The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-09-10

exist as . social institution with
continued criticism from en-
pioyers and the public and
despite the opposition of both.
But can IL long survive the criti-
cism and opposition of q dis
contented and diSiIIusioned mem
hership? Weigh we'll, therefore,
your responsibilities TO the rank
and file membership of your
many unions Throughout the
United States. for these coHsfi-
tUte your physical body and their
allegiance. fhe soul of your
movement. a separation OF of
ficisl leadership from rank and
file membership, in thought or
action, would spell the end of a
glorious economic movement of
our time. Leadership must be
intent upon serving membership
and any lesser purpose of . per-
soma or social or political nature
constitutes a betrayal of the very
cardinal principle of unionism.
There comes 70 my mind at this
moment, the careful reminder OF
the Catholic c Bishops of the
Philippines on this subject, given
on May n. l949:
All workers, whether their work
be manual or mental, should jeal-
ously safeguard their right of as
sociation. They should be especial
ly watchful to see they are led by
honest and capable men who strive
sincerely for the good of the work.
er and the good Of society at large,
rather than for their own enrich
ment at the expense of the worker,
or for enhancing their power and
prestige by exaggerating Difficult
t1es and deliberately fostering
trouble between workers and EN-
ployers. Those workers who have
had the benefit of Catholic ed
ucation have a special duty to pro
tect their fellow-workers from such
evil leadership, and to accept, when
they can, responsible positions in
their organizations"
RerUm NovsrUm
| would also have you recall, at
this time, those fundamental prin-
ciples advocated by Pope Leo XIII
III Rerum NoUarum, which should
govern the conduct of workers
organization: first, the government
and discipline of the association
must be firm and wise and pay
special attention to religion and
morality in all its activities: sec
ond, the offices and positions in
the society should be distributed
for the good of the association il
self and not for the advantage OF
particular persons or groups; third,
common funds should be admins
tered with the strictest honesty,
in such a manner that members re
celve asSistances in proportion TO
necessities; fourth. the rights and
duties of employers should be the
subject of careful consideration
as compared with the rights and
duties of the employed; fifth, the
associations should make an effort
to arrange for a continuous supply
of work at all times and seasons and
to create a fund from which mem
bers may be helped in their neces-
stiles, not only in case of accident,
but also in sickness, old age and
misfortune.
To these fundamental obligations
there might be added the follow
ing responsibilities: the fostering
of a Christian conscience in the
matter of work; stressing an hon
est effort and good workmanship in
return for good wages; the prep
aration of workers for particular
Jobs and the careful inspection of
the work of the membership: the
education of the membership in
terms of civic, social and political
issues and the fulfillment of obli-
cations in the same areas. These
are the things, which the times tell
us are important; these are the
things about which the rank and
file membership are wont to com
plain. The voice of your member
ship is friendly voice, pay heed