The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-05-13

of Labor. Before the close of the
convention of 1910 in st. Louis,
the militia Of Christ in Social
Service was organized with the
hearty appreciation of Archbishop
Glennon. It's general officers and
board of directors are mostly
prominent labor leaders, including
John Mitchell, James O'Connell,
P. J. McArdle, and several others
who occupy high positions in the
labor movement. There are two
kinds of membership, executive
and associate. Executive members
must be practical Catholics, and
must accept the principle Of
unionism for labor, while anyone
who subscribes to "Social Serv-
ice" may become an associate
member.
The Militia therefore, seeks
to apply Catholic principles to in
dustrial conditions mainly through
labor organizations, and those per-
sons who are in sympathy with the
general aims Of unionism In one
sense this is narrow basis for
Catholic social action, but it is
sufficiently broad to occupy the at
tention and to absorb the efforts
Of many more Catholics than are
at present engaged in social work
Of any kind, or social study of any
kind. The field into which the
new organization has entered has
the advantage Of being definite,
easily organized, and easily
reached. If the "Militia is sue
cessful in this field, if it will be
able to diffuse the principles Of
justice and charity throughout the
sphere of activity covered by or
ganized labor, it will have to it's
credit a sufficiently large achieve
ment. AS compared. with the labor
movement in most European
countries, that of America has
been conservative and rational ;
but there are indications that it
may before very long abandon this
attitude, and become distinctly
more revolutionary. IL it does the
greater share of the blame will
rest upon the Catholics themselves
all classes Of Catholics. To pre-
vent this result would alone be
sufficient reason for an organiza-
ton Of the kind that we are con-
sidering. Naturally, however, this
is not the main purpose of the as
ISOLATION. To preserve American
unionism from the domination of
Socialism is a great and good
work, but to diffuse the Christian
philosophy Of life and society
throughout the industrial world is
a much better, because more
constructive, work. Those who
wish to promote this work, but
who do not accept the principles
Of unionism, are free to do sc
under other auspices, if that is
their preference. It, is not neces
sary that all Catholic seekers after
social justice should be members
Of one organization. The large
and vital facts upon which Father
? Dietz and his co-Workers proceed
, are that the labor union is here tx
} stay, that it has immense power
for good or for evil, and that TIL
? task Of directing its power tt
good ends is, indeed, man !
, work.
According to the Prospectus
the magazine, "Social Service, !"
interested in Industrial Educa
ton, Woman and Child Labor, tn
Problems Of the City, the Proven
!, ton Of Industrial Diseases an.
: Accidents, Factory and Mine In
I spection, Workmen's Compensa
: ton, Civil Service, Public Owner
e ship and Industrial Regulation.
. The first issue is the product o
the Editor alone, and is intende'
r to furnish a guide, a practice
T handbook for the Militia o
e Christ; and a programmatic pre-
Q spectus for such as may feel in
q clined to enlist under the banne
:, Of the Militia Of Christ Durin
/ the present year the magazine wi
q be issued quarterly, and after tina
) monthly The subscription prize
! is one dollar per year. With tn
: exception Of the Central Blatt
/ Social Justice" the organ Of tn
t German Central Verein,' th
Q new publication is the only journs
e in the United States devoted
It the discussion of social question
l. from the Catholic viewpoint. Th