VOL. 4
L.INCOIiN, NEBRASKA, FEBBUAEY 14, 1908
NO. 46
v
The Church
Many
At the regular meeting of the Lin
coln Ministerial association on Mon
day, February 3, Rev. H. O. Pritchard,
pastor of the .Christian church a6
Bethany, the seat of Cotner univer
sity, read a paper entitled, "The So
cial Problems of the Modern Pulpit."
It Is not surprising that the paper
caused an interesting discussion. It
was such a radical departure from the
usual self-complacent ministerial pa
per that it rattled some theological
dry bones and stirred up things gen
erally. It needs but a persual of that
part of the address published in this
issue of The Wageworker to demon
strate to the reader that Rev. Mr.
Pritchard Is something of a minis
terial iconoclast viewed from the
modern pulpit standpoint. He talks
straight from the shoulder, like a
man us well as a minister, and like a
man who believes that the gospel of
Jesus Christ Is quite as much a thing
for today as it is for an indefinite
tomorrow.
Workingmen of the city who hap
pened to read the Bummary of Rev.
Mr. Prltchard's paper as published in
the dally press were immensely
pleased with It. At the meeting of
the Carpenters' Union the following
uight a vote of thanks was tendered
him, together with an invitation to
address the union at soiue time in
the near future. The Central Labor
I'nlon last Tuesday evening followed
the example set by the carpenters.
By the way, before presenting a
portion of Uev. Mr. Prltchard's ad
dress. The Wageworker would like to
know what has become of the minis
terial union's delegates to the Cen
tral Labor Union.
That portion of Rev. Mr. Pritchard's
address of particular interest to union
men Is as follows:
"What should be the attitude of the
church with regard to the social ques
tions of our day?
"The temperance problem, the di
vorce problem, the problem of the
children, the problem of the poor and
the still greater problem of capital
and labor. While reformers are scat
tering their seed of truth, while the
workers In the slums are trying to
ameliorate the sufferings of the poor,
while the courts are dealing with di
vorce, while the socialists in their
blind way are trying to work out an
economic system that will be just,
i-hall Christians still be content to sing
songs and go home to dinner?
"Or what is more Important? Shall
the man in the pulpit lift his voice
against the sins of an age, against
social injuHtice and against wicked
ness in high places, or shall he be a
mere figurehead mouthing out glitter
ing generalities concerning literature
and art?
"Of all moral questions today none
are so pressing as morality. What
right have ministers to back away
from these questions and refuse to
contribute whatever discernment God
lias given them?
"I am aware that the position of the
Christian ministry today Is an exceed'
Ingly delicate one. On the one side
there is a wide cleavrage between the
church and the masses which has its
ground in class consciousnes. We
h-ear much about the unchurched
masses, and there is no use trying to
deny the charge that In our great
centers of population our churches
only touch the fringes of the great
fabric of cosmopolitan life.
"The wage-earning class as a whole
i gard the church as on institution al
lied with capitalism and the local
church as a social club. Mr. Gompers.
president of the American Federation
of Labor, sal J: 'My associates have
come to look upon the church and the
ministry as the apologists and de
fenders of wrong committed against
Twenty-Fifth Annual Ball
Lincoln Typographical Union No. 209
FRATERNITY HALL
Wednesday evening, February 26, '08
TICKETS $1.00 - EXTRA LADY 50c
and Its
Shortcomings
the interests of the people simply be
cause the perpetrators are the posses
sors of wealth whose real God is the
almighty dollar and who contribute a
few of their idols to suborn the elo
quence and intellect o the divines.
and make even their otherwise gener
ous hearts callous to the sufferings of
the poor and struggling workers, so
that they will use their exalted posi
tions to discourage and discounte
nance all practical efforts of the
toilers to lift themselves out of the
slough of despondency and despair.'
'In the program of the radical so
cialists the church must go for it is
the organization of the rich. All this
is on the one hand.
"On the other hand is the attitude?
of the church itself. We regret, to ad
mit it, but we must. The church is
out of sympathy with the masses.
Many churches are made up for the
most part of the rich and the well-to-do.
Some of them who pay pew rent
do it with money that has the stain
of blood upon it. There are faithful
attendants at the church services who
esteem human life cheaper than divi
dends. Others who wring the life out
of little children in factories. Others
who ruthlessly crush their fellows in
competition. Others who claim to
serve the master of love, who build
up their business success at the ex
pense of justice and love.
'On the one side is an unsympa
thetic world, on the other an unsym
pathetic church. Between the devil
and the deep sea stands the man in
the pulpit today. What is he to do?
With all these stern realities of our
changing social order pressing in upon
him, with the sanctity of the home
polluted by legalized adultery in 'the'
midst of a generation mad for gam
bling, with saloons and brothels at
the very door of the temple; facing
a world in the darkness of heathen
ism, with a submerged tenth rotting
in our cities, with an industrialism
that is more murderous than war;
with all this shall the preacher still
be content with manicuring conven
tional theology?
"What has the story of Jonah and
the whale or the dimensions of
Noah's ark to do with all this strug
gling and suffering host?
"There is but one thing for him to
do. He must be a prophet for his
age. He must declare unto men, 'all
the words of this life.' Being a man
of God he must speak the word of
God.
"To a dying world he must give the
bread of life. He must lay emphasis
upon the sinfulness of sin, and like
every true prophet he must rebuke
sin wherever found.
"Let him use tact in so Joing, but
at the same time remember that the
world will never be moved by tact.
Some preachers are so tactful that
their prophecies are never anything
but smooth things to itching ears.
"It is not his business to try trim
ming and straddling. He must hew
a j straight as the moral law. The
pulpit Is no place for the temporizer
or the time server. God's judgment
is set upon the false prophet in what
ever age he may appear.
"The Pharoahs of this world have
to afriict them with burdens. The
story of the bricks is again being
doubled and straw is being taken
away.
"There is about to be another great
labor movement as there was In the
days of Moses, for God has called out-
'Let my people go that they may serve
me.' "
DETROIT CIGARMAKERS STRIKE.
The cigarmakers are involved in a
conflict with the Detroit branch of
the La Azora company, of Kalama
zoo. The Kalamazoo concern reduced
wages 50 cents per 1,000 cigars made
and 250 men quit. The order to make
the same reduction in Detroit, where
the concern is known as 'the Main
Issue Cigar company and is located
ac 75 Bates street, resulted in 75 men
quitting rather than accept the cut.
TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.
Removal of Stillings Causes
Smile All Around.
Big
The removal by 'President Roose
velt of Public Printer Stillings caused
a huge smile to chase over the faces
of Lincoln printers. Stillings is a
notorious "open shop" advocate and
a big wig in the "Tea-pot" movement.
His inability to measure up to the
requirements of the big office is no
surprise to the printers, and to them
is due in large measure the credit
for showing up his incompetency in
such a convincing manner that Presi
dent Roosevelt summarily removed
him.
The anniversary ball on February
26 will be a record "breaker. The
committee has its plans all made and
is now engaged in seeing that they
are carried out to the letter. The
committee will meet Tuesday even
ing at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. B.
Righter to make final arrangements
and listen to reports. The Nebraska
Press Association' members who ac
cept the union's invitation are going
to be given one of the best times they
ever had.
Even Indianapolis, the home of the
executive council, seems to have suc
cum'bed to the wiles of the enemies
of union labor who have camped on
the trail of the big man. The sneak
ing guerillas of the manufacturers' as
sociation seem to have gotten in their
deadly work, for Xo. 1 has actually
nominated Hudspeth and Crowley. So
has New York. So has Dallas. So
has Jop'in. So has Terre Haute. So
has Lincoln. The unions that are still
getting big results from the "special
benefit" list went just as was ex
pected. If Miss Wilson shows up in the elec
tion like she did in the nominations
she will land an easy winner in the
race for trustee of the home. "Bix
Six" gave her 384 votes out cf a total
of 686 cast, nine candidates in the
I K Long years ago' the angels' wondrous glopgr" Jfcl
n k&O Was heard by humble shepherds, - mJ
ffcsfC JNfTJP10 walcked e'r flocks by night. UfM
111; ' VNN5Miearcl that song in palace, temple, court or iriarf: TfliSs lJ'J '
hffih vjlc! TTieChnst-'c ' ye ffSlP
.p; f''eJ fcriedout: "How loM&tfee .conunoi) Jollc SC'" sHf
ApT PvfWW heard Him, aricwere glad.: fM fSf45
Imm Tl -jHc healed the s&'the lepers etmVf fflfl
Wml Jhi He gave the blind their sight. To 'tT V
mS' I ' J afjfflko, needed life. He gave His own. O J'jM Sfit
MSI Ja largest mee to Ac men. ."JMC IPf
gy KefrVbeat to His heart most true.. WM.
Ivf ' fy Christ should come to earth toAJay, ill. fjll
j3SS Would He go first to temple and to mart,, jL '
jti To palace and to court? 'LjrjS"
$ift , Or, would He seek the cottage and the slum; ljf"iinn .JT
M ! ' vJjSek'those who still cry out: "How long? iS.flM'!? fip '
' eeui tOSC wkse wa't"IS hearts still beat" ''IrlwQ
; W-jri 7 SSjpS for Him who made Ae angdsjpsg- iriM!'lmQffi'J JJ
"neaceu eilhgood will to "p
field and three to nominate. That's
going some.
' Says the Omaja Western Laborer?
"The Benevolent Order of Zoos will
shortly issue a circular wherein the
admission to this great order of Theo
dore Roosevelt will be announced. ,He
is a brave 'scavenger, buzzard and
viper,' and is entitled to rank among
the most 'pisenous critters' in the
jungle. The educated pup has us
skinned a mile when it comes to
'viping.' There promises to be a large
increase in the tribe of Zooz this
year."
The death of A. F. ("Pard") Bloom
er at Washington is a distinct loss
to the organization. He was a force
ful writer and a consistent agitator
In behalf of closer organization. Peace
to his ashes.
FOR PROTECTION OF LABOR.
Anti-Trust Law Amendment Might
Make Statute Unconstitutional.
The American Federation of Labor's
plan for overcoming the effect of the
boycott decision of the federal su
preme court was introduced in the
house on February 7 by Representa
tive Nicholls of Scranton by request
of President Gompers, Secretary Mor
rison and other Federation officers.
It is embodied in the following bill
which, if passed, will be attached to
and become a part of the anti-trust
law: "That nothing in this act shall
be construed to apply to trade unions
or other labor organizations, organ
ized for the purpose of raising or
regulating wages, shortening hours of
work, or 'making more tolerable other
conditions tinder which labor is to be
performed."
Those- who have considered the
opinion believe if congress should
pass the Nicholls bill the effect would
be to make the whole law unconstitu
tional on the ground that it does not
afford the equal protection of the laws
to all persons.
MORE FULL DINNER PAILS NIT.
Word comes from Sharon, Pa., to
the effect that the independent steel
plants are preparing to follow the lead
of the Republic Iron and Steel com
pany and reduce wages. The cut will
range from 10 to 18 per cent.
Among the Live
Ones in Lincoln
The board of directors of the Lin
coln Labor Temple Association met
in regular session last Monday even
ing. The unfinished perspective of the
proposed building was brought to the
meeting and aroused a lot of favor
able comment. The, drawings will be
completed in time for presentation
at the meeting next Monday night,
and then everything will be. ready for
the great hustle for funds.
Not later than March 1 the cam
paign for subscriptions will begin, and
from that time on until success ds
won every director, and every union
man who is desirous of seeing a labor
temple erected in Lincoln will boost
to beat the band. When the picture
of the proposed building is shown to
the public, and the plans outlined by
the inccrporators are thoroughly ex
plained, there can be no doubt about
the result
Everything is working along at a
gratifying rate, and if the union men
of the city will do their part the
cornerstone will be laid on Labor Day,
1908 a consummation devoutly to be
wished.
STEREOTYPERS REASSEMBLE.
Organizer Sumner Rehabilitates the
Local and Gives New Start.
Charles A. Sumner, general organ
izer of the 'Stereotypers' International
Union, with headquarters in Kansas
City, was in Lincoln the first of the
FIRST ANNUAL BALL
LINCOLN MUSICIANS UNION NO. 209
FRATERNITY HALL
Thursday Evening,
TICKETS $1.00
week. Through his efforts the local
stereotypers got together again and
resurrected their local -union. Condi
tions in the jurisdiction are now such
that the local members can have no
reasonable excuse for not keeping in
line with their fellows.
A. E. Small was elected president
and Sam Aiken secretary-treasurer.
Every stereotyper in the city was
formerly a member of the local, and
everyone signed up for a revival
thereof.
Mr. Sumner is a leader in the labor
movement in Kansas City. . He gradu
ated from law school and was ad
mitted to the bar, but preferred work
ing at his trade and making a personal
study of social and economic condi
tions. His visit to The Wageworker
was thoroughly enjoyed by the editor.
The labor, movement would profit
much if it had more leaders like the
gentlemanly and educated young man
who visited Lincoln in the interests of
the stereotypers' union.
THE MUSICIANS.
Everything Ready for Their First An
nual Ball Thursday Night.
The Musicians have everything
ready for the first annual ball at Fra-.
ternity hall next Thursday evening.
The committees in charge have
worked hard, and are satisfied ' with
what they 'have done. The .ball will .
doubtless be a success from every
viewpoint.
Joe Frolick served refreshments at
the meeting last Sunday, celebrating
his recent marriage. The local paid
its respects to the refreshments and
voted congratulations to the bride and
groom. i .
All the amusement resorts in Lin
coln are on the fair ' list. What
threatened to be trouble' at one of
the smaller resorts lias 'been amicably
adjusted, and all is now peace and
serenity. , '
Sunday, February 23, is the date of
the next meeting.
THE BARBERS.
Conditions Good and Work Growing
Better Every Day.
The Barbers' Union meeting, last
week was a quiet affair. Nothing but
routine business was transacted until
"good and welfare" was reached, and
then some short but interesting and
instructive talks were made.
Work has been slack for- a month
or so, but is improving as spring ap
proaches. President McBride and Secretary
Schwinker are supposed to be put
ting in their spare time preparing a
list of the fair shops for publication
in The Wageworker. , ,
Women barbers are admitted to the
Austrian union, but they are Tequired
to apprentice themselves for three
years before they can go into business
on their own account.
The Barbers , and Wig Makers"
Union, in Vienna is very stringent In
its examination .before it will admit
any new members to the society.
Only fully ompetent persons are al
lowed to practice.
CRUSHED HER FINGERS.
Miss Arlia Gibson, a pressfeeder In
a local printery, forgot to remove
her hand after feeding a sheet Tues
day afternoon, and as a result, three
fingers on her right hand were fright
fully crushed. The injured digits
were attended to by a surgeon and
the injury will not be permanent.
IN KENTUCKY.
Girls and women work from sixty
to seventy-five hours for $3 to $6 per
week in laundries at Louisville. And
this in chivalrous Kentucky.
February 20, '08
EXTRA LADY 50c