The Meeker herald., 1919-03-08
Church Council Lays Down Lines
to Guide in Solving Post
War Problems.
TO INSURE SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Rs-s.nploymsn1 Labor Reforms, Social
estterrnsnt, Economic Conditions
and Relations Between En-
pleyer and Worker Sub
Ieets Of OFFICIAL Pro-
nouncsmsnt

VSS'SV''S''~
Drawn up by the four bishops who
represent the hierarchy Of the Catholic
Church In America In the administra-
tion of the National Catholic War
Council, an official pronouncement on
the social and economic reconstruction
problems facing this nation has been
issued from the headquarters OF this
church council in Washington, d. G.
The document bears the signatures OF
Bishop Peter ]. Muldoon Of Rockford.
ILL.,: Bishop Joseph Schrembs Of To-
ledo, o.; bishop Patrick J. Hayes Of
New York City and Bishop William 7.
Russell Of Charleston. 8. C., and reads
in part as follows:
Fersword.
"The ending of the Great War has
brought pence. But the only safeguard
Of peace is social Justice and con-
tented people. The deep unrest 30 EN-
phatically md 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 ua They cannot
be put aside; they must be met and
solved with Justice to all.
"In the hope of stating the lines that
will best guide us In their right solu-
tion the following pronouncement 10
issued by the Administrative Commit
tee of the National Catholic War Coun.
GIL
Replacement Of Men In Service.
"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, very
large number Of them will either md
their previous places closed to them or
will be eager to consider the possibility
Of more attractive employmenta The
most important single measure for
meeting this situation that has yet
been suggested 10 the placement Of
such men on farms. Several months
ago Secretary Lane recommended to
Congress that returning soldiers and
sailors should be given the opportunity
to work at good wages upon some part
Of 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.
nuai address to Congress, endorsed the
proposal. As fast as this preliminary
task has been performed the men
should be assisted by government loans
to establish themselves as farmers,
either MS owners or as tenants having
long. time lenses.
Farm Colonies
at is essential that both the work Of
preparation and the subsequent settle
ment Of the land should be effected by
groups or colonies, not by men living
Independently Of one another and In
depressing isolation.
"A plan Of this sort Is already In
operation In England The importance
of the project as nn item of any social
reform program IL obvious. 1t would
afford employment t1 thousands upon
thousands. would greatly increase the
number of farm owners and independ-
ent farmers and would tend to lower
the cost OF living by increasing the
amount of agricultural products. II It
is to assume any considerable proper
tons 1t must be carried out by the gov
ernmcnts OF the United States and of
4, IA A.
taken by these authorities and oper.
ated on n systematic and generous
scnlc 1t would easily become one of the
most beneficial reform measures that
has ever been attempted.
Employment Service.
"The reinstatement of the soldiers
and sailors In urban Industries will nc
doubt be facilitated by the United
States Employment Service This
agency has attained a FUR degree OF
development and efficiency during the
war. Unfortunately there is some dan
ger that 1t will go out OF existence OF
he greatly weakened Mt the end OF the
. period of rehabilitation. 1t is the oh
vious duty Of Congress to continue ant
btEChBthSh ahiS ihhppttuhi
The problem OF unemployment is witt
us always. Its solution requires tn,
cooperation Of many agencies and tn,
use of many methods, but the primar,
and Indispensable instrument In na
tionai system of labor exchanges act
ing In harmony with State, municIpu
and private employment bureaus.
Women War Workers.
zone Of the most important prob
lens Of reimbursement IL that create,
BY the presence In industry Of i'm
mense numbers of women who hav
taken the places OF men during tn
war. Mere Justice, to say nothing o
chivalry. dictates that these womel
should not be compelled to suffer an
greater loss or Inconvenience than