The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-02-26
CATHOLIC CALL
TO RECONSTRUCT
Church Council Lays Down Lines
to Guide in Solving Post
War Problems.
TO INSURE SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Rs-e.nployment, Labor Reforms, Social
Betterment, Economic Conditions
and Relations Between EN-
ployer and Worker Sub
jects Of Official Pro-
nouneement

nomeement
Drawn up by the four bishops who
represent the hierarchy Of the Catholic
Church in America in the administra-
ton of the National Catholic War
Council, an official announcement on
the social and economic reconstruction
problems facing this nation has been
issued from the headquarters of this
church council in Washington, D. 9.
The DOCUMENT bears the signatures OF
Bishop Peter J. Muldoon Of Rockford,
Ill.,; Bishop Joseph Schrembs OF To-
lledo, o.: Bishop Patrick J, Hayes Of
New York City and Bishop William !.
Russell Of Charleston, s. g, and reads
In part as follows:
Forsword.
.sThe ending of the Great War has
brought peace. But the only safeguard
Of peace is social Justice and q con-
tented people. The deep unrest SO en-
sphatically and SO widely voiced
throughout the world is the most seri-
Gus menace to the future peace OF
every nation and OF the entire world.
Great problems face us. They cannot
be put aside; they must be met and
solved with Justice to all.
I'm the hope OF stating the lines that
will best guide ussin their right solu-
ton the following announcement q
issued by the Administrative Commit
tee Of the National Catholic War Coun-
Gil. !, Z. &
Replacement Of Men In Services.
"The first problem in the process
OF reconstruction Is the industrial re-
placement OF the discharged soldiers
and sailors. The majority OF these
will undoubtedly return to their previ-
GUS occupations. However, q very
large number Of them will either find
their previous places closed to them OF
will be eager to consider the possibility
Of more attractive employments, The
most important single measure FOL
meeting this situation that has vel
been suggested is the placement @
such men on farms. Several months
aao Secretary Lane recommended 10
Congress that returning soldiers and
sailors should be given the opportunity
to work at good wages upon some part
81. the millions upon millions of acres
OF arid, swamp and cut-over timber
lands in order to prepare them for Gull
tivation. President Wilson, in his an
nual address to Congress, endorsed the
proposal. AS fast as this preliminary
task has been performed the meT
should be assisted by government loans
to establish themselves as farmers
either as owners or as tenants having
longtime leases. IS
Farm Colonies. S.
ut Is essential that both the work o.
preparation and the subsequent settle
ment Of the land should be effected b.
groups or colonies not by men livini
independently Of one. another and II
depressing isolation. i-
"A plan Of this sort is already y
operation in England. The Importance
Of the project as an item Of any soeia
reform program Is obvious. It woult
afford employment ~ thousands upol
1 thousands, would greatly increase TIN
number of farm owners and independ
| ent farmers and would tend to lowe
the cost Of living by increasing tn
amount Of agricultural products. II
is to assume any considerable proper
lions 1t must be carried out by the gov
ernments OF the United States and o
/ the several States. Should 1t be under
taken by these authorities and opel
ated on systematic and generou
scale 1t would easily become one Of tn
4 most beneficial reform measures tina
has ever been attempted.
4 Employment Service.
"The reinstatement Of the soldier
j and sailors in urban industries will n
doubt be facilitated by the Unite
states Employment Service. Til
agency has attained fair degree 9
4 development and efficiency during tn
. war Unfortunately there il some dal
4. ger that 1t viii go out Of existence 9
be greatly weakened at the end Of tn
period Of rehabilitation. It ia the oil
vious duty of Congress to continue an
strengthen this important institution
The problem Of unemployment is wit
us always. Its solution requires tn
cooperation Of many agencies and tn
use Of many methods, but the primar
and indispensable instrument is na
tional system OF labor exchanges ac'
ing In harmony with State, municipa
and private employment bureaus.
,s Women War Workers.
zone of the most important prot
lens Of readjustment is that create
BY the presence In industry OF In
mense numbers Of women who hay
taken the places Of aen during tn
war. Mere justice, to nay nothing 9
chivalry, dictates that these wolne
should not be compelled to suffer an
4 greater, loss or Inconvenience than
absolutely necessary, for their service
l ~ :. 49,, Nhoan conorA 5nn1v I