The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-02-11

| NdtlOIldE SALllO4AC welfare SOQ1lC4l
They strike at the heart Tof social
and economic greed. They point
the way from, industrial feudalism
to democracy in industry. They
hearken to the cry of labor and give
force to the demand that~the worker
is entitled at least to a basic wage
that will enable him to- support his
family on a plane in keeping with
| American standards. They take up
the case Of the, working woman,
first, holding that her employment
shall be confined to occupations
that will not impair her life, health
or morals. and then wherever she
is employed that she be paid at least
the same wage as is paid to the male
worker for doing the same work.
"They condemn child labor. Amer,
lea faces. no greater menace. It
hits at the fountain-head of our CT
vilization. 1T" retards growth and
dWarfs manhood; it prevents educa-
ton and encourages illiteracy; it
produces weaklings and breeds dis
eases: it compels poverty and leads
to crime. 1t robs' childhood Of its
playtime, youth of its spirit, man
hood of its vitality and sends its
victims to an early grave. 1T emp
ties schools and fills reformatories
and prisons. 1t weakens mothers
stunts fathers and robs babies of
the priceless heritage Of health.
=. "Child labor is an indictment
against our social order. It is the
product of greed and .avariee. 1t
is a disgrace to our nation. 1t is
not permitted in political auto
cracy aud it should have no place
in d democracy. 1t is. crime
against God.
"Such evils are not the result
of the wage profit system, common
ly designated the capitalist SYSTEM
as many believe. Wages and profits
are necessary incentives to draw peo-
pie to useful occupations and to
stimulate human energy. It is not
the system at all that, is at fault
1t is in the men who control and
dominate it. It is a human ques-
ton with a strong spiritual aspect,
and it can only be solved by bringing
all men to a realization of the fact
that they are their brothers keepers
Every movement of recent times
to overtu111 the existing social or
industrial system by dealing with
men and women in the mass has
failed. The movement with which
I am proud to be identified recogni-
zes no inherent chasm between capt.
tai as such and labor as such. It's
aim is not to destroy the present
system, but. to correct the evils that
have grown up and developed. under
1t. 1t came into being for just such
a purpose. It is against special pri-
vilege and greed, the parents of capt.
ltalistic evils, the creatures Of which
are Incidence. ignorance: and con-
sequently, injustice and poverty.
ut is against autocracy in every
form whether it be in state or in
dustry. Blazoned upon it's banners
are the promising and inspiring
words: "Education,' Justice, Free
dom and Democracy" all Of which
spelled together mean the Brother
Of Man and the recognition of the
Fatherhood of God.
"The church has never yet treated
with people in the mass. It's saliva
ton has been in reaching the soul
through the heart Of the individual.
That is the tested and proven course
to lead folks in their spiritual at
fairs. Why is it not then the proper
course to reach men and women in
material matters, in matters that at
feet the relationship of man to his
brother man?
80 the church can help labor
and all humanity, and the cause of
freedom and justice, by fearlessly
striking with its great force at alt
| times at privilege and greed, and
Incidence and Ignorance. The church
is the only institution on. earth that
can, If it will. bring all men to know
and believe that it is as much of a
crime against God and against t1u-
mainly to cheat the natural law,
through the untrammeled operation
OF which all people ,on earth
gain sustenance Of life, and by its
denial bring misery, deprivation,
poverty and death to- countless num-
bers, as much a crime against God
and humanity, as If they should
wantonly and wilfully destroy hu-
man life by direct attack upon It.
The world needs a broader concep-
ton Of what constitutes sin.
'"rhat Is the message would car
u y to you this evening. 1t is not q
message Of despair, but of hope.
While privilege and greed are on the
top and are. robbing tho people, un-
derneath there is gradually growing
and developing a demand for more
equitable conditions. The church
and labor and the pen are on the
side OF humanity. Only the hired
scribblers for the press, the wor-
shippers Of Mammon and those
Birds Of Passage" who thrive on
Ekeeping gap between capital and
Ilabor,- are on the other side.
+ THE intelligent men and women
1who are not purchasable and whose
q souls. are free are standing with
their. faces towards the morning.
singing new songs Of liberty and
justice. 4, These higher ideals will in
time shape destiny and crystalline
into new institutions. They will give
to the world a new age: a new morn
ing will dawn radiant with the splen-
doris Of freedom and the children OF
Z God will Come into their inheritance.
Man will then know that he is his
: brothers. feper:" B.
~ q Ey