The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-11

"The church of Christ can not keep hands off such a situa- tion as has arisen from the present social and industrial unrest" declared Dr. John W. Laird, leader of the speakers team, which is addressing the religious conference assembled under the auspices of the Inter- church World Movement at the First Presbyterian church last evening.
 ''Ther are many reasons given for the present state of change which is now convulsing the country. The world war is given as cause by some, this war which has left everybody dissatisfied, nobody contented and everything in state of Aux. Others say that it is due to the destructive propaganda of cer- tain foes of progress. which waves the
 
 Stars and Stripes.
 "Stil1 others assert that it is caused by the reaction from capitaiistic mo- nopoly in industry which has exerted it's sway for many years. Some say that there is an arrogant spirit in the working classes that wants everything it can put it's hands on. A much larger class attribute the whole situation to growing pains on the part of the sub merged classes which are just now real izing their identity.
 "Very probably there is considerable foundation in all these theories and that the whole body of unrest is found ed upon these causes. But whatever the cause, the church must face the situation and apply the principles of Jesus Christ to existing conditions if an adequate solution is to be found
 ALABAMA CHURCH LEADERS
 Present at the conference were some of the outstanding leaders of Alabama churches They were drawn from all the evangelical denominations of the state. In spite of interrupted train schedules and unfavorable weather over a hundred had registered during the first day; and another hundred is expected Thursday.
 The delegates took as much part in the programme as did the speakers. pr. Laird had announced at the beginning of the conference that the speakers were not officials of the Interchurch World Movement, who came to deliver a set programme on the questions under discussion.
 Instead, he said, the movement had no programme that it was trying to r;r the church leaders. but was anxious to get the ideas and suggestions of Alabama church leaders in shaping a programme that should be adequate and applicable to all sec tions of the country.
 As result there were many short expressions from the floor upon the problems under discussion. Bearing especially on the social unrest. Dr. J. A. MacSporran maintained that the pres ent social order is doomed to destruc- ton because it is a machine. set up to turn out shoddy material "It is fun damentally dishonest and immoral" he said. He insisted that the principles of honesty and integrity in business deal ings had to replace the existing order.
 The change must come about through the direct application of Christian principles, insisted pr. Frank Willis Barnett "A new man cannot be made simply out of new environment" he said. There mere question of effi- eicncy will not save unless it is shot through with the Christian spirit"
 HOW MOVEMENT IS FINANCED
 Mrs. J. H Mccoy prefaced her ad- dress on Some Paramount National Issues" by a short statement on the financing of the interchurch world movement Contrary to some rumors which I have heard are current in Bir- mingham, the interchurch world move ment is not financed by the Rockefel- Ter Foundation, or by funds left by