The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-30
HOOdWinking
Clergyrnen

When a small clique of men put up
a scheme to harness the clergy of
America and induce the ministers to,
In turn "hitch up the members of the
churches we should all take notice.
They couldn't harness the preachers
in bad cause except by deceiving
them.a
Ministers of the gospel are essential
ly and fundamentally honest but, like
all men who work for the public good,
they are at times misled by false
statements. saEl g5
Trust them when they have exact
truth to speak from.
Now for the story which should in
terest every one for we are all either
receivers of wages or we pay to wage
earners and the freedom of each indi-
vidual is at issue.
In various papers the following
statement has been printed. Read it
carefully at least twice.
INTEREST IN LABOR SUNDAY
Labor Sunday-the Sunday preced-
ing Labor day-will be observed gen.
orally this year and in future years
throughout the United States. This
because of the American Federation
of Labor declaration for the observ-
ance of that day. The numerous let
tiers recently received at American
Federation of Labor headquarters
from ministers is an assurance that
interest in the idea of giving special
attention to the cause of labor from
the pulpit one day in twelve months
is widespread. Our readers are urged
to try to bring about an understanding
in their respective districts with rep
resentatives of the church so that
ministers will make addresses that may
attract trades unionists to the churches
in large numbers for the day. Min
listers should say what they think on
the occasion in order that their trade
union hearers may put the right esti-
mate as to where the church stands
on the question Of the organization of
labor. The more the subject is dis
cussed the better will it be for labor.
Union ethics are sound.-American
Federationist.'
Observe that Labor Union men
''are urged to induce ministers to
make addresses that will attract trade
unionists to the churches ''for the
day." Ministers should say" ETC.,
and winds up with Union ethics are
sound" observe the hidden threat.
This is clipped from the American
Federationist the organ of Sam Com
pers, ct al
This clipping has been sent to papers
throughout the country and the Typo
offices instructed to urge" that it be
printed.
That is one of the ways of the 'ma-
chine
1t looks harmless so the papers print
it.
But. Let's lift the cover and look
under.
The hidden motive is as dangerous
to the peace and liberty of the citizen
as a coiIed rattlesnake in the grass:
Organization by workmen to peace
fully and successfully present their side
| is necessary and most commenda BILE.
There are such organizations now
rapidly winning their way to public
| confidence without strikes, dynamite
| or killing fellow workmen-
(Some facts on this matter a little
| further along in this article.)
We see here demand on the min
| listers of God. that they endorse and
| help build up the strike-producing.
| boycotting and violent American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
Think of the man of God who
teaches brotherly love being covertly
ordered to praise and help get new
members for an organization with a
record for violence, crime and murder
done by its members the like of which
the world has never seen.
Think of the thousands of women
made widows and the increasing thou
sands of children left fatherless by the
pistol, club, dynamite and boot heel OF
! members of this Labor Trust.
Any one who recalls the countless
| murders done in the multitude OF
| strikes in the past few years will agree
this is no exaggeration.
Take just one as an illustrations:
There were some thirty men muir
dered and over 500 bruised and MAIN
| ed in the Chicago Transfers strike.