The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-11
LIVING WAGE S T A N D OF BISHOP PRAISED
 BY AYOTTE
Editor, Waterbury Democrat:


 Steps that remain to be taken in the recovery program to which this country has committed itself to bring about Social Justice were out- lined by speakers ct dinner ineet- ing of the Connecticut Confernece on Industrial Problems under the patronage of the Most Rev. Maurice ?. McAuliffe, Bishop of Connecticut.
 It Is indeed inspiring to see an eminent and outstanding leader such as Bishop McAullffe fearlessly take his stand in defence of Social Justice and Q just and living wage. For years through the Catholic Charities Welfare Bureau, Bishop McAuliffe has been famed for his charity and his defense of the poor, and for his opposition to the type of pampered evils which have been 50 rampant in the Manufacturing industries of New England.
 On this right says Bishop Nc. Auiiffe Catholic Action now de. mands another social reform. A just proportion of profit for the labor- ing inan--a living wage which will guarantee his family reasonable comfort and reasonable provision for their future. Gross inequalities do exist. They are rooted, not so much In private ownership as in unjust division of profit"
 On questions concerning religion, Catholic and Non-Catholic may have their differences, but 1t Is c source of strength and confidence for us individually and collectively, that we have no .oom for doubts as to what social principles are sound and what unsound, and as 10 the direction in which real progress must be made.
 When Pope Leo XIII issued his now classical Encyclical Letter on "The condition of the working classes" he not merely gave us an authoritative statement of Catholic principles, but he set Up Q new standard to guide the social policy of nations.
 The circumstances and problems of his time were not dissimilar to those of our own. The spirit of revolutionary change had passed beyond the sphere of economies. It was in such circumstances that the Sovereign ponti9 addressed himself to tho members of the Universal Church, and to the whole human race to teach mankind new methods of approach to social problems.
 His words were welcomed with enthusiasm not only by the Chris tian Workers of the world, who feel themselves vindicated and defend. cd by the highest authority on earth but also by those public spirited men and women who have gtyiven to improve the condition of labor but who found nothing but general indifference or unfriendly suspicion, or even open hostility. Many there were, however, who were not Q 1t. tie disturbed by the exalted teach. ing of Leo XIII, even amongst Catholics, nor to quote the words of Plus xI, Were there wanting those who, while protesting their admir- ation for this message of light, re. garded it as c Utopian ideal, desir- able rather than attainable in practice"
 And 50 it B today. The principles of Social Justice defined by Pope Leo XIII, although subscribed by many people outside the Catholic church, have still to find universal acceptance, as ' preliminary to utai. vergal application.
 We, however whether we sit in the workers groups, the employers group, or the government group, have them always as criterion to judge the wisdom of our decisions, and # we can secure the applica. ton of those principles properly and fully, we will achieve the realization of our common aim on earth, name. ly the inauguration of . new TO. gime in which Social Justice will prevail and inhumanity disappear, whom hatred, bigotry, and bitterness, arising from class conflict or fla- tlonal riyalries will cease.
 Inevitably, it will come about that the principles of Social order set forth In "Rerum Noyarump will Dc reflected in tho legislatlon of all Al4a Mknfnn Af tIlm 0sl0sta aa masa @eaa..