The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1938-12-15
Father Rice and Mcdonald
Close Clio Convention Here
With Inspiring Addresses
Priest Lauds
And
Aims OF Clio
Quotes Radicalism of
The Popes

Reverend Charles OwcR Rice.
assistant priest OF 81. agnes
Parish. Pittsburgh diocese. made
the main address to the CIO
State Contention at It's closing
session last Friday
His powerful address. Which
wdS carried Ouer Station WTBO.
raised delegates to the most
enthusiastic demonstration OF
the Contention. The fun teri
OF the speech is printed here
really feel hOnored in being on
the platform and talking to these
people. want to compliment you
for the great work your unions have
done. Marine Workers Union. Tex
tile Workers Union. who make this
broadcast possible. United Mine
Workers. Steel Workers and Rubber
Workers. and all the CLIO unions In
this vicinity. Particularly do want
to congratulate you on your progress
when realize that the campaign Of
SANDER which has been enforced in
every section OF this country against
true unionism was really brought to
its peak in utter unfairneSs and I'M
Christianity in this little sector
right here. When realize that re-
ligion itself was dragged into this
issue right in the Cumberland dis
trict in the most ruthless. cold
blooded and racketeering manner
that have ever heard Of. want to
congratulate you people particularly
for overcoming that great handicap.
applause want TO make 1t par
ticularly clear 10 the radio audience
that I who am speaking am Cath
Ole priest, in good standing. Of the
diocese Of Pittsburgh. want this
understood so that 1t will be clear
that ! represent no Communion or
any other subversive influence. and
that when back the CLIO. back |
It as Christian because regard
II to be Christian thing.
Pope's Views
AS a Catholic priest, belong to
a church that has a definite. we'll
defined attitude on social and eco
nomic questions. What this attitude
is may be cleaned from the three
labor EncyclicalS OF the Popes. An 7
Encyclical is an open letter written
by the Pope for all the world. and
dealing with some specific problem.
attitude, doctrine. etc. The first
Encyclical on the modern social or
der was written BY Pope Leo over
forty years ago. That letter says
things that still are OF value today
Two other letters were written
within the last seven years by the
present Pope. Plus XI. They repeat
and amplify the words OF Pope Leo
The attitude expressed by all
three documents might safely be
called radical" That is taking
radical as meaning drastic. funda-
mental. The documents go to the
root OF the present system. examine
and attack its abuses. and end up by
proposing drastic. that is, radical,
changes.
John l.. Lewis
An amusing incident that was
mentioned in the Pittsburgh
Catholic Of April 81. this year.
well illustrates this radicalism
Of the Popes. John L. Lewis,
the splendid leader OF the CLIO.
was being interviewed for pub
iication by a bishop of the
Catholic Church. Most Rev.
Robert Z. Lucey. Amarillo.
Texas. In reply TO a question
by the bishop. John L. Lewis
said that he did not dare at
tempt, at this stage. 10 put into
effect the recommendations Of
the Holy Father. II he dared
20 rs far as the Pope, he was
sure that he would be run out
Of the country rs a Communist
or some sort Of terrible radical
Looking upon the present social
and economic system, the Holy
Father comes to the same conclu-
sion as every other thinking OBJ
server. The system Is out of joint.
exceptionally so. It is, in fact. a
pretty Sordid mess. Poverty in the
midst OF plenty. great wealth in the
hands Of a few. dispoSseSsed masses,
a despiritualized way of life. and
so on.
Not only does the Holy Father
see the abuses. but he calls for their
reformation. He outlines a prac-
tical method OF reform. He calls
upon all men Of good will to under
take this reform. To outline 1t
briefly: 1t calls for better distribu-
ton Of wealth. II calls for a shar-
ing by workers in the management.
ownership and profit of industry.
Il is q system that not only will
cure our sick civilization. but will
keep II cured. It won't be per-
feet system. no system Is or can be.
But IL VIII be the best sort Of sys-
tenn for the imperfect sinners who
always will make up the world.
Our Holy Father emphasizes. let
ms note. that On individual personal