The Cordova daily times., 1919-08-06
CHURCH WANTS SQUARE DEAL
 FOR WORKERS

NEW YORK, Aug. (by Associated Press) The Protestant church of this country, represented in the Fed eral Council of the Churches of Christ in America, recently issued a declara- ti0n that the state should attempt to secure to the worker an income suf- ficient to maintain his family at standard of living which the commu- nity can approve"
 This was part of a pronouncement on the attitude of the church toward reconstruction which was drawn up by the commission on the church and so- cial service of the Federal Council The Federal Council is congress of thirty leading Christian bodies for united action.
 The statement asserts that "it is a false idea that the churches are only concerned with religious, educational and charitable enterprises. They are or should be vitally concerned with civic, economic and other social inter- ests."
 Rights of Workingmen to share in the control of industries are set forth in this statement at length. we have come upon times when people are not submissive to injustice or to \ unnecessary privatiOn and suffering," | declares the church commission. ''They are deeply and justly in ear nest. If those who are the actual of the nation will not act upon the principle that the greatest shall be the servant of all, then the people them 1 selves, with indignation and bitter ness, are sure to take their destiny and that of the world into their own | hands.
 "Class-consciousness and the use of violence are not confined to the revo- 1 lutiOnary groups. The possession of wealth and education tend to the for nation of classes, and industrial own ership and management to a class conscious ruling group. We observe the dangerous tendency of many state and municipal officials to deny fair hearings to radical offenders and to use unnecessary and provocative bru- tality during strikes.
 Legislatures, judges and officials should act firmly but justly, without buster and without unnecessary vio- l lenCe. WOrkingmen believe that they do not get an equal chance before the law, and it is highly important that whatever real basis there is for this conviction should be removed.
 "A deep cause of unrest in industry is the denial to labor of a share in l industrial management. LabOrers must be recognized as being entitled | to as much consideration as employ CTS, and their rights must be equally | safeguarded This may be accom- l plished by assuring the workers. as rapidly as it can be done with due 1 consideration to conditions a fair share in control; by opportunity for ownership with corresponding repre- sentation; or by combination of own ership and control in cooperative pro- duction.
 "The living wage should be made the first charge upon industry before dividends are considered. The resist ance of labor to general wage reduc- tions, even when accompanied by re- duced hours of work, should receive moral support from the community, except where the demand is clearly unreasonable. Wage levels must be high enough to maintain a standard of living worthy of responsible, free citi- zenship in a democracy.
 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 indus try under the guidance of the govern ment for some regular method of ad- justment of wages and salaries to the purchasing power of money. High wages are desirable as a general prin- ciple"
 Employers who justify low wages or wage reductions should open their books and submit their figures to pub lie scrutiny, adds the commission.
 To provide employment, the com mission advocates that nationwide employment service be maintained, and suggests adoption of a policy of public works and land settlement, a guarded extension of opportunities for social insurance to cover unemploy- ment due to industrial conditions or 1 ill health, and the rehabilitation of in- 6ncfria1 ariDOInc undar