Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-07-14
CHURCH COUNCIL
OPEN FIGHT FOR
AMERICAN TOILER

CIdCeu IEeSSJ line HrOLeSLant cnurch
of this country represented in the
Federal Council of the Churches of
Christ in America today issued dec
laration that the state should sat
tempt to secure the worker an in
come sufficient to maintain his fam
lily at a standard of living which the
community can approve"
This was part of a pronouncement
on the attitude of the church to-
ward social reconstruction which was
drawn up by the Commission on the
Church and Social Service of the
Federal Council. The Federal Coun-
ell is a congress of thirty leading
Christian bodies for united action.
The statement asserts that ''it is
false idea that the churches are
only concerned with religious, edu-
cationaI and charitable enterprises.
They are or should be vitality con-
cerned with civic, economic and 9th
er social interests"
Rights of working men to share
in the control of industries are set
| forth in this statement at length.
eve have come upon times when
people are not submissive to injustice
or to unnecessary privation and suf-
fering," declares the church commits
sion. "They are deeply and justly in
earnest. If those who are the actual
industrial, political and social lead
ers of the nation will not act upon
the principle that the greatest shall
be the servant of all the people
themselves, with Indignation and bit
terness, are sure to take their desti-
ny and that of the world into their
own hands.
Observe Dangerous Tendency.
"Class consciousness and the use
of violence are not confined to the
revolutionary groups. The possess
ion of wealth and education tend to
the formation of classes, and indus
trial ownership and management to
class conscious ruling group. We
observe the dangerous tendency of
many state and municipal officials
to deny fair hearings to radical Of
tenders and to use unnecessary pro-
vocative brutality during strikes.
Legislatures, judges and officials
should act firmly but justly, without
buster and with unnecessary VIC
lence Working men believe that
/ Il nC11Dl oh hn-
fore the law and it is highly import
ant that whatever real basis Their is
for this conviction, should be re-
moved.
"a deep cause of unrest in indus
try is the denial to labor of share
in industrial management. Laborers
must be recognized as being entitled
to as much consideration as employ
ers and their rights must be equally
safeguarded. This may accomplished
! by assuring the workers as rapidly
as it can be done with due consider
alton to conditions a fair share in
control by opportunity for owner
ship with corresponding representa-
ton; or by a combination of owner
ship and control in cooperative pro
duction
"The living wage should be made
the first charge upon industry before
dividends are considered. The resIs.
lance of labor to general wage reduc
tions even when accompanied by re
I,,anI &c ~l1n,,1I
moral support from the community
except where the demand is clearly
unreasonable. Wage levels mast bc
high enough to maintain a standard
Of living worthy of responsible free
citizenship in democracy.
Wages Actually Decreased.
actual wages, that is, wages reck,
oned in power to purchase commodi-
ties, have been decreasing for several
years in spite of wage increases
There is urgent need of provision by
industry under the guidance of the
government for some regular nethod
Of adjustment of wages and salaries
to the purchasing power of money
High wages are desirable as a gen
eral principle" Employers who JUS
tify low wages or wages reductions
should open their books and submit
their figures to public scrutiny, adds
the commission.
To provide employment, the COM
mission advocates that nationwide
employment service be maintained
and suggests adoption of policy of
public works and land settlement, a
guarded extension Of opportunities
for social insurance to cover unem-
ployment due to industrial conditions
or ill health; and the rehabilitation
of industrial cripples under the direc-
ton of the state and at the expense
of industry. A general policy of vo-
cational training is approved.
Concerning the payment of the war
debt, it is pointed out that, power
full influences are organized to shift
/ the burdens of this debt on the nuhlic