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

an instrument for the attainment
of justice for the worker and not a
weapon TO overpoWer employers
without concern for their special
problems and difficulties, and this
you might we'll remember. And, il
in these days you lay claim to full
er participation in management
you must undertake sound and pro.
greSsive programs of education that
prepare you for this participation
and show willingness to share the
risks that 20 along with economic
and social partnership. Industrial
relations cannot in justice be con.
trolled entirely by labor and its
unions nor solely by owners and
managers of business. The Chris.
tian pattern demands cooperative
action from both capital and labor.
with government acting in an ad-
visory capacity representing the
general public. II would indeed be
tragic to find Organized Labor fall.
ing victim to the same evils it has
so effectively abolished in some
measure. eXtoliing the profit mo-
tive and transgressing the rights
of others in its efforts TO partiei-
pate to a greater extent in the for
tunes of economic life. Pope Plus
XII brought out this point very
we'll a few years ago, speaking to
members of the United States del
egation TO the International Labor
Organization Conference at Geneva
in 1947:
"The honest workman does
not wish to improve his position
by tramping on the Liberties of
others, which should be as sacred
to him as his own. But deep down
in his heart there is the rightful
desire for independent and Sc
cure possession of what is neces-
ssry to provide for himself and
his family a way of life in keep
ing with his dignity and con-
science"
Far from being harmful, unions
organized and governed in a truly
democratic fashion will be of great
help 10 conscientious employers,
uniting with them in an attempt TO
promote a better social and eco
nomic order. Cooperation in the
discharge of obligations by both
labor and ownership can readily
produce economic good; unending
and unbending defense of rights
can only be productive of contin-
ued economic warfare. This lesson
emergeS clearly from the study of
the past and both labor and owner
ship should profit from it.
Finally, your responsibilities TO
the general public must be respect
ed. A labor organization, like any
professional organization, is only
part of a greater whole. Love of
neighbor is a commandment that
binds organizations as well as in
dividualS and special canons of
justice regulate your relationship
to society as a whole. Justice for
a few at the expense of hardship
and suffering for many falls quick
Iy from the category of justice to
evil. Here lesson of history again
comes to the fore. Your gains will
not long remain. if won at the ex-
penSe of the general public. as it
is the function of government to
defend the common good and re-
strictive rather than enabling leg
isIation becomes your lot. if you
insist upon disregarding the rights
of others. Your actions and deci-
sions on matters which affect the
general public should be such as
to indicate respect Tor tne rlghtS
of others and show benevolence to
the community with which you deal,
thus creating a kindred feeling on
the part of the general public that
will prove beneficial to your pur-
poses.
In conclusion. should like to
turn your thoughts to theological
consideration. Christianity is a
Theocentric way of life and no
phase of human living is unrelated
to God in the Christian framework
of life. Organized Labor, if it is to
be styled Christian cannot claim
immunity TO such relationship
with God and must therefore give
recognition to God in both a theo-