Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-10-22

Alas, that it will justify hundreds Of
thousands who hold that the church
is one of the chief bulwarks of eco
nomic privilege.
The churches are not asked to ex-
press their approval of the American
Federation of Labor, but to give it a
nearing at time when it's foes and
Would-be destroyers control too many
OF the churches of this and every
American community.
Members of the American Feder-
alton of Labor be not afraid. For in
Detroit men like DR.. Niebeuhr and DR..
Hough, and men in every city in the
land are resolved that the church shall
not be chiefly the Sunday club of the
foes of organized labor.
"Men demand everywhere that the
religion of the prophets and of jesus
shall not be reduced to the level Of al
scab agency.
mot in anger but in sorrow and
humiliation do | utter the hope that
I you will believe that in every city Of
the land, beginning with Detroit,
there are men in the pulpit who hold
that the trend of our economic-indus-
trial order requires the organization
of the workers, and that such organ
lzation has done most to lift the stat
us of the workers and assure him con-
ditions Of a decent life"
Rabbi Wise also took up the condi-
tions of the Passaic strike in New
Jersey, declaring the employees of the
textile industry there had offered the
open shop to the workers.
"The open shop is designed not to
assure the freedom of the workers but
to safeguard the power of the man
agers," he said. "Open is a misnomer
and a delusion, for open has some
thing of the atmosphere of freedom.
The open shop is the open door to in
dustrial despotism. This nation can
not endure half union and half open
1.-The ultimate purpose of the open
shop is to destroy the organization of
the workers.
"Above all l beg you to remember
that despite every fallacy that may
be urged in favor of the open shop
and every deceit that may be used to
defend it in or out of Detroit, Amer
lea believes in its workers and trusts
their Americanism.
"The foes of organized labor are
not the friends of the Republic. In
the ranks of organized labor are the
strongest friends Of the Republic and
its bravest supporters"
Rabbi Wise was frequently inter
rupted by outbursts of applause dur
ing his address, and at its close was
given tremendous ovation.
The action of some churches in re
fusing Labor representatives to ao
dress the congregation was severely
condemned by many ministers.
Rev. Charles N. Lathrop, executive
secretary for social service of the Ma
tional Council of the Episcopal church
; who arrived from New York in time
to speak from the pulpit of st. Johns
Church, Woodward avenue, Sunday
night, stressed the fact that the Y.
nj. c. A. has no official connection
with any church, branded the refusal
to hear President Green of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor as can out
rageous, stupid and disgraceful blot
on the face of Christianity.
"The suggestion that any Christian
organization must shape its policy on
commercial basis is degrading and
lowers the standard of christianity to
hitherto unheard of level" said Mr..
Lathrop. at is contrary to the very
conception Of Christianity. 1t is a
disgrace to any Christian organiza-
. tion and reflects a singular moral
paqueness in the person who ventures
to suggest any such position.
"The Y. M. G. A. cannot afford to
rest quiet under such an imputation
and ought to rebuke one who in it's
name presents such a standard"
In his sermon, Lathrop declared the
strength Of the laboring people cam
not be ignored and quoted from the
official statement of the Episcopal
church, "that the right of labor equal
ly with capital to effect organization,
> and the corresponding responsibility
of both parties for the exercise OF
power, is in strict accordance with the
moral law as serving a common
: good"
Following a period Of discussion
growing out of the refusal Of some
pastors to entertain visiting speakers,
more than dozen meetings were held
: in the churches of Detroit and nearby
cities, in which the Y. M. c.. A., the
Detroit Board of Commerce and en-
!, ployers who barred the laborites were
taken sharply to task.
: Among those speaking was William
Green, President of the A. F. of L.,
: who addressed about 800 persons in
r First Congregational Church. He sal /
ne had nothing but charitable feel
ing toward those who had opposed
him. He closed his address with ref
erence to the Biblical quotation on
faith, hope and charity"
: "And the greatest of these" quot.
: ed Green, els charity"
: The meeting had been arranged by