person can deny to labor the right to organize. Complex conditions make understanding be- tween the varied craftsmen impera- tive: such can be secured only by organization. The benefits of cooper ation are well known to the close ob- server of nature. and is most clearly stated in the Word of God: Two are better than one. for they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall the one will lift up his fellow. but woe to him that is alone when he fall eth: and if one prevail against him. two shall withstand him; and a three fold cord is not easily broken Now Solomon. the author of these words. knew nothing of the modern labor sit uation. but had he known, he could not have given a much clearer warrant for unionism.
 Again. the right to reduce hours of labor is unqueStioned. Now workmen are segregated in factories and shops and each does but a small part in the manufacturing of an article. thus the oay is filled with a constant repetition of the same movements. which easily WearieS the muscles and brain of the toiler. One works under the direction of a foreman. and is compelled to con form to rigid regulations. Thus the exacting demands of to-day in the labor world will produce greater fati- que and exhaustion in eight hours, than twelve hours formerly
 The introduction of machinery has so increased the output that there is no necessity for a long-hour day; in fact. if all are to have the privilege of working, the hours of labor must be shortened. One thing more the de- mand upon people to-day are multi tudinous. They must have time for mental Improvement, for social inter course. and for religious exercises. These things have become essentials of modern life. The worker then has a right to 3 just compensation for his toii-his share of the improvements of the age; to organization that he may work in harmony with his fellows. and to a gradual shortened day for toll.
 The local difficulty (hatters' strike) is but an incident in the treat world wide conflict. The industrial struggle has been long. and at times bitter. and there is no prospect of an immediate perfect adjustment. Those who be- lieve the predictions of the Bible do not look for the complete settlement of labor difficulties. until all earth's trou- bles are settled by the coming of the King.
 nff bof IoJ, in the past have been won and some have been lost There is a lesson to be learned by an unbiased review of the and it is this: Where labor has been victorious it has invariably been when her demands are just. and she has lost when the struggle has been provoked by labor, or when the demands made were unfair and un- 
 The justice of your case will ever be the strongest point then in any strug- gle. The worker cannot afford to for get this. It is not so much that you have a strong union. though that is a factor in success. 1t is not altogether that public sentiment is in your favor. though that helps. thetg one principal thing you need to look out for is that would continue to win victories. and to improve his condition. let him take care to have right on his side. to sa.- credly keep his agreement. to be fair III HIS Oodl1ng W1Cn Ills employer, ana not Over-eXa cting in his demands.
 There was principle laid down | many centuries ago by Him whom we should all serve. which, if needed | would end this struggle (hatters' strike) within twenty-four hours. The | principle is this. let each put himself in the others place. Let the manu | lecturers put themselves in the place | of the workuen and look at this ques- | tion from their standpoint; and let the members of the trade put themselves in the place of the manufacturer. and ] ask what they would desire in. such a l case; if this were done. a basis of set | clement would readily be reached Ah | are the possibilities of the | golden rule for peacemaking: ''In all l wha atsover ye would that men l should do unto you. do ye even so un- to them.'
 POINTS OF INTEREST.