TERRE HAUTE’S LABOR PARLIAMENT
BENJAMIN B. TOWNE
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.”
Terre Haute’s Industrial Creed
United we stand:
For equal rights and perfect justice to all men.
For the principle of conciliation and arbitration.
For the protection of workers from dangerous machinery, occupational diseases, injuries and mortality.
For the abolition of child labor.
For such regulations of conditions of labor for women as shall safeguard the physical and moral health of the community.
For the suppression of “the sweating system.”
For a reasonable reduction of the hours of labor to the lowest practical point with labor for all and a reasonable degree of leisure.
For release from employment one day in seven, and whenever at all possible that this be the Sabbath Day.
For the highest wage that each industry can afford and for the most equitable division of the profits of industry that can be devised.
For the recognition of the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12) and the teachings of Christ as the supreme law of society and the sure remedy of all ills.
The ministers of the city feel much the same way about the effects of the parliament.
Rev. A. E. Monger, pastor of the largest Methodist church in the city and one of the promoters of the movement, says:
“Since the campaign there has been crystalized in the churches a sentiment of responsibility for the welfare of the laboring man. The laboring men have found that the gospel does have a message against the great sins under which they are struggling.”
As a further evidence of the parliament’s lasting effect, Rev. John G. Benson, another of its promoters, may be quoted:
“We are getting requests from every quarter for a repetition of the parliament.”