The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-11
D R c A N lied LAB D R
DR.. KERRY OF WASHINGTON SAYS
1T HAS RENDERED EXCEL
LENT SERVICE TO MOD
ERN SOCIETY.

On May 3, the Rev. William ]. Ker-
by, D. D., of the Catholic University,
Washington, gave the last of series
of lectures on social problems under
the auspices of the Catholic Philo-
patrian Literary Institute of Philadel-
phia. In the course of his lecture he
paid tribute to the work done by
labor unions in uplifting, equalizing
and safeguarding the laboring men of
the world. He said in part:
''The law has long since recognized
the principle that laborers may form
unions for purposes of mutual protec-
ton. Economists are generally agreed
that labor unions are rendering very
great service to real social progress.
Political leaders are willing to accept
direction in their craftsmanship from
recognized labor leaders. Public opin-
ion sanctions largely the aims of Or
ganized labor and many of it's distinc-
tive policies. Great numbers of en-
ployers find it to their advantage to
deal Systematically and in friendliness
with organizations of labor Repre-
sentatives of religion are outspoken in
their defense of the essentials for
which the unions stand Under such
strong and varied endorsement as this,
labor unions are practically freed from
the necessity of apologizing for their
| existence
Nevertheless, much criticism is
| heard. Fault is found with leaders
because they are suspected of violence,
self-seeking, brutal methods and in
| sincerity. Complaint is made against
many of the customary policies of the
| unions. Unqualified condemnation is
often expressed of the action of unions
in definite situations. No friend of
organized labor would think of deny
ing that at times the facts justify
such condemnation. But all friends of
organized labor ask that the movement
as whole be judged as whole; that
it's origins be understood, it's aims be
correctly estimated and it's policies be
judged in their own setting and not
through the atmosphere of uniformed
antagonism.
| "Organized labor has rendered to
modern society services to which it
may be proud. 1t has awakened, dis
ciplined and educated laboring men
when none of the other social forces
could reach them to do this work. The
unions have acted, as attorneys for the
laboring class before modern society
in condition which most of us have
regretted and few of us would have
known how to remedy except for the
guidance that the awakened laboring
class has offered us.
"The Industrial magnate keeps his
attorney at his side always to protect
his interests, to direct his action and
even to control his speech and CORE
spondence. The laboring class has had
no attorney except it's organization
The unions have enabled right
minded employers to correct condi-
lions; they have enabled Legislatures,
or, at least, greatly assisted them, to
pass laws which elementary human
decency demanded and our best states
manship would have been unable other
wise to enact. The unions have taught
us the limitations of competition and
the moral and social value of restrain
ing it. They have presented reason
able ideals to the whole laboring class
and have to a great extent thereby
protected it against the dangerous Sc
auctions of the ideals which Socialism
SO recklessly offers to the unsuspect-
ing millions. Organized labor has pro-
claimed confidence I'm our Constitution,
in our fundamental institutions and
their resources when Socialism has
systematically preached the gospel of
despair.
| "The unions have failed to win all
laboring men for variety of reasons.
They have failed to hold all of their
members, partly because Socialism has
won them over and they have come to
believe In the denunciations and abuse
which the public has often thoughtless-
1y expressed. As Socialism develops
the discerning public win undoubtedly
begin to understand the philosophy of
organized labor. Conservative leaders
may yet see the day when they will
not be ashamed to ask the labor union
to take its place in modern life as the
best equipped and most effective
agency to secure the Industrial and
social reforms which humanity de-
mands and put an effective check on
the advances Of Socialism