Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-21
Sulzberger Liberal
on Sectarian Aid
Continued from Page One

rrum IhgS One
thought which reduce the danger of
100 years ago to n negligible quantity.
Indeed. II may fairly be said that
there is in the present current of the
worlds thought danger quite the re-
verse.
THE churches have been so weakened
in influence that powerful currents of
opinion are ready TO attack not only
religion, but that morality which is the
only true basis Of a refined and en-
lightened civilization.
Danger OF Church Rule Imaginary
II should therefore regard the dan
ger Of a renewal Of church rule as
purely imaginary and illusory. We
need a little more church rather than
less.
mo one denomination has, under
our system. obtained any power or
endeavored to obtain any over the
others.
This, however. Is but one Of the
fundamental questions.
"a hundred and fifty years ago the
interests Of the ordinary man, the poor
man, were scarcely regarded as i'm
portant.
"A little dole grudgingly given was
thrown at him. and this was regarded
as the whole duty Of the classes that
deemed themselves superior.
''It is our own country which has
created respect for the poor who labor
for the welfare Of the country, just as
much as do those whose share of
worldly goods is larger. Moreover, It
IL our own country, too. which fostered
the successful movement to give them
self respect.
~ will. on reflection, be scarcely
questioned that the sick and wounded
who are too poor to pay for their relief
or cure should not be allowed to Ian
suish or to die for that reason The
conclusion inevitably follows that IN
This new world OF ours it would be the
duty If the State to provide the neces-
1--WE have, however, developed a
system Of private charity. unap-
preached anywhere, by which citizens
voluntarily assume the burden, taxing
themselves for tn. the purpose, noo. ,d
yanced their claim to improved and
enlarged hospitals also grew. and the
State stepped in to supplement the
work pri iIntely done.
"Shall this improvement 20 on or
shall 1t be stopped?' inquired Judge
! Sulzbergcr.
"Shail the State take over the privat,
institutions and maintain them out oi
the public taxes? Shall private good
will and benevolence be branded as
odious even II no abuse of public funds
has occurred or has been chargedf
Question Plain Ono
"The question Is a plain one. Shall
relief to the helpless be discontinued
| altogether or In great part; or, alter
natively, shall the State assume tht
whole function and pay for it out OF
general taxation?
"a pessirnist might fear that in thu
latter event state of affairs NIGH
ensue which would make this function {
potent political or partisan interes
quite as much to be dreaded as thu
| fanciful notion of Church control ovel
the State.
This question Is one for the people
to decide" continued Judge Sulzberger
Zone of the charges made by thos'
who have been instrumental in securing
the decision of the Supreme Court or
this question Is that State funds haV'
been appropriated not alone for hos
pitals, but for sectnrian education"
said. "whst about that issueT'
What have said continued Judg'
Sulzberger, with an expressive gesture
'has to do entirely with the question
as II relates to hospitals. Then h
continued:
"Of course. the question of educa'
tion Is quite q different one. Not {
penny of the State taxes should be uset
TO. foster the tsachins Of any church oI
"Sspscl. .Ypersa y. a. s.ts' ;,