The Irish standard., 1914-04-04

mansions and it must not be per-
mitted to continue and therefore we
invite men and movements that are
interested in this phase of the in
dustrial problem to investigate the
field in thoroughly scientific spirit.
Catholic Fraternal Delegates at A.
f.. of L.. Conventions.
The starting point Of this misrep-
resentation is to be sought in the
policy Of the American Federation
of Labor to welcome to its conven-
tions fraternal delegates from the
churches. This custom was estab-
lished years ago not by Catholics,
but by Protestants. First the Pres
byterian church and later the federal
council Of the Churches Of Christ
brought about these fraternal rela-
lions and not until 1909 did senti-
ment manifest itself in favor Of
Catholic fraternal representation.
It is not possible for any large
section of the American people to
ignore the American Federation Of
Labor and all classes and interests
must assume attitude to it. So does
the Catholic church and so does So
cialism. AS soon as fraternal rela-
tions were established between the
American Federation Of Catholic So
cieties and the American Federation
of Labor. a great howl went up in
the Socialist press and it has not
subsidized since. This goes to prove
that Socialism and the American
Federation of Labor are alien to
each other, for the one welcomed the
arrangement and the other was hos
tile to it. Socialism had missed an
other opportunity for Showing"
rather than pretending" friendli-
ness to religion.
Socialism Hostile to Labor and Re-
Hgion.
The American Federation of Labor
and the American Federation of
Catholic Societies are able to under.
stand each other. Socialism. will
understand neither the one nor the
other. The Socialist movement is
avowedly antagonistic to both, al
ways has been. and. If consistent
with first principles. always will be.
Socialists say they are not. which
proves them either Ignorant" or
untruthful. AS to religion: Aver
age Socialists know nothing of the
nature, history and methods of re-
ligion. and in the face of the rstudents
of religion and Of the definitions of
proper ecclesiastical authority they
brazenly assert their ignorant vapor-
ings. AS to the labor movement:
The entire record of the American
Federation of Labor and It's leader
ship is one continued rebuttal of So
ctalist misunderstanding and mis-
representation. Anybody that knows
anything about this record knows
that all the abortive efforts of Social
lists to start dual organizations (and
they have started number of them)
and the continued venomous attacks
of their press. have their origin in
the chagrin and anger of the So
cialists. who have been unable to
make the Federation Of Labor their
puppy. We ask the serious student
to compare notes and to study the
pertinent literature.
Socialist Inconsistency.
Serious minded men expect con-
sistency Of men and movements. Is
1t too much to expect consistency of
Socialism also? The Catholic church
has been painfully consistent and
has brought the most tragic sacri-
fees Of history to be consistent.
Consistency is part of her very life.
II Socialism in America were con-
sistent with its fundamental tenets.
1t would come out in the open here
a sit does in most European coun-
tries and show its true animus
toward labor and religion. AS far
as religion is concerned, If there
were one shred of consistency in the
Socialist claim about not being anti
religious. Catholic theologians would
be invited to criticize and correct
the Socialist program. and Socialism
would in spirit of good will accept
such Christian correction. For even
the most scientific" Socialist would
not claim to understand the church
better than she does herself. This
Is a fair proposition and when So.