Montana labor news., 1935-08-29

For over five years the people OF
this land have suffered untold hard
ship. Millions have vainly sought work,
Some 20,000,00O men, women and child
Iren have been thrown upon public re-
lief. Other millions have lived in con-
slant fear of the same fate. In city
town and country, many American fam
lies have been reduced to living STAN
dards Unprecedented in our history. All
this has produced strife and bitter
ness. 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 intimidate those who would
protest against their conditions OF la
Dor. Scores have been killed and hun
dreds have been injured in these con-
flicts. 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 modern civil
l~ization. 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 it is not their CON
Germ. The Founder of their faith de-
clared that he came that men might
have life and have it abundantly. The
conditions under which men live and Sc
cure their food, clothing and shelter in
no small measure affect their spiritual
as we'll as their physical w~ell-being.
Men may justly ask today for some
word OF hope and counsel in this fear
full time. Especially may those who
toll look to the disciples OF the Car
penter of Nazareth who said: Come
unto me all ye that labor and are heavy
laden. The organized opposition to the
Christian Church today is in no small
measure due to its failure adequately
to meet a justified expectation.
ABUNDANCE FOR ALL
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 pro-
vide sufficient material goods for an
abundant life. Since the depression
the researches of scientists and engin-
GERS, the findings of private and gov
ernmental commissions, have been re-
iterating this same basic fact. The
natural resources Of the United States
of America and the industrial and agri-
cultural equipment are sufficient to
give every man, woman and child the
material basis for the good life. Re
cent governmental estimates and other
authoritative studies have indicated
that had our plant been used to capa-
city in 1929 over $4,000 in goods and
services could have been supplied to
every American family. Nevertheless,
100000 American families, or nearly
two-thirds Of our people, actually re-
ceived in that year less than $1,000.
That was six years ago. Since then
inventions and improvements in tech
biological processes have marched stead
lily 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 industry
and agriculture is the rule, while de-
vastating poverty and unemployment
continue. We have the natural re-
sources; We have the machinery; we
can produce enough for all.
Effective means must be found to
eradicate sins Of selfishness and to
make this abundance available for all.
The solution Of the deplorable malad-
justment in distribution is adequate in
come for the masses and security Of
employment. Only by a more equaliz-
ed ability to purchase can the anomaly
OF want in the midst of abundance be
solved. To achieve such an end new
forms OF social control must be design
ed. New ways must be found