The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-07-15
CROOKS. VS.. CHRIST
By CHARLES M. KELLEY

M. f
Failure of the .Interchurch World Movement, the
most ambitious plan of cooperation attempted by
the churches in America, directs attention to the
discrimination of large business interests to dominate
channel of thought and action in this country
When Interchurch industrial program counter
to the wishes and the interests of Big Business, its end
inevitable survey of the steel industry under
taken despite the active opposition of the steel trust
the rock upon which the movement broke When the
steel trust could report of this survey by
purchase sent its agents steal it. That failing it
combined with big business to destroy the movement by
Withholding from it funds that had been pledged and
which necessary carrying of its program
As long ago 1908 tho Federal Council of Churches
of Christ in America which the active force back Of
the Interchurch movement, adopted industrial pro-
gram which recognized the right of collective bargain
ing and demanded the correction of Industrial ills that
were destructive of civilization and contrary the
teachings of Jesus Christi 1t declared that the present
Industrial system was trial and reforms that
ultimately would establish democracy in industry
1t was pursuant to the declaration that the indus
department of the Interchurch movement
made its survey of the steel and coal industries and
about extend its Investigations into other fields when
the became acute Forty millions of dollars that
had been promised by "frends" withheld and there
nothing to do but wind up the affairs of the organ
zation 1t than six millions of dollars,
anteed by large Industrial interests
While Big Business has yet gained control of the
conscience of the nation it has stranglehold the
pocketbook and without ample funds was impossible
continue scheme ambitious and comprehensive
the coordination OF the activities of all evangelical
churches. e
Warming came to the religious leaders through the
official publications of the Manufacturers Association
that unless they abandoned their "meddlng in indus
trial they would find it difficult to maintain their
collections The first definite statement of the
handed the convocAtion of the Young Womens
Christian Association at Cleveland Ohio. in April this
year. when Industry" official organ Of the Manufac
tuer declared that business took exceptions its
industrial platform and that if not rectifed
taliatory measures would be adopted by them
The Y. W. C. A. reaffrmed its platform and Mrs,
Helen Gould Sheppard, of stocks and bonds
signed president Whether the Organization will suf
from lack of funds for the future determine.
Big Business in plain words has told it that it need
pect neither sympathy support from, that quarter
The leaders of the Interchurch movement, progress
and far seeing and would not recant
their industrial heresy and preparing extend
their when the foundations pulled from under
the year John d. Rockefeller. Jr Stephen H Dodge and
inanciers had promised supply funds with
which maintain the organizations activities but none
of this money Forthcoming and thene remained only
open to the religious leaders Trey have
taken reluctantly to be but not until the public
had been made aware suasive methods
that employed by Big Business to dominate the
churches of the country.
The steel report, said to be damnng statement of
the crimes steel industry, of
600 words, the public being advised that the complete
document is "too long for general reading"
This action taken after two agents of the steel
trust appeal the general committee
withhold publication of the report They represented
that the church making serious in taking
sides in industrial disputes stated emphatcay that
business with the hereafter and not with now
and here
1t is interesting issue, and its final determination
show whether material forces stronger than
spiritual forces.
THE NEW AeLAw