Montana labor news., 1933-08-31
A LABOR SUNDAY
MESSAGE, SEPT Bird

Social planning and control of the
credit and monetary systems and the
economic processes for the common
good.
"The right of all to the opportunity
for self-maintenance; q wider and
fairer distribution of wealth; a living
wage, as a minimum, and above this
a just share for the worker in the
product of industry and agriculture.
Safeguarding of all workers, ur-
ban and rural, against harmful condi-
tons of labor and occupational injury
and disease.
Social insurance against sickness,
accident, want in old age and unem-
ployment.
Reduction of hours of labor as the
general productivity of industry in
creases; release from employment at
least one day in seven, with a shorter
working week in prospect.
"Such special regulation of the con-
ditions of work of women as shall
safeguard their welfare and that of
the family and the community.
"The right of employees and en-
ployers alike to organize for collec-
tive bargaining and social action; pro-
lection of both in the exercise of this
right; the obligation of both to work
for the public good; encouragement
of co-operatives and other organiza-
tions among farmers and other groups.
abolition of child labor; adequate
provisions for the protection, educa-
ton, spiritual nurture and wholesome
recreation of every child.
Economic justice for the farmer in
legislation, financing, transportation
and the price of farm products as COM
pared with the cost of machinery and
other commodities which he must buy.
Justice, opportunity and equal
rights for all; mutual goodwill and
cooperation among racial, economic
and religious groups.
Reputation of war, drastic reduc-
ton of ornaments, participation in
international agencies for the peace
able settlement of all controversies;
the building of a cooperative world
order.
Recognition and maintenance of
the rights and responsibilities of free
speech, free assembly, and a free
press; the encouragement of free
communication of mind with mind as
essential to the discovery of truth"
No one can contemplate the pro-
found changes involved in any success
full carrying out of these Social Ideals
without realizing that they make I'M
precedented demands upon the moral
capacity of individual leaders and of
the whole people. What we lack in
order to accomplish these ends, is
neither material nor tech
nical skill-these we have in super
abundance-but a dedication to the
common good, a courage and an un-
selfishness greater than are now man
fest in American life.
If violence and bitterness are to
be avoided in the process of social
change, the privileged must actively
participate in the movement toward
economic justice, thus creating a spirit
of fellowship instead of conflict in So
cial progress. A heavy obligation al
so rests upon labor and its leaders to
establish and maintain a cooperative
relationship in the economic process.
1t is the church's business to teach,
to inspire, to provide the moral and
spiritual dynamic for basic change.
The time is at hand. Lest blind sell
fishness destroy civilization, let us
move forward more boldly in our
economic life to the realization of our
ideals of justice and human brother
II Lz~