The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22
.FEDE RATION GIVES OUT STATEMENT
 TO ALL CHURCHES
Has Reference To Observance Of Labor Sunday Preced-
 ing Labor Day

The American Federation of Labor has issued the following statement to the churches, all denominations, of America, with regard to the observ- ance of labor Sunday. which precedes Labor Day, the first Monday in Sep tember:
 Having regard for the need of keeping constantly before the masses of our people the highest ideals of our labor movement and the require- ment of our people for the complete fullness of life in all things. the ex- executive council of the American fed eration of labor declares as follows:
 The labor movement of America de- mands for all of our people the full benefit of the life-giving forces of cur marvellous civilization though constantly increasing wages and im- provement of working conditions and through reasonable and proper re- duction in the hours of work.
 The labor movement of America de- mands for the wage earners and for all who serve usefully in any cap acity, a sound and just economic basis for life and freedom In the fullest meaning of those terms.
 The labor movements of America has ever had high regard for the develop ment of the ethical and the spiritual ir life, realizing the right of all hu- manity to partake freely of the great
 
 as a result.
 The labor movement of our coun- try, recognizing the fact that all free dom and all higher development of life, rest upon first providing assur- ance of the essentials of eXistance, has first demanded economic justice as a basis for all other things. But the labor movement has always taught that the material is essential tc something higher, and that the in spiration of our movement has it's deepest springs in something above and beyond the material.
 The labor movement strives for economic improvement with unrelent- ing zeal and fidelity because eco homie improvement is the first fund amental requisite; but 1t holds out to all mankind flaming torch light ing the way to greater fullness of life, to complete realization of the finer and nobler aspirations of the mind and soul.
 The labor movement fixes as it's goal nothing less than the complete richness of life, without limitation of any kind, the attainment of the com . plete human ideal in all of its eco- nomic ethical and spiritual implica- tions.
 Through the inspiration of our la Dor movement, the Sunday preceding Labor Day. which is the first Mon day in September each year, has come into general natnonal observance as Labor Sunday. On this day it is fit ting to give thought to the aspira- tons of labor and to find in what way the soul of labor may give thought and expression to its long ings.
 Because of the aims and aspirations Iere set forth, We hold 1t fitting that all churches draw close to their al tars the soul of labor on the coming Labor Sunday and that the men and women of labor everywhere make special effort to corporate with the churchs and to secure the co-opera- ton of the churches with them, in order that there may be in the churches everywhere on that day a great unison of expression in behalf of higher, nobler life for the masses of our people; and in order that there may be everywhere a con- centration to the cause of human betterment, particularly in those things that lead to ethical and spirit ual growth in those things that give flower and fruit to the great ideals or our labor movement, the embodi- ment and the expression of the ideal ism of our people.
 May Labor Sunday each year bring home to the masses of our people the great good that humanity may yet achieve, the lofty heights to which 1t may climb, the inspiration and the enrichment to be found in the great American labor movement which Is the hope of the millions who toll.
 We ask also that Labor Day, the great holiday of the toiling masses, dedicated to them and to their cause, be ennobled and enriched by an ex- pression of the same spirit, the same high idealism and purpose, tho same uplifting. inspiring search for the fullness of life and the same deter imitation to achieve triumph over all HIS and wrongs through our great movement In it's ethical and spiritual aspects, as well as through it's purely economic operations