Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-07
Typographical Union $50
Honors the Departed.
Impressive sevIees Held at
UniversaIist Church.
Rev. l. ". coons Alludes FeelIngly
To Deceased Members.

For the first time in it's history Au-
gus,a Typographical Union, No. $50 of
this city observed Memorial day and
attended in body religious service
in memory of those of it's craft, who
had passed beyond. The memorial ser
vice was held at the Winthrop Street
universalist church, where a sermon
appropriate to the occasion was
preached by the pastor, Rev. Leroy w.
Coons. In Introduction the speaker
said:
my welcome to you today is based
upon the fundamental conception that
is gradually getting into the minds and
hearts of all that to do anything we'll is
to do 1T after the Divine pattern. A
secular task if we'll done is more sa-
cred than sermon if it be a poor one.
We are coming to believe that to do
anything well is to aid in the establish
ment of the kingdom Of Heaven.
To-day as you listen to this service
you are thinking of some who are not
with you. You are thinking of John
Murphy, an old and respected citizen,
who died some over a year ago, a
printer of the old school. You recall
James brennan, young man employ
ed at the Gannett Publishing House,
respected by the craft and one of those
who was always ready and willing to
help iii a worthy cause. You remember
George H. Clark, for 81 years an en-
plOye OF the kennebec Journal. His
sudden death was shock to his many
friends. He was a kind-hearted man
and was good port to make while try
ing to weather one Of the storms of
life. You remember also Daniel H. AL
len, another lifelong employe of the
Kernebec Journal, who died this
spring. For nearly so years his ener-
gies went into the establishment of
which he was so long part. Then
there Is another one. who is still on this
side of the river but who cannot be
with you today on account of infirmity,
Edward Pitts, an old printer. who is
now a shut-in most of the time, but
will appreciate any attention that will
make his pathway brighter"
Continuing, the speaker said: 1.-TWO
great organized and opposing camps
capital and labor exist at the present
time and the Christian church stands
in a position between the two. 1t
should have something to say to both
1t has no right to get on either one
side or the other. The church should
| be the speaker to both in regard to the
things it actually sees. 1t sees today
in organized labor many things that
are encouraging and many things that
are wrong. Some of these wrong meth
DDS are the same that have been used
| by the church in times past. The
church once used the boycott and de-
MED to others who did not agree with
it in creed the right to the tree of life.
The labor unions are passing through
the same conditions of hysteria and
development. They must pass through
these steps before they come to wider
observation and saner life. Those who
are employers have very largely at
tempted to get rid Of the organized
force on the other side by trying to
crush it out. Yet if the employers were
able to crush out every labor union in
existence the labor problem would still
| remain. 1t was in existence before the
labor unions came.''
The speaker then traced the history
of the labor movement from the days
of the feudal system to the present
time and declared every honest think
ing union man will hail the fullest or
ganization of capital and every fair
minded capitalist will welcome the or
ganization of labor. The laborer does
not want war. the employer does not
want strife, society does not want
strife. There are peaceable methods Of
solution of the difficulties today con-
fronting labor and capital.
"We may solve these problems by
law. compelling both parties to fulfil
contracts according to the letter. we
may solve them by arbitration, but
better than either is Cancellation, an
application of the trade agreement.
which is thoroughly in accordance with
the Christian spirit.
1.-The labor problem is big problem.
a worldwide problem, and deserves to
be thoroughly read, thought of and
studied. Think of it deeply, think
broadly but be sure also that you
think individually. There is no danger
from thought. The great danger is from
the man who does not think but lets
his feelings run away with him. The
church asks for square deal for labor,
a square deal for the employer and a
square deal for Jesus Christ.