a) ay % = . eye : " id ; ' ‘ Sheet a ® & * Cet * y, oe fs BS fe 2 le as S ‘ : ~ 4 ay. i Vi he ; : - Digitized by the Internet Archival in 2022 with funding from on 2 : Princeton Theological Seminary Library \ : CY Be | i of oe htips://archive.org/details/churchsocialrela0Oherr ¥ Ww MAY 18 W927 | Leo OGICA wwe The Church and Socia Relations A TEXT FOR DISCUSSION GROUPS AND CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES BY HUBERT C."HERRING Secretary of the Commission on Social Relations of the Congregational Churches AND BENSON Y. ‘LANDIS Associate Secretary of the Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches me BOSTON THE PILGRIM PRESS CHICAGO COPYRIGHT 1926 By SIDNEY A. WESTON INTRODUCTION action about social relations on the part of young peoples’ and adult groups in church schools and other organizations. It is based upon the Statement of Social Ideals of the Con- gregational Churches, the discussion in each chapter being devoted to a specific declaration from the statement. These are given at the beginning of each chapter. ‘This statement is one of many similar statements which have been adopted by the churches of America. This text is adapted to the study of the fundamental issues raised by all such statements. ‘The declarations of this statement are presented in order to draw out critical examination of their implications. Ae text has one purpose—to stimulate thinking and The statement contains thirty-nine articles, which reach out into a wide field of human relations. The quotations are pre- sented from other sources which cover special topics more comprehensively than is here possible. The references suggest the wealth of available data. It is obviously impossible for a book of this scope to attempt a systematic treatment of such a variety of subjects. Its purpose is to open up the subject, and suggest some of the trails which the student might prof- itably take. This book is for the use of young people’s and adult groups in the church school, for discussion groups, and for men’s and women’s clubs whose members wish to consider their respon- sibilities for creating a better social order. This book should be used as a trail-breaker, rather than an encyclopedia. It is designed to suggest methods and lines of discussion. The value of the discussion based upon it will depend upon the amount of time which members of the group spend in following up the books, pamphlets, and articles which are suggested, and in assembling data about their own com- _ munities. The material is arranged under thirty-nine heads. With this division it will be found to fit well into three quarters of the church school year. By making eliminations or group- ing subdivisions the material can be covered in a half year or even in one quarter. ‘The authors hope, however, that discussion groups will make use of the material in accordance with their own peculiar needs. I CONTENTS SUGGESTIONS TO ‘TEACHERS AND LEADERS . Wuy ConsmpDER SocriAL RELATIONS? PART I—SOCIAL IDEALS AND EDUCATION II III iV V VI VII Vili Every Cuitp—His RIGHTs THE OPEN Door IN EDUCATION Wuy CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ? SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF Rain SHALL WE HAVE FREE SPEECH? THE MARGINAL FOLKS EDUCATING FOR PEACE PART II—SOCIAL IDEALS FOR INDUSTRY e@ RECIPROCITY OF SERVICE PRopERTY—ITs RIGHTS AND Dude CHILDREN WuHuo Tol. . THE WorkKING Day SAFEGUARDING INDUSTRIAL Connitany UNEMPLOYMENT A MINIMUM COMFORT Wace ‘ INVESTIGATION — PUBLICITY — omerns —- ARBITRATION THE RIGHT OF ee TO SOREN Hiae THE RIGHT OF THE CONSUMER TO Gees Is SERVICE AN INCENTIVE? III—SOCIAL IDEALS AND AGRICULTURE A Fair REWARD FOR FARMING THE HicH Cost oF DISTRIBUTION THE RIGHT OF THE FARMER TO ORGANIZE Fark PLAY FoR RuRAL EDUCATION RurAL SociaAL LIFE : THE DEVEIOPMENT OF Ronan anvictryitte : CaN CITY AND COUNTRY COOPERATE? Vii XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX PART IV—RACIAL RELATIONS A Farr DEAL FoR Every RACE DISCRIMINATION VS. BROTHERHOOD Tue Cotor LINE WITHIN THE CHURCH MEETING THE IMMIGRANT’S NEEDS . PART V—INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS XXXI XXXII XXXIII XXXIV XXXV XXXVI XXXVII XXXVIII XX XIX Can BarRIERS BETWEEN NATIONS BE REMOVED? NATIONAL WEALTH AND WoRLD RESPONSIBILITY PoIsoONED NEWS THE DOLLAR AND THE FL AG How Mucu ARMAMENT? SHALL THE CHURCH BLESS Sie AN ORGANIZED WORLD How CAN THE CHURCH Ree ge MUNITY ? ‘ DoEs THE GHinkeny eee nea Com- APPENDIX A STATEMENT OF SociAL IDEALS BOOKSHELF OF SOCIAL RELATIONS Vili 101 104 108 pea Ul 117 121 125 130 133 136 140 143 146 151 156 SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS AND LEADERS HIS outline is planned to secure a discussion of the experience of members of the participating group in the social relations in their own communities. It is suggested that the procedure be somewhat as follows: Take up one of the questions which appear first in each chapter or any other which you may frame.’ Secure expres- sions of experience and data from the members of the group. Pool the available information. Jot down the points on a blackboard. Be sure to bring out opposing points of view. Ask for explanations of the reasons for the differences. The aim should be to promote a quest for understanding and information and a quest for improving social relations in the community. Though views may not, or should not be har- monized, nevertheless, there should be a cooperative consid- eration of responsibility for creating a better social order. Take time to consider carefully and critically the sources ef information about local conditions. Review these for ade- quacy; consider how they might be improved. The resources of the group may be supplemented by the reference material and by the book reviews given after the questions for discussion. The reference material is selective and not exhaustive. It is furnished to illustrate the kind of sources which are available for the study of social relations. Books, pamphlets, or articles listed should be assigned in advance to various members for reading and report. All members of the class or discussion group should own a copy of this book in order to carry on the study to best advantage. The authors urge all leaders and teachers who use this book to write them what the experience has been and espe- cially to send criticism of content and the suggested procedure. To keep in constant touch with case material on social rela- tions subscribe to the Information Service of the Department ix of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches, 105 East 22nd Street, New York. (Weekly except August. $2.00 a year.) The pamphlets and books of the department will also be useful. For suggestions as to methods of conducting discussion groups and for other valuable material subscribe to The Inquiry, published by the The Inquiry (Conference on the Christian Way of Life), 129 East 52nd Street, New York. $2.00 a year.) Also consult the other publications of the Inquiry. CHAPTER I WHY CONSIDER SOCIAL RELATIONS? We believe in making the social and spiritual ideals of Jesus our test for community as well as for individual life; in strengthening and deepening the inner personal relationship of the individual with God, and recognizing his obligation and duty to society. This is crystallized in the two commandments of Jesus: “Love thy God, love thy neighbor.” We believe this pattern ideal for a Chris- tian social order involves the recognition of the sacred- ness of life, the supreme worth of each single person- ality, and our common membership in one another—the brotherhood of all. In short, it means creative activity in cooperation with our fellow human beings, and with God, in the everyday life of society and in the develop- ment of a new and better world social order.—Preamble of the Statement of Social Ideals. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What evidences are there in our community of the complexity of our social life, of our dependence one upon another? By what methods do economic, social, and religious groups influence the behavior ‘of individuals? Are there instances of outstanding differences between social groups in our community? How are those differences being adjusted? Is there need of better relations between different groups in our community and how may these be brought about? How may we come to fuller understanding of individuals and groups with which we differ? In our experience how large a part do the motives of in- dividuals play in changing group codes and rules? Are we convinced that Christian incentive on the part of individuals can’ change groups and the social order, or do we feel that 1 THE .CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS motives are shaped largely by the groups of which we are members and the social situations in which we find ourselves? What help do the teachings and life of Jesus give us in dealing with these questions? (These questions may be replaced or supplemented by others.) MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Principles of “The Fellowship for a Christian Social Order” We believe that according to the life and teaching of Jesus, the supreme task of mankind is the creation of a social order, the kingdom of God on earth, wherein the maximum opportu- nity shall be afforded for the development and enrichment of every human personality; in which the supreme motive shall be love; wherein men shall cooperate in service for the common good and brotherhood shall be a reality in all of the daily re- lationships of life. We must, therefore, endeavor to transform such unchristian attitudes and practices as now hinder fellowship; extravagant luxury for some, while many live in poverty and want; exces- sive concentration of power and privilege as a result of vast wealth in the hands of a few; monopoly of natural resources for private gain; autocratic control of industry by any group; production for individual profit and power rather than for so- cial use and service; arrogance and antagonism of classes, na- tions and races; war, the final denial of brotherhood. We believe that in the spirit and principles of Jesus is found the way of overcoming these evils, and that within the Chris- tian Church there should be a unity of purpose and endeavor for the achieving of a Christian social order. By means of fel- lowship in thought and prayer we come to understand the point of view of those who differ from us, make possible new discoveries of truth, and aid one another in the solution of common problems. We believe that social changes should be effected through educational and spiritual processes, especially by an open-minded examination of existing evils and suggested solutions, full discussion, and varied experimentation. We pledge ourselves to a vigorous activity in seeking by these means a solution of the social problems which we ‘face. (Miss 2 WHY CONSIDER SOCIAL RELATIONS? Amy Blanche Greene, 347 Madison Ave., N. Y., is executive secretary of the Fellowship for a Christian Social Order.) Catholic Teaching on Social Questions Three recent press releases of the Department of Social Ac- tion of the National Catholic Welfare Conference illustrate the definiteness with which this department applies Catholic teach- ing to important issues of the day. In commenting upon the rapid forming of new trusts called mergers in American in- dustry during the past few years, the Catholic Bishops’ Program of Social Reconstruction is quoted. This program rejected government price-fixing of commodities, after due consideration was given to the proposal, but warned that “the extortionate practices of monopoly” should be “prevented by adequate laws and adequate enforcement.” The Bishops’ Program also im- plied “that if private monopoly becomes so strong as to with- stand the government, government-owned concerns might be in order.” ‘Then the Bishops’ Program passed on to recommend the consumers’ cooperative movement as something more im- portant and effective than government regulation of prices. A statement is made calling attention to conditions in Porto Rico, and the request of Porto Ricans for an impartial study of economic conditions on the island. The new policy of the American Federation of Labor in regard to wages was fore- shadowed in the Bishops’ Program of Social Reconstruction, it is also announced, only “the Bishops’ Program looks to the establishment of cooperative production and copartnership so- cieties and it declares that until this is created, we will not have an efficient system of production nor a society safe from revolution.” How Groups Control Individual Practices The greater part of each man’s personal experience is made up of his interaction with others in the multifarious relations of life, and these relations, from the earliest known phases of human society, are controlled by customs which arise out of the needs of social life, and are maintained by the social tradi- tion. Through this tradition society exerts a continuous con- trol over the individual, of which avowed and obvious coercion 3 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS is the least important element. ‘The vital factor is that from infancy upwards the social milieu into which he is born inter- penetrates his thought and will, and turns his individuality into a creation of the time and place of his life—Social Evolution and Political Theory, by Hobhouse. Columbia University Press. The “Social Gospel’ Challenged Bulletin No. 55 of the National Association of Manufacturers, New York, is entitled Imdustry, Society and the Church. It is made up of selections from the writings of Dean Inge of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The strong individualistic views of Dean Inge are well known, and this collection of statements, taken largely from the two volumes, Outspoken Essays, but con- taining certain more recent pronouncements, constitutes a for- midable attack upon the very thesis of social Christianity. According to Dean Inge, Christianity “has very little to do directly with the mechanism of social life”; its gospel is “not one of social improvement, but of spiritual redemption”; it “sets a very small value on all the apparatus of civilized life”; the church has enough work of its own to do “without trying to enlighten political experts on their own subjects”; the gospel “contains no program of social reform.” Says the “gloomy Dean,” “I am not favorably impressed with internationalism as I have met with it.” Organized labor is in the Dean’s mind nothing short of a giant foe to social progress. He charges the trade unions with a “legalization of terrorism.” The labor movement is ‘“‘eco- nomically rotten.” The big trade unions are “plundering both the owners of their ‘plant,’ and the general public.” They have “made the welcome discovery that they can ‘hold up’ the com- munity as successfully as ever Dick Turpin waylaid a coach.” Christianity and Social Science, by Charles A. Ellwood. Mac- millan. The Story of Social Christianity, by Francis Herbert Stead. 2 vols. Doran. Christianity and the Social Crisis, by Walter Rauschenbusch. Association Press. : PART | SOCIAL IDEALS AND EDUCATION CHAPTER II EVERY CHILD — HIS RIGHTS Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: The building of a social order in which every child has the best opportunity for development. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What children in our community have at present the best opportunities for development? Where are the underprivileged children to be found? What do these underprivileged children need most? How may we assure to each child the best opportunities? Can our church create more,opportunities for underprivileged children? If so, suggest some of them. How can our church cooperate with other churches in these activities? What can our church do to cooperate with the schools and social. organizations in these activities? What teachings and examples of Jesus assist us here? (These questions may be replaced or supplemented by others.) MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Poverty and Infant Mortality In releasing its study, Economic Factors in Infant Mortality, by R. M. Woodbury, the Federal Children’s Bureau says: Using the mass of data secured in the bureau’s investigations of in- -fant mortality in seven American cities, during which records were accumulated for over 21,000 legitimate live births, Dr. Woodbury proves a casual relationship between fathers’ earn- ings and infant mortality by statistical methods which permit the isolation of the economic factor from associated factors in studying its effect on the baby’s chance to live. Quite apart from the type of feeding, the color or nationality of the mother, and from factors associated with frequent births, in- 7 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS fant mortality rates were found to rise as fathers’ earnings fell. The influence of poverty, it is pointed out, is probably indirect, being reflected in the inability to give the mother and baby good care and to pay for the medical and nursing service. Pauline’s Story Pauline was a girl of sixteen, living as so many thousands of youny girls from broken homes do now, entirely on her own earnings. Her mother was dead, her father unknown. She earned fourteen dollars a week making automobile tires. Her probation officer had placed her in a suitable boarding home. When spring came she flowered forth in new clothes and ear- rings of the extreme style of the period. She had obtained credit for an outfit costing over a hundred dollars, though of course the actual value was not a third of that amount. No real investigation of her financial status was made by the “company.” In proportion to her income she had obtained credit which no business man or woman could hope to obtain. She was so obviously immature that credit should have been denied her on the ground that it was poor business, and the more humane view that it was for her welfare. Pauline made a few futile efforts to pay that required four dollars per week. Then she became a fugitive. She gave up her job, sought one as cigarette girl in a cabaret, gave this up because she was annoyed by men, took a position as usherette in a theatre, dyed her hair, changed her name and her boarding home trying vainly to elude the collector. Pauline finally disappeared and the court has no trace of her.”—Youth in Conflict, by Miriam Van Waters. ‘The Republic Publishing Company. Education for Democracy A society marked off into classes need be specially attentive only to the education of its ruling elements. A society which is mobile, which is full of channels for the distribution of a change occurring anywhere, must see to it that its members are educated to personal initiative and adaptability. Other- wise they will be overwhelmed by the changes in which they are caught and whose significance or connections they do not perceive—Democracy and Education, by John Dewey. Re- printed by permission of the Macmillan Company. 8 EVERY CHILD—HIS RIGHTS The Happiness of Childhood Childhood . . . with all its extravagancies and uncertainties, its effusion and reticences, . . . remains a standing proof of a life wherein growth is normal not an anomaly, activity a de- light not a task, and where habit-forming is an expansion of power not its shrinkage. Habit and impulse may war with each other, but it is a combat between the habits of adults and the impulses of the young, and not, as with the adult, a civil warfare whereby personality is rent asunder.—Human Nature and Conduct, by John Dewey. Henry Holt and Co. The Child, the Clinic and the Court. New Republic, Inc. The Child: His Nature and His Needs. The Children’s Foun- dation. . ‘New Values in Child Welfare. The Annals. Thirty-two ar- ticles on all aspects of child welfare. Child versus Parent, by Stephen S. Wise. Macmillan. CHAPTER III THE OPEN DOOR IN EDUCATION Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: Adequate and equal educational opportunity for all, with the possibility of extended training for those competent. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What is our idea of “adequate” educational opportunity? What is our idea of “equal” educational opportunity? In what respect does our community fail to provide equal ’ and adequate educational opportunity for all? In what respect do our country and state fail to provide equal and adequate educational opportunity for all? How may the situation be improved? How can our church help? How can we cooperate with the educational institutions? For which vocations and occupations should the state and community provide free instruction? Should the nation allow a smaller expenditure of money per year per pupil for the education of rural children than for city children? How may we help to secure equal opportunity for rural as compared with city children? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION The Inequality of Educational Opportunity Some Children Attend Schools: 1. Open 200 days a year —well organized and carefully supervised. 2. Taught by trained, experienced, mature, well-paid and competent teachers. ’ 3. Conducted in modern, fireproof, sanitary, and well- equipped buildings. 4. Adequately supplied with the best text-books and teach- ing materials. 10 THE OPEN DOOR IN EDUCATION 5. Which train for the great opportunities and responsibili- ties of twentieth-century civilization. Others Attend Schools: 1. Open only a few weeks a year—poorly organized and unsupervised. 2. ‘Taught by untrained, inexperienced, immature, underpaid, and incompetent teachers. 3. Conducted in ill-adapted, unsanitary shacks—a menace to safety and health. 4. Lacking suitable text-books and other necessary teaching materials. 5. Which train for life as it was in the days. of the ox cart and spinning wheel.—Bulletin No. 2 of the Research Depart- ment of the National Education Association, Washington, D.C. November, 1922. Government and Human Welfare 1. Five Billions in 1920. [Federal Budget] a. 92.8% war. b. 3 Y% public works. ce. 3.2% primary government functions. d. 1 % education, research, and development. 2. Fifty dollars per capita of which 50 cents goes for educa- tion, research, development. 3. In 1920 a total of one billion was spent for education— 2% of the national income; 22.7 billions for luxuries... . 4. A saving of 5% on face powder, furs, soft drinks, cigarettes, cigars, chewing gum could double education ex- penditures. 5. We should spend 5 billions at least on education. 6. City schools cost per pupil $51.57, rural $33.67.—Soci- ology of Human Behavior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp. Teachers’ College, Columbia University. Rural Versus Urban Schools Health examinations disclose defects in urban children 72%, in rural children 87%. 11.8% of the children in the country are not attending school. 11 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS 4% of the children in school finish grammar grades; of those in high schools about 8% _ finish. Rural provision for education very inadequate in teachers and equipment. Regions where school attendance is low show the highest degree of illiteracy—The Sociology of Human Behavior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp. Teachers’ College, Columbia University. 12 CHAPTER IV WHY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION? Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: A thorough and scientific program of religious and sec- ular education designed to Christianize everyday life and conduct. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What are the aims of our church school? What are the aims of the church schools of our community? What are the aims of the public schools of our community? How can both make more of a contribution than in the past toward christianizing everyday life and conduct? Do we wish to introduce the teaching of religion in the public schools? Why? How? Do we wish to inaugurate week-day religious instruction through the churches? Why? How? What is meant by a scientific program of education, either for religious or other instruction? Do we need new methods in our church school in order to christianize everyday life and conduct? If so, what methods are available? How can we relate Christian teaching more closely to every- day life and conduct? (Other questions may be raised by the leader of the group.) MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Why “Christian”? In clear and burning words, so we must judge from the im- pressions produced by them even though we may never recover the identical phrasing of his teaching, Jesus broke with those who believed in the existence of a fixed and unchangeable system of rules for human conduct and substituted the moral ideal of a perpetual quest, lifted to the uppermost reaches by the dynamic of sympathy, of love. 13 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS In doing so, he introduced into moral philosophy an im- perative . . . so revolutionary from the point of view of every established social order from that time to ours that, when it has not been perverted to fit temporary social needs, it has remained a force working against and not for the rigid maintenance of any fixed status in economic, social, or political relationships. No matter how firmly the doors are closed to innovations, the conception of morals as a quest provides a force that breaks through systems and rules — a force not always successful in finding a better adaptation of conduct to the demands of life, but always offering new opportunities for the exercise and growth of man’s highest gift — the power to explore and to change and grow under the impetus of love. Hence, the present revival of interest in this moral dynamic of Jesus—an interest shared by many who, because of the narrower implications of the term, cannot call themselves Christians—is not an accident but closely bound up with the philosophical tendencies of our time. These tendencies are substituting principles of natural law for those of permanency and stability; they duly recognize the influences of environ- ment, and also of breeding, upon occupations and cultures which in their turn give rise to religious and ethical systems which seem permanent only so long as the environmental conditions remain the same. Science and ethics, the search for the true and the search for the good, are joining forces in the discov- ery of a morality which, permanent only in its dynamic, is flexible enough to adapt itself to the evolving nature of the universe and of those particular aspects of it that directly aftect human conduct. : Thus, a new spirit is pervading also the educational theory of our time, a spirit so closely related to what has just been defined as central in the teaching of Jesus, insofar as we know of it, that it may almost be called a revival of essential Chris- tianity—namely, a revolt against hard systems of knowledge that must be implanted in the young, against rules that must be followed no matter where they lead or how much insistence upon them may destroy of originality in thought and feeling, against the whole notion that wisdom is something which, with the aid of schools, the older generation may hand on to the younger one.—The Inquiry, October, 1925. 14 WHY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION? Pestalozzi’s Education as Unfolding from Within Sound education stands before me symbolized by a tree planted near fertilizing waters. A little seed, which contains the design of the tree, its form and proportions, is placed in the soil. See how it germinates and expands into trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruit! The whole tree is an un- interrupted chain of organic parts, the plan of which existed in its seed and root. Man is similar to the tree. In the new-born child are hidden those faculties which are to unfold during life. The individual and separate organs of his being form themselves gradually into unison and build up humanity in the image of God. . . . It is not the educator who puts new powers and faculties into man and imparts to him breath and life. He only takes care that no untoward influence shall dis- turb nature’s march of developments.—Pestalozzi, by Krusi. Wilson, Hinkle Co. Napoleon on Education It is impossible, indeed, to remain long in the present state of things, since everyone may now set up a shop for educa- tion as he would for broadcloth. . . . I feel called upon to organize a system of education for the new generation, such that both political and moral opinions may be duly regu- lated thereby.—Social Control, by Edward A. Ross. Reprinted by permission of the Macmillan Company. A Social .Theory of Religious Education, by George A. Coe. Charles Scribners’ Sons. ‘The Curriculum of Religious Education, by W. C. Bower. Charles Scribners’ Sons. 15 CHAPTER V SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF AMERICA Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: Conservation of health, including instruction in sex hy- giene and home building, abundant and wholesome recre- ation facilities, and education for leisure, including a nation-wide system of adult education. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What progress has been made in our community in instruct- ing individuals in the promotion of their health? What agencies are promoting public health and what do they do? What still needs to be done? How have sanitary conditions been improved? What might be done to make these conditions better? How much and what kind of instruction in sex hygiene is being given in our church school? In other church schools? In the public schools? Through other agencies? How can we assist in bettering and spreading this instruction? How important is education for parenthood and home-build- ing as compared with the education for other functions? Where and how can one learn how to be a parent and build a home? What must be done in order to prepare people better for these functions? What are the pros and cons in the present day discussion about voluntary parenthood? What is our view in regard to the desirability of promoting voluntary parenthood? What is our responsibility as a church? As individual Christians? What are the recreational needs of our community? How may we help to meet those needs? What should be the purpose of education for leisure? How do we use our leisure time? How should our leisure time be divided so as to strengthen and deepen our personal lives and 16 SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF AMERICA to build a better world social order? Do we need new dynamic and personal drive in order to make our leisure time count for more? How is leisure time abused by us in our community? Have all adults in our community equal opportunity for “continuing education”? What sort of instruction is being pro- vided for adults. Through what agencies? What would be an ideal program or “set-up” in our commu- nity? How can we and our church assist in this adult education? How may we deal with these matters in our religious educa- tion program? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION What Are Some of the Things the Church Can Do? The church is in a peculiarly fortunate position in approach- ing the group of problems involved in sex and reproduction in that it has long led the public in its feelings and thinking about the higher goals of human life. In the fight to substitute a high and constructive use of sex for a limited and degraded use, the church should, through its pulpit and by its public utterances, arouse public opinion in support of all the kinds of constructive measures mentioned above. In the ministry of the pastor there are many private opportunities for him to interpret to married people who are not making the most of their lives, the fuller meaning of home and family relations and the means of attaining these values. ‘Through the church schools there is the opportunity to train parents in special _ classes so that they may bring the finest instruction and inter- pretation of sex to their own children. Similarly, the church school may aid young men and women in special classes to understand better the meaning of courtship, marriage, parent- hood, and homemaking, and thus prepare them better for their duties. The religious school, too, should form special classes in which adolescent boys or adolescent girls may have brought to their appreciative understanding the forces which are work- ing in their lives to make men and women of them, and thus enable them in these difficult years to adjust their growing sex consciousness to the problems and adjustments which confront them.—The Part of the Church in Social Hygiene, by Thomas Walton Galloway. American Social Hygiene Association. 17 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Illth and the Prolongation of Life ji Extent and Costs of Disease in the United States. Et. Death rates for registration area, which includes 85.3% of the total population in the United States per 1000 persons. 1, In 1900—17.6; 1910--15¢ 1919—12.9- 1921-4 1y6e 1922—11.8. Cost of illth. 1. Illth of income-bringers of greatest social sig- nificance. a. Diseases affecting workers; tuberculosis af- fects 3% of industrial population or 1,250,000 persons; pneumonia, influenza, and_ typhoid fever are most acute among adults; hook- worm affects 5% of the laboring population; malaria creates sub-standard health and eco- nomic incompetency; 60% of workers, 14,000,- 000 people show focal infections. b. “Health span’—18-31 years: work span—20 to 42 years. 2: “Three million seriously ill at all times’—Irving “' Fisher; 42% is preventable which would add 15 years to extension of life; sick rate at ages 35-44 is nearly double that from 15-24 years. 3. Fisher claims an annual economic loss from pre- ventable disease and death of $1,500,000,000; tu- berculosis alone costs $1,000,000,000; typhoid fever $135,000,000; hook-worm $250,000,000; malaria $100,000,000 annually. 4. In 1922 the United States spent 1400 million dol- lars for cure and 60 million for prevention.— H. H. Moore: The Sociology of Human Behav- ior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp. ‘Teachers’ College, Columbia University. Four Girls in Court Four girls, 14, 16, 15, and 17, next on the calendar. They are high school students, “good” families. They are involved in a school scandal. One is’ discovered 18 SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF AMERICA by her teacher to possess a notebook of dull obscenities, sex jokes . . . dull and witless stuff it is. ‘The record seems clear. “They smoked, drank (when they could get it), rode home from dances in taxicabs, took all night joy rides, used .a great deal of paint and powder, swore at their parents . . . the girls were sophisticated, tired; any exertion, besides dancing, wore them out.” They were caught in one escapade, brought before the ju- venile court. Who is guilty? The boys? The girls? The school? The courts? “Sex is not sacred to them, or terrifying: it is merely fun.” : The court sends each to a socially minded physician, for after all their much knowledge is spurious. “The court, by probing, simple questions, tries to bring to them a sense of birth, child-rearing, nursing, illness, love, court- ship, self-sacrifice, discovery, struggle and happiness, parent- hood and death.’—Youth in Conflict, by Miriam Van Waters. Republic Publishing Company. Survey of Adult Education Frederick P. Keppel, president of the Carnegie Corporation, contributes to the Yale Review for April a résumé of the extent of the adult education movement in the United States and a critique of some of the evident tendencies. Dr. Keppel was formerly dean of Columbia College and has been at different times Assistant Secretary of War, director of foreign opera- tions of the American Red Cross and representative of the United States in the International Chamber of Commerce. He therefore writes out of an extensive experience in public affairs as well as in education. He presents results of a study of the adult* education movement made by the Carnegie Corporation. There are now five times as many adults pursuing some kind of supervised study as are registered in all the colleges and universities of the country. The students in commercial correspondence courses are the largest group. A million and a half new students register in these schools each year. ‘The typical student is a young man 26 years of age who has been in high school two years and who lives in a medium-sized city. More than a million persons attend public evening schools, 19 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS part-time and continuation schools. These are young people of both sexes, with an average age of nineteen or twenty years. Ninety-two per cent of these students are under twenty-four years of age. “On the basis of their own statements, only 15 per cent left school because of financial pressure. Most of them evidently left because they had lost interest. Their reason for returning is the realization that education pays.” There are now 150,000 in university extension classes. These are mainly women averaging thirty years of age. The Y. M. C. A. courses enroll 100,000 students. There are probably 100,000 under other organizations. Workers’ education classes have an enrollment of 30,000. Less formal instruction in the form of lectures, chautauquas, agricultural extension, has been reaching a rapidly increasing number of persons. “Our trouble,” states Dr. Keppel, “is not that we have no adult education. Few realize how much of it we have, and how vital and vigorous much of it is.”—Information Service, Fed- eral Council of Churches. Health Education. A program for public schools and teacher training institutions. Report of the Joint Committee on Health Problems in Education, Thomas D. Wood, M.D., Chairman, 525 West 120th Street, New York. Progress of the Warfare against Disease, by Oscar H. Rogers. New York Life Insurance Company. Reprint of address at the eighteenth annual meeting of the Association of Life Insurance Presidents. National Health in the Life Insurance Mirror, by Robert Lynn Cox, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Reprint of an address at the fifteenth annual meeting of the Associa- tion of Life Insurance Presidents. ree Public Health in the United States, by H. Moore. Harper and Brothers. The National Health Series, published by the National Health Council. 20 CHAPTER VI SHALL WE HAVE FREE SPEECH? Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: Insistence on constitutional rights and duties, including freedom of speech, of the press, and of peaceable as- semblage. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What are the constitutional provisions for freedom of speech, of press, and of peaceable assemblage? When have these provisions of the Constitution of the United States been nullified in our community? Elsewhere? How? Do we believe in the observance and enforcement of these constitutional provisions at all times? Is censorship of the press ever justifiable? When? Should every citizen have the right to say what he thinks is right or a good policy at any time? Should we be so free as to advocate through speech the breaking of a law, or should advocacy of law-breaking be punished or curbed? Who should determine when an assemblage is not “peace- able”? By what standards? Do the authorities of our community tend to limit public assemblage of unpopular groups and give freedom to others? (Other questions may be raised instead of these.) MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Denial of Civil Liberties “The Denial of Civil Liberties in the Coal Fields,” a pam- phlet by Winthrop D. Lane, issued in 1924 by the American Civil Liberties Union (100 Fifth Avenue, New York City) draws material from several important sources, including the following: the report on the denial of civil rights by the United States Coal Commission; the findings of the Committee 21 ® THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS of Inquiry on Coal and Civil Liberties, established in response to the public invitation from the Coal Commission to supply facts concerning the violation of civil liberties, of which Pro- fessor Zachariah Chafee, Jr., of Harvard Law School was chairman; and the study of conditions in Logan and other counties in West Virginia made by Jerome Davis, then of Dartmouth College. Mr. Lane stresses the isolation and unusual conditions sur- rounding a mining town, apart as it usually is from other com- mercial and industrial endeavor, owned and regulated by the mining company, unique in its dependence on one kind of work and located in lonely valleys and on deserted mountain sides. He shows the power of leases as a means of control of the life of the miner outside of the mine by quotations from these documents. One used by a company in Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, provides that “the employe ‘shall not harbor or per- mit to use, occupy or otherwise be upon said premises, any person objectionable to the company . . . said employe shall upon notice and demand of the company remove any person therefrom objectionable to the company, and failing to do so the right of the said employe and his family to so use and occupy said premises shall thereupon immediately cease and terminate.’ ” In certain instances, canvassers and salesmen of whom the companies approve are given credentials by officials which permit them to canvass in the company town. Without such credentials no salesman may visit the families. It is a common practice to have privately paid deputies enforce company reg- ulations and proceed against any activities not approved by the companies. The number of deputy sheriffs paid for by various mining companies in Jefferson County, Alabama, alone totaled 740 according to the affidavit sworn to by the sheriff of the county. Of these, 407 were provided by the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company. The Right of the Minority to Speak If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.—Ox 22 SHALL WE HAVE FREE SPEECH? Liberty, by John Stuart Mill. Parker. Quoted in Source Book in the Philosophy of Education, by William H. Kilpatrick, New York. The Macmillan Company, 1923. Limits to the Freedom of Speech There ought to exist the fullest liberty of professing and discussing, as a matter of ethical conviction, any doctrine, how- ever immoral it may be considered. . . . Instigation. . in a specific case, may be a proper subject of punishment, but only if an overt act has followed, and at least a probable con- nection can be established between the act and the instigation. —On Liberty, by John Stuart Mill. Parker. Quoted in Source Book in the Philosophy of Education, by William H. Kirk- patrick. Macmillan. My Opponent’s Case Paradoxical, as it may seem, if I am a sincere seeker for truth, I shall help my antagonist to put his cause in the utmost favorable light and cooperate with him in securing an opportu- nity for putting his theory to the test. I shall do this because I am convinced that his theory will not work, and that the sooner it is demonstrated that it will not work, under conditions which he himself chooses as being especially favorable for success, the better for my own position—Roswell C. McCrea in the Columbia University Quarterly. Free Speech in 1925 Although the year was marked by numerous cases and issues in the field of civil liberty, the general condition continued to improve as it did in the previous year. There was less active intolerance and fear. Radical, racial, and religious minorities found it easier to live because of less interference. But this condition by no means indicates that intolerance and repression have so far declined as to be insignificant. It means, rather, that no serious conflict or minority activity has aroused the latent forces of repression. Widespread prosperity and the consequent absence of industrial strife account in large part for the improved condition. The efforts to impose ma- jority dogmas by law and intimidation have shifted from the 23 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS industrial arena to the field of education. ‘That is the new battle ground. (From the Annual Report of The American Civil Liberties Union, N. Y.) Freedom of Speech, by Zachariah Chafee, Jr. Harcourt, Brace and Co. A standard work on laws and on data on free- dom of speech during and since the war. The Repression of Civil Liberties in the United States, by Harry F. Ward. American Civil Liberties Union. Reprint of paper read before the American Sociological Society, 1923. The Labor Spy, by Sidney Howard. Republic Publishing Co. Civil War in West Virginia, by Winthrop D. Lane. B. W. Huebsch, Inc. 24 CHAPTER VII THE MARGINAL FOLKS Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: Constructive education and Christian care of depend- ents, defectives and delinquents, in order to restore them to normal life whenever possible, with kindly seg- regation for those who are hopelessly feeble-minded. (This means that such institutions as the jails, prisons, and orphan asylums should be so conducted as to be genuine centers for education and health.) QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What “constructive education” is being given to those in jails and prisons in our locality? How should it be carried on? How may we assist? How do the method and expenditure for giving constructive education to dependents and defectives in order to restore them to normal life whenever possible compare with the constructive education of normal children? What can be done to better conditions? What would be involved in “kindly segregation” of those hopelessly feeble-minded? Should reproduction among the feeble-minded be prevented? What are the purposes of jails and prisons? By what methods do they restore prisoners to normal life when pos- sible? Could we restore them better by segregating individuals in special schools, workshops, farms, and playgrounds instead of prison walls? What is being done about juvenile delinquency in our commu- nity? Do we use scientific methods in dealing with it? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Deficiency and Insanity Feeblemindedness: The nature of mental defect. 25 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS The idiot has a “mental age” of one to two years; the imbecile two to seven years; the moron eight years to normal. Extent of mental deficiency: Two per cent of the population. About one to every 230 of the population. Not more than 10% of offenders are feebleminded but the cost much in Crime Illegitmacy Prostitution - Disease Pauperism Drunkenness and degeneracy. The better present policies for care and treatment of de- fectives: For idiots and imbeciles—institutions and colonies. Segregation of adult females during child bearing age, as in Pennsylvania. Experience has demonstrated the possibility of reconstruc- tion for independent and satisfactory living in cases of defectives. Extent of insanity in the United States: In 1910 about one to every 500 persons. Claimed to be increasing. More people live to the age when mental disease sets in. Cure for many is possible—64+% were insane for less than a year. Extent of blindness: Approximately 70,000, one to very 1,605 persons. High among Negroes and foreign born.—The Sociology of Human Behavior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp, Teachers’ College, Columbia University. Delinquency: I. The Nature and Extent of Juvenile Delinquency in the United States. A. Types of “juvenile delinquency” or maladjusted chil- dren demanding special attention. 1. The mentally defective children. 26 THE MARGINAL FOLKS a. Constitute from 1-3 to 1-10 of those coming into the juvenile courts. 2. Children of immigrants who commit property dam- age. 3. Protestants against uninteresting life—those who steal, lie, run away, commit sex offenses, truancy. 4, Children whose personalities are badly warped. 5. Psychopathic children who commit violence against persons. 6. Children seduced and misled by adults or com- panions. 7. Unmarried child mothers. .. . B. The extent and increase of needy children. In New York. . 1. 75% of prisoners in Sing Sing were under 21 years of age—80% of crimes committed by boys. 2. 7-10% of boys reaching the age of ten have court records. 3. Most cases are children of foreign-born. 4. In 1910-1911, 115 institutions in the United States enrolled 51,387 persons, of whom 77.87% were males and 22.2% were females. C. Causes of juvenile maladjustment. L ap ala: aged td 9 50% of cases in New York City due to play. a. Impulses and wishes that conflict with laws. Irritability—organic malfunctioning. Bad home conditions. Broken homes—40% of juvenile cases from such. Mental conflict—assimilation of divergent. values. Mental and emotional defects. Evil associates. Bad neighborhood and community conditions. Suggestive experiences——The Sociology of Human Behavior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp, Teachers’ College, Colum- bia University. Treatment of Criminals “Our legal procedure . . . wobbles between .a too tender treatment of criminality and a viciously drastic treatment of it. The vacillation can be remedied only as we can analyze 2h bs THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS an act in the light of habits, and analyze habits in the light of education, environment, and prior acts. The dawn of truly scientific criminal law will come when each individual case is approached with something corresponding to the complete clinical record which every competent physician attempts to procure as a matter of course in dealing with his subjects.”— Human Nature and Conduct, by John Dewey. Henry Holt & Co. Extent and Cost of Crime in the United States A. In 1910 there were 112,881 persons in 2,823 penal in- stitutions; 105,362 males and 6,136 females; one to every 800 persons. B. About 250,000 criminals in the United States; approxi- mately a million persons are convicted each year for some offense; in 1915 there were 4,000,000 arrests, and 1,800,000 convictions. C. Total financial cost a year estimated at $5,000,000,000, five times the direct cost of education; 84% of the total national income is spent on crime.—The Sociology of Human Behavior, by Daniel Harrison Kulp, Teachers’ Col- lege, Columbia University. Youth in Conflict, by Miriam Van Waters. Republic Publish- ing Company. Studies in Modern Crime, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, May, 1925. The Revolt of Modern Youth, by Ben B. Lindsey. Boni and Liveright. A Practical Program for Church Groups in Jail Work, by Charles N. Lathrop. The National Council of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church, Social Service Department. Wall Shadows, by Frank Tannenbaum. G. P. Putnam. Crucibles of Modern Crime, by Joseph F. Fishman. Cosmo- polis Press. CHAPTER VIII EDUCATING FOR PEACE Translating the ideals of Jesus into education means: A scientifically planned program of international edu- cation promoting peace and good will and exposing the evils of war, intoxicants, illiteracy and other social sins. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What do we understand “international education” to mean? What would be involved in a “scientifically planned program of international education?” How should a program of international education be set up? How would an international program of education affect our teaching of history? Other subjects? Does the religious education in our school assist in promot- ing internationalism? How may our religious education be made international ? ‘How should we get our information about other countries ? By what method may we help to eliminate ‘nationalistic bias” from our religious and other education, and make it truly international ? How do people make up their “attitudes” or their “minds” on international questions? How do people ‘change their minds” on these questions? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION War Emphasis in Histories A study of the emphasis on war in school histories has recently been made by the Association for Peace Education (Chicago). Three investigators, not connected with the Asso- ciation, were employed to make the study purely as a scientific problem without regard for the motives of the study or the use to be made of the data. Twenty-four widely used elemen- tary school text-books in American history and twenty-four volumes widely used as “supplementary readers” were chosen for the survey. . 29 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS The conclusions reached were: “The average history text devotes a disproportionate amount of space to war... . The amount of space devoted to peace by both the texts and the supplementary readers is almost negligible. . . . There are practically no illustrations of distinctly peace topics. The war word content is on the whole nationalistic, biased, and, in many cases, famboyant. . . . Frequently the sectarian and the sectional views, and the prejudices of the authors are quite evident. The war illustrations as a rule picture only the glorified imaginings of the artists... . Very few his- tories even approach the real truth about war. . . . Histories pay little attention to the Edisons, the Horace Manns and the Franklins; they are too busy depicting the overdrawn exploits of the Lees, the Grants and the Nathan Hales. . . . Much of the supplementary reading material of an historical nature is neither history nor literature; it is untrue sentimentalism.” The Problem of International Ethics Most of the propaganda for better international relations has no effect whatever on the practice of governments in the opinion of L. P. Jacks, editor of Hibbert Journal, who discusses inter- national ethics in Foreign Affairs (New York). The present insistence of governments that no “sovereign rights” can be renounced seems to make international ethics impossible. Only a very low degree of morality can be reached by the “live and let live’ method, and even that is impossible unless everyone concerned is on an equal basis. Dr. Jacks believes that talk of the Christian spirit in international relations is lost unless those who advocate it are ready to answer affirmatively such questions as: “Do they realize that the introduction of the Christian spirit into international relations is impossible with- out the willingness of all nations to sacrifice their national in- terests for the sake of international interests of greater im- portance? Are they themselves willing that their own nation should ‘die to live’? Are they prepared to go to their govern- ment with that demand, or to fight the next election on that basis ?”—Information Service, Federal Council of »Churches. 30 EDUCATING FOR PEACE The Drug Problem America is confronted with a drug problem—how to stop the illicit sales of dangerous, habit-forming drugs, which are peddled and smuggled from one end of our country to the other. No state is exempt; there is no small town or big city in which this danger is not found. We have laws in plenty on our statute-books, laws prohibiting the sale of drugs except on a doctor’s prescription; but while these are well enforced, they are nevertheless unable to check the perpetual peddling and smuggling which goes on underground. While the police are constantly catching these petty peddlers, and the federal author- ities are frequently running to earth big gangs of smugglers, all this has but little effect on stopping the illicit traffic. For one gang caught, dozens operate unhindered. The young people of our country are the ones sought out by these peddlers, who first teach them the drug habit, and then instruct them as to the tricks and devices they may resort to in order to reach the underground channels of supply.—The Ethics of Opium, by Ellen N. La Motte. The Century Co. Difficulty of International Education When we compare the discussions in the United States Senate in regard to the League of Nations with the consideration of a broken-down car in a roadside garage the contrast is shocking. The rural mechanic thinks scientifically; his only aim is to avail himself of his knowledge of the nature and workings of the car, with a view to making it run once more. The senator, on the other hand, appears too often to have little idea of the nature and workings of nations, and he relies on rhetoric and appeals to vague fears and hopes or mere partisan animosity. _ The Senator will . . . unblushingly appeal to policies of a century back, suitable, mayhap, in their day, but now be- come a warning rather than a guide. The garage man, on the contrary, takes his mechanism as he finds it, and does not allow any mystic respect for the earlier forms of the gas engine to interfere with the needed adjustments—The Mind in the Mak- ing, by James Harvey Robinson. Harper and Brothers. 31 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Unselfishness and the State Some good men seem inclined to maintain that the action of a state toward other states ought to be the same as the action of an individual toward other individuals. But this contains a fallacy which one might think it should not be difficult to dis- cern. We personify a state but a state is not a person. It con- tains a vast number of persons, and those who speak in its name and determine its policy act, not for themselves, but for others. It follows that all that department of morality which requires an individual to sacrifice himself to others, everything which falls under the heading of unselfishness, is inappropriate to the action of a state. No one has a right to be unselfish with other people’s interests. It is the business of every ruler to exact to the utmost every claim which can both justly and wisely be made on behalf of his country. He is in the position of a trustee of the interests of others and must be just and not generous.—Conservatism, by Hugh Cecil. Williams Nor- gate. Quoted in Source Book in the Philosophy of Education, by William H. Kirkpatrick. Macmillan. Military Training in Schools and Colleges of the United States, by Winthrop D. Lane. Committee on Military Training, 387 Bible House, Astor Place, New York. Military Training in American High Schools and Colleges: The Case For and Against, by William I. Hull. World Alliance for International Friendship Through the Churches. International Control of the Traffic in Opium. Foreign Policy Association. The Schools of the World and the League of Nations: a 1925 Survey. Welsh Council of the League of Nations Union, Cardiff, Wales. Shall We Commit Suicide? by Winston D. Churchill. Pamphlet reprinted from Nash’s Pall Mall Magazine, September 24, 1924. Obtainable from Commission on International Jus- tice and Goodwill, Federal Council of Churches, New York. World Friendship in the Church School, by John Leslie Lob- ingier. University of Chicago Press. Study Course. What Makes Up My Mind on International Questions? The Inquiry, 129 E. 52nd Street, New York City, 1926. Study outline. Christian Fellowship among the Nations, by Jerome Davis and Roy B. Chamberlin. Pilgrim Press. 32 BAR el) INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS Se CHAPTER IX RECIPROCITY OF SERVICE Translating the ideals of Jesus into industrial and economic relationships means: A reciprocity of service —that group interests, whether of labor or capital, must always be integrated with the welfare of society as a whole, and that society in its turn must insure justice to each group. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What do we understand by “reciprocity of service”? How can we know when there is or is not “reciprocity of service’? How may “reciprocity of service’ on the part of economic groups be achieved in our community, in the nation and the world? ; made What outstanding instances are there of exploitation on the part of economic groups in our community? In the nation? In the world? How can we determine whether a group is unjustly treated in the matter of wages? What is a just or fair wage? Why? What is a just or fair reward for capital? For manage- ment? For employees? Why? If a large surplus accumulates in an industry, how should it be divided among the consumers, the owners, the manage- ment, the employees? Do these four groups have an equal claim upon a surplus that may be divided? If so, why? If not, why not? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Concentration and Control of Wealth The conclusion of Mr. R. H. Tawney that in an acquisitive society there is a tendency to create a class which lives without labor and to degrade those who do labor is verified by an ex- amination of the actual facts in the United States, t Shy CABS 35 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Here we have an increasing congestion of wealth and power. We are told by Professor W. I. King that “two per cent of the population owns sixty per cent of the wealth,’ and that at the other end of the scale, “the poorest two-thirds of the people owns but a petty five or six per cent of the wealth.’—Wealth and Income, W. I. King. The Congressional investigation of the “Money Trust” in 1912 brought out the fact that “one hundred and eighty men have a controlling influence over capital far in excess of one-fourth of the wealth of America.” (Quoted in N. L. Sims, Ultimate Democracy, p. 52 (1917).) Professor Sims tells us that “some 1,600 directorships in 100 of the leading railway and other in- dustrial and money corporations are in the hands of 76 men. One man is on the board of 45 railroad companies.” (Sims Ibid, p. 51.)—Jndustrial Facts, by Kirby Page. Doran. The Hazards of the Employer From an ethical point of view the employer is perhaps harder hit in industry than the worker. ‘That is to say, he has. to face most contradictory situations. Take for example, the em- ployer who professes allegiance to Christian standards of con- duct, who believes in the Golden Rule and the ideal of service and “stewardship.” How can he live up to all these ideals and still build up his business on a margin so small that his employees have to live on less than even a conservatively estimated living wage? A recent analysis of this problem, given by a well-known em- ployer, is very illuminating in that it shows the ethical pre- dicament in which a man with professed high ideals may find himself. Surely we shall make little headway in quest of the Christian ideal save as we take account of such actual situa- tions and practical necessities as are here disclosed. This em- ployer asked the question, “What is my duty as an employer of labor?” And he answered it in brief thus: “I must employ my men under good, wholesome conditions of work, and I must pay them just wages—but no more.” Then he asked the question, ‘‘What is my duty to my employees as a man?” And in answer to it he reasoned thus: “If a workman has received just wages, has had everything from me that my duty as an employer dictates, and is still in need and comes-to me as a 36 RECIPROCITY OF SERVICE man for assistance, then as a brother, I must be generous with him. The two relationships are entirely separate and must not be confused.” Now, the interesting thing about this analy- sis is that it is inevitable unless one questions the moral quality ‘of the existing system of relationships. If “just” wages are determined by a law that has no reference to brotherhood, if corporate relations are one thing and personal relations an- other, then one need not be concerned about Christian ideals for industry. On that supposition one learns from economics how to be a good employer, and from ethics and religion how to be a good man. Whatever may be said of this dualism, no justification can be found for it in the New Testament.—Re- printed from Christian Ideals in Industry, by F. Ernest John- son and Arthur E. Holt. Copyright, 1924, by F..Ernest Johnson by permission of the Methodist Book Concern. | ! The Responsibility of Labor Organized labor in America is faced by an unusual opportu- nity. The liberal policy toward labor organizations which was adopted during the war under the patronage of the govern- ment was all but obscured during the depression period, but it is probable that in a fair test the public will support the right of labor, uncoerced and uncoercing, to organize on a trade union basis and to bargain collectively through appointed representatives for the improvement of its own conditions. It thus becomes more and more incumbent upon labor to make an earnest effort to introduce social ideals into industry. The labor movement has a history of important achievement and of patriotic service. It promises to be greater in the future than in the past. But the public will increasingly insist, and the teachings of religion require, that in undertaking to serve the workers organized labor should serve the whole people. In no other way can the interest of labor itself be permanently advanced.—Labor Sunday Message for 1923 of the Social Service Commission of the Federal Council of Churches. One Attitude Toward Labor An ideal location (for a silk mill) would be one in which labor is abundant, intelligent, skilled, and cheap; where there were no labor unions and strikes; where the laws of the state 37 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS made no restrictions as to the hours of work or age of workers; where people were accustomed to mill life; and where there were no other textile mills in the vicinity to share in the labor and bid up its price. . . . —An editorial in the silk man- ufacturers’ official journal, quoted in the American Journal of Sociology, 22:169, September, 1916. The Economic Order: What Is It? What Is It Worth? by John H. Gray. Doran. Industrial Unrest: A Way Out, by B. Seebohm Rountree. Doran. The Church and Industrial Reconstruction, by the Committee on the War and the Religious Outlook. Association Press. Christianity and Economic Problems. A discussion group text- book, edited by Kirby Page. Association Press. The Social Principles of Jesus, by Walter Rauschenbusch. As- sociation Press. Coal, by Edward T. Devine. American Review Service Press. The Coming of Coal, by Robert Bruére. Association Press. The Social Task of the Church as Set Forth by the Lambeth Conference of 1920. The National Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Facing the Crisis, by Sherwood Eddy. Doran. The Church and Industrial Relations, edited by John A. Ryan and F. Ernest Johnson. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, September, 1922. 38 CHAPTER TA PROPERTY — ITS RIGHTS AND DUTIES Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships.means: A frank abandonment of all efforts to secure something for nothing, and recognition that all ownership is a social trust involving Christian administration for the good of all and that the unlim- ited exercise of the right of private ownership is socially undesirable. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What do we understand by “securing something for noth- ing’? How can we determine when we get “something for noth- ing’? In our experience have we secured “something for nothing”? What things? | If a man bought a house in our community for $5000 and sold it two months later for $6000, would he be receiving ‘“‘some- thing for nothing? Who contributed to him the $1000? How much of it has he earned? Should society give him what, if any, he had not earned? How might our economic order be planned so that individuals might not receive unearned incre- ments? What about a man who bought a house in our community for $5000 and several months later sold it for $4000? | Is “buying low and selling high” the policy for us to follow? What could we as individuals do to change the practices of “buying low and selling high” ? If a man inherits $50,000 is he getting “something for noth- ing”? If a man receives an income from owning property and lives in idleness, does he get something for nothing ? What must we do with our property in order to administer it “for the good of all”? 32 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS What kind of investment should we make in order to be sure our money will be used “for the good of all’? What standards for investment have we at present? Should Christians endeavor to work out distinctive standards of investment in terms of the way of Jesus? Was Jesus an investor? Can we get help from his example? From his spiritual attitude? In what situations should we abandon all efforts to secure something for nothing? Are there situations in which we should not at present abandon those efforts? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION The Surplus for the Common Good The labor party has no belief in any of the problems of the world being solved by good will alone. Good will without knowledge is warmth without light. Especially in all the com- plexities of politics, in the still undeveloped science of society, the labor party stands for increased study, for the scientific investigation of each succeeding problem, for the deliberate organization of research, and for a much more rapid dis- semination among the whole people of all the science that exists. And it is perhaps especially the labor party that has the duty of placing this advancement of science in the fore- front of its political program. What the labor party stands for in all fields of life is, essentially, democratic cooperation; and cooperation involves a common purpose which can be agreed to; a common plan which can be explained and discussed, and such a measure of success in adaptation of means to ends as will ensure a common satisfaction. An autocratic sultan may govern without science if his whim is law. A plutocratic party may choose to ignore science, if it is heedless whether its pretended solutions of social problems that may win political triumphs ultimately succeed or fail. But no labor party can hope to maintain its position unless its proposals are, in fact, the out- come of the best political science of its time; or to fulfil its purpose unless that science is continually wresting new fields from human ignorance.——Report of the British Labor Party, 1918. 40 PROPERTY—ITS RIGHTS AND DUTIES Property Right and Use Right A distinction between property rights and human rights is one of the commonest features of current writings on social theory. It is coming to be well recognized, however, that some of the most fundamental human rights are property rights, and that the distinction frequently emphasized needs sharper defini- tion. Help in this direction is given by a concrete instance presented by Arthur E. Holt in an article on “Our Pagan Idea of Property” in the Christian Century for May 8, 1924. The concise statement can hardly be abbreviated: “The irrigated communities of the West are gradually building up a body of law and a profitable experience in making available for the use of the people the water resources of the great arid states. The early settlers who first caused the great American desert to blossom as the rose faced a new situation. ‘There. was no body of law governing property rights in water which laid an adequate basis for the communities which must be built up by irrigation. The only law available was the old English law which said that the water in a river belonged to the man who owned the bank of a river. This was manifestly an impossible point of view when the men who wished to deflect water from the river owned farms from ten to twenty miles away. Con- flict necessarily arose between these men and the men who owned the banks of the river and therefore claimed the water in the stream. ‘The controversy was taken to the courts. The judges saw that the old laws which had come down from Eng- land were entirely inadequate. They appealed to the law of the common welfare and set aside the English law as entirely inadequate. Gradually the courts and legislatures of the western states have built.up a system of law organized around certain great principles which may be summarized as follows: “The waters in the rivers of these states which are available for irrigation purposes belong to the state and are a public resource. “The right to build irrigation systems shall be granted to private and semi-public corporations who shall be allowed to deflect the waters in these streams upon the land. These cor- porations cannot own the water but they can own the right to use the water. “In determining who shall have the right to use the water 41 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS preference is given first to those who first filed their applica- tion for its use. Prior appropriation is a word to conjure by in irrigated territory. “No corporation, public or private, has the right to any water for which it cannot show a beneficial use. Property right is subordinate to use right. You cannot own water in the state of Colorado unless you can show a use right for it. This one law forever stands between the people and a great monopolistic system built up on the power of a few to make the resources of the state scarce and expensive to those who have to live by them.” Christian Standards of Investment A study of the Christian use of wealth was presented at the Manchester, England, regional Copec conference in 1925, according to the Christian Science Monitor for August 6. Among the suggestions considered by the group making the study were a committee to recommend investments which would meet Christian standards, the creation of a public utility society, the foundation of a Copec trust “which would guaran- tee that the money invested in it would be well spent,” etc. The group felt that none of these recommendations could be carried out without a Copec bank in order to “Christianize credit.” If such a bank were to be established it would be necessary to observe four main principles: greater publicity for accounts; restriction of profits; control of the bank’s policy by the shareholders; public oversight of officials.—I formation Service, Federal Council of Churches. Usury As It Is Practiced A frank account of “the usury game” appears in The Mag- azine of Wall Street for March 27, 1926. “It makes no differ- ence,’ says the writer, “that 43 out of our 48 states have appar- ently stringent usury laws. It makes no difference what the rate of money is in Wall Street. Year in and year out, a great multitude of small business men, temporarily in a disad- vantageous position, pay an appalling toll to the money lender.” Of the methods by which usury is exacted the writer says: “The most common form of usury is for a borrower, having an excellent line with a bank, to lend out the sums it has loaned 42 PROPERTY—ITS RIGHTS AND DUTIES him at 7 per cent at higher rates of interest to less fortunate men. The medium in New York City may be a lawyer who sometimes spends less of his time at law than at amateur financ- ing. This type of lawyer is ideal for this purpose because he knows fully the distresses of some of his clients and the pros- perity of others. Here, circumstance marks him out as a natural broker.” The Tragedy of Waste, by Stuart Chase. Macmillan. Mr. Chase presents his indictment of our economic orga- nization against the background of war time industrial efh- ciency. With 13,500,000 of our 40,000,000 potential workers “turned into warriors’—zi.e., either in fighting units or in pro- duction of war supplies—the index of physical production rose from 112 in 1915 to 125 in 1918 (the period 1911-13 taken as a base at 100). This achievement aroused high hopes of permanent gains in efficiency but all ideas of “reconstruction” were soon forgotten. The great lesson was never really learned. Four main channels of waste are indicated: (1) production of unserviceable goods—harmful drugs, “super luxuries,” quack- ery, etc.; (2) unemployment in its various forms; (3) loss and leakage in the processes of production and distribution—over- equipment, duplication of services, restriction of output, faulty plant management, lack of cost accounting and research, etc. ; (4) destruction of natural resources—coal, water power, oil, timber and the rest. The Profit Motive, by Harry F. Ward. The League for Indus- trial Democracy. The Christian Doctrine of Property, by John A. Ryan. The Paulist Press. Pamphlet reprinted from the Quarterly Bul- letin of the Meadville Theological School, April, 1922. Property, Its Duties and Rights, by Bishop Charles Gore and others. Macmillan. : Property from a Christian Standpoint, by Richmond Dean. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, September, 1922. An Employer’s View of Property, by Henry S. Dennison. An- nals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, September, 1922. Profits, Wages and Prices, by David Friday. Harcourt, Brace and Company. The Control of Wages, by Walton Hamilton and S. May. Doran. The Ethics of Capitalism, by Judson Rosebush. Association Press. 43 CHAPTER XI CHILDREN WHO TOIL Translating the ideals of Jesus into industrial and economic relationships means: Abolishing child labor and establishing standards for the employment of minors which will ensure maximum physical, intellectual, and moral development. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION How do we define child labor? Are there differences between healthful work which contrib- utes to the education of children, and “child labor”? What are the differences? Have we observed or experienced harmful child labor? In what forms? In what industries? Do we believe that child labor should be abolished? How? Do we believe that state laws should be enacted to abolish child labor? What arguments have been advanced pro and con on the proposed amendment to the Constitution giving Congress power to regulate the employment of young persons? Do we believe that child labor should be controlled by national laws? Why do labor unions generally favor the regulation of child labor? Do our observations and experiences indicate that harmful employment of children on farms exists? How can we deal with harmful employment by parents of children on the farms? Would it be better for a church to preach and teach rev- erence for childhood rather than to work for laws to regulate child labor? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Harmful Industries The man of the street smiles contemptuously at the idea of newspaper selling harming any healthy boy. The fact is that 44 CHILDREN WHO TOIL newspaper selling is one of the largest contributing causes te delinquency among city boys, and for the sake of producing half a dozen exceptions who rise from newsboy to publisher, it is a chance too remote to take in behalf of handicapped boys. Cruel as is physical waste of youth in textile industries, mills, foundries, factories, canneries, fruit, cotton, beet fields and the like, the writer is of the opinion that boys and girls suffer less permanent damage to character in industries which are pro- ductive, that is to say, where they can deal with processes of production, than in “service” industries such as “soda jerks,” messenger, telephone operator, theatre-ushering, beauty-shop at- tendants, dance-hall instructors, waitresses, sales-ladies, cham- ber-maids, bell-boys, and “entertainers.” In these latter pur- suits it is mainly youth, beauty, charm, and vivacity which sell their service—Youth in Conflict, by Miriam Van Waters. Republic Publishing Company. How Many Children in the United States Are at Work? In the United States in 1920 over one million (1,060,858) children 10 to 15 years of age, inclusive, were reported by census enumerators as “engaged in gainful occupations.” This number was approximately one-twelfth of the total number (12,502,582) of children of that age in the entire country. The number of child workers 10 to 13 years of age, inclusive, was 378,063. The census does not report the number of working children under 10 years of age, but it is known that such chil- dren are employed in large numbers in agriculture, and in smaller numbers in many other occupations such as street trading, domestic service, and industrial home work.—Child Labor in the United States, Bureau Publication No. 114 by U. S. Department of Labor, Children’s Bureau. In What Occupations Are Children Engaged? Of the child workers 10 to 15 years of age, inclusive, in the United States in 1920, 647,309, or 61 per cent, were reported to be employed in agricultural pursuits, the majority (88 per cent) of them as laborers on the home farm. An even larger proportion, 87 per cent of the working children 10 to 13 years of age, inclusive, were at work in these occupations. ‘There were 185,337 children, or 17.5 per cent of the total number 45 THE: CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS of working children under 16, employed in manufacturing and mechanical industries—cotton, silk, and woolen mills; cigar, clothing, and furniture factories; and canneries and workshops. Over 80,000 children were engaged in some type of clerical occupation; approximately 63,000 were in trade; 54,000, the majority of them were girls, were working at occupations class- ‘ified under “domestic and personal service’; and 7,191—almost all of them boys—were employed in the extraction of min- erals. Almost 25,000 children 10 to 13 years of age were re- ported as employed in trade and clerical occupations, over 12,000 in “domestic and personal service’ and almost 10,000 in manufacturing occupations—Child Labor in the United States, Bureau Publication No. 114 by U. S. Department of Labor, Children’s Bureau. Controversies Over the Children’s Amendment. Information Service of the Federal Council of Churches, Nov. 8, 1924. Research Information on Essential Aspects of the Child Labor Amendment. The Commission on the Church and Social Service, Federal Council of Churches, 1924. The Present Legal Status of Child Labor in the United States. Children’s Bureau, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Publication No. 193, Fourth Edition, September, 1924. Child Labor. Outlines of Study. Children’s Bureau, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Publication No. 193, September, 1924. A Twentieth Amendment? Information Service of the Federal Council of Churches, December 20, 1924. A summary of New York World’s brief in opposition to the amendment. Millstones. Issued by the Council of Women for Home Mis- sions, Federation of Women’s Boards of Foreign Missions of North America, National Board of the Y.W.C.A., 1925. Obtainable from any of these. Legal Regulation of the Employment of Minors 16 Years and Over, by Ella Arviller Merritt, Children’s Bureau. Sums up legislation as of July 1, 1924. 46 CHAPTER XII THE WORKING DAY Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: Freedom from employment one day in seven, the eight-hour day as the present max- imum for all industrial workers. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What groups of people work seven days of the week in our community? How might they be given one day of rest in seven? What are the effects of seven day labor upon the church, social institutions, the home? Do we favor an eight-hour day as the maximum for all industrial workers? Is the trend toward longer or shorter days for industrial workers in our community? What are the social effects of the twelve-hour day for in- dustrial workers? Do we wish to create opinion in favor of a maximum eight- hour day for all industrial workers? How can this be done? Under what circumstances should there be a working day of less than eight hours? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Hours, 1925 A summary of industrial and economic data covering certain industries for 1925 has been published by the National Indus- trial Conference Board of New York (Bulletin No. 16). . Hours of work per week as shown by the Board’s continuous surveys were as follows in November, 1925: 47 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Hours of Work Per Week Agricultural: implements. c5), ck. tee eee ee 50.5 AUOTNODI Ly 's iss ole Mea oes rom aete a oe eee ae 46.8 Boot: and iishoes .4. oat a wes skaees eo eece ist na oa 44.5 Chemicals -):2.,§ funds shri an thiee tos 6 Mia Se Roi cil aon cura 53.5 Cottona-N Orth ees oy ac eee aie. 2 ste ha eae energie een 46.7 Cotton—-South es VIG, Cee Se care Ora, eee 49.7 Electrical, manufacturing *% °° GRA. Pee 47.5 Furnitared and sas ee), se oe ie. IR ee eee 48.2 Hosiery. .and, knit, goods axivaut.si ae tall eae 46.1 Tron? andwstéelia ce ascites £5 ote ease ea a ee 54.7 Leather Tanning ita. gicn cet dsbccin eas oe at on ea 48.8 Lumber. and “mill work. ours eateiqasn + am © 0a Cee 49.6 Meatpacking © Crs ehiias var. aap kei a) sie oa ee ee 51.0 Paint "ANds Varnisitey se slcuc'e ¢dc04 beeen cane elena 50.9 Raper’ and ipulp) cc iean Os afisk sce eee oie ie reels eee | Paper @prodticts7),. 10220. /7 OF. Sha. es Pe eee 46.4 Printing—-Book« and: jobi’ suisssnatht) ro eR ye ee, 47.5 Printing—News and magazines ..............+4:. 45.7 R&bbere eu EPs aaa ae 8 Pah oi Arete teeta (one ara 43.3 TT eagle My AD ae a erat ie halal yee lg. 47.4 WW OLE ya eta ol Spere sioie ous Bisa peeach oy © paleuk win itit ie mri aeiae aera 45.1 Foundry and machine shop products ...........-. 49.1 Average i aA Beet OP area 48.5 (The report tabulates these figures at two-month intervals for the year, but the seasonal changes were inconsiderable; the November figures are the latest.) Effects of the Twelve Hour Day Of course the main argument is not that of cost and produc- tion but of the man and of the home. A twelve-hour day means at least thirteen hours away from home. When the shift is one’ of eleven to thirteen or of ten and fourteen hours the absence is by that much increased on the longer shifts. The twelve-hour day may mean as much as fifteen hours from home back to home again. Men come to live in the mill. They are little more than acquainted with their families. The long day keeps them away from home during waking hours 48 THE WORKING DAY and sleep after the long night takes up the daylight time at home.—The Twelve Hour Day in the Steel Industry. Bulletin No. 3 issued by the Research Department of the Federal Council of Churches. Crude Oil: Its Human Cost. A Challenge to Christian Amer- ica, by Robert S. Lynd, reprint from the Survey Graphic (Done in Oil) November, 1922, obtainable from the De- partment of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches, New York. 49 CHAPTER XIII SAFEGUARDING INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: Providing safe and sanitary industrial conditions especially protecting women; ade- quate accident, sickness and unemployment insurance, together with suitable provision for old age. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Are there industrial conditions in our community that cannot be described as ‘‘safe and sanitary’? Do women need special protection in industry, including special laws? Is there need of accident insurance among workers in our locality and state? If so, how should this be secured ? Is there need of sickness insurance among workers in our locality and state? If so, how should this be secured ? Is there need of unemployment insurance in our locality and state? If so, how should this be secured? What is “suitable provision” for old age? How should we secure provision for all? 7 What experiences of other countries should provide lessons for us in considering other questions? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Pros and Cons on Protection of Women in Industry The question of the desirability of protective laws for women in industry has been raised by the proposed amendment to the federal Constitution giving equal rights to men and women. This proposal, for which the Woman’s Party is agitating, would of course do away with all laws protecting women only. The different points of view on the question are clearly brought out in two articles in the February 15, 1925, issue of the Survey. 50 SAFEGUARDING INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS In the first, Frances Perkins, chairman of the N. Y. State Indus- trial Board, states the case in favor of such legislation. These laws were first passed during the latter part of the nineteenth century when the evils of the conditions under which women were working were first realized. The laws have been main- tained because it was seen that, without such laws or if en- forcement were lax, conditions tended to go back to the old levels. Miss Perkins explains that this is because the majority of workers in every state are in small establishments where scientific management has not been greatly developed and trade unions are weak. Elizabeth Baker, instructor in economics at Barnard College, states the other side of the case. She explains that she is not a spokesman of the Woman’s Party. Miss Baker considers that there is not yet sufficient knowledge to determine whether work- ing women are benefited or “shackled” by protective legisla- tion. Those who object to such laws claim that under such restrictions women cannot secure desirable occupations since the men who are not restricted as to laws are preferred by employers. She considers that men need protection quite as much as women. Where women are in the majority in in- dustries protective laws are likely to benefit both men and women, but where women are in the minority protective laws are likely to cost them their jobs. Loss Due to Industrial Accidents The tremendous waste due to industrial accidents each year is illustrated by the statistics contained in the report of the Bureau of Workmen’s Compensation of the Pennsylvania De- partment of Labor. ‘These statistics are compiled from the records of the Bureau for January to September (inclusive), 1924. During this nine months’ period 1,648 fatal and 132,084 non-fatal accidents were reported to the Bureau. Treating the two branches of the coal industry as separate units, the largest number of non-fatal accidents in any single industrial group occurred in the metals and metal products with a total-of 36,057 for the nine months’ period. During this same period there occurred in this industry 202 fatal accidents. In anthracite coal mining for the period covered there were reported to the Bureau 22,703 non-fatal accidents and 393 fatal, 51 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS while in bituminous mining there were 17,672 non-fatal and 300 fatal accidents. ‘Transportation and public utilities rank next with 13,304 non-fatal and 281 fatal accidents reported to the Bureau during the nine months, while in building and con- tracting there were 11,595 non-fatal and 161 fatal accidents re- ported. The state total for all industries as recorded by the Bureau during the nine months’ period amounted to 132,084 non-fatal and 1,648 fatal accidents. The greatest loss of time due to accidents reported to the Bureau occurred in anthracite coal mining with a total of 2,758,703 days. During the same nine months, bituminous min- ing ranks second with a total of 2,224,992 days; transportation third, with a total of 2,009,009 days; and metals and metal products fourth with 1,997,875. For the first nine months of 1924 in this one state alone there was a loss of 12,768,825 days due to accidents reported to the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau of the state. In recording accident data, actual numbers are given: in recording days lost, the statistics are weighted according to the scale of time losses for weighing industrial accident disabilities recommended by the International Associa- tion of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.—Informa- tion Service, Federal Council of Churches. Legislative Provision for Aid to Mothers: Mother’ Pensions. 1. Kansas gives between $15-$40 a month to a mother in need. 2. Illinois gives to destitute widowed mothers of children under 14 years of age, up to a maximum of $60 a month.—The Sociology of Human Behavior, by Dan- iel Harrison Kulp, Teachers’ College, Columbia University. Industrial Safety. Edited by Richard H. Lansburgh. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, January, 1926. Forty-two articles on various aspects of industrial safety. 52 CHAPTER XIV UNEMPLOYMENT Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: An effective national system of public employment bureaus to make possible the proper distribution of the labor forces of America. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Do we agree with the principle expressed in the statement? What experience have we that a better distribution of the nation’s labor supply is needed? What reliable information is there about supply of labor in our locality? What experience have we that industries in our community are “seasonal”? Should the community take special care of all seasonal labor? What provisions are made at present? What improvements should be made? How may we help? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Thorough Study of Unemployment “Averaging good and bad years, 10 to 12 per cent of all the workers in the United States (several millions of men and women) are out of work all of the time; widespread unem- ployment is now a constant phenomenon with far-reaching economic, social, psychological and moral bearings; in seeking work through certain types of commercial or fee-charging em- ployment bureaus—particularly those dealing with unskilled and casual labor—thousands of men and women are being exploited.” These are some of the facts brought out in a most important investigation of employment methods, needs, and agencies over a five-year period, published in 1924 by the Russell Sage Foundation. Tue study was made under the 53 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS direction of Shelby M. Harrison, Director of the Department of Surveys and Exhibits. The figures of the survey represent the country’s experience during the last two decades, excluding the past year. The establishment of a free nation-wide public employment service, to be maintained by the states in cooperation with the federal and local governments, for the benefit of men, women, and juniors in all walks of life, is the chief recommendation of those in charge of the study. Unemployment Insurance Plan Unemployment insurance was a feature of the agreement executed in June, 1924, between the Cloth Hat and Cap Man- ufacturers Association and the Joint Council of New York representing the United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers of North America. This fund is to be maintained by weekly payments of 4 per cent of the payroll. The plan went into effect on the first of September, 1924. The agreement also provides that work shall not be required “for any firm, member of the Association, which will work for or supply to any manufacturer or jobber during the pendency of strikes called or conducted by the Union against the latter firm’; and further that the Union “reserves the right not to permit its workers to perform work for any member of the Association who does any work for firms or who sells goods to firms against whom the Union has declared a strike, or who sends goods to such firms, its prin- cipals, agents, factors or jobbers during the pendency of such a strike, and the calling of a strike by the Union against a member of the Association, to enforce the right hereby reserved, shall not be construed as a violation of this collective agree- ment.” Can Business Prevent Unemployment? by Ernest G. Draper, Sam A. Lewisohn, John R. Commons and Don D. Lescohier. Alfred A. Knopf. . Two business men and two well-known economists have here collaborated in producing what is perhaps the most prac- tical and suggestive discussion of the problem of unemploy- ment that has been published in recent years. The authors set out to show “that the amount of unemployment in any one business or industry is often the measure of inefficiency in that 54 UNEMPLOYMENT business or industry and that a reduction of unemployment is usually reflected in the balance sheet by an increase of net income.” Their discussion is addressed mainly to producers and industrialists and it emphasizes chiefly what business men themselves can do, although considerable space is given to public policies for the relief of unemployment and to unemploy- ment insurance. In a straightforward and popularly written narrative under the caption, “How Some of Us Have Met Unemployment,” a rather captivating account is given of. the efforts. of various business and industrial concerns to deal with unemployment by removing its cause rather than by min- istering to the social symptoms to which it gives rise. The control of unemployment, the authors insist, “is actually in the hands of the influential business executive and for it the busi- ness man is primarily responsible.” Cycles of Unemployment in the United States, by William A. Berridge. Houghton, Mifflin Company. Employment, Hours and Earnings in Prosperity and Depres- sion. United States 1920-1922, by William I. King. Na- tional Bureau of Economic Research. 55 CHAPTER XV A MINIMUM COMFORT WAGE Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: That the first charge upon industry should be a minimum comfort wage and that all labor should give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Do we agree that the first charge upon industry should be a minimum comfort wage? How should this minimum comfort wage be determined? Should a minimum comfort wage ever be set by legislature? Should a minimum comfort wage be varied in accordance with the business concerned? Should it vary as the surplus of the industry varies? Should it be paid at such times when the industry operates at a loss? What do we mean by an honest day’s work? What do we mean by an honest day’s pay? Who should determine when there has been an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay? How? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Low Wages Not only is it true that millions of our people are living in actual poverty, ‘a large proportion of our total population re- ceive an income insufficient to enable them to maintain a decent or comfortable standard of living. _ The figures are easily obtained from the income tax returns... .- The total number of . . . income tax returns for’1918 was 4,425,114.1 Of these only 2,908,176 received an annual income of $2,000, and only 1,411,298 received an annual income of $3,000. If we multiply (1) Treasury Department, U. S. Internal Revenue Statistics of Income Compiled from the Returns for 1918, published in 1921. 56 A MINIMUM COMFORT WAGE these figures by five, the size of the average American family —father, mother and three children under fourteen—we dis- cover that less than 15 per cent of the families received a net income of $2,000 and less than 7 per cent received a net in- come of $3,000. These figures will appear all the more signif- icant when it is recalled that the average increase in cost of living in 1918 over 1914 was approximately 75 per cent. . The Final Report of the Commission on Industrial Relations states that “it is certain that at least one-third and_ possibly one-half of the families of wage earners employed in manufac- turing and mining earn in the course of the year less than enough to support them in anything like a comifoxsabhe and decent condition.’’? Women’s wages are [on the whole] less adequate. In the survey made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1919, of the 85,812 women employed in the 28 industries included in the survey, the average weekly wage was $13.54. Approximately 21 per cent received less than $11.00 per week, and approximately 15 per cent received less than $10.00 per week. A survey made by the Council of National Defence and Minnesota Bureau of Women and Children revealed that “17,459 women workers out of a total of 51,361, or 34.05 per cent, received less than a minimum subsistence wage.’ From the Tenth Biennial Report of the Department of Commissioner of Labor and Industrial Statistics of Louisiana, 1919-1920, we learn that of the 10,877 women employed in the department stores, offices and hotels investigated, 7,310, or 67 per cent, received less than $7 per week.—Reprinted from Industrial Facts, by Kirby Page, by permission of George H. Doran Com- pany. The Legal Minimum Wage The several States should enact laws providing for the establishment of wage rates that will be at least sufhcient for the decent maintenance of a family, in the case of all male adults, and adequate to the decent individual support of female workers. In the beginning the minimum wages for male workers should suffice only for the present needs of the (2) Senate Document No. 415, 64th Congress, August 23, 1915, im aa. 57 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS family, but they should be gradually raised until they are adequate to future needs as well. That is, they should be ultimately high enough to make possible that amount of sav- ing which is necessary to protect the worker and his family against sickness, accidents, invalidity and old age.—The Cath- olic Bishops’ Program of Social Reconstruction, January, 1919. Recent Wage Data The International Labor Office published this year a report on Wage Changes in Various Countries 1914-1925 which deals with money wages and real wages and which furnishes service- able background for a study of wage movements. The report shows that in some countries money wages have shown a tend- ency toward stabilization since 1922 whereas in the United States there was an increase from 1922 to 1923, a decrease from 1923 to 1924, and negligible change during 1925. Of course, data on real wages are more illuminating than on money wages and in this connection the report shows that real wages in the United States were somewhat higher in 1924 and 1925 than they were in 1922, at which time they approximated the 1914 level. The cost of living index for the United States based on 1913 average, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, stood at 177.9 as of December, 1925, the highest it has been since September, 1921, and exceeded only during 1919, 1920, and early 1921.—Information Service of the Federal Council of Churches. The “Living Wage” Consider, for example, one of the foremost industrial stand- ards and ideals that we have been talking about during the last decade. What is the net result of our advocacy of the “living wage”? That this concept, merely as a slogan, was helpful in connection with the budget” method of determining wage issues cannot be questioned. Yet we are no more able now than we were at the end of the war to give definite con- tent to the term. In the nature of the case, this is inevitably true. The term “living wage” defines a continually receding goal; the enrichment of the worker’s life increases the mini- mum requisite for its support. But this is not all. The estab- 58 A MINIMUM COMFORT WAGE lishment of a minimum wage involves a careful scrutiny of the market. In practice, minimum wage commissions find it necessary to set the minimum so low that the majority of workers in the occupations covered by the award are -not affected by it—so difficult is it to apply an arbitrary principle within the field of modern aggressive industrial competition. There are industries that are permanently underpaid in which the fixing of a minimum comfort wage would put the product entirely off the market, unless it were possible to effect a com- plete readjustment of the consumer’s budget. . . . The only effectual approach to such a problem involves efficient con- tinuance of the industry, growing out of the realization of joint risks. The concept of a living wage can have no definite content without reference to the product and to the social efficiency as a joint enterprise——From the 1924 Report of the Committee on Ethical Forces in Advancing Standards in In- dustry of the National Conference of Social Work. Wages and the Family, by Paul H. Douglas. University of Chicago Press. A Living Wage, by John A. Ryan. Macmillan. Revised and abridged edition. The Control of Wages, by Walton Hamilton and S. May. Doran. 59 CHAPTER XVI INVESTIGATION—PUBLICITY— CONCILIATION—ARBITRATION Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: Adequate provision for im- partial investigation and publicity, conciliation and arbi- tration in industrial disputes. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What serious industrial disputes have there recently been in our community or locality? What industrial disputes have within the past few years affected our locality? ; Was there provision for impartial investigation of these disputes? By whom? If not, should such provision be made in the future? Who should do the investigating ? Was it the policy of the parties in the dispute to allow im- partial publicity? Should this be done in the future? How can it be secured? What machinery exists in industries of our locality for con- ciliation and arbitration of industrial disputes? Should ma- chinery be set up? What experience is there in our locality or elsewhere which can be of assistance in setting it up? Should this be done by industries? If not, by whom? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Results of Arbitration One of the most illuminating contributions that have been ‘ made to the philosophy of industrial relations is the article by Wm. M. Leiserson in the Atlantic Monthly for September, 1925. Mr. Leiserson is chairman of the board of arbitration for the men’s clothing industry in Chicago. The article is made up of a collection of actual and typical cases that have arisen within his experience as an ‘impartial chairman.” Some of 60 INVES TIGA TION—PUBLICIT Y—CONCILIATION these cases involved disputes between employes; others, ques- tions of the workers’ efficiency, the introduction of new mate- rials or labor-saving devices, ete. When, for instance, English broadcloth, a silky all-cotton material was introduced for men’s shirts, the union decared that since this material was as difficult to handle as silk the wage rate should be that paid for silk. [The manufacturers finally admitted that such was the case and offered to pay the silk rate for pressing but not for operating. Situations like this are the more difficult to decide since there is no statute or common law or definite agreement between manufacturer and union on which decisions may rest. ‘There are, however, as Mr. Leiserson points: out, commonly accepted trade practices en which decision may be based. In this case it was found that materials classified as silk for pressing were uniformly in the trade so classified for operating. The manufacturers were ordered to pay the silk rate for work on the new material. In the case of a man discharged for incompetence it was found that while the man had been careless, the shop had been poorly managed. Since both the employe and employer were equally guilty it was found possible to penalize both by dis- charging the employe and ordering the employer to pay two weeks’ wages. Where steam machines were introduced for the final pressing of men’s coats the highly-skilled hand pressers stopped work though the employer had agreed to keep all the men at the wages they were then receiving. The men, however, felt that they would probably suffer either discharge or a reduction in wages when a new agreement should be made. Besides, the men felt that their skilled trade. was their property and that this was being taken from them. In this connection, Mr. Leiser- son points out that money invested is protected from similar losses by depreciation charges. Railways are protected from competing motor-bus lines, unless a real necessity for the bus lines can be shown. “It is well to remember that a workman has as much reason to fear the machinery that threatens the trade by which he earns a livelihood as the railroad or electric company has to fear motor-bus transportation.” Mr. Leiserson points out further that fair dealing and “an honest day’s work” are not sufficient answers to these questions “ 61 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS for the real problem is to discover what honor, fairness and justice require in such cases. In conclusion, Mr. Leiserson says: “However bitter the con- flicts between employers and wage-earners, I have found it rare indeed that. anyone concerned in them consciously wanted to do the wrong or unjust thing. The conflicts came because it is so difficult to tell what is right in these industrial affairs. he standards by which employers, managers, wage-earners, investors, and consumers measure industrial justice are not the same. And until a common standard is attained none of us can be sure that he knows what is right and wrong in labor relations. But out of the hundreds of disputes decided every day in many of our industries, as the cases above were decided, a common standard of industrial justice is slowly being achieved.” This is the reason why students of modern industry so generally disapprove the clamping of arbitration upon industry by compulsion of the state—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. The Need of Research The Conference on Christian Politics, Economics and Citizen- ship (commonly called C. O. P. E. C.), held in Birmingham, England, in April, 1924, declared: Much of the success of the work here recommended must depend upon the activity of a competent Research Department. We would not, of course, propose to duplicate research work that is being done already, but it is imperative that the leaders and guides of Christian thought should have always accessible on subjects of moment full and reliable knowledge of social facts and of the latest results of sociological thinking. There is also a distinctive sphere for a Research Department of the Churches. The sub- ject matter here would not be the social need and agency, which are the province of the scientist and the social reformer; it would rather be the ideas and inspirations, the proposals and experiments to which Christian people are being constantly led by their Christian faith, but which remain unknown to their fellow-Christians, and, because unknown and therefore unrevised in the light of wider Christian experience, are often comparatively unfruitful. No publication would be distinctive 62 INVESTIGA TION—PUBLICIT Y—CONCILIATION enough, no local crusade or public pronouncement would have the necessary combination of nascent moral energy and col- lective wisdom without an adequate background of distinctive research work. We would therefore commend: this provision for research work as the most essential element of all in the united organization of the future. To be adequate it must be continuous, and therefore adequately staffed with permanent officers, for no committee work can suffice without proper staff work to support it. 63 CHAPTER XVII THE RIGHT OF LABOR TO ORGANIZE Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: The right of labor to organ- ize with representatives of its own choosing and, where able, to share in the management of industrial relations. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Do we agree that labor should have the right to organize with representatives of its own choosing? Why? May an organization of workers within one company, started on the initiative of the management, allowing the workers to elect their officers, meet the requirements of the principles in the Statement of Social Faith? How would it differ from the ordinary trade union? Should an organization within one company have all the powers of a trade union in order fully to protect labor? What types of labor organizations are represented in our locality or affect our locality? Have we any instances of or- ganizations within one company? What trade unions? What have been our contacts and experiences with these or- ganizations? Have we any contact or experience in industries where labor shares in the management of industrial relations? What information have we about other localities that will be of assistance? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Labor Participation in Industrial Management It is to be hoped that this right [of organization by labor] will never again be called in question by any considerable number of employers. In addition to this, labor ought grad- ually to receive greater representation in what the English group of Quaker employers have called the “industrial” part of business management—“the control of processes and ma- chinery; nature of product; engagement and dismissal of em- 64 THE RIGHT OF LABOR TO ORGANIUVE ployees; hours of work, rates of pay; bonuses, etc.; welfare work; shop discipline; relations with trade unions.” The establishment of shop committees, working wherever possible with the trade union, is the method suggested by this group of employers for giving the employees the proper share of in- dustrial management. There can be no doubt that a frank adoption of these means and ends by employers would not only promote the welfare of the workers, but vastly improve the relations between them and their employers, and increase the efficiency and productiveness of each establishment.—T he Catholic Bishops’ Program of Social Reconstruction, 1919, Cooperation of Labor and Management Evidence that labor is ready to assume . . . responsibility for higher standards of industrial service is revealed in the experience of the last few years on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It will be recalled that the president of the B. and O. led the way toward a settlement of the shopmen’s strike by promulgating what has come to be known as the Baltimore Agreement. Taking advantage of the return of peace and friendly relationships, the shop crafts, under the leadership of technical advisers, offered to assume joint responsibility for making the worst shop on the road—worst, i.e., with re- spect to production and discipline—a paying proposition. A remarkable degree of success has already been attained and the joint efforts of company and employes are now being ex- tended to other points on the system. A contract recently entered into provides for the stabiliza- tion of employment by utilizing the facilities of the Baltimore and Ohio to the fullest possible extent for the maintenance, re- building and remodeling of locomotives and car equipment as well as for the manufacture of supplies and material needed for mechanical and other purposes. It recognizes the pos- sibilities of constructive cooperation by the employes in mat- ters of shop operation and output and implies an equitable share between shopmen and the railroad in the benefits of co- operation. The plan provides for local joint committees at 45 designated points on the railroad and for a joint system co- operative committee. The function of these committees is the discussion of questions relating to planning and carrying on 65 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS the work.—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. Breakdown of Collective Bargaining During the recent meetings of the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches of England, a sociological con- ference was held, at which Professor Ramsay Muir spoke on relations between employers and employes. The substance of Professor Muir’s address is thus summarized in The Free Church Chronicle for April, 1926: “It seemed to him clear that the industrial system which existed in this country [Eng- land] was on the verge of a breakdown. By this he did not mean capitalism, but the system of collective bargaining under which two essential factors in production were arrayed in highly organized hostile armies against each other. The system might be brought to an end by means of a conflict which, whatever side wins, must mean ruin to the community. It might, on the other hand, be ended by the organization in its stead of an effective method of cooperation. If that came about, then we should in this generation be passing into a new stage in the age-long story of the development of the methods by which men had got to get the work of production done. In his opinion the crux of the controversy turned upon the just distribution of the results of that cooperation. The distribu- tion would have to be radiantly and obviously just before it would create peace.” Collective Bargaining, by Kirby Page. Doran. Modern Industrial Relations, by John Calder. Longmans Green cael O08 The Question of Recognizing the Union. ‘The Inquiry. Industrial Relations and the Churches, edited by John A. Ryan and F. Ernest Johnson. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, September, 1922. Labor Policy of the United’States Steel Corporation, by Charles A. Gulick, Jr. Longmans Green & Co. The United States Steel Corporation, by Kirby Page. Doran. The Causes of Industrial Unrest, by John A. Fitch. Harper & Brothers. Employes’ Representation in Coal Mines, by Ben M. Selekman and Mary Van Kleeck. Russell Sage Foundation. Employes’ Representation in Steel Works, by Ben M. Selekman. Russell Sage Foundation. Sharing Management with the Workers, by Ben M. Selekman. Russell Sage Foundation. 66 CHAPTER XVIII THE RIGHT OF THE CONSUMER TO ORGANIZE Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: Encouragement of the or- ganization of consumers’ cooperatives for the more equitable distribution of the essentials of life. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION How does a consumers’ cooperative society differ from a business corporation ? What are the purposes of consumers’ cooperative societies? What consumers’ cooperative societies have we had in our locality ? What have our contacts and experiences been with them? What factors in American life encourage and which hinder the organization of consumers’ cooperative societies? Do we believe that we should encourage them? What are the essentials of their success? What consequences may we expect if they are widely or- ganized? What benefits? What changes in the business life of the community? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION The Cooperative Movement The cooperative movement is an organization of consumers. ‘The purpose of the cooperative movement is to organize consumers so that through cooperative buying they may be able to avoid exploitation at the hands of manufacturers and distributors. It seeks . . . . to aid the consumer in pur- chasing direct from the manufacturer or grower, and to own its factories and acreage. - The cooperative movement now exists in almost all countries of the world. Dr. James Peter Warbasse tells us that “i in 67 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Europe it now embraces one-third of the population, and carries on every form of useful industry; some of these are the largest of their kind. In some countries a majority of the people are included in the cooperative movement. The organized societies in each country are federated in the world movement through the International Cooperative Alliance.” In England especially the movement has assumed huge dimensions. There are now 1,467 societies, with 4,182,019 members, with annual sales for the factories, wholesale and re- tail stores, of approximately $1,500,000,000 (£324,781,079), with a capital of approximately $450,000,000 (£98,801,231), with an annual net surplus of approximately $100,000,000 (£21,809,563) to be divided among the members, with 187,535 employees. From the British Labour Year Book of 1919 we learn that “the Wholesale Societies now own 17,519 acres of tea plantations in Ceylon and Southern India, and in 1917, the English C. W. S. bought 10,000 acres of wheat lands in Canada, concessions on the West Coast of Africa and in Nigeria; several farms at home, making it the owner of 12,400 acres in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cambridge, Herefordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire; it also acquired several textile mills, bought a colliery, and started a margarine works.” The movement in the United States has grown rapidly within recent years, especially among farmers and trade union mem- bers. There are now more than 3,000 cooperative stores in the United States. The idea behind the cooperative movement is fundamentally sound. Cooperative buying is certain to increase. This movement deserves careful study and earnest support. It has an important contribution to make.—Reprinted from Industrial Facts, by Kirby Page, by permission of George H. Doran Company. A Defense of Economic Cooperation Cedric Long, executive secretary of the Cooperative League, the educational organization of the consumers’ movement in the United States, has written a defense of economic coopera- tion which embodies some of the main points put forward by protagonists of the movement. Here are some of the points Mr. Long makes: “My thesis is merely this: that our most pressing underlying problems are economic problems; and that 68 THE RIGHT OF THE CONSUMER TO ORGANIZE the most fundamental, the soundest, the most universal solu- tion to the problems of production, distribution and credit is the cooperation solution. “It is an economic movement rather than a religion... . Some of us believe, however, that as it creates a better economic order and substitutes cooperative for competitive action be- tween men, the service for the profit motive, it will indirectly have a marked effect upon the social and intellectual (per- haps even the religious) life of mankind. . . “Cooperation claims as some of its chief merits: First, the fact of its universal economic appeal; second, its freedom from ‘the coercive methods used by the socialistic or any other state; third, its progress according to evolutionary rather than revolutionary methods... . “We believe that the cooperative movement can ultimately separate the capitalist from his ill-gotten gain, the petty farmer from his arrogance, the labor militant from his cock-sureness ; and unite them all on the basis of their common needs... .” How Cooperatives Differ From Corporations The methods are summarized as follows by Dr. J. P. War- basse, president of the Cooperative League of the United States of America: 1. Each member shall have one vote and no more. 2. Capital invested in the society, if it receives interest, shall receive not more than a fixed percentage which shall be not more than the minimum prevalent rate. 3. If a surplus-saving [‘‘profit”] accrues, by virtue of the difference between the net cost and the net selling price of commodities and service, after meeting expenses, paying in- terest [wages to capital] and setting aside reserve and other funds, the net surplus-saving shall be used for the good of the members, for beneficent social purposes, or shall be returned to the patrons as savings-returns [“dividends”] in proportion to their patronage.—Cooperative Democracy, by J. P. Warbasse. Reprinted by permission of the Macmillan Company. Publications of The Cooperative League, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. 69 CHAPTER XIX IS SERVICE AN INCENTIVE? Translating the ideals of Jesus into industry and eco- nomic relationships means: The supremacy of the serv- ice, rather than the profit motive in the acquisition and use of property on the part of both labor and capital, and the most equitable division of the product of indus- try that can be devised. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What is implied in the supremacy of the service over the profit motive in the working of investments? In the receiving of remuneration for work? In the paying of money for work performed? In other situations? (Select some situation in which a member of the group has found himself.) Do we need to revise the current standard of buying low and selling high? What do we need in the way of changes in our social organization in order to allow the service motive to flourish more fully than in the past? Will the service motive spread among individuals best by our preaching and teaching it or best by our changing rules and customs within industry? What principles should be observed in dividing the product of industry so as to be fair to the public, the owners, and the employees? E.g., considering the employees, should wages, in order to be fair, be the average in the industry, or above the average in the industry, or be sufhcient to meet a minimum standard of living, or include as much of the surplus as goes to the owners or what? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Whence Dynamic? Is spiritual dynamic for ethical ends something that is to be acquired and stored ready for use, or is it to be developed 70 IS SERVICE AN INCENTIVE? through actual ethical struggle and endeavor? Will it be dis- covered best by search for it as such, or is it to be found in the search for truth and right in the stress and strain of life? Will the passion of Jesus best be understood as an object of contemplation and of adoring worship, or as one comes to understand its meaning where life is actually in process? Who is competent to undertake the “radical task of analyz- ing the history of Protestant religious tradition in order that the cause of its’ social ineffectiveness may be discovered’? And granted that a true diagnosis were arrived at, what effect on individual or social attitudes, temper or ethical procedure, could be expected from it? Would it be more helpful to religious or social progress than a discovery by groups here and there as to how ethical ideals can really be brought to function in life problems and situations? Intellectually you hunt around until you find a perfect way of living. Then you ask, “How can I get enough energy to put it across?” This is the way in which, it is assumed, progress comes; a group finds a plan for meeting a problem and then looks around for reinforcements. But that is not actually the way. We are working on situations in which we are so concerned that we have got to find a way out. If you are not enough concerned to seek a way out, if your dynamic is not inherent in your process, then your process is worthless. . . . I have been in a number of groups where in this process people have found the deepest spiritual values. On those occasions we had the experience of a group of people who searched until they found something it was possible to work on. Out of the fellowship of that search came deep religious convictions. But we are not making this clear to ourselves. We get restless. We still look upon will power as something to be worked up in one way or another when really it is a strengthening of purpose, and the purpose comes out of the situation in which we want to do something. Dynamic, therefore is all tied up in that—The Inquiry, January, 1926. Are the Motives of Jesus Practicable? Let us . . . . raise the question: Are the motives of Jesus practicable in modern business and professional life? ye! THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS The self-denial and unselfish service of Jesus are not contrary to human nature. The task before us is not the changing of human nature but the creation of situations in which the more social tendencies may more easily be given expression. The task before us is not an impossible one. The motives of Jesus are natural to man at his best and can be applied in modern business and professional life. They must be applied if life is to be made tolerable for mankind. The difficulties in the way of their application are stupendous. Courage of a high order is demanded. And yet in other realms men are not dismayed by obstacles. Behind the desk of one of the great industrial leaders of the nation is a small electric sign which he illuminates at psychological moments. It reads: CAN’T MUST BE OVERCOME. This is the attitude pre-eminent for the Christian with re- gard to the obstacles which block the way to the application of the motives of Jesus in modern business and professional life. Can’t must be overcome.—Reprinted from Incentives in Modern Life, by Kirby Page, by permission of George H. Doran Company. The Acquisitive Society, by R. H. Tawney. Harcourt Brace & Co. Human Nature and Conduct, by John Dewey. Henry Holt & Co. The Profit Motive, by Harry F. Ward. League for Industrial Democracy. Incentives in the New Industrial Order, by J. A. Hobson. Thomas Seltzer. The Social Principles of Jesus, by Walter Rauschenbusch. Association Press. Christianity and Economic Problems, edited by Kirby Page. Association Press. rs PART III AGRICULTURE CHAPTER XX A FAIR REWARD FOR FARMING Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculturé means: That the farmer shall have access to the land he works, on such terms as will ensure him personal freedom and economic encouragement, while society is amply pro- tected by efficient production and conservation of fer- tility. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience do farmers have access to land assuring them the same personal freedom and economic encouragement, as are reasonably to be expected by persons setting up other industries? What do the recent researches indicate as to the economic encouragement of agriculture as compared with other in- dustries? What are some of the chief causes of the economic handicaps of agriculture? What are some of the steps being taken to improve agricul- tural conditions? In our experience is it correct to say that in some sections of the country, the American farmer has been a miner of the soil, a robber of its fertility? What have been some of the factors which have led to this condition? Has the proportion of tenants on American farms been in- creasing or decreasing? Should ownership rather than ten- antry be encouraged? Why? How? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Statistics of Farmers’ Incomes Mr. L. H. Bean, of the Division of Statistical and Historical Research of the United States Department of Agriculture, sums up the Department’s data in an article in the Handbook of Rural Social Resources, (University of Chicago Press, 1926) as follows: 75 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS REWARD FOR LABOR AND MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTED BY OPERATORS AND THEIR FAMILIES Reward per Wages Year | Net income | lowance on | °peratorand | (without gly 15) tee operator PEnce estes 1 ator ‘endl | uate per operator cnet | ete ven Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars 1919-20 1,269 aa 947 675 1920-21 720 319 401 779 1921-22 543 249 294 520 1922-23 701 230 471 501 1923-24 764 233 531 563 1924-25 876 227 649 569 In interpreting these returns it is important to observe (a) that during the four years, 1920-1923, farmers paid hired labor more than they themselves earned per family; (b) that of the $543 net income in 1921-22 only slightly more than $200 was in cash, the balance being the value of food contributed by the farm to family living, while in 1924, of the $876 net income, about $500 was in cash; and (c) that out of these meager cash incomes the average farmer had to purchase manufactured foods, clothing, and building materials at prices which had not declined in proportion to the decline in farm income, to pay principal on debts, and to provide a certain amount of recrea- tion and education for his family. The inadequacy of these cash earnings, and the retrenchment in the average farmer’s standard of living, is reflected in the financial condition of those industries which find in the farm population the outlet for their manufactured goods. It is seen also in statistics on de- linquent taxes, unpaid debts, and bankruptcies among farmers. Farmers’ Standards of Living Certain studies of the total value of all goods consumed by 2,883 farm families in selected localities in nine states for the year ending December 31, 1923, have been completed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Some of the results presented by Dr. E. L. Kirkpatrick, who conducted the study, were as follows: There was an average of 4.2 persons per 76 A FAIR REWARD FOR FARMING family and 4.6 per household. The total value of all goods consumed was $1.503.90 per family, of which 42.1% was furnished by the farm and 57.9% was purchased. The total consumption of goods per family was divided into the follow- ing groups: POO Gm ee ry eure AON PRN Oe bee RS Red 41.2% ACTIN tEeWe) OM Sy inate | 14.7% Rent (10% of value of house) .............. 12.4% Furnishing and equipment aera thle tat 2.77% mperatiommexpetises yt hay ee) At. vy parse 4 13.9% WMaintenante of healthyis Wasa upon ae Py. 3.9% mavancement esi gy, Le Nae, oleae yl 6.3% eTAONOLPeeT I od 2, Sere Ce of a) 2.4% WISUPANCETN oe s.°. SHINIESY a8) BO BRET podp. 2.3% Pcl assined te, ciao ls AER Ll alas Site 2% 100.0% Dr. Kirkpatrick stated that the figures indicate that farm families vary their distribution of consumption very consider- ably as the total expenditure changes. For example, consider- ing the item of advancement above, it is found that when the total value of all goods used per family is less than $600, 1.9% goes for advancement, and that as the total income rises the expenditures for this item also increase. They amount to 12.2% of the total for those families whose total consumption of goods is valued at $2,700 a year or over. The following generalizations are made by Dr. Kirkpatrick: “As the total value of all goods used per family increases: “(a) The percentage for food decreases. “(b) The percentage for clothing increases markedly al- though somewhat irregularly. This corresponds to 20th cen- tury families studied, but differs widely from 19th century European families. — ‘“(c) The percentage for rent remains constant or increases very slightly. This is different from United States industrial families, studied about 1918, for which rent showed a con- siderable decrease. * Includes formal education, reading matter, organization dues, contributions to religious organizations, Red Cross and welfare work, recreation. 77 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS “(d) The percentage for all other goods [than food, clothing and rent] increases. This in accordance with studies of other than rural families.” The Farmer, the Town and the City Dr. Arthur E. Holt, professor of social ethics at Chicago Theological Seminary, contributes an interesting article on “The Farmer, the Town and the City” to the Adult Bible Class Magazine for April, 1925, Dr. Holt prophesies that the next great controversy in America will be between the farmer and the consumer of his products. In Europe it has already reached a more advanced stage than in this country. He suggests several steps which might be taken to make it less serious. People in the small towns should realize that their interests are linked up with agricultural producers, not with the big cities. Farmers should be invited to join the clubs and churches of the trade centers and business men should encourage the organization of farmers’ cooperatives. At the same time consumers’ cooperatives should be organized in the cities so that the consumers and producers may have a reasonable degree of equality in bar- gaining power. But the most important thing is, according to Dr. Holt, that the church should be helping the entire movement. “The church must see in the organization of the farmers’ cooperative a first duty on the part of the farmer. After the farmer has achieved equality of bargaining power the church should preach the old doctrine of a fair price to both consumer and producer. It should interpret a ‘bargain’ as an inter- change of goods in which both parties are benefited. It is not a phase of war but of peace. It is a part of that process by which the hungry world is fed. It is evil when, as has been the case for the last few years, the producer is compelled to sell his goods at less than cost.” The Rural Mind and the Economic Order. The Social Service Bulletin of the Methodist Federation of Social Service, May 1, 1926. Handbook of Rural Social Resources, edited by Henry Israel and Benson Y. Landis. University of Chicago Press. Our Debt and Duty to the Farmer, by Henry C. Wallace. The Century Company. Farm Tenancy in the United States, by E. A. Goldenweiser and Leon E. Truesdell. Government Printing Office. 78 CHAPTER XxXI THE HIGH COST OF DISTRIBUTION Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: That the cost of market distribution from farmer to consumer shall be cut to the lowest possible terms, both farmers and consumers sharing in these economies. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience, have the costs of distributing farm products been increasing or decreasing? Why? What illustrations have we of what appear to be excessive costs of distributing the products of the farm? With what studies of cost of distribution are we familiar? What do these indicate? What would be involved in cutting the cost of distributing, e.g., wheat and wheat products to the lowest possible terms? What should be done about excessive profits in an industry? How should economies be brought about? Can the middleman, i.e., a marketing agency, be eliminated ? Can the number of middlemen be reduced? In what instances has it been accomplished ? How could consumers’ cooperative societies help? Could farmers and urban consumers of their products be linked together in one organization? In what situations? How could organized farmers and organized consumers work together? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Cost of Distributing Wheat and Bread In his detailed report on The Wheat Situation, sent to the President on November 30, 1923, Secretary of Agriculture _ Wallace wrote: ‘The spread between the price paid to the producer of wheat and price paid by the consumer of bread _has widened very materially since 1913. 79 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS “The retail price of a 16-ounce loaf of bread in Washington, D. C., has increased from 5.45 cents in September, 1913, to 9 cents in September, 1923. This advance in bread prices has not benefited the farmer. The portion received in 1913 by the wheat grower for the wheat equivalent of flour used in baking the Washington loaf was about one-fifth of the retail price of bread; in 1923 it amounts to less than one-sixth. While the wheat grower’s portion of the retail price of bread has in- creased during this period less than one-third of a cent, the margins above have increased a total of 3% cents. “The margins between the mill and the retailer are, there- fore, of most interest to the consumer, but the margins between the farm and the terminal market are of special concern to the farmer. According to the best available evidence the mar- ‘gins for the services of local and terminal handling agencies as well as those of transportation agencies bear down heavily upon the wheat grower.” Waste in Marketing A study of the costs of marketing fruit and vegetables in the New York district was recently made by the Port of New York Authority cooperating with the U. S. Bureau of Agri- cultural Economics. The study revealed a serious form of social waste. It was found that of every dollar spent for Northwestern apples in the New York district 47 cents were required for retail and jobbing margins. The long road haul of a sack of Michigan potatoes costs less than the terminal handling and truck haul to jobber and retailer. The high cost of trucking is due largely to the fact that the trucks are engaged in productive service only a little more than a third of the time. The rest is consumed in delays at terminals and stores, trips with part loads, etc. There seems to be little hope of reducing trucking costs since excess equip- ment must be maintained to provide for rush service and “‘the wide seasonal and daily variation in trafhe volume.” “The soundest program for reducing trucking expense appears to be the provision of new receiving facilities and methods of handling which shall minimize the amount of trucking neces- sary within the terminal area.” Terminal handling, however, costs less than 10 per cent of 80 THE HIGH COST OF DISTRIBUTION the price paid by consumers. Shrinkage of quantity in such commodities as potatoes, cabbages, etc., means an average loss of slightly under 5 per cent for the retailer, and spoilage of perishables averages slightly more than 5 per cent. Rapid changes in the wholesale prices of perishables are an element in the jobbers’ margins. Credit and delivery costs are also high. A study of stores which offer credit and delivery and those on a strictly cash- carry basis showed an average difference of 14 per cent in prices. It was also found that the cost of making sales was practically the same for a small sale as for a large one. Efficient Marketing for Agriculture, by Theodore Macklin. Macmillan. Waste, by Stuart Chase. Macmillan. 81 CHAPTER XXII THE RIGHT OF THE FARMER TO ORGANIZE Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: There shall be every encouragement to the organization of farmers for economic ends, particularly for cooper- ative sales and purchases. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Is it fair to expect farmers to sell their products individually ip our present market régime? Why? What are the handicaps of individual action? For what reason should collective sales be encouraged? What are our contacts and experiences with cooperative selling by farmers? What are the advantages and limitations of such cooperative action ? What are our contacts and experiences with cooperative buying of supplies by farmers? What are the advantages and limitations of such cooperative. action ? What effects may we expect upon social (i.e., non-economic) and religious institutions of the rural districts through the organization of economic cooperation? Why? What is the experience in the United States and other countries? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Ventures in Cooperation Perhaps the “biggest thing’ in rural America during the past five years has been the development of cooperative marketing. Farmers contend that the existing marketing 82 THE RIGHT OF THE FARMER TO ORGANIZE agencies receive too much reward and profit and that these services can be improved. Therefore one-sixth of the farmers of the country have joined cooperative marketing associations which they allege promise them better rewards and more efficient distribution.—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. Review of Cooperative Marketing A concise review of the possibilities and limitations of the farmers’ cooperative marketing movement was recently made by Dr. H. E. Erdman of the division of rural instructors of the University of California, one of the best students of the economic aspects of the topic. Some of the benefits most likely to be realized immediately by a well organized cooperative are those resulting from standardization of varieties of products and improvement of production. ‘Members of a cooperative association often resent having the management discuss pro- duction. The management, in their opinion, has been hired to sell. It must be remembered, however, that the management is in a- position to know what varieties and qualities the mar- ket demands. .’ An efficient cooperative may stabilize production, control the flow of products to market, advertise the product and develop new markets, finance marketing opera- tions and provide collective bargaining for farmers. Professor Erdman points out that experience has taught that cooperative marketing associations cannot arbitrarily fix prices, that they cannot “eliminate the middleman” (they are themselves market- ing agencies which perform the functions. of the so-called middlemen) and that they cannot “greatly” reduce marketing costs. Other problems are the following: “It is difficult to maintain harmony between management and members, mem- bers become careless in voting and selecting officers, there is a tendency [among managers] toward extravagance, outsiders sometimes get higher prices than members even when an or- ganization is functioning efficiently and members of a new organization often expect impossibilities.’ Dr. Erdman says that the benefits of cooperation can only be achieved slowly and that “it will be long before the possibilities of cooperative marketing are realized.’—Christian Science Monitor. 83 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Cooperatives are “Settling Down” The cooperative movement, the most significant post-war movement in rural America, reached in 1925 a period which has been variously described as one of reorganization or re- adjustment or “settling down.” Following a period of rapid expansion—considered too rapid by many _— students—the year was marked by numerous changes within organizations and by a few conspicuous failures. In a recent estimate of the movement made before the National Association of Market- ing Officials, Dr. E. G. Nourse, associate editor of the In- stitute of Economics, and one of the best informed students of agricultural cooperation, said: “Cooperation is now going through a ‘settling down’ process. ‘There is a pronounced ‘get- together’ movement among cooperative organizations and progress is now being made in the study of all phases of co- operative marketing experience in the United States.” In fact the sum of experience in cooperative marketing dur- ing the past decade indicates that cooperation is a really effective technique only when it is accompanied by other favor- able factors in the agricultural situation; such as: production of a commodity in quantities that can be readily absorbed by demand, adequate credit, able farm management that can achieve low-cost production, a social] ethic in the rural commu- nity which generates loyalty of cooperation at. all costs.—Jn- formation Service, Federal Council of Churches. Social Aspects of Farmers’ Cooperative Marketing, by Benson Y. Landis. University of Chicago Press. Cooperative Marketing, by Benson Y. Landis, Chapter in Handbook of Rural Social Resources. University of Chi- cago Press. Cooperation in Denmark, by Chris. L. Christenson. United States Department of Agriculture. 84 CHAPTER XXIII FAIR PLAY FOR RURAL EDUCATION Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: That an efficient system of both vocational and general education of youths and adults living on farms shall be available. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience are rural or urban systems of education more efhcient? Why? Is more money spent on the average to educate the average urban than the average rural child? Why? What are the peculiar conditions surrounding the conduct of rural schools? Are rural teachers as well equipped as urban teachers? Should they be? Should the child on the farm be allowed to have an inferior system of education? Should the wealthier states of the country, through taxation, contribute money toward the education of children in states which have comparatively little wealth? Are these wealthier states inclined to approve such helpful plans? How could this be brought about? Is agriculture peculiarly in need of a good system of voca- tional education? Why? How should it be set up? What agencies are at work? Is more being done already in voca- tional training for farming than for many other vocations? Why? Should the general education of farm youth (e.g., the elemen- tary education of the first six grades) have as an aim to make particular efforts to retain children on farms or should it seek to give children experiences of life with no undue emphasis upon farm life, or should it do something else? 85 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Data About Rural Education There are about 175,000 one-teacher public schools in the United States with an average of 25 pupils, 12,000 two-teacher schools averaging 50 pupils and 15,000 consolidated schools averaging 100 pupils. The total enrollment of rural schools is approximately 6,500,000. Over 250,000 teachers are em- ployed. (Estimates by Professor Mabel Carney, Columbia University, an authority on rural education.) The amount spent per capita in educating rural school children is consid- erably less than that spent for urban children. Salaries of teachers in rural districts are much lower than in the city. Typical surveys of state educational systems show that the great majority of young, untrained, transient teachers are in the rural schools, but steady progress is being made in teacher training. More than half of the country’s normal schools and twenty-four state high school systems now offer special instruc- tion to prepare rural teachers.—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. Data on Vocational Instruction in Agriculture AGRICULTURE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS The . . . 1924 report of the Federal Board for Vocational Education . . is . . . the source of the following data — regarding tethers employed and pupils enrolled: Teachers and pupils in schools for vocational agriculture Year Teachers Pupils 1 ED eae ng ON Nt Puen Rd Bo oe 995 15,453 LOLS festeie. deb 4a: Le kates borne 1,201 18-933 INES 20s Gis... dak. Dalaba ice tate a ey 1,570 31,301 19291 wheats. oftod. ne hiek on bee.’ oR Ue | 43,352 L922 6. addia. viene Ob “ket ties 2,290 60,236 O23 ees, Mie kies aja nhs Wii ec eects Sane 3,012 71,298 D4 asks.) sui vig ho aia aitanes canis ak aces cael eas 3,454 85,984 These two tables show a steady and consistent growth in expenditures from all sources and in enrollment of pupils. This is of special interest in view of the farming depression | of the past few years. 86 | ; FAIR PLAY FOR RURAL EDUCATION The enrollment in vocational agriculture for the various types of work is shown by the following figures from the 1924 report of the Federal Board for Vocational Education: Enrollment in vocational agriculture by types of work Part Short Year Evening time All day unit RaLiNert meee Pe nicds cen caticit © ett. P5453 9 ie Te rs Oy eee One ter Me eee Ren oe, 2 M99 3 Sythe teeaese NS ENG Tig NET EO TD eae ee a ee ea a ego 109 Me Pern TERA BS. i 2 eles eens oad Bee 14139 $44 50740 7.638 orn seeks DD ARETE et Odette ies 17533 59 Th 25.0 Lido aes BOARE LT as dake stn! se 9,319 yA TV be ee Ware! 1,911 TAS Ife it a, 5 ee age LS*Z27 2,143 65,358 a 200 The enrollment in day schools is primarily in high school departments of agriculture. From the data given it is apparent that there has been a tendency in the past few years to expand the types of work offered so as to reach other groups of pupils. AGRICULTURE IN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTIONS In many of the colleges of agriculture there has been a de- cline in recent years in the enrollment in agriculture. In the land grant colleges, statistics show the following enrollments in agriculture for the white institutions: LODZ Safir. Veber tre nate 2,471 ON ETS Fe Gees nee ee ner 14,844 1903 Ahtsds 3 Saha O84 2,331 LOLA ALS ah aitel pila es 17,169 BQO eSifih.( 2 FAcpents : _ 12,462 1923-24) Te ences 13,685 - From Bulletin No. 32, 1925, Bureau of Education, Washington, D. CG. Advance Sheets from the Biennial Survey of Education in the United Statcs (1922-1924). By George A. Works. Rural Education, by Orville G. Brim. Macmillan. Country Community Education, Fifth Report of. the American Country Life Association. University of Chicago Press. .; - 87 CHAPTER XXIV RURAL SOCIAL LIFE Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: That special efforts shall be made to ensure the farmer adequate social institutions, including the church, the school, the library, means of recreation, good local government, and particularly the best possible farm home. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience do farmers have access to libraries in the same way as city and town people? What has been done to meet this need? In our experience what are the chief differences between churches in small towns and the open country and churches in the city? In our experience do country churches “feed” the city churches? Do city churches owe something to country churches? Have they a peculiar responsibility to help improve conditions in country churches? How can they help? What is our experience in regard to recreational facilities? What is being done to improve conditions? Can rural communities now secure good and appropriate movies if they want them? How can the leaders of a com- munity cooperate with the local exhibitor of movies? Is it correct to say that urban people may contribute volun- tarily and through taxation toward the improvement of rural institutions not for charity nor for selfish purposes but simply as a matter of justice because much of the cities’ population comes from the country? Should we be interested in promoting mutual. helpfulness between city and country churches?) What may we. do? 88 RURAL SOCIAL LIFE MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Rural Health Conditions Not more than 12 per cent of the rural population of the United States, it is said, enjoys anything like modern health supervision. Forty Kentucky counties in 1924 were reported to be without adequate medical service. One of these counties had not a single doctor. In a Montana county of 5.000 square miles, there were only three doctors and no hospitals. In Minnesota 127 small villages were reported to be without doctors. Similar conditions existed in the Dakotas. This sit- uation is believed to be largely due to the fact that modern medical education is developing physicians who will not con- sent to dispense with the advantages of up-to-date clinics and _laboratories—Farmers’ Bulletin No. 1485, United States De- partment of Agriculture, entitled Rural Hospitals, by Wayne C. Nason of the Division of Farm Population and Rural Life. Sermon on Crippled Children The weekly sermon by Dr. J. W. Holland in the Progressive Farmer (Raleigh) for October 10, 1925, gave data on the extent of crippled children and discussed the rapid spread of the movement to come to the relief of these sufferers. There are said to' be approximately 400,000 crippled children in the United States. A large proportion of these could have been entirely cured if they had had early medical attention. The “Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children” alone now have capacities of 600 beds. The Country Church The most adequate and extensive studies of the church situa- tion in “town and country” (including towns having up to 5,000 people) are those of the Institute of Social and Religious Research. Considering Protestantism only, these studies in- dicate that there are 101,000 very unevenly distributed churches in town and country. One-seventh of the rural communities are without churches, On the other hand there is considerable over-churching in many sections, particularly the east, south, and middle west. One out.of every five rural churches. receives 89 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS home mission aid, and more than half of these subsidized churches are in active competition with other subsidized churches. Seven out of every ten churches have only part of a pastor’s time. The salaries of many country ministers are so low that one-third of their number eke out a bare livelihood by working at some other occupation as well as the ministry. The average annual salary is equivalent to $1,150 cash and free use of a house. Two-fifths of our rural churches are standing still or losing members, while one-half make an annual gain in membership running as high as 10 per cent. The total membership of the churches is 16 per cent of the total population. The typical country church has a program which includes worship, conducting a Sunday school, and such | pastoral care as a part-time minister can give. A large pro- portion of ministers are untrained and the college and seminary trained men either avoid the country or tend to drift to towns and cities.—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. County Libraries The residents of approximately 200 of the 3,065 counties in the United States enjoy county library service. Forty-two of © these 200 counties are in California. Since 1911 the develop- ment of county libraries has distinguished that state and stim- ulated a great interest in the provision of libraries in rural” communities throughout the country. Prior to 1911 there were a few isolated instances in which counties had established libraries, but they created no wide-spread interest. Development of Social Work Rural social work is a new.but rapidly developing field. There are today 1,089 rural public health nurses at work under the auspices of the Red Cross. Official health departments of counties are increasing in number. The United States Public Health Service cooperates in demonstration projects in rural health work in 60 counties or districts comparable to counties, . in 17 states. The Rockefeller Foundation and the International Health Board have conducted significant demonstrations, par- ticularly in the south. Child welfare specialists are employed in a small number of counties. North Carolina in 1919 made it mandatory for every county to maintain a department of 90 RURAL SOCIAL LIFE public welfare. Missouri has passed a law permitting counties to employ welfare secretaries. In Pennsylvania and Iowa county committees on social service are being formed. Private : agencies like the Pennsylvania Children’s Aid and the State Charities Aid of New York work on a county basis. Various religious agencies also carry on social work. In general it may perhaps be said that organized rural social work is largely an extension or adaptation of urban technique. ‘The form of coordination of rural social work and all phases of its future development are being debated and_ studied.—In- formation Service, Federal Council of Churches. Handbook of Rural Social Resources, edited by Henry Israel | and Benson Y. Landis. University of Chicago Press. Our Templed Hills, by Ralph A. Felton. Missionary Educa- tion Movement. 1926. Study Course. 91 CHAPTER XXV THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: That there shall be a widespread development of organ- ized rural communities, thoroughly democratic, com- pletely cooperative, and possessed with the spirit of the common welfare. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience are rural communities tending to become more or less democratic and cooperative? In what ways? What helps and what hinders the development of loyalty to a community? How may our social institutions in the country contribute more to the development of communities? What has been the part of religious denominations in the development of rural communities? What is our experience with the community church move- ment? How may organized religion best contribute to the develop- ment of communities? If there are four small, weak Protestant churches in a com- munity of 1,000 people, what methods might be used to further the development of a more cooperative and democratic com- munity? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION The Good Life on the Farm The community . . . is a group of people based upon and growing out of their fundamental desires to associate with one another and to get their wants satisfied. Nearly everyone recognizes that people can get things more economically and get more and better things if they act together in some sort 92 THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES of group or organized fashion. For example, it is plainly impossible for each farm family to hire a tutor for its children. But when a number of families act together they are able to employ at reasonable expense a competent teacher. Moreover, they are able to build schools and provide them with the necessary equipment. So if wants are to be satisfied, if standards are to be pro- gressive, and if rural civilization is to be permanent, then group action will be necessary. This can no longer take place on the old neighborhood economy basis. It must be extended to a larger community basis which is consistent with the de- mands of changed needs and wants. It will likewise probably mean some specialization on the part of the country community, for certain needs can now be more successfully met by the town or the city than was possible in the pioneering days. This only means that some farmers and their families will need to give more consideration to local community relations. They may need to redefine their community boundaries and their group loyalties. A rural community, for example, which is organized for recreation is admitted to be a happier community, freer from vice, crime, and disease than one which has no organization. It is pronounced a better place in which to live and work. This is true for every phase of activity in the rural community. Few of the better things of life come about by accident or even by individual effort alone. To prosper a rural community must be able to produce what consumers want and are willing to pay for. It must be able to do this at the least possible cost consistent with producing a commodity of such quality and standard as to permit of marketing and yielding a profit. This means organization. To get a fair share of the price the consumer is willing to pay for this standardized, quality product an efficient and orderly marketing system is required. This means organization. To convert profits earned by efficient production and orderly marketing into the satisfactions for individual and community wants—“‘to open the door to a good kind of life on the farm” —is likewise a task of the first magnitude—Rural Community Organization Handbook, by J. H. Kolb and A. F. Wileden. The University of Wisconsin. 1926. Pamphlet. 93 THE. CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS “What’s on the Farm Woman’s Mind?” A conference of sixteen farm women chosen because of their vision, their contacts with other women and their ability to express “what’s on the farm woman’s mind” was recently called in Chicago by the Farmer’s Wife and the American Country Life Association. It was a conference with “no speeches” of any kind. Only a few representatives of national agencies and the federal government were called in as con- sultants. At the opening session it was agreed that the 8,000,000 farm women of the United States suffer from an “inferiority com- plex,’ but that it is disappearing. One of the first sessions was given to listing the felt needs of farm women. From this catalog, four topics were chosen as of most importance: edu- cation, economics, “appreciations,” and community development. When education was considered the interest centered upon health education and citizenship. It was felt that information in regard to simple rules of health had not yet found its way to the farm woman; that health agencies had not yet popu- larized their data; and that organizations had frequently more interest in their own programs than in doing the necessary pioneering work of reaching the farm woman. A resolution was passed urging that popularization of information be the keynote of the work of the health agencies and that they ven- ture out from the city in rendering their services. The discussion of “appreciations” revealed that these farm women had a conscious need of art—for example, great paint- ings of farm and home life; of an appreciation of the farm surroundings; of self-esteem rather than apology for their vocation. While all the sessions were characterized by a deep spiritual note, and the closing session was described as one consisting mainly of prayers and poems, the church as an in- stitution received mainly criticisms. These women resented the ordinary custom in country churches of relegating women to the task of preparing ladies’ aid suppers—they passed reso- lutions of sympathy and urged proposals of relief for “the ladies’ aid and similar organizations.” One woman remarked that the average country church does not promote the mental health of women. ‘There was expressed a desire for “better preachers.” 94 THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES When economic matters were discussed, the conference adopted a series of findings recommending that farm women take a greater interest in legislative enactments concerning agriculture, that an effort be made to interest city women in agricultural problems and that farm women should help sus- tain the morale of cooperative marketing institutions. The farm woman’s importance as a factor in producing income was recognized and a great deal of time was spent in the formulation of standards of consumption, and standards of life, which included “health, neatness, beauty, efficiency, sim- plicity of spirit, happiness, companionship, physical comfort, hospitality and genuineness.” Rural Social Problems, by C. J. Galpin. ‘The Century Company. The Community, by E. C. Lindeman. Association Press. The Farmer and His Community. Harcourt, Brace and Co. Organizing the Community, by Bessie A. McClenahan. The Century Company. 95 CHAPTER XXVI CAN CITY AND COUNTRY COOPERATE? Translating the ideals of Jesus into agriculture means: That there shall be fullest measure of friendly recipro- cal cooperation between the rural and city workers. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experience what instances have there been of city and rural workers cooperating on economic measures? Is the — tendency toward more or less contacts between city and rural © workers? What economic interests have these groups in common? What economic interests have these groups that are in conflict ? In our experience how frequently do leaders of organized labor and organized farmers meet and confer? Do these two groups tend to understand or misunderstand each other? How may the fullest measure of friendly reciprocal coopera- | tion in economic measures between these two groups be pro- moted? In our experience what instances have there been of co-- operation between these groups in political measures? What political interests have they in common? At what points do their political interests conflict ? How may the fullest measure of friendly reciprocal co operation between these two groups in politics be promoted? How may cooperation between these two groups in other tasks be promoted ? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Cooperation versus Conflict In the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, large numbers of farmers and industrial workers have found that they have 96 CAN CITY AND COUNTRY COOPERATE? mutual interests which appear to them more important than those which are conflicting. One of the ablest strategists in the Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota, after having been through six years of negotiations between the two groups, stated: “We do not expect farmers and laborers to cooperate in all instances. We recognize that they will agree only on some political and economic questions and will disagree on others. We believe that the issues on which they agree are more important, however, and that it is to the advantage of both groups to cooperate rather than to compete in politics.” Observers and participants point out the common interests of these two groups: They feel that they have a common enemy, “big business”; they feel that they have mutual inter- ests as debtors, the credit of both being controlled by the busi- ness community; the farmers’ real income as well as that of the industrial workers represents labor; they have common complaint against the high costs, profits and inefficiencies of the distributing agencies. “Farmers and industrial workers must cooperate,’ said an officer of a farmers’ organization, “because neither we nor labor can get anywhere alone.” In- tense feeling of opposition on the part of both groups to the business community has thus overcome the felt antagonism between the two groups. On the other hand, the maintenance of this cooperation is constantly menaced: In this section, when farmers are em- Ployers of labor, their interests are in conflict with certain groups of organized workers, particularly the Industrial Work- ers of the World; in a new movement composed of two such Sroups there are many problems of adjustment and there has been friction between leaders which can only be described, Says one observer, as “vicious personal conflicts”; the extremely low incomes of farmers during the past few years of depression have aroused some antagonism on their part toward labor in the cities because it has apparently been better off; in Minne- sota the formation of a new party which has won victories has prompted numerous opportunists among politicians to be- come candidates under the new banner in the hope of attain- ing office and these willing volunteers are sometimes a source of much discord; finally, it is recognized by some of the strate- gists in the movement in Minnesota that “the morrow of the 97 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS victory is more dangerous than the eve,” and that the real problems of the farmer-labor coalition may just begin when it has a governor and control of the legislature. —Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. A Rural-Urban Conflict? ‘In academic and some other quarters, the significance of a rural-urban conflict is being pondered. ‘There are students of agricultural economics who believe we are just on the verge of an intensification of that conflict. It is thought that food prices in the cities will tend to be considerably higher and may become extremely high in ten or fifteen years; and that then the rural groups will be as complacent in their advan- tageous position as the urban consuming public has been dur- ing the agricultural depression of the past few years. A prom- inent United States senator is reported to have stated that the rural-urban conflict is one of the great issues which the country must face in the next two decades. fais de ie Serv- ice, Federal Council of Churches. Rural-Urban Cooperation The testimony of Dr. Kenyon L. Butterfield, President of Michigan State Agricultural College, on evidences of increas- ing rural-urban cooperation, appearing in Rural American for June, 1926, is as follows: “Never before have I felt so strongly that the probable trend out in this area, at least, is going to be toward a knit- ting together of the smaller towns with the farming people surrounding. Indeed, in one case, there is a city in Michigan of 50,000 people that has maintained for half a dozen years a very large community club with at least half of the members farmers and furnishing at least half of the attendance, as a rule. I suspect, however, that the characteristic development will show itself in villages of five hundred up to smaller cities of perhaps five thousand. I have received great encourage- ment and stimulus from this discovery.” Farmers and Workers in American Politics, by Stuart L. Rice. Longmans, Green & Co. 98 RAMA DM RACE RELATIONS CHAPTER XXVII A FAIR DEAL FOR EVERY RACE Translating the ideals of Jesus into race relations means: The practice of the American principle of the same protection and rights for all races who share our common life. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Which races in our locality or nation do not receive equal protection and rights? Why? In our experiences when and how have protection and rights been denied in the courts? In the schools? On rail- road trains? In housing? At the polls? In recreation? In social intercourse? In labor unions? In industrial plants? In churches? Does the declaration in favor of equal rights for all races include the right of access to all public places including res- taurants and hotels, the right of intermarriage and _ social equality? Should we, as Christians, oppose or favor full social equality (including the right of intermarriage) ? How are legal rights of minority races denied by social customs? What are our experiences? What can we do to change laws and social customs so as to secure equal protection and rights for all the races who share our life? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION A Vocational Color Line The Hospital Library and Service Bureau of the American Conference on Hospital Service, with office in Chicago, has recently published an informal study of the educational facili- ties for colored nurses and their use in hospital, visiting and public health nursing. 101 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Of 1,688 listed accredited schools of nursing, only 54 re- ported that they admit colored studen‘s; 1,588 reported they do not. Of 55 listed non-accredited schools, 21 reported that they admit colored students and 4 that they do not. Sixty-six hospitals reported that they do and 1,576 that they do not use colored graduate nurses regularly and 60 that they do and 1,582 that they do not employ them as “specials.” Of the state and local departments of health of which in- quiry was made, 58 per cent replied. In 59 cases they said that they employ colored nurses and in 489 cases that they do not. Of those replying 132 stated there are available a suf- ficient number of colored public health nurses and 24 reported that there are not. Segregation of Negroes in the North During the recent months the tension in northern cities over the residential segregation of Negroes has been increasing. It is, in some centers, assuming the proportions of a major social and moral problem. The issues involved in this ques- tion may be analyzed as follows: 1. The right of a citizen irrespective of creed or color to buy. or use property in any locality where he may choose or be able to secure it. 2. The expediency of taking the risk of exercising that right in a particular community where there is strong opposition or hostility on the part of its residents. 3. The question whether a prospective resident should give — consideration to the feelings of those who have fears of him and his race through ignorance, misunderstanding or prejudice. 4. The problem of providing economical, sanitary houses, with provision for privacy and culture, for colored people who are suffering as do other groups from low purchasing power.—Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. Race Relations in California The Annals of the American Academy for November, 1925, printed an article on California’s attitude toward the Orien- tal, by Eliot Grinnell Mears, executive secretary of the Survey of Race Relations, Mr. Mears considers that the importance of California’s attitude toward Orientals is due not only to 102 Bera DEALEPOR EVERYI(RACE her larger Oriental population but to the fact that news from California is much better disseminated throughout the country than that from other Pacific Coast states. He points out that the population of California is mainly native American, and that, in some places where other nationalities are numer- ous, Japanese are preferred to the foreign-born whites. Organized labor, Mr. Mears reminds us, has always been vigorously opposed to Oriental immigration. . . . Economic pressure is the main cause for friction, Mr. Mears’thinks. “The essence of the economic factor is that nothing shall be done domestically or internationally to lower the American standard of living.’ Among the social considerations are school at- tendance, Oriental group organizations, racial intermarriage, segregated dwellings, lack of personal contact between Ameri- cans and Orientals, the low social status of the majority of Japanese and Chinese in this country. The racial factor, Mr. Mears says, is “so seldom isolated that Californian opinion on this point is most difficult to ascertain.” All Colors. The Conference on the Christian Way of Life. Pamphlet, Study Outline. A Negro Girl and the Y.W.C.A., The Survey, July 15, 1926. Mob Murder in America. Federal Council of Churches, 1926. Pamphlet. Negro Migration, by George E. Haynes. Federal Council, of Churches. Reprinted from the 1924 Proceedings of the National Conference of Social Work. Pamphlet. The Trend of the Races, by George E. Haynes. Missionary Education Movement, 1922. Selected Articles on the Negro Problem, by Julia E. Johnsen. H. W. Wilson Co. The Law vs. The Mob, by Monroe H. Work. Federal Council of Churches, 1925. Pamphlet. Segregation by Contract. Information Service of the Federal Council of Churches, June 19, 1926. The Racial Situation in America, by Will W. Alexander. Commission on Interracial Cooperation. Pamphlet. 103 CHAPTER XXVIII DISCRIMINATION vs. BROTHERHOOD Translating the ideals of Jesus into race relations means: The elimination of racial discrimination, and substitution of full brotherly treatment for all races in America. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What are the causes of racial discrimination? How do individuals remove the causes of racial discrimina- tion? Should we determine our relations with each individual solely on the basis of his merits, not on the basis of his color or race? What scientific evidence favors discrimination against any race in the immigration policy of the United States? What factors chiefly influence our national immigration policy? Granting the wisdom of restriction of immigration, does either social science or Christian teaching sanction discrimi- nation against any race? What would be involved in giving the American Indian “full brotherly treatment”? What would be involved in giving the Negro “full broth- erly treatment”? What would be involved in giving the Jews “full brotherly treatment”? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Testimony of a Negro’ Woman The curious thing about white people is that they expect us to judge them by their statute books and not by their actions. But we colored people have learned better, so much so that when we prepare for a journey, when we enter on a new undertaking, when we decide on where to go to school, 104 DISCRIMINATION VS. BROTHERHOOD if we want to shop, to move, to go to the theatre, to eat (out- side of our own houses), we think quite consciously, “If we can pull it through without some white person interfering.” .. . I am a colored woman, neither white nor black, neither pretty nor ugly, neither specially graceful nor at all deformed. I am fairly well educated, of fair manners and deportment. In brief, the average American done over in brown. In the morning I go to work by means of the subway, which is crowded. Presently somebody gets up. ‘The man standing in front of the vacant place looks around meaning to point it out to a woman. I am the nearest one. “But oh,” says his glance, “you’re colored. I’m not expected to give it to you.” And down he plumps. According to my reflexes that morning I think to myself “hypocrite” or “pig.’ And make a conscious effort to shake off the unpleasantness of it, for I don’t want my day spoiled. At noon I go for lunch. But I always go to the same place because I am not sure of my reception in other places. If I go to another place I must fight it through. But usually I am hungry, I want food, not a law-suit. And, too, how long am I to wait before I am sure of the slight? Shall I march up to the proprietor and say, “Do you serve colored people?” or shall I sit and drum on the table for fifteen or twenty minutes, feel my anger rising, prepare to explode only to have the attendant come at that moment and nonchalantly arrange the table? I eat but I go out still not knowing whether the delay was intentional or not. . I think the thing that irks us most is the teasing uncer- tainty of it all. Did the man at the box ofhce give us the seat behind the post on purpose? Is the shop girl impudent or merely nervous? Had the position really been filled* before we applied for it?—Copyright The World Tomorrow. Re- printed by permission. Causes of Racial Conflicts Bruno Lasker of the Inquiry (the National Conference on the Christian Way of Life) in The Survey for Oct. 15, 1925, remarks that while rigid demarcations between classes do not exist in America, race discriminations are often present though unnoticed until some unusual circumstance calls attention to 105 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS them. In spite of the fact that people only become aware of race problems after some unfortunate outbreak, Mr. Lasker believes that the real cause lies in the everyday experiences with different languages, habits, etc. He calls attention to the fact that “racial or cultural attitudes cut across economic interests. In short, the prevailing temper of the community rather than the reasoned interest of either capital or labor often governs the behavior of both toward the potential wage- earner of dark skin or foreign speech.” Mr. Lasker concludes: “But to get at the root of the prevail- ing race attitudes among industrial workers implies a knowl- edge of them as citizens and neighbors, as parents and church- men, as members of their own national group and as individu- als with different tastes and ideas.” “Nordic Nonsense” “This Nordic nonsense” is the term applied in a discussion of the theory of Nordic superiority by Professor Franz Boas of Columbia University in the Forum for October, 1925. Pro- fessor Boas thinks that the growth of racial consciousness is due partly to the “more intimate interracial contact” accom- panying the extension of commerce, partly to an aesthetic ele- ment “based on the contrast of bodily traits,’ and still more to “the development of a biological point of view’ and modern theories of genetics. Professor Boas argues that so-called Nordic traits may be found in all parts of Europe and, there- fore, cannot be regarded as purely Nordic. Physiological func- tions are not a sufficient evidence, for every constitutional type is found in all European races. “Intelligence tests have shown,” says Professor Boas, “thatirecent immigrants do not do so Well in such tests as those who have been here longer.” Professor Boas concludes that it is a question of adjustment to a new environment rather than of different hereditary endowment. America — Eden or Battlefield? Is race antagonism an ineradicable trait of human nature? Is man, as Dean Inge says, a beast of prey? Have racial barriers always kept humanity apart in separate groups? Are the great majority of living human beings of pure racial stock? Are you? How do you know? 106 DISCRIMINATION VS. BROTHERHOOD Is each racial group struggling for survival against every other? Are white Americans in league with white Europeans to destroy or subject the colored races? Are Americans of different racial and national origins engaged in constant deadly strife with each other? Are a majority of white Americans determined, in associa- tion with the white people of England, Russia, Germany, Italy, Canada, New Zealand and Luxembourg, to “dominate the world”? Are the Japanese, Singhalese, Tibetans, Samoyedes, and American Indians making common cause to “dominate the world”? Is there a race war on at the present time? Is it bound to come? Is America a battlefield of warring, racing factions?— The Inquiry. New York. March, 1925. And Who Is My OPH P OAR outline for the study of race relations in America. Associated Press, 1924. (For the National Conference on the Christian Way of Life, other- wise known as the “Inquiry.’’) Studying Prejudice. Information Service, Federal Fersittal of Churches, May 9, 1925. Christianity ‘and the ‘Race Problem, by J. H. Oldham. Doran, 1924. Pamphlet. The Clash of Color, by Basil Mathews. Missionary Education Movement, 1924. Cloth and paper. Of One Blood, by Robert E. Speer. Council of Women for Home Missions and Missionary Education Movement, 1924. Cloth and paper. Toward Racial Cooperation. What Was Said and Done at the First National Interracial Conference. Federal Coun- cil of Churches, 1926. Cloth and paper. Danger Zones of the Social Order, by Sherwood Eddy and Kirby Page. Doran, 1926. Pamphlet. America: Its Problems and Perils, by Sherwood Eddy. Doran, 1922. Pamphlet. Progress in Race Relations 1924-25. Commission on Inter- racial Cooperation. Pamphlet. 107 CHAPTER XXIX THE COLOR LINE WITHIN THE CHURCH Translating the ideals of Jesus into race relations means: The fullest cooperation between the churches of various races, even though of different denominations. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION In our experiences, what instances have we observed of co- operation between churches of different races? What have been the most common relationships between churches of different races? What specific instances have we observed of fellowship or cooperation between Jewish and Christian congregations? How can mutual understanding best be promoted between Jews and Christians? What methods can be used to promote greater coopera- tion between churches of different races? What are the difficulties in building such cooperative ties? Is experience in obtaining cooperation between churches of different denominations of the same race of any assistance here? How? In our experience, what principles assist us in intergroup education? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION “The Literature of Understanding” A small group of Jewish and Christian leaders has been developing what has been called a “literature of understand- ing’ which shall be read by Jews and Christians, in the en- deavor to promote goodwill and cooperation. Two of the creators of this literature are Dr. Alfred Williams Anthony, Chairman of the Committee on Goodwill between Jews and Christians of the Federal Council of Churches, and Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy of New York, of the Temple of Jewish Faith, New York City, both of whom contributed articles to The Jewish Tribune (New York) for March 26, 1926. Dr. Anthony writes upon the topic “How the Jew Can Help the 108 THE COLOR LINE WITHIN THE CHURCH Christian,” and Rabbi Levy on “How the Christian Can Help the Jew.” Dr. Anthony says to the Jews: “Give us religion; give us your best. . . .” Further, Jews who have pioneered in mak- ing contributions which are of incalculable benefit to Christians —in art, music, literature, science, statesmanship, finance, and real religion—should not cease to proclaim those contributions. The Jews can also help the Christians by realizing that they have tasks in overcoming anti-Semitism. “There is an anti- Christianism as well as an anti-Semitism.” Jewish clannish- ness, which has arisen partly out of bitter experiences with Christians, is one of the reasons for opposition to the Jews, and Jews should grapple with this tendency of theirs when they consider exclusion from clubs and social organizations. Rabbi Levy points to various methods whereby the Christian can help the Jew. He may “put aside all prejudices.” He may seek to know “what manner of men these Jews are”’— Jews of the twentieth century are unlike those of the first. The Christian can help the Jew by endeavoring to understand the development of Jewish religious ideals. It is the duty and privilege of Christians to conduct business dealings with Jews in the same manner as with non-Jews, and to oppose anti-Jewish jests in the papers and on the stage. The Chris- tian can make more effort to understand the Jew’s view of Jesus, and to accept historical evidences in regard to the cir- cumstances surrounding the death of Jesus. He can endeavor to show the Jews that persecution has not been in accord with the spirit of Christianity, but has been due to the perversity and savagery of men. Finally, Rabbi Levy says: “I would help give the Jew confidence in progressive Christians by showing him that I had no desire to make him accept my faith.” Race Relations Sunday As a means of promoting contacts of white and colored groups under the best and most amicable circumstances, this day continues to grow in popularity with increasing numbers of churches and communities all over the country. The year 1923, when the day was initiated, it was observed widely in the East and Middle West; in 1924 its observance increased as far west as Los Angeles, Cal. This year it was observed 109 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS also in the South as in Galveston, Texas, where white and colored worshipers attended a service in Trinity Episcopal Church, addressed by both white and colored speakers and with music from the choir of a colored Baptist church. Of special significance for this year and for the observance in 1926 is the broadening of the exercises to include relations of Jews and Christians, of whites and Indians, whites and Mexicans in the United States, and of Orientals as well as of Negro and white Americans.—The 1925 Report of the Com- mission on the Church and Race Relations, Federal Council of Churches. Interracial Committees Organized in the North The interracial committees, made up as usual of represen- tatives of the churches, social agencies, civic organizations, public schools and similar organized forces of the community have continued to increase in numbers this year. With the committees organized in the North and West in 1924, the following cities, besides the many interracial com- mittees in the south, now have interracial committees or com- missions: Brooklyn, N. Y. Hartford, Conn. Buffalo, N. Y. Kansas City, Mo. Chicago, IIl. Minneapolis, Minn. Cincinnati, O. Milwaukee, Wis. Champaign, Ill. Peoria, Ill. Cleveland, O. Philadelphia, Pa. Danville, Ill. Quincy, Il. Dayton, O. St. Louis, Mo. Decatur, III. Toledo, O. Denver, Col. Trenton, N. J. Des Moines, Ia. Wichita, Kan. Evanston, II. Wilmington, Del. Gary, Ind. Youngstown, O. Indianapolis, Ind. —The 1925 report of the Commission on the Church and Race Relations, Federal Council of the Churches. Race Relations Sunday, 1926. Suggestions and Material. Com- mission on the Church and Race Relations, Federal Coun- cil of Churches, 1926. Pamphlet. The Crusade of the Churches for Applied Brotherhood in Race Relations. Commission on the Church and Race Relations, Federal Council of Churches, 1925. Pamphlet. 110 Ole Vs 4 9 MF Ge. @, 6.4 MEETING THE IMMIGRANT’S NEED Translating the ideals of Jesus into race relations means: Educational and social equipment for the special needs of immigrants, with government information bu- reaus. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What are the special needs of immigrants? How are these special needs at present being met in our community? Should immigrants be subjected to more surveillance than other groups within the community? In what ways are immigrants in our community directly assisted toward citizenship? In our experience, have there been instances of immigrants being hindered in their steps toward citizenship? Do we agree as to the need of government information bu- reaus? What should be their functions and limitations? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION European Immigrants Our present foreign-born population is about 17,000,000 and there are some 20,000,000 more of immediate foreign extraction. Approximately one-fourth of all the children in the United States live in the homes of the foreign-born, as the birth rate is everywhere higher among the foreign-born than among the native stock. The percentage of foreign-born farmers is greater than that of the native-born in a number of our states. The foreign-language press in America includes some 15,000 publications with a circulation of 8,000,000 copies and with a reading public of possibly 16,000,000. The full participation in the whole life of America on the 111 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS part of all the people in America demands the removal of every barrier erected by a sensational race consciousness and the creation of a new American national consciousness. To be great a nation does not need to be of one blood, but it must be of one mind. Unity of spirit is of more importance than unity of race—World Survey. Vol. No. 1. Interchurch World Movement. American volume. 1920. Adjusting Immigrant and Industry, by William M. Leiserson. Harper and Brothers. The book is a discussion of the immigrant-in-industry prob- lem by an author well fitted for the task by reason of his wide experience in the clothing trade, an industry confronted perhaps more than any other with the necessity for adjust- ment between the foreign-born worker and American industry. Mr. Leiserson points out that “the first task of the immi- grant is to root himself in the economic life of the country, that he may derive life and nourishment in the new land.” This he must do without adequate aid or guidance and sub- ject to all manner of exploitation. And this exploitation has far reaching effects not only upon the individual immigrant but upon the whole problem of Americanization, for these experiences are vitally affecting immigrant mind and char- acter. ‘Unfavorable experiences, unemployment, exploitation by labor agents, abuse by foremen and employers, poverty and low standards will make him [the immigrant] antagonistic to things American and cause him to idealize his old home. For he sees in the injustices which he often suffers at the hands of employers, trade unions, government officials, labor agents, and boarding house keepers, not the criminality of irrespon- sible individuals, but the acts of the American nation. ‘He thinks these are the ways of American life which he must learn. It is the ‘American Game,’ a phrase commonly used by immigrants.” In conclusion Mr. Leiserson suggests a comprehensive na- tional policy for adequately adjusting immigrant and industry, one with two distinct branches—(1) admission, i.e., the for- eign immigration policy, (2) Americanization, i.e., the domes- tic policy for immigrants. The latter would be effected through a United States immigration commission including a division of industrial relations, charged, among other things, with the duty to study and help toward the solution of problems inher- ing in training of immigrant labor, labor management of im- migrant employes, and trade-union policies with respect to immigrants. 112 MEETING THE IMMIGRANT’S NEED Americans by Choice, by John Palmer Gavit. Harper and Brothers. 1922. New Homes for Old, by Sophia P. Breckinridge. Harper and Brothers. 1921. Culture and Democracy in the United States, by Horace M. Kallen. Boni and Liveright. 1924. The Russian Immigrant, by Jerome Davis. Macmillan. 1922. Civics for Coming Americans, by Peter Roberts. Association Bress..* 1922. Citizenship Instruction, by H. I. Schermerhorn. United States Department of Labor. 1923. . The Immigrant’s Day in Court, by K. H. Claghorn. Harper and Brothers. 1923. 113 ‘2 iy Pris RG eu | Me eet ‘awn ‘* as 4 4 , sp ie Wy head Bohan yan | isi! ‘ny, cert ’ A Iae Ae See aa A ee oa. tomy: aa hhvapalaa tA cy, MEMO athe . “a ‘ U , ? i ‘ hry {, The. ne ite ome ‘i; ; TAP ORSON, SAIN. NE, On ae : | Wi ek ol be Say TRE. ints Pas { yh BA EAs aul . Ts i xf At as Bit +H HETERO LEE LS hey RMP REL “Veet Nievdee | bs | es haky wee r . " d ‘Weaye tMsimt hte a yey TY! Har hari ( Babi cx os SMES NC ed pe or big d tate ipl deign Oe ip eh ee ete eee ae pt Neh Pe Wi AREER ONE ari? fr i Ly M tA é 4 ve ’ i - . 4 ad . & z , a4 7 4 ” J t 1 bed , ae *, 7 "> ie . ’ Py . LAL) ee ‘fl 7 ' i ; a “4 i] . . an i ¢ ‘S 7 : nd hr f aN + ry tly j rg. king : a, fet Lote + ane viii i 4 7 EVEL an Lat es es the Senealy iS. PART V INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS a ar en rire 7 » _- " OVO? A Tat: hh MOITA y + ; , : d a CHAPTER XXXI CAN BARRIERS BETWEEN NATIONS BE REMOVED? Translating the ideals of Jesus into international rela- tions means: The removal of every unjust barrier of trade, color, creed, and race, and the practice of equal justice for all nations. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What do we regard as some unjust barriers of trade, color, creed, raceP Is a high tariff upon imported goods an unjust barrier of trade? How does it promote the practice of equal justice for all nations? Is our present immigration law an unjust barrier? Against what races or creeds? Why? How must we work to change international policies of our government? What policies should be changed now so as to remove unjust barriers and to make actual the practice of equal justice for all nations? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION The Exclusion of Asiatics The Asiatic exclusion section of the Immigration Law of 1924 has created an international situation that causes us grave concern. The manner of its enactment, the abrupt abro- gation of the ““Gentlemen’s Agreement” without the conference requested by Japan, the insistence on a discriminatory law which Asiatics resent as humiliating, unjust and unchristian, and the affront to Japan’s prestige as one of the great and equal nations of the world, have combined to wound and grieve a friendly nation. 117 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Many expressions of resentment and of disappointment in the idealism, brotherhood, and good will of America have come from India and China as well as from Japan. While Asiatics know and say that nothing they can do can change the situation or the law, they repeatedly declare their trust in the sense of justice which many of them still believe in- heres in the American people and their confidence that the American people will ultimately set this matter right. In view of the foregoing . . . we are impelled to record our convictions: 1. That the dictates of humanity and the welfare of the world demand the recognition by all governments of the brotherhood of mam and the inherent right of all nations and races to treatment free from humiliation. 2. That the United States cannot afford to override the principle of essential human equality embedded in the Declar- ation of Independence. 3. That no nation can afford needlessly to flout and wound the feelings of other nations and peoples. 4. That the maintenance of justice, humanity, courtesy and good will between the peoples of the Far West and the Far East is essential to the permanent peace of the Pacific and of the world. 5. That we recognize the need of restriction of immigration in order to conserve American standards of labor and living. 6. That Asiatics in the United States should be accorded their rights as human beings and also the rights to which they are entitled by the letter and the spirit of the treaties under which they came to the United States. 7. That, in the words of former Ambassador Woods this action of Congress referred to above was an international catastrophe. 8. That we see at present no better solution of the problem than the application to Japan, China, and India of the quota law as it comes into force in 1927 which would result in the annual admission of 350 immigrants from those three sections of the Orient.—Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Federal Council of Churches. December 11, 1925. 118 CAN BARRIERS BETWEEN NATIONS BE REMOVED? Bigness of Organization and the Freedom of the Individual There is a sense in which the vastest problem by which we are faced is the very scale of the life we are attempting to live. Its bigness tends to obscure the real merits of real freedom. And, indeed, there is industrially abroad a certain suspicion of liberty against which safeguards must be erected. The individual suffers absorption by the immensity of the forces with which he is in contact. . . . There are few of that energy of the soul which Aristotle thought the secret of happiness. There is little work that offers the opportunity of conscious and systematic thought. Responsibility tends to coagulate at a few centers of social life; so that the work of most is the simple commission of orders it is rarely their busi- ness to reflect upon. We are clearly tending to be overawed by our institutions; and we perceive . . . a genuine danger lest we lose hold of that chiefest source of happiness. Clerks and teachers and tenders of machines, for each of them there is prescribed a routine that fills the most eager hours of life, dare not be asked for the effort upon which new thought is founded. An expert in the science of factory management has even assumed that for the purpose of productivity a man “who more nearly resembles in his mental makeup the ox than any other type” is desirable. Happiness in work, which can alone be fruitful of advance in thought is, as Mr. Wallas has noted, a phrase for most practically without meaning. The problem today, as the problem at the time of the French Revolution, is the restoration of man to his place at the center of social life. That is, indeed, the real significance of free- dom. It alone enables the individuality of men to become manifest.—A uthority in the Modern State, by Harold Laski. Yale University Press. Races, Nations and Classes, by Herbert Adolphus Miller. Lip- pincott. 1924. Professor Miller has undertaken to interpret the perplexing problems of race relationship, class prejudice and international ill-will, upon the basis of psychology, making use particularly of psychoanalytic methods. He finds that interracial and inter- class prejudice and conflict are not so much the expression of individual attitudes as. of group feeling and thinking. He distinguishes between what may be called vertical group rela- 119 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS tionships and horizontal group relationships. As examples of the former we have groups bound together as members of the same race, same religion or the same nation. As examples of horizontal grouping we have capital and labor, bourgeois and proletariat, and other familiar class distinctions. Our difficulties are largely due to the competition between groups leading to attempts at domination of one group by another. This gives rise to an “oppression psychosis’”—“per- sistent and exaggerated mental states which are characteris- tically produced under conditions where one group dominates another.” From this arises a long line of social diseases— inferiority complexes, defense mechanisms and all the rest. International Economic Policies, by William Smith Culbertson. Appleton. 1925. Here is a valuable discussion of international economic problems by the former vice-chairman of United States Tariff Commission. Mr. Culbertson declares that “western material civilization has outrun social and governmental controls’ and stresses the need for “an adequate system of international law and perfected machinery for its administration and interpre- tation.” Commercial treaties, most-favored-nation treatment and the various aspects of tariff bargaining are thoroughly treated. “No really satisfactory international relations, no assured peace, can be established until all countries feel secure in the guaranty of equality of treatment in all the important markets of the world,’ says Mr. Culbertson. The Conquest of the Philippines by the United States, 1898- 1925, by Moorfield Storey and Marcial P. Lichauco. Put- nam’s. 1926. Using as the background for their story a vivid picture of the struggle over Cuba, the stabilization of its government, and the occasion for intervention given to the United States in Spain’s treatment of the Cubans, the authors proceed with a history of the conquest of the Philippines by the United States. It is a story which will challenge or bewilder any- one who has taken American idealism as a matter of course. The Far East. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, November, 1925. Twenty-five articles on various aspects. Asiatic Exclusion. Commission on International Justice and Good Will. Federal Council of Churches. 1925. Pamphlet. The Reestablishment of Right Relations with Japan, by Sidney L. Gulick. Commission on International Justice and Good Will. Federal Council of Churches. 1925. Pamphlet. 120 CHAPTER XXXII NATIONAL WEALTH AND WORLD RESPONSIBILITY Translating the ideals of Jesus into international rela- tions means: The administration of the property and privileges within each country so that they will be of the greatest benefit not only to that nation but to all the world. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What instances have we of administration of property and privileges which has benefited this country but has not ben- efited the world? . How does the setting up of a high standard of living in this country benefit the poor people of the Philippines ? What evidence have we of exploitation of smaller nations by people of large western nations? What evidence have we that in the administration of col- onies our government has or has not benefited the whole world? How can we determine or know when we make an invest- ment of money to be used or loaned abroad, whether it is to be of the greatest benfit, not only to us but also to the world? How has the rapidly increasing wealth of the people of the United States been used to bring the greatest benefit to the world as well as to us? What practices of ours and of our government need to be changed in order to achieve the ideal of the greatest bene- fit of all? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Privilege in the Pacific Area What is the problem of the Pacific? It was pointedly stated by the chief spokesman of China in his opening address at the Institute of Pacific Relations. “On the one hand we find 121 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS a group of nations, mainly of the white race, which through one means or another have in past years secured certain priv- ileges, rights and territories from Eastern peoples. These they are very anxious to maintain as long as possible. On the other hand we find another group of nations in which the spirit of nationalism and racial consciousness is rapidly grow- ing and which are therefore anxious to recover what has been wrested from them in the past.” The alignment of the Eastern nations as against the Western nations seems to be developing with great rapidity. President Roosevelt declared in a passage quoted by Mr. F. C. Atherton of Honolulu: ‘I believe that our future will be more deter- mined by our position in the Pacific facing China than by our position facing Europe.’ Eastern nations are no longer the backward lands of fifty years ago. Japan’s rise has been meteoric. Her industrial activities, her universities, her army and navy bear comparison with those of any land. China is thrilling with national consciousness, but feeling the irksome- ness of bonds and treaties put upon her when she was weak.— Information Service, Federal Council of Churches. Self-Interest in International Trade The problems of international commerce are discussed edi- torially in World’s Work for September, 1925. The statement is made that at the recent meeting of the International Cham- ber of Commerce, the delegates from the different countries saw only “those aspects of international polity which would benefit their own nation.’ Such meetings are chiefly valuable as a mera for the development of ‘the art of friendly commercial intercourse and rivalry.” As yet the principle of immediate self-interest is the only one followed in international trade. “Any large improvement in commercial relations is more likely to be. based upon principle than upon present practice, because at present any government that should compromise with immedi- ate gain would be dubbed unpatriotic.” é The Wealth of the Nations The National City Bank of New York has made a compila- tion of what appear to be the most authoritative estimates 122 NATIONAL WEALTH AND WORLD RESPONSIBILITY available of the wealth of the principal nations of the world, at intervals during the last half century. The following table gives the result: (Blank spaces indicate that no data are available). In Million Dollars 1922 1912 1890 1870 United States ..... 320,803 186,299 65,037 30,069 United Kingdom ... 88,840 79,297 535352 40,000 BeE NCE Wile cd on sit 67,710 57,075 43,799 33.092 Ceeriianyst., ok 35,700 77,783 49,500 38,000 Malmgiatae, eo 25,986 23,030 9,733 7,300 Sei ines AE... 29,319 11,193 10,512 This indicates that the wealth of the United States increased almost eleven times between 1870 and 1922, that of Great Britain a little more than doubled, that of France doubled. Wealth and Bonded Slaves for Progress The radical doctrines of capitalism find adequate expression in the following editorial emanation from Commerce and Finance: “As the world slips into 1925 we have all become —every one of us—the owners of hundreds of millions of able-bodied serfs. We have a mortgage on the lives of both the living and the unborn in practically every nation of Europe except Russia. We shall have, if not gold pouring in, then its equivalent in merchandise. Each of us can hope to have more to spend. With such wealth we can hope to do two things. We can waste it, individually, as every great empire has finally wasted its resources in the past; or else, utilizing the modern invention called capitalism, we can mass it in ways that will enable us . . . to remold the entire world nearer to the heart’s desire. With money—and the labor of bonded slaves.” There you have it in a nut-shell, and with the exultation of an enthusiast. Just as popes and emperors once gathered power, and just as imperial powers rounded up the “lesser breeds” and took “a mortgage on the lives of both the living and the unborn,” so now “with money and the labor of bonded slaves” we can utilize “that modern invention, called capitalism” (God be praised!), to “remold the entire world nearer to the heart’s desire.”—Editorial in the Christian Cen- tury, April 9, 1925, 123 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Do Tariffs Violate Christian Ideals? The moral argument against the protective tariff might be summarized thus: First, it needlessly raises prices to the con- sumer of domestic goods. All arguments to the contrary are meaningless. If it can be shown that in any given case a protective tariff does not have this effect, one of two things is proved thereby—either the effect is present but is concealed by a general price movement which overshadows it, or the tariff is quite without economic significance with reference to the purposes for which it was enacted. Secondly, wherever a tariff wall is effective in “protecting” home industries it tends toward monopoly. The history of the iron and the textile industries in this country furnishes abun- dant illustration of this fact. Assuming that a high tariff en- ables certain domestic manufacturers whose costs are rela- tively high to keep comfortably on the market when they would otherwise be crowded off, it follows that those who were mak- ing a good profit without the aid of the tariff are afforded by the impost a premium—clear “velvet.” Thirdly, the protective tariff is at best a purely nationalistic, “safety first” device. It capitalizes the advantages of one na- tion at the expense of the rest of the world—Do Tariffs Vio- late Christian Ideals? by F. Ernest Johnson. The Christian Century, January 10, 1924. Causes of International War, by G. Lowes Dickinson. Har- court, Brace and Company. 124 CHAPTER XXXIII POISONED NEWS Translating the ideals of Jesus into international rela- tions means: Discouragement of all propaganda tending to mislead peoples in their international relations or to create prejudice. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What methods are used in newspapers and other journals to mislead and prejudice us? Do we know how to read news critically so as to try to detect misleading propaganda? How should we go about it? Should we view the acts of all people objectively and im- partially? Should we judge official news of our government in the same manner and by the same methods as we judge that of other governments? How about statements by officials of the gov- ernment? How do we get our news about other countries? What makes up our minds about other countries? Do history text-books tend to create prejudice in the minds of children in favor of their own country and against other countries ? Should history text-books be written as impartially and sci- entifically as possible, solely with a view to presenting events accurately? How can we be assured of impartial history texts? What new methods do we need in order to be informed about the events of the day? What is the function of the daily newspaper? How must we supplement it in order to be informed? 125 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION Propaganda and the Press The press in America . . . a great problem. Mr. Walter Lippman in Liberty and the News shows that the first issue of the first newspaper printed in the United States was written “toward curing that spirit of lying that prevails amongst us.” It was immediately suppressed. But never was there greater need of the spirit of truth than in America today. The very life of democracy depends upon publicity and the press is one of the major channels of publicity. Mr. Frank I. Cobb, the editor of the New York World, shows the evil effect of the war upon the press: “For five years there has been no true play of public opinion in the world. Multitudes have been willing to die for their country but not to think for it.’ Out of all the ‘troubled areas of the world streams of propaganda are converging upon us. The world war has long victimized both sides by a distorted propaganda. The race riots in Omaha, Washington, and elsewhere were stirred up by the propaganda of the ptess. General Wood upon his arrival in Omaha showed that one of the first steps to law and order was the suppression of a “rotten press” which | had been fomenting race hatred for weeks. One living in the foul atmosphere of a stifling room soon ceases to be aware of the poison which is benumbing his senses. Probably many of us have never recognized the menace of our public press. A student recently won an oratorical contest on the press as a “Maker of Wars.” He might have added “Maker of Crime.” Barring certain shining exceptions, how many cities in the United States can be found today where the press is giving adequately the world’s news and only “the news that’s fit to print” without the vulgar, criminal or sensational. If you take Chicago and all the cities of the middle west dependent upon it, you have a newspaper claiming to be the greatest on earth which is throughout typified by its motto “Right or wrong, my country” not of course that right matters particularly! The only alternative to this morning paper is one of the Hearst papers, in that stream of poisoned yellow journalism that now stretches throughout America from coast to coast; that would drag us on the one hand into war with England, on the other 126 POISONED NEWS into war with Japan, and on the south into war with Mexico. These are the alternatives of reading matter presented in the morning papers to the people of that great crime-infested city of Chicago. How far is such a press responsible for these disgraceful conditions of hold-ups, automobile bandits, wide- spread divorce and crime? . When Mr. Seebohm Rowntree was touring in this country, he was asked by a leading newspaper man what he thought of the American press. He tried, out of courtesy, to avoid a reply, but when forced to give a frank answer he stated his opinion of the press in America today as “damnably rotten.” Did he speak the truth, or have we been breathing this poi- soned atmosphere so long that we have ceased to realize it? The Associated Press and other news services are not in- dependent organizations feeding news to their clients, but sim- ply interrelated newspapers exchanging materials. The Den- ver newspapers control all the news that is read in the country about the Colorado coal mines. The Boston newspapers con- trol all the news that is read in San Francisco about the New England textile mills—Reprinted from America, Her Problems and Perils, by Sherwood Eddy, by permission of George H. Doran Company. Pamphlet. How Shall We Overcome Ignorance and Misfortune? THE GROWTH OF A Press LEGEND Cologne Zeititéng (Germany): “When the fall of Antwerp got known the church bells were rung.” (Meaning in Germany.) The Matin (Paris): “According to the Cologne Zeitung, the clergy of Antwerp were compelled to ring the church bells when the fortress was taken.” The Times (London): “According to what The Matin has heard from Cologne, the Belgian priests who refused to ring the church bells when Antwerp was taken have been driven away from their places.” The Corriere della Sera (Milan, Italy): “According to what The Times has heard from Cologne via Paris, the unfortunate Belgian priests who refused to ring the church bells when Antwerp was taken have been sentenced to hard labor.” The Matin (Paris): “According to information to the Cor- riere della Sera from Cologne via London, it is confirmed that 127 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS the barbaric conquerors of Antwerp punished the unfortunate Belgian priests for their heroic refusal to ring the church bells by hanging them as living clappers to the bells with their heads down.” The return to “traditions of candour” promised by the Cologne Gazette has been as difficult for the press as a re- turn to normal conditions in other fields has been difficult. How Can We Distinguish Truth from Propaganda? In War Time. It is of course true, as most well-informed people now understand, that the Rathom disclosures which made The Providence Journal famous during the war were fiction— but Rathom did all this for the praiseworthy purpose of arous- ing his countrymen to a war fury. He took one of the practi- cal ways of doing so. When pressed by the Department of Justice with the realities in the matter, he blandly asked if the Germans were not doing things similar to those which he had pictured. And on getting an affirmative reply, he an- swered: “What was the harm then in giving the people an equivalent of the reality?” His idea was that fiction cognate to the facts would serve an entirely justifiable purpose . This is all a part of the war game and will be as long as war lasts as a means of settling disputes. . . . Mr. Rathom, an intrepid journalist of originality and force, merely “played the game.”—An editorial in The Boston Herald, December 30, 1923. . In Peace Time. In order to discredit the Bolsheviks, a promi- nent American professor not long ago decided to send out “the nationalization of women story” to every fraternal club in America. He was told by a reliable informant that “the story was a fabrication and had been totally disproved in Russia, that William Allen White has declared that no one now pre- tends there is any basis of truth in the story whatever, and that the American government has officially denied it.” “Oh, well,’ the professor replied, “the story is bad, and the . Bolsheviks are bad, so it can’t do any harm. We'll just send it out anyway.’ The professor has since been appointed to a responsible diplomatic post in our foreign service.—Christian Fellowship Among the Nations, by Jerome Davis and Roy B. Chamberlin. The Pilgrim Press. A Discussion Course. 128 POISONED NEWS A National Peace Department, by Kirby Page. From the author at 347 Madison Avenue, New York. Pamphlet. America and Japan. ‘The Commission on International Justice and Good Will. Federal Council of Churches. Brief answers to 20 questions giving facts bearing on popular misinformation. The Adulteration and Poisoning of the News, by Jerome Davis. From the author, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. Pamphlet. The Power of the Press for Peace and War. National Coun- cil for Prevention of War. An Important Pamphlet. 129 CHAPTER XXXIV THE DOLLAR AND THE FLAG Translating the ideals of Jesus into international rela- tions means: The replacement of selfish imperialism by such disinterested treatment of backward nations as to contribute the maximum to the welfare of each nation and of all the world. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Has the government of the United States practiced selfish imperialism? Where? How? Has selfish imperialism been practiced, for instance, in the Philippines? What evidence have we? Has selfish imperialism been practiced, for instance, in the West Indies? In Central America? ’ What evidence have we that the government of the United States is “disinterested” in its policy of holding the Philip- pines? In its policy in Cuba? In its policy in Porto Rico? In its policy in Haiti and San Domingo? What is involved in “disinterested treatment’? How can we be sure that “disinterested treatment” of back- ward nations is going on? Is international supervision of backward nations likely to be better than national supervision? How should this be car- ried on? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION American Imperialism The future of American imperialism is discussed by Ray- mond Leslie Buell of Harvard University, in the October, 1925, Yale Review. The United States has recently lost the friend- ship of most of the world, says Mr. Buell, through her foreign debt policy, the Japanese exclusion act, etc. The world today is moving toward compulsory arbitration of international dis- putes but the United States, though urging voluntary arbitra- 130 THE DOLLAR AND THE FLAG tion, has always refused to accept compulsory arbitration. Though several treaties providing for compulsory arbitration have been drawn up none of them has been accepted by the Senate. In the arbitration treaties which the United States now has with other countries questions of vital interest to the contracting states are not to be submitted to arbitration. But the decision as to which are “vital interests” rests with the individual country. The United States has steadily insisted that such “domestic questions’ as the Monroe Doctrine, immi- gration and the territorial integrity of the United States can- not be arbitrated. “Oleaginous Diplomacy” These words are from the title of a pamphlet by Edward M. Earle of Columbia University, published by the Academy of Political Science (reprinted from the June, 1924, Quarterly). It is a discussion of the relation of petroleum to diplomacy. The author reminds the reader that in 1920, Secretary of State Colby warned the British Government that “the fact cannot be ignored that the reported resources of Mesopotamia have interested public opinion in the United States as a potential subject of international strife.” Mr. Earle propounds some questions with reference to the participation of the government in such matters: “Ts it the business of the American Department of State so actively to concern itself with the ventures of American pe- troleum companies in the four corners of the earth? In par- ticular, is it the business of the Department of State to paddle in Mesopotamian oil? Even more important, is there any ad- vantage to be gained by the promotion of these so-called na- tional interests which will not be more than offset by possible friction between the American and British peoples? How can the United States expect European Powers to recognize the economic implications of the Monroe Doctrine if the United States is unwilling to recognize that European Powers have their particular spheres of interest? If the principle of the open door and of equality of economic opportunity is to be a contribution to international peace, it must be honestly applied. And it will not be honestly applied if it is compromised for the achievement of a temporary national advantage or if its 131 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS advantages are acquired without its responsibilities being recognized.” : Imperialism. and Nationalism, by Kirby Page. Doran, 1925. Pamphlet. The part of the book which has most immediate interest for American readers is the latter half, in. which the author treats historically the territorial expansion of the United States. His thesis, however—that nationalism and imperialism, and even religion, have been woven into a complex that produces inter- minable hatred, oppression and war—is set forth in the account of Near East politics to which the earlier part of the book is devoted. Dollar Diplomacy, by Scott Nearing and Joseph Freeman. The Viking Press, 1925. Tracing first the economic background of our imperialism— our economic position, wealth, importation of raw materials, foreign markets, etc—the authors come on to a consideration of “American Imperialism in Action.” Intense, restless, seem- ingly resistless action it is, involving the development of spheres of influence in China and the Near East; of political “regula- tion” in Hawaii, Panama, Mexico; of armed intervention in the Caribbean countries; of the “acquisition without annexa- tion” of Cuba, “the sugar bowl of the world”; of the conquest of the Philippines, and the purchase of the Virgin Islands; of our new relations with Eusopean countries since the war. In a final section the growth of our imperial policy is briefly but comprehensively surveyed. American Foreign Investments, by Robert W. Dunn. Viking Press. 1925. A Defense of Imperialism. Information Service, Federal Council of Churches, March 28, 1925. Diplomacy and Finance. Information Service, Federal Coun- cil of Churches, August 23, 1924. 132 CHAPTER XXXV HOW MUCH ARMAMENT? Translating the ideals of Jesus into international rela- tions means: The abolition of military armaments by all nations except for an internal police force. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION What data are there in regard to the amount of armaments in the world? What is the cost of maintaining these armaments? Do we agree that they are usually many times more than would be needed for an internal police force? Do we agree with the sentiment expressed in the statement? How should such abolition of military armaments be sought? How can the nations be persuaded to act upon the matter? Who should determine the amount of armament needed by a nation for an internal police force? By what method can we and other churches hasten the re- duction of armaments? MATERIAL FOR DISCUSSION What Wars Are Costing Today In answer to the frequent inquiry as to what the various nations are’ spending on war preparations we publish below the most authoritative data that can be assembled on the sub- ject at this time. The appropriations, expressed in the mone- tary units of the respective countries, were furnished by the Statistics Branch of the War Department of the United States. These units have been converted into American dollars by one of the leading banking houses of New York. They are in some cases approximations because in these instances no recent transactions have occurred by which the values might be defi- nitely fixed. 133 THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL RELATIONS MILITARY BUDGETS Country Year i Total Albaniias in sar sett aie eee ae PEP Aa See Pee Rp oe $ 1,017,229 ATgenting ss risom ecco tee ee 1 OZAN A asdctss cde ine lel a eee 89,826,318 Australia tei tears. ce tenes OAL Ye RS ravctNe, cela tee eee ee 16,150,770 Acusty 1a bien Aa: ee totincds Ses eae 1924: Es 5 ee ll a ee 7,857,142 Belzium), (Pirie eee eee 1O24 © Ee. Riek De. eee 24,562,629 Bolrviavateee ote ere ee eae ar FLD SANS: i cle sate chee ee re nn tees 2,958,285 Brazil tive, 34 o04e ah bee & cee 1 OFA AS. cs key aie See a ee a 26,818,347 DULG aT laa. Wath cnec Mec beens ekcse rte DOD Ai io ct cuane, « sueteredecd s Cre Mentone 1,134,000 Ganadariers sree. eae 1924 wise) ceca’ «aie oe 24 Rr 12,801,737 Chile,