Arizona republican., 1918-12-25
CARDINAL GIBBONS IS NOT FEARFUL 0F
 SOC|AL|ST|C ISSUE
Believes Workman Too In telligent to Risk Other Conditions -Is Opposed, However, to National Ownership

BALTIMORE, Dec. 24.-Cardinal Gibbons, in a statement today, said he had no fear that socialism would become an issue to be dreaded in the period of reconstruction, and that the good sense of the American working people would check any social up- heaval. He said in part:
 We ought to rejoice, particularly on this Christmas occasion, because it is the first Christmas festival in five years that we have had the happiness of celebrating in the midst of universal peace, either actually attained or dawning upon us.
 And 1 think, too, that the example of energy we set in the prosecution of the war is a matter for rejoicing, for it has shown the world the capac ity of America and Americans.
 T earnestly hope that this peace has come to stay; that we will know no more war, and that in our day, and for all future generations. disputes between peoples will be settled, not by the sword, but by the voice and pen of cancellation, which are mightier than the sword
 As for the outcome of the negotia tions now about to begin in Paris, it is hard to express an opinion. We can only hope that they will be directed by wisdom and justice. and that selfish ness may be subordinated.
 | Nations are like men; they are sell fish and they oftentimes let their own interests blind them to the rights of l others and to demand fair dealing, but we may hope that in the light of what we hope is the dawning of a bet
 ter day for all humanity, wise counsel and justice and their dealing may pre- vail over the interests of individual nations. and that the peace negotia- tions may be ended at an early day.
 Not Anxious for Future
 q feel no anxiety with regard to the future of our country. Much concern
 seems to be felt about the labor situ- ation throughout the country, an6
 there are fears as to the outcome of the
 readjustment period. l am sure tho
 working people of the country art
 men of intelligence and common
 sense: they know full well that theil
 condition here is better than, that O men in similar stations anywhere elst
 in the world, and that the disposition
 of those who employ them is to Urea
 them justly and generously. The!
 know these things, and they know , too, that any social upheaval woult bear more heavily upon them thai upon any other class. and would hur them more than It would hurt an,
 other class.
 AS for the spread of socialism il
 America, which some dread I feel n apprehension whatever, and feel ther is no reason for apprehension. N ? man or set of men can raise a storn !. in this country without some req 5 grievance, and every socialist in tn , land, down in his heart, knows ther ) is no actual grievance about which h
 can justly complain; certainly n grievance that would warrant tn f overturning of the social structur U and the ruin, industrial and of ever s Mother sort. that would ensue.
 e Fearful of Ownership
 s Fears as to the labor situation l. fears about the spread of socialisI S and kindred doctrines do not troubl : me. The only apprehension I migi : have would be with regard to the con 8 solidation of control of the great pub c lie interests of the country in the au n thorities of the government itsel e These interests are vast and wid t reaching and control the well-bein ,. of millions of men, such interests 2
 the railroads and the telegraphs g n well as others. I should be sorry i e see these things putu nder the diret n ton of federal administration. IT
 men employed in these industries an n utilities would form the prepondera s ing interest in any administration ar e would tend to a perpetuation of powe g I believe in a division of power ar
 think it best for the country. I shou e be sorry to see any invasion by u e administrative department of the go, e ernment upon the rights of the oth, $ departments. The builders of o, h government provide for a governmel n of checks and balances, Il governmel
 in which the executive, the legislati' it kept separate and distinct, and eas 'ei departmentwas made independent