Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-02-20
Church Council Lays Down Lines
to Guide In Solving Post
War Problems.
TO INSURE SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Re-e.npIoyment, Labor Reforms, Social
Betterment, Economic Conditions
and Relations Between En-.
ployer and Worker Sub
jects Of Official Pro.
nouncement

represent the Merarcny OF the CatnOuC
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 ]. Hayes of
New York City and Bishop William T.
Russell of Charleston, 8. c., and reads
in part as follows:
Foreword.
"The ending Of the Great War has
brought peace. But the only safeguard
.of peace is social justice and con-
tented people. The deep unrest so en-
phatically 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.
"In the hope of stating the lines that
will best guide us in their right solu-
ton the following pronouncement is
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 find
their previous places closed to them or
will be eager to consider the possibility
of more attractive employments. The
most important single measure for
meeting this situation that has yet
been suggested is 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 cul-
tivation. President Wilson, in his an
nual 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 as owners or as tenants having
longtime leases.
Farm Colonies.
"It 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 an item of any social
reform program is obvious. It would
afford employment to 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
tions it must be carried out by the gov
ernments Of the United States and of
the several States. Should 1t be under
taken by these authorities and oper-
ated on systematic and generous
scale 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 no
doubt be facilitated by the United
States Employment Service. This
agency has attained fair degree Of
development and efficiency during the
war. Unfortunately there is some dan
ger that 1t will 60 out of existence or
be greatly weakened at the end of the
period Of demobilization. It is the OBJ
vious duty Of Congress to continue and
strengthen this important institution.
The problem Of unemployment is with
us always. Its solution requires the
corporation Of many agencies and the
use Of many methods, but the primary
and indispensable instrument is a ma
tional system Of labor exchanges act
Ing in harmony with State, municipal
and private employment bureaus.
| Women War Workers
zone of the most important prob
lens Of readjustment is that created
by the presence In industry of i'm
mense numbers Of women who have
taken the places Of men during the
war. Mere Justice, to say nothing OF
chivalry, dictates that these women
should not be compelled to suffer any
greater loss or Inconvenience than Is
absolutely necessary, for their services
10 the nation have been second only to
the services Of the men Whose places
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