Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-07
CHURCH COOPERATION

CHO RCH COOPERA 1lO-N
Washington, March-Appealing TO
the mine workers and operators TO
settle their differences through con-
ference the social service departments
of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, the
National Catholic Welfare Council
today issued Jointly a striking state
ment. 1t calls upon them TO Keep
their agreement made two years ago
10 meet together in a serious effort
to avert stife by negotiating a new
agreement.
The paper, regarded as of utmost
Improvement by church leaders, de-
clares that a strike in the coal indus
try at this time of widespread indus
trial depression would add greatly
to the hardships of millions of per-
sons. 1t asks both parties to supply
all facts that a decision may be based
upon Justice than economic advan-
tage and states that the establishment
of rigid human relations between the
two groups takes precedence over any
economic issue and is prerequisite to
a permanent solution of the industrial
problem.
The statement in full is as follows:
"The approach of a serious crisis
in the coal industry leads the social
service departments of the Federal
Council of the Churches of Christ in
America and the National Catholic
Welfare Council to unite in calling
upon the operators and miners in the
bituminous coal fields to settle their
differences through conference as re-
quested by the Secretary of Labor,
acting for the President.
eve would call attention to the
fact that the operators and mine
workers of the Central Competitive
Field, which has hitherto set the
standards for the industry, are bound
by the terms Of their agreement en-
tered into two years ago to meet to-
gether in a serious effort to avert
strife by negotiating a new agree
ment. The mere existence of this
pledge or honor is sufficient to over
rule all objections to conference.
even if such a pledge did not eX-
list, it is incouceivable that either Of
the two parties to the present con-
trOverSy should deliberately seek to
destroy the structure of orderly gov
eminent within the coal industry
which is the fruit of more than twenty
years experience and which is sane
toned by the declarations Of the
churches in favor of the method of
conference and collective agreement
- I. L., 4
orderly government should be broken
down, especially at this time of wide
spread Industrial depression, it would
greatly add to the hardShips which
millions of our citizens are already
enduring. would produce great econo-
'mir waste and confusion and would en-
tail a continuing legacy of suspicion
and bitterness.
an insisting upon conference as
an alternative to industrial war, we
URGE:
First, that every effort be made by
both parties to supply all the facts
bearing upon the questions at issue
in order that the decision arrived at
may be founded on justice rather than
economic advantage.
Second, that besides determining
the immmediae issues, operators and
miners unite i'm a determined effort to
secure the better Repatriation of the
industry and thus correct the inter
mittency of employment which has
characterized it in the past and which
has been the chief cause of diStur-
bance and Of widespread suffering
and discomfort.
"Third. that while full production,
fair profits and lust wages are the
immediate objective to be attained.
both parties to the conference should
recognize that the establishment of
right human relations takes prece-
dence over any economic issue and is
prerequisite to a permanent solution
of the industrial problem"