Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-09-05
LABOR DAY
MESSAGE

nTOuB the department. Vi
the church and Social Service, pre-
scented by the Rev. Earle A. Clifford,
pastor of the Congregational church
at Plentywood, at Services Sunday.
For over five years the people OF
this land have suffered untold hard
ship. Millions have vainly sought
work. Some 1000, 900 men, women
and children have been thrown upon
public relief. Other millions have
lived IN constant fear of the same
fate. In city, town and country, many
American families have been reduc-
ed to living standards unprecedented
in u history. All this has produced
strife and bitterness. Both in our
great cities and in rural areas labor
unrest, strikes and lockouts have
grown in number and severity. In
many areas troops have been called
out. Armed bands have sought to in
timidate those who would protest
against their conditions. Of labor.
Scores have been killed and humid
reds have been injured in these con
f1icts. But this crisis is not confined
to our own land. In nearly all coun-
! tries the outlook is similar. Govern
ments have seemed powerless to
solve the problems created by mod
ern civilization. And over all there
hangs the constant threat of war
fought with the devastating weapons
created by science.
The churches of America have not
been and cannot be indifferent to
this situation. They cannot pass by
on the other side and say 1t Is not
their concern The Founder of their
faith declared that he came that men
might have life and have it abund.
antly. The conditions under which
men live and secure their food,
clothing and shelter in no small
measure affect their spiritual as well
as their physical w~ell-being. Men
may justly ask today for some word
of hore and counsel in this fearful
time. Especially may those who toll
look to the disciples of the Carpenter
Of Nazareth who said: Come unto
me all we that labor and are heavy
laden" The organized opposition to
the Christian Church today is in no
small measure due to its failure ade.
quately to meet a justified expecta-
ton
But in the midst of our suffering
a glorious truth shines clear. For the
first time in human history, man has
the technical knowledge to solve his
economic problem. He can at last
| prnrsdp c,rfFics1Vf h,of1r,aJ ~AaJr fnv
an abundant life. Since the depres-
sion the researches of scientists and
engineers. the findings of private
and governmental commissions, have
been reiterating this same basic fact.
The natural of the United
States of America and the industrial
and agricultural equipment are suffi.
cient to give every man, woman and
child the material basis for the good
life. Recent governmental estimates
and other authoritative studies have
indicated that had our plant been
used to capacity in 1929 over $4,000
in goods and services could have
been supplied to every American ia.
mily. Nevertheless, $4,000, 900 Ameri.
can families, or nearly two thirds OF
our people, actually received in that
year less than $4,000. That was six
years ago. Since then inventions
processes have marched steadily on.
The clear truth is that from a purely
/ physical, engineering point of view
we could now produce enough fully
and completely to Danish poverty
Yet, in spite Of this potential plenty
restricted production in both indus.
try and agriculture is the rule, while
devastating poverty and unemploy
ment continue. We have the natural
resources; we have the machinery;
we can produce enough for all. This
good news must be proclaimed to ev.
cry worker with hand or brain.
Effective must be found to
eradicate sins of s~elfishness and to
make this abundance available foI
all. The solution of the ~deplorable
maladjustment in distribution is ade
quate income for the masses and Sc
curity of employment Only by q
more equalized ability to purchase
can the anomaly Of want in the
midst OF abundance be solved. TIC
achieve such an end new forms OF so
cial control must be designed. New
ways must be found.
But these new ways cannot be
found unless men are free to discuss
frankly and openly the problems be
fore them. We rejoice in the great
American principle Of free speech
and press which Is enthroned in oul
federal and state constitutions. This
principle has it's roots in the Christ
ian faith. We would solemnly point
out that the changes which must
come In our economic set-up car
come ~peaceably only If the channels
of communication are kept open
True Americans and true Christians
must be ever alert to repel any at
tempt to deprive them OF these civil
rights so important In a democracy
! Moreover, they must champion