New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-02
HELPING THE UNEMPLOYED
Build Churches, Schools and Markets,
Urges Church Federation.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In behalf of the New York Fed
Grafton of Churches | am requested by
the secretary to publish the following:
As chairman of the committee on
economic conditions | have received
significant and helpful suggestions
from many quarters as to what may be
done this winter to meet the problem
of unemployment in this vicinity. At
meeting of our federation last Friday
special committee was appointed to
consider how the churches can help the
situation, and their conclusions will be
hereafter published. Meanwhile, by
way of eliciting further information
and suggestions, I beg to say:
First-Marcus NJ. Marks, President
Of the Borough of Manhattan, suggests
that the city be urged by the churches
to construct at once a free market
building and other works; that, even II
the money had to be borrowed at per
cent, it will be cheaper and greater
benefit to the taxpayers TO spend the
city's money in this way now, when
many worthy mechanics are out of en-
ployment and the cost of construction
is low, than to postpone this work to
later time. The building of much need
ed public schools is also suggested.
Second-R. Fulton Cutting, of the So
cety for Improving the Condition of
the Poor urges that manufacturers be-
fore they contribute to relief assocl-
atoms arrange first TO keep, rather than
discharge. their own employees, and,
further, that churches and institutions
which need repairs to their buildings
prosecute these repairs Immediately,
so as to give jobs to deserving working
people In connection with this idea
Louis A. Ames, of the Merchants As
ISOLATION, says that, instead OF restrict
ing their output and accumulation of
stock, merchants will be wise to look
ahead and continue their operations,
for the reason that in consequence OF
the European war there will soon be
an unprecedented demand for their
goods. Mr.. Marks strongly concurs in
this opinion.
Third-Following the same line OF
thought, this question has been sub
mitted: Are there not churches. Prot
estant and Roman Catholic, and syna-
gogues also, which foresee the neces-
sity of new buildings for their activi-
ties? Bishop Greer, for example, has
publicly expressed his earnest desire
that the nave of the Cathedral of st.
John the Divine should be proceeded
with. Why not do it this winter II
the well-to-do citizens of greater New
York would contribute 81 head it is
said that the cost of the nave would be
covered.
In earlier days the plain people felt
that cathedrals belonged to them and
were intended for their benefit and the
common spiritual uplft. II is said that
nowadays but few of the wage earners
feel such attachment to any of our
churches. But if il should be borne in
upon the public mind and conscience
that in these days of distress the cathe-
dral, the churches and synagogues are
going forward with new construction
expressly to provide work on a large
scale for able men who have lost their
jobs by no fault of their own, would
not this be good way of CONVINCING
such people that the churches are sin,
cerely and wisely interested in their
welfare and are willing to make sacri-
fees therefor?
Furthermore, II, as so many Amer.
cans believe, the ultimate causes OF
this awful war are not merely political
and economic, but spiritual il mod
ern militarism is based on wrong idea.
and is aAAsA xespsL vOpP not such