The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-09-05
CHURCH SUPPORT
FOR UNIONS IS
SOUGHT IN CALL
Moral Assistance Against War
of determination by Capital
Asked in Message.
A. F. L. SEES NEW BACKING
Plea Expresses Sympathy With
Organized Labor in Rail and
Coal Mems Strikes.
By United Press

By United Press
WASHINGTON-A call to protest
ant churches Of the Nation TO lend
moral assistance to union labor in it's
fight Cor existence, in the war Of ex-
termination" now being waged by
capital-made in a special Labor
Sunday Message" of the Federal COun-
Gil of Churches Of Christ-caused a
furry in political and industrial cir
cles.
officials Of the American Federation
of Labor saw in the massage a new
backing for the stand organized labor
has taken in recent industrial dis
putes.
The message itself clearly expresses
sympathy with organized labor in the
coal and rail strikes. declaring that
the shopmen ARE nghting for the
very life of their union, and that
where such a war of determination
is being waged employers can expect
only ultimate moral defeat"
It also "deplores that the twelve
hour working day is still in effect in
the steel industry" and promises the
continued moral pressure Of the
protestant churches Of the country
to complete the reformation i'll that
industry"
A spirit of fairness and good will
Is most necessary ut present in eco
nomic dealings, the message states.
The churches assume a new attitude
regarding lowering Of wages. The
fact that the earnings Of some compa-
MES show they are not making suf-
hcient money to pay a living and
healthful wage" is no excuse for low
ering wages. the statement implies,
but rather a proof that the industrial
system should be revised, so that a
| decent wage can be provided.
I'VE are still in the period where
| the dominant note in the industrial
world is one of strife and contro,
versy," the statement continues
There probably never was a time
when there was more bitterness and
conflict, some Of it due to misunder-
standing between employers an3 work
ers. and some of 1t. unfortunately. due
to a very clear understanding IT hos
tile aims and purposes.
To Limit LabOr's Power
Local controversies for the most
part relate themselves to a country
wide struggle in which labor is seeking
to retain or advance its position Of
power and influence. and employers
are endeavoring with equal determine
ton. effectuauy to limit the power Of
labor.
The large number Of strikes which
have occurred during the period of
business depression have Of course,
h. %n a
labor-a tendency which in part was
to be taken for granted with a recess
sion of prices and of living costs and
a corresponding defation Of the farm
ers.
1T cannot be too often said that
high wages during the war were by no
means so general as believed, and that
the demand for n reduction Of wages
in proportion to the reduction IN iv-
ing costs has been made without refer
ence to the fact that wages prior to
the war. were too low and cannot fair
" be taken as q basis OF wage deter
mination.
THE two outstanding Industrial
crisis of the year-the coal strike and
railway strike-have grown in the
main out of Inadequacy Of earnings.
THE plight of the coal miners, due
| to scant employment. is at last receiv-
| ing public recognition. The reduc-
lions in the earnings Of railway work
ers have placed many of them in an
almost desperate situation. This is
! especially true of maintenance-ofway
workers.
The Serious Problem
THAT the finances of certain Of the
roads may have made such reductions
appear desirable, only adds to the seri-
BUSINESS of the problem. One of the
most significant developments Of the
year has been the publication of Stats
tics by eminently competent and in-
partial authority which show that our
industries, as at present managed, are
not producing enough wealth to raise