The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-26
NEW INSTITUTE
 HEARS SPEECHES
 ABOUT GERMANY
Lack of Friendliness By Big Religious Groups
 Cause of Dilemma

Williamstown, Mass, Aug 26-- (UP)-Adolf Hitler might have been an interior decorator if the major religious groups in Ger many of yesterday had manifest- ed one-tenth of their present de- sire to respect and sustain one another," George N. Shuster, man. aging editor of the Commonweal, told the newly organized Institute of Relations today.
 Several hundred lay and cleri- cal leaders among Protestants, Catholics and Jews were assembled on the Williams college campus here from various parts of the United States to attend sessions which opened last night and will continue until Saturday.
 lack of Frlendllness
 0tuster, in discussion of "in- group relations in Germany" blamed the present plight of ma jor religious groups in Germany on the lack, until recently, of "a spirit of friendliness and mutual respect"
 'lt seems to me-" shuster said, "taat anybody who seriously weighs tho contrasts between the German yesterday and the German today, or who reflects on the ques- tinos which now toruble civiliza- ton as Q result of reawakened race prejudiecs, will conclude that tho, major religious groups must shoulder a goodly part of the blame for what has happened since.
 asY( ha sstfaatAA tenth of the desire to respect and sustain one another which now an- mates them, the genius of Adolf Hitler would have expended itself on interior decorating"
 Other speakers emphasized:
 1 The importance of the news- paper in laying the foundations for good will between groups.
 9. The l.ation faces "the dang CTS cf intensified groups and re. llgious prejudices and confiicts," and there is a need of Q clear un- derstanding of economic factors in improving group relationships.
 3. The need of religion as uni- flying force among groups.
 4. The need of better under standing how to use what lead ership we possess to bring about the kinds of social change that may be called progress.
 s. The role of colleges and uni- versailles in offering inter faith education" to teach racial good will. religious tolerance, solidarity on the basis of ethical values and religion for community purpose.
 After Two Years
 The institute, under the aus pices of the national conference of Jews and Christians, was or. ganized after two years intensive study by leaders of the three faiths.
 In . sense, the gathering is an "advance seminar," following sem inars, conferences and other events attended by members of the three faiths in more than 800 communi- ties and universities throughout the nation.
 George Fort Marion, editor of the Chattanooga, Tenn, News, told the institute that the newspaper ating good will among groups.
 "rhe role of the press in public education bids fair 70 become a more understanding one," he said, "and 1t Ss this educative impact of the press upon the public mind which will be of chief signaficance in creating new good will among the people as whole, new un- derstanding with which the mass of the people can better reorient themselves in our changing so- ciety."
 Other Speakers
 Other speakers included Fl. L. Lur.', executive director, National council of Jewish federation and welfare funds; Dr. Sidney A. wes- ton of the international council of religious education; Prof. Arthur L. Swift, Jr., of Union Theological semin. ry; Dr.. Edward w. Black man, counselor in religious edu- cation at the University of Michi- gan; the Roy. M. J. Ahern, S. J., of Weston college, Weston; and Martin H. Weybaugh, managing editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
 All three coEchairmen of. the na- tional conference of Jews and Christians-Newton D. Baker of Cleveland, O., Prof. Carlton J. H. Hayes of Columbia university, and Roger w. Straus of New York, to- gesher with Kimball Young, Uni- versity of Wisconsin and Edward Sapier, Yale university-will par ticipate in the program.