United labor bulletin., 1913-07-12
MKelway Says
Church Sleeps
Preachers and Lawyers
Fail Of Duty
Atlanta Minister Declares Social
Evils Flourish Because Higher
Ups Are Indolent

Micah OF old said that priests
taught for hire and prophets OWNED
for money. The Rev A. ]. McKelway
OF Atlanta, Ga. brought forth mod
ern application of this Biblical saying
in an address Sunday night before the
National Conference OF Charities and
Correction at Seattle. He declared
the American pulpit. whether repre-
sented by Protestant minister. Catho-
lie priest or Jewish rabbi. has not full
ly awakened to the demand for social
justice that SO rings in our ears"
DR. McKelway has for some years
been president of the National Anti
Child Labor Association and throuvh
his personal work much has been
done, especially In the Southern cot
ton mill states. to eliminate the
grinding of childhood into commercial
dollars.
In his conference sermon. the doctor
made these pointed comments on
the justice demanded by organized Ia.
bor:
Il am convinced that the great OBJ
tacies TO eniisting the powerful agency
of the church in the cause of social re-
form is the Incidence OF the pulpit.
But the pulpit is not alone In resentin,
the necessity OF exploring new fields
of thought The bar is reluctant to
consent to a constitutional convention
which may upset the precedent OF
hundred or a thousand years and
make necessary a new line of deci-
sions.
I'VE have gone far beyond the
period of human or animal sacrifices
20 propitiate Deity We live in a more
refined age OF the world. Now we
work men twelve hours a day. seven
days OF the week. nt wnEcs barely SUI.
ficient TO support life. and we propl-
tiate by putting into effect a beauti-
ful plan or workmens compensation.
We atone for the facts OF poverty and
MISERY and inhuman toll and needless
-cidents and deaths by building
lraries out OF the income OF n bond
issue whose Interest is paid In bloody
sweat
I'VE crush our competitors through
the employment Of spies as book
keepers in rival establishments.
through rebate arrangements with
complacent railroad systems. and WI
endow universities and foundations Tor
the instruction of youth and the allie
Walton of human suffering. We work
women and children in cotton mills
eleven hours a day, we resist every oi-
fort to raise the age limit for WORKING
children and to shorten the hours Tor
the mothers OF the race. and then out
of the profits OF their industry beyond
that which satisfies the stockholders,
we build schools and churches and
hospitals and Fairgrounds and do an
manner of betterment work
I'VE hire women by the thousands
at wages below the cost OF decent
hvlng. but we are large contributors
~ the Associated Charities and the
Magdalen homes.
..Men do not always know what
Justice is. and their thoughts OF Jus
tice widen with the process OF the
auna but II there is any current oil
American thought today that Is run
ming all in one direction. II Is demahh
among the masses OF men for justice
we can tell its course by the rippies
On the surface, when some obstacle
rears it's head. Privilege OF any KIM
must 20 down before Nhe rush oil tna'
current. There are some VINO rear
that much that is precious shall also
ho awept away II the stream becomes
a ,orrent There are some who be-
lieye that the stream viii run Win e'ie