The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-16
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS
-By n. ID. Cochran

In criticsing the Detroit Young Mems Christian
Association for Withdrawing their invitation Presi
dent Green of the American Federation OF Labor TO
speak from their platform, ii is but fair to look
both sides of the question.
President Van Dusen, of the Y. NJ. C. A.. quite
frank about it. He explained that there is a campaign
to raise $5,000O0O for building The Kresge
Company Of which he is manager, operates 5-and-1O
stores. Kresge himself biggest con
tributors to the AntiSaloon League and the great
cause of prohibition.
The Kresge Company 100000 toward the
100000 Y. M c. A. building. Henry Ford gave
$1500,000 and the Fisher Body Company dumped in
another 100000. The Fisher Body Company makes
automobile bodies and sells them to manufacturers of
automobiles.
half of the IS 600 900, and might be said half
ownership in the proposed building to house the
young male Christians of Detroit While most of the
five millions has been subscribed it has not all been
paid So Mr.. Van Dusen thought it would be indis-
Greet to have the president of the American Fedora
ton of Labor talk to the young Christians in his
charge.
President Green is Christian far that
part of it goes. He belongs the Baptist Church.
which has very large number of perfectly good
Christians and 100 per cent Americans in its devou
membership. But President Green is than
Christian church member. He is a labor leader.
While it is possible to be a Christian and at the
time leader of labor of capital and most
of the employers and employees in Detroit industries
Christians and church members. still there sharp
differences Of opinion non Christian issues between
leaders of capital and labor in the wonderful city of
Detroit.
For instance Brother Green believes that working
people have a right to organize and to bargain col
lectively Brother Kresge and his manager together
with other contributors to the $4,000 900 Y M c. A.
building, don't agree with him. They concede to en-
ployers the right to organize into a Manufacturers
Association, union, and to bargain collectively with
each individual worker, but hardly think it fair for
the workers to organize and bargain collectively with
single employer even association of them.
They believe they right, Of course And, so
believing quite naturally they want their Christian
brethren the Detroit Y NJ c. A. and churches which
they support believe they believe. They don't
put up five million in good American dollars
for nice Y. NJ. c. A. building and then have
labor leader. if he is Christian church
member, walk up onto the platform of their building
and tell them they all wrong.
1t is possible that they fear that if President
Green is member of the Baptist Church and hence
a Christian, he might not believe in the kind Of
Christianity they do
money put the building to spread the Chris
tian doctrine among the young, they feel they
ought to have something to say about what goes on
in that building Being successful business they
cautious about making safe investments Being
discreet business they naturally expect discreet
management of discreet Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION.
So you there two ways of looking this
question. Christianity may be Christianity all right,
but at the time business is BUSINESS.
NEXT: III They Abolish He'll