Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-08
||D'SEES'PER|[
STRIKE
nnlsations Inevitably In
yod In Partisan Bitterness
Ingsndsrsd by Conflict
VnlST'S TEACHING IGNORED

shshinstSn. May SIN a pastora
h ~ 20 the churches on the coal strik'
eocial Service Commission Of thu
Neral Council Of the Churches O.
Q1rist in America declares that thu
199Dciples Of Christ have been violated
4, ~ are being violated in the Goa
~ 1ustfy, with the result that at is
# eganised. wasteful Of human life
economic goods and is endanserinG
YeAce Of the community
41e letter is as follows:
1.-The present conflict in the coal in
Gefy, with its deplorable effect upon
4 uonen lives and human relationships,
g14 % vital concern to the Christian
I 4uyches Of America. The churches are
teechers Of brotherhood. which the
puugele is destroying In those con-
Cerned faster than the churches can
build It up. They have a strong sense
ce responsibility FOR the we'll being Of
the more than two million men, women
ead children whose livelihood depends
~, and is now jcopard!zed. The
churches are involved inevitably in the
eonfusion and partisan bitterness which
- dividing hundreds Of mining COM
smunities. They have vast stake in
whatever makes for strength or weak
ness, and for solidarity or class divi-
sions in the Nation.
Ideals Of Church Stated
'"The principles upon which the
eAurch acts in time like this are set
forth in the social ideals Of the churches.
70 which we nre committed. They rest
upOn the teachings Of Christ and they
may be summarized as follows:
The sacredness Of the individual
human life, and the supreme impor-
tance of it's opportunity for self express.
sion. happiness and DEVELOPMENT.
The spirit of brotherhood. which cx-
presses Itself in good will. fair dealing
and co. operation.
''The motive Of service. which should
Be the supreme motive Of industry. sub
Ordinating the motives Of pecuniary gain
and personal ambition.
''These principles have been violated
and are being violated in the coal iu-
ergAnized. wasteful of human life and
yvconomic goods. and Is endaLgering the
peace Of the community.
I'm the first place the coal industry
10 one OF great hazard to life, and Of
minimum security in respect TO en-
plcyment and income. II retains in
normal times more men by nt least
10O. 900 than can be given regular em
Payment. and an excessive number OF
mines. The anxiety and the loss Of in
come resulting from this condition are
demoralizinE. These evils must be dealt
with ultimately. with primary con-
idsratien for the human factor in the
1ndustry.
Previous Achieyem Lost
a Secondly. while notable progress has
teen made in the direction Of peaceable
Government and wholesome human re-
l4tions in the coal mining industry. the
iAchievements Of former years have been
- large measure lost in the bituminous
branch Of the industry by the sudden
abandonment Of the machinery Of con-
eencs and agreement. In certain
e this movement toward friendly
1elestonS and constitutional government
1ea been steadily resisted, with the re-
aait that these fields have been in
state of bitter conflict and virtually
optn war. II IL manifest that the right
OF the mine workers to collective action |
= Fundamental. not only as matter Of |.
Justice 10 them, but as essential to peace |
IN the industry.
ssThirdly. the ideal Of service appea RS !,
~ have had "a little recognition in the
mining and distribution Of coal as in ,
any other industrial enterprise. 1t has
been especially subject TO exploitation .
and speculation. and MS y result it has
1siled not only to provide steady EN-.
pleyment. but also in recent years to
supply the Nation with coal at reason
abls cost.
1.-TWO great religious groups have
united in request to the Government .
% Get up nm exhaustive and scientific
study to get At the pertinent facts of /
the eonl Industry. These should include .
authoritative information as to wages. ,
profits. capitalization, ownership. cost
uf transportation and distribution. sur.
plus Of mines and Of mine workers. In
Of the seasonal character
of the industry. living conditions Of the
NINE workers. competitive conditions
oetween mining areas. alleged hRrdships
oS union regulations and of uniform
wage scNlca. and other pertinent facts.
This investigation was asked FOR. first,
beeause the pubic does not have In
formatlon upon which to base intelligent
Judgments; and. secondly. because these
facts are necessary before any rcorgan- /
ieAtion can be attempted such as will
at least the greater evils Of the
coAl mining industry.
''Thc appeal for conference and the
hropoaal for nn investigation nrc az
lerunent now as at any time before tho
strike was cn'led. The operators and
Eettle their differences. and il IL better
that they should DO so vo.untnri,y, and
hefoPe the bitterness deepens or the con-
~ hopNpncs "a -