The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-10

Exclusive Service The Survey Press Bureau)
 A significant experiment in democratic religion is in progress in Schenectady N Y It is called The Peoples Churcs and its inspiring factor is Rev George R. Lunn. who resigned from the pastor ate of the most aristocratic congregation in that city to champion the interests of common humanity.
 Schenectady is a peculiar city. Orig 1n2lly controlled by conservative natives, 1t is today in the grip of absentee capi- talism. In ten years its population has leaped from 5000 to so0oO and the bulk of this "outlander increment depends for its daily bread upon two immense industries, the General Electric company employing, at maximum. 17000 workers, end the American Locomotive company, employing between coco and 1000.
 Dr. Lunn, full of faith in the efficiency of the Christian religion to solve those problems came to the pulpit of Schenec- tady's most substantial congregation re- solved to battle for a bettered social order.
 He began by insisting that what mat tered most not what doctrines man professed to believe In, but how he behaved himself as a man and brother There arose a crusade to exile certain notorious women outcasts. He did no- join, but affirmed that women who were driven into social uncleanness by the scant wages of eChristianized indus try might not be half so guilty In the sight of God as women whose unearned wealth had been in part recruited by high rentals derived from dealers in vice. The street railway system in Schenec- tady had been owned and managed by the General Electric company. It had given good car service, had sold SIX tickets (called fred tickets'O for quar- ter and had been liberal with transfers When the New York Central and Della ware and Hudson steam lines conceived +he plan of securing control of trolley traffic in the Mohawk valley. refined compulsion" was put upon the General Electric people to sell the Schenectady trolley system.
 On May IA, 1907 the new management said: "The desire of the company IS l. extend it's service and to continue the use of the so-called red tickets; but jus tice to the company makes it unwise that If should guarantee in perpetuity this low rate of fare'
 On March l. 1908, the fare was raised 10 the flat 5-cent rate. Although the general manager of the company was a y1pr church. Dr. Lunn headed a citizens com r,ittee which first sconferred with the president of the company in fruitless en6eavor to secure a revocation Of the raise. and later carried the whole trac- tion situation before the State Pubic Service commission.
 But it was in his contact with the politicians that this fighting parsof stirred LID the biggest hornets nest. Will r,ta oF Schenectady The state senate when Governor Hughes heoan his effort to legalize book making MT Wemple voted with the racing interests. For this he was round iv censured by the Schenectady Minis ter,al association. But Dr. Lunn though' If would be a good thing to have the governor come over to Schenectady ant Wake a sneech. The president of tho Ministerial association was absent iron +be citv hence pr. Lunn went. ahead on his own responsibility; hired a the atre: secured the governors promise t' appear: by three hours telephoning or vanized a reception committee, and haf the meeting all arranged before the re nuhlican leaders knew about it. Wher thev awol5e they were especially solici tons that Senator wemple should be or the platform; but Dr. Lunn would no have it that way.
 The governor came. addresser a crowd ed and responsive audience, and, in th' following election, Senator Wemple wal elected to stay at home.
 pr. Lunns purpose in attacking polit teal graft law-hrealdng and in1ustice' was not primarily economic. but spirit uaI. to make religion vital among people aIIenated from the conventional church As he said:
 .SThe church has failed to recognize ir Che great cry for better conditions and 2 $,,,ler and more complete life generally corning from the lahoring classes. req word of God for this age, a yeritable vo,ce of the eternal calling aA men ol ~ood will into active service
 What followed was what could have Aeen expected Tn spite of the continued s,,nnort of few broad minded men tho .,,n of parfshioners having interests tc Aefend took umbrage at this vitalizinl ~ rosepel precepts; friction arose. ton ~ues waeged and finally. though thu scnoeration by vote of 269 to 10l ureg' Nivn to stay. Dr. Lrnn resigned and tn rcns,story, with half it's membership O mnn0cV Cured quick reEef removes all swelling in UHVv >to 20 days 30 to 50 days effects permaneI
 =. Trial 1s.meat given free sufferers; nothing faife E~ acuiaru testimonial. and free tia treatment write .