Graham guardian., 1910-04-08
THE ANSWER

an editorial which appeared in last
weeks Gila Valley Record, the fol,
lowing open letter was addressed to
that paper with the request that il
be published. This request was re.
fused by the Record, therefore, we
ask enough of the valuable space of
THE GUARDIAN for its publication
We, the undersigned citizens and
members of the Mormon Church Tin
good standing), respectfully address
this letter to you and ask you to
give it space in your next issue.
In the first place we want to
know where you get your authority
to speak so decisively on the ques-
ton of what the Mormon people
believe in regard to strikes? That
question is one that is clearly de-
batable, and, even with "Mormons,"
on which opinion is divided.
In the Mutual Improvement Era
for March, the general board of the
Y. M. M. l. A. suggests, among
other subjects for debate, a resolu-
tion that strikes are a benefit, on
the whole, to the laboring class. T"
This, according to their statement,
is question on which difference
of opinion may fairly exist.
But this is not the matter we par
ticularly wish to discuss with you.
You stated in last weeks editorial,
on "Mormons and Strikers" that
the Mormon Church is unqualifiedly
opposed to labor unions" and that
Church members jeopardise their
full fellowship and standing, by
joining Qabor) organizations" This
statement we denounce as false and
misleading and libel on the Church,
as we'll as a downright insult to
many members of the Church who
are and have been members of la
Dor organizations, and whose stand
ing in the Church has in no sense
been questioned by reason of such
association.
We would like further, Mr.. Edi-
tor of the Gila Valley Record, to
have your authority for such doc
trine, and ask you to bring forth
some of your strong reasons for
such conclusions. We don't hear
you making any protests against
our members joining CONNER
cial Clubs" Merchants Protec-
tive Associations" or Citizens
and to become the head
of trust or combine of capital, is
a virtue inculcated through precept
and example by some of our, would
be, prominent men in church circles.
So far as strikes are concerned,
they are only war measures, and no
one believes in war nowadays, ex-
cept where it becomes an absolute
necessity. We do not doubt that
some mistakes have been made by
the working people in calling strikes
but Citizens Alliances,
Associations and Com
mercial Clubs have made mistakes
also.
1t is evident to US that you have
only been thinking on this question |
from the side of the capitalist; and
we cannot condemn for that; but to
speak for us is presumptious, for
we are, as members of the Church,
not all capitalists, nor are we in
capable of judging for ourselves.
There is today a great struggle |
on between capital and labor; a war
# you please, and one that involves
the whole of society, irrespective of
creed or color; and the Mormon
people are no more immune to the
than other people.
We do not believe that the Nor
mon Church has or will take the
side of tine capitalist class in the
most of her members |
come from the ranks of the work
ng class, and if she were to take
sides at all, consistency would lead
ler to their defence.
However, we understand that the
Church on this question, as in poll
.ics, is. neither one nor the other,
md we most solemnly protest
against any paper assuming any
such authority as you do in the arti-
lie referred to.
Permit us to say in conclusion,
hat we are thoroughly conversant |