United labor bulletin. (Denver, Colo.) 19??-1915, 1910-04-28
AN OPEN FORUM.

The Labor Temple recently opened in
New York City by the Presbyterian de-
partment of church and labor, has
proven itself to be one of the most sue
cessful things ever undertaken by the
department The first meeting was held
on Sunday afternoon, April 10, and was
attended by about 400 men. An address
was given by Mr.. Frank Morrison, secre-
tary of the American Federation of La
Dor The Temple is open every night in
the week for meeting of some sort, and
during the first week the attendance in
creased from night to night until before
, the week was over the capacity of the
building was taxed to its utmost Prac'
tically every night since then the build
ing has been crowded, three-fourths OF
the audience each night being men, al
though or each Sunday afternoon mems
mass meeting is held, when there is
discussion of social and economic prob
lens.
Some of the speakers and the topics
already discussed are as follows: The
Problem of the Immigrant" by Congress
man William S. Bennett; 1.-THE Spirit OF
Neighborliness," by Jacob A. Riis the
wellknown author of How the Other
Half Lives" THE Conservation of Ma
tional Resources" by Norman Hapgood
of Golfers Weekly; THE Industrial
Revolution and the Times, by DR.. Josiah
Strong. president of the Institute for So
cial Service; Social Progress and For
eign Missions" by E d. Soper, world
traveller; Women and the Industrial
Situation" by Eva Macdonald Valesh
| Of ha an Com
mittee on Industrial Problems; What
Kind of God Does the Bible PRESENT.?
by w. w. White, president of the Bible
Teachers Training School of New York;
Socialism and the Church. by the Rev.
| Charles Stelzle.
At the open forum on Tuesday nights
the most vital questions that concern
workingmen are being discussed. All
sides of these questions are presented.
The crafts identified with the liquor and
saloon interests have been invited to dis
cuss the question, will the Closing OF
the Saloon Help or Injure the Working
MANI" The opponents of Socialism Will
present their arguments for the econ
omic system which they advocate. In all
fairness, these and other topics are pre-
scented to the audiences, but in every
case an opportunity is given for discus
sion. 1t is hoped that out of these dis
cussions there will at least come sense
of respect for the man who may hold
theories contrary to ones own; for,
however we may disagree in our econo-
mic beliefs. it is quite possible that our
opponents may be thoroughly sincere
and they should, at least, be given credit
for their sincerity.
1t is the object of the Department of
Church and Labor in this Labor Temple
to demonstrate what the church may do
in a practical way in the discussion of
vital human problems, and to create a
sentiment in favor of better conditions
for the work~rs and also to fight agrees
sively in every way possible to secure
these conditions. Conducted upon nom
sectarian and non-partisan basis, there
is no reason why Catholic, Jew or Pro-
testant, and all others who believe IN
the uplist of the people, may not CO.
operate in this enterprise. And this Is
precisely what is coming to pass in the
New York Labor Temple. 1t 10 confident
" hoped that out of it there wi" develop
similar centers in other cities