Denver labor bulletin., 1917-08-04
LABOR AND THE LORDS DAY
By GRANT HAMILTON.

Because the changing social and in
dustriai conditions consequent upon
the rapid expansion OF industry de-
mand the serious consideration of So
ciety, it is gratifying that this subject
has been assigned conspicuous place
in the program of the Fourteenth In
ternational Lords Day Congress.
Whether or net the founders of this
congress sought only general recog-
milton of Sunday as day of religious
observance, even without consideration
of its economic and physical effects, it
is clearly in harmony with modern
thought, which recognizes manhood
and womanhood as the most valuable
possession of this nation. The dec
laration for one days rest in seven,
even tho it may contemplate only a
religious significance, emphasizes an
economic principle, for which the
American Federation of Labor has
persistently contended.
The general acceptance by the re-
ligious organizations, therefore, of the
principle of the one days rest in seven,
irrespective of reasons assigned, is
but another evidence of the great in
fluence exercised by the organized
labor movement in its economic and
political struggle TO vitalize that prin-
ciple.
The Federation commends the Inter
national Lords Congress in its efforts
and expresses the hope that it may
extend its field of activity TO meet the
still greater need-reduction of the
hours of daily toll.
The political economists of our day,
as in the past, have based their theo-
ries upon resultant, not causative,
facts and conditions. The human be-
ing has been giving but passing con-
sideration. while the inanimate prod
uct of that same human being has
been exalted 20 the almost total eXclu-
sion Of the normal rights of man and
his needs in sustaining and developing
a system Of social and industrial jus
ticc in society.
The commercial spirit rclentlessly
demands its toll irrespective Of the
form Of government under which IL
operates. and gives not the slightest
consideration for the lives Of men,
women and children, except whore the
organized wage carncrs form the nu-
cleus around which are drawn those
who have a pr per concept Of the pro-
lection, rights. interests and develop
ment Of man. This spirit is the frank
cnstein Of governments; II IS the one
element which not only contributes
TO the increase of their power and
influence. but when unchecked, also 20
their destruction. The efforts of the
many against the few so to confinc
within humanitarian limits CONNER
cial energy has been the purpose of
centuries of struggle.
The coniingration which is consum-
ing human beings on the eastern con-
tincnt at this moment exemplifics the
highest development of commercialism
and its ultimate results. The wage
earners of those war-riddcn countries
whose genius has conceived and whose
hands have fashioned the raw mate
rial into the finished products for the
upbuilding Of greater civilization and
who have established more equitable
relations of society, have been trans
formed into human targets.
What commentary upon the So
called culture and traditions of these
warning countriesl What means shall
we employ TO prevent wanton waste of
human lives in needless wars and keep
within its proper sphere the necessary
productive and commercial activity?
The answer Of the organized work
crs is: You cannot hayt peace until
you first establish justice. Give us
justicc-economic, political and social.
Our government was founded upon the
principles of equal justice and of
equal opportunity for ali. The rec
ords of our industrial history give con-
vincing testimony that the wage earn
ers have been forced outside the pale
of this declaration, and that were it
not for the American Federation of
Labor. Americas consideration for its
wealth producers would be neglibiblc.
But what does labor want?
Primarily labor wants the hours Of
toll reduced to the point where all