Failure on the part of the churches of Terre Haute, Ind., to grasp the
problems of its 11,000 workingmen led to the holding of a “labor
parliament.” This parliament, convened last May, was directed by Harry
F. Ward of the Methodist Federation for Social Service. There were three
meetings in different churches, where the problems of industry and
Christianity were discussed in an open and frank manner.
But the prime movers realized, early in April, that to make this
parliament a success much local work would have to be done. As a
stepping-stone, the ministers adopted an industrial creed, which was
floated over the city, with the result that the laboring man discovered
that he and the church had common ideals toward which to aim.
The local work in the churches was adapted to the particular condition
of the locality, all efforts, however, being focused on the labor
parliament to be held in May. Shop meetings were held, lantern slides of
existing conditions were shown, and mass meetings for working men and
girls conducted. Besides these features, the newspapers helped this most
interesting scheme along, so that by the time set for the labor
parliament, all Terre Haute was prepared for the co-operative
discussion, which was to prove so beneficial to the church and organized
labor. The Central Labor Union co-operated well with the movement and
appointed a committee of three prominent labor men to help the
ministerial committee.
The labor parliament was, indeed, a success. Dr. Ward chose as his
subjects, Industry and Social Waste, Democracy in Industry, and the
Industrial Problem of Christianity. In all his talks Dr. Ward opened the
eyes of labor world and church. One, he showed, could not be of full
benefit in its community without the co-operation of the other. And now,
nearly a year after this industrial revival, what are the results? Are
any permanent effects apparent from these efforts, or did the movement,
swelling into the three days’ parliament, gradually fade away and become
forgotten by the laboring man? A few pointed statements of those nearest
the problem of both the church and laboring man will show the result.
A. M. Powers, president of the Central Labor Union, has this to say of
its success. “The movement has been beneficial, as far as I can see, to
both sides. When the church can show that the laboring man is not an
insect to be placed upon a sociological dissecting table for amused
speculations of theologians, but a man to be helped and to help advance
the cause of the brotherhood of man through the church, then the
antagonism will be replaced by a hearty co-operation because this spirit
of brotherhood is the basis of the organized labor movement.
“I believe the churches of Terre Haute have shown that this is the
spirit of their activity in their last year’s efforts, and as an
individual I endorse the movement and think that as long as the same
spirit is shown the labor unions will be willing to work hand in hand
with the church.”
George W. Greenleaf, secretary-treasurer of District Lodge No. 72,
International Association of Machinists, and city councilman, says:
“The labor parliament and the preceding church services held in Terre
Haute last winter were beyond the question of a doubt a benefit to
organized labor. The chief benefit derived, in my estimation,
consisted in the dispelling of the popular prejudice against our
organizations and the placing of our cause on a higher plane in the
minds of the public.”