Connecticut western news., 1919-10-16
t,s1v6GH PROGRAM <,
 PLEASES LABOR
Federation Leader Says Catholic Reconstruction Plan Has
 Wu7kefs' Backing.
WAGE Ek7NERS WELCOME IT,
Support of Catholic Church Valued by Labor Men, as They Work for Social Retecrment, He
 Declares.

Chicago. - John Fitzpatrick, presI- lc1t of the Chicago Federation of La- Hor and chairman of the National Com mittec for Organizing Iron and Steel Workers, has responded for organized labor to the reconstruction pronounce ment recently issued from the Ma tional Catholic War Council, Nrlcom-' ing and valuin" most highly i,s ex- pressed cooperation in the task of re- construction to which labor has set It. self In n statement outlining the at- titude of the lahoring man toward this program of social reconstruction Mir. Fitzpatrick says:
 "Nothing has appeared in long time that will be of more substantial benefit to the cause of organized labor and of economic justice than the social reconstruction program of the Ma tional Catholic War Council. The four bishops who have signed this pro- gram and issued 1t to the world are entitled to the heartlest thanks of ev- cry wage earner who has the interests of his fellows at heart, and both they and the Church will receive his thanks and appreciation in full measure. In the same measure they should receive the thanks of every good Catholic, for in heartening labor they have also given a splendid proof that the Church Is equal to the demands of the times and is applying its ancient and un- changing principles to modern condi- tions In q way that makes for the progress and general well-being of the race.
 "The program of the National Catholic War Council Is virtually the program of organized labor as ex- pressed by the official declarations of the American Federation of Labor and the program of the Chicago Inde- pendent Labor party. Its declarations In favor of maintaining the present wage rate and progressively raising 1t, while at the same time taking steps to reduce the cost of living and to control large fortunes. constitute the strongest possible support for the position taken by organized labor. It should be print ed in its entirety in every labor journal in the country. Nothing will do more to strengthen the cause of orderly but fundamental economic reform as op- posed to the plans of those who would destroy our entire civilization nt one blow Tn the hope of bettering the con- ditions of the masses. It Is an ade- quate program provided 1t can be accepted and promptly carried through IS nro~"am of action. 1t is not a visionary program; 1t is not the pic ture of Utopia to be realized in the rar-distant future. IL Is what labor de- mands now, and those who wish to avoid G,e C-s1rsses and dangers of violent and bitter upheaval can do nothing better than to acknowledge Its true conservatism and aid organized labor in putting it into practice. must agree with it's authors that con d,ti0ns in America are far less dis turhed than in European countries, yet I believe it would he Il serious mistake not to realize that the workers and urolucers of America are in q mood for action.
 "1n nearly every respect the pro- gram of the National Catholic War Council Is so comprehensive and so ndoruate to the needs of the times that am confident it's wide publication and ifs adoption by political party pledg4 cd to carry 1t out would satisfy the needs of a large number who nre on the point of breaking from their old moorings and joining with such hither- to inconsiderable groups as the Social ists. lt Is the sign which has been greatly needed that we can achieve the reforms on which our hearts are set without breaking all the traditions of the past, good as we'll as bad.
 "This program should be evidence to many who have opposed labor's aims without understanding them that labor speaks today In the interests of all society, in the interests of true con servatism. It Is not men who have changed. We are not departing from the ancient principles of justice and right. We are merely applying those principles to new conditions that have arisen very rapidly-so rapidly that many have failed to realize them. 1t is sufficient for those who doubt the need to ponder the statement here set forth with unqucstionable authority that a considerable majority of the wage earners of the United States, both men and women, were not re- cciving living wages when prices be- gan to soar in 1915 and that since 1915 the average rate of pay has not increased faster than the cost of liv- ing Labor knows these bitter truths, and labor has reached the point where 1t is determined to change these rotten conditions, conditions which mean the destruction of Christian society if they continue. In performing the task of reconstruction to which it has set It. self labor welcomes aud values most highly the cooperation and support of the Church, and the Church will gain along with labor ns result of the splendid pronouucement of the four