Evening star., 1947-02-20
Church Conference
Takes Up National
Economic Issues
BY cospor Names
star stoff Correspondent

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 20-The Ma
tional Conference on the Church
and Economic Life today prepared
to make decisions on national eco
nomic issues with consideration of
three reports.
The first report deals with the
Crucial problems in economic life
in which church people should be
concerned" the second with the ''re-
sponsibility of the churches" toward
those questions, and the third on the
program of the churches" on meet
ing those issues.
The question of the CLOSED shop"
still occupied the delegates as they
debated portions of the initial re-
port. Considerable discussion re-
volved around the phrase self
determination in choice of work" :"
some delegates asserting a CLOSED
shop denied this right and others
claiming it did not.
Phrase Left for Later Debate.
The phrase occurred in the SEN
tence, do these liberties include
the right and opportunity to work
of all individuals without regard of
creed, race, color or class, self
determination in choice of work,
| freedom of thought and speech, and
similar liberties?" It was left for
action later after a motion to delete
1t was defeated.
The Right Rev. Angus Dun, Bishop
of Washington, read proposed pre-
amble to the first report which was
approved in principle subject to
final approval of the report itself
Bishop Dun's statement said
Those reading these reports
should understand clearly the con-
ditions and limitations under which
they were prepared. The Confer
ence on the Church and Economic
Order, sponsored by the Federal
Council of Churches of Christ in
America, consisted of 400 persons
drawn. from many denominations
and localities and representatives of
many economic interests and stand
points. This large group has de-
voted only three crowded days to
the discussion of these vast themes
Purpose Was Discussion.
'The conference was not designed
primarily to propose written reports
which should guide Christians and
the churches in their relation to
economic life. Its primary purpose
was to initiate a process of face-to-
face discussion among church peo-
pie, particularly any church people
who have first-hand experience in
the economic order.
"The reports were formulated
chiefly to focus the discussion, to
provide a partial record for the par
Elephants, and to serve as a starting
point for the continuing study of
these issues by the churches.
1--WE recognize the inescapable in
adequacies of these reports as re-
CARDS fullness and balance. Even
more serious, they fail to communi-
cate the sense of tragic urgency
which many members of the con-
ference feel regarding the economic
plight of multitudes in our world.
/ Eight Questions Raised.
'The important fact, we believe,
is that the process of study and dis
cussion has been initiated This be-
ginning carries with it the obligation
to go forward in seeking together
Gods purpose for His church and
people in relation to our economic
life"
The first report contained series
of questions which were to be an
swered in the action to be taken on
the following reports. The eight
questions raised, which the report
stated were of vital concern to the
church, follow:
l. Can our economy so use its re-
sources to assure economic stability
and progress while preserving at the
same time the essential liberties
of man?
2. How can full production, full
employment and equitable distribu-