The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-28
PASTOR APPEALS
 ID CHURCHES ID
 BACK FORD PLAN
Plea Based on Interest of the Unemployed and Principles of Christian Humani-
 tarianism


 Sheffield. December 27.-tSpeeial0 Easing his appeal on the interest of the unemployed and the principles of Christian humanitarianism, Rev, George Stanley Frazer. pastor of the First Methodist church of Sheffield and general secretary of the Method ist Mems Club of the south has sent request to the Christian forces of America both Protestant and Cath el1e, seeking their active operation through their representatives in Congress in bringing about an early acceptance by the government of the Ford offer for the Muscle Shoals properties and the pushing With the least possible delay every project of federal aid in highway construction. The appeal has been sent out to the religious press of the country and will be forwarded also to the federal council of the churches of Christ n America, and to varous denomina- tional boards and councils.
 The substance of Dr. Frazer's ap- peal is as follows
 At this Christmas season, when our hearts rehearse the angels song of peace on earth and good will to men. We cannot be unmindful of that great company who are experiencing the bangs of poverty arising out of unemployment. Their name is le- zion. Their step is falteriag and the radiance of Bethlehems star is dimmed by the Encouragement that obscures the star of their hopes. Many have waited in vain for the return to normalcy. The problem of the unemployed is one of national proportions. The army of unem- ployed may become national peril. Given bread sufficient. the great masses of people do not become agi- tated over governmental policies. When famine threatens the black de- spair that is prophetic of revolt sim mers in the social cauldron.
 "In the spirit of the prince Of peace we are now engaged in lessening our armaments. In the spirit of that best brother of mankind, this gov ernment must give itself to the task of lessening poverty through em- ployment in public industries and economic benefits of those masses who are not beggars, but who simply ask chance to work.
 MT. Ford's offer for the great Muscle Shoals properties, together with the various federal aid projects ! in highway construction, are gleams l of light on the far extending horizon | of unemployment. The Muscle Shoals project, on which the government has already expended approximately | si00,000,000, is of greater conse- | quence to the American people than sectional advantage, and should rise above party contentious. MT. Fora l has said that his securing those prop 1 critics would ultimately result in the 1 employment of q million persons. MT l Ford may be dreamer, but his rec | ord has marked him as a dreamer who turns imagination into reality With the acceptance by the govern ment of MT. Fords offer, either 1T
 its present or in a modified form 1 thousands of idle workers will be come active forces in unleashing thi' i vast storehouse of latent power or 1 the Tennessee river and busy part
 ners in hastening a period of pros
 perity and in the production of na tional wealth.
 May l suggest that the clergy ans laity cf the great religious body tha you represent can at this time ren der an incalculable service to hu
 manity and to the nation by request
 ing your representatives in Congres!
 to urge speedy action in the accept
 ance and furtherance of thes'
 projects that are more than economic ! or political in their scope? They are bigger and better than mer' business-they are humanitarian, an6
 therefore worthy of the earnest con
 sideration of the Christian forces o l America"