Elmira Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual LABOR Every ejfort, therefore, must be made that at least lu the future a just share only of the fruits of production be permitted to accumulate tu the lzarmls of the ufealtlvy, and that an ample sufficiency be supplied to uiorklugmertf' - Pius XI. Pope Pius issued a short time ago an encyclical on Labor which ex- plains the views of Pope Leo in his encylclical issued forty years before. Since the encyclical of Pope Leo, students of Labor problems have studied his views. Now Pope Pius in his encyclical brings the ideas of Pope Leo up to a modern level. Qbjections have been raised about the issuing of encyclicals on Labor by the Popes. It's the opinion of some that it is solely an economic question and it is not within the authority of the Pope. This is an entirely wrong view of the question. The reform of the social order and the correction of morals are dependent one upon the other. If better morals are to be achieved the labor conditions must be improved. There is nothing more conducive to poor morals than poverty and poor living conditions. It is, therefore, essen- tial that working conditions and wages be improved before anything can be done about morals. lt is for this reason the Pope issued his encyclical. Pope Pius declares that the foundation of the economic evils is free and ruthless competition. For years the race for world markets went on un- halted by any authority and it had brought about enormous wealth for a few and the steady impoverishment of the poor. It kept the worker in a state of economic insecurity. Under the system of free competition there was constant price cutting in order to take business from competitors. In order to make a profit while cutting prices, the employers paid labor starvation wages. Pope Pius advocates partial control of industry by the government to do away with cut-throat competition. Pope Pius in his encyclical gives his opinion on free competition when he says, Free competition, however, though within certain limits just and productive of good results, cannot be the ruling principle of the economic world. The Pope wishes to see charity and justice enter into the dealing of em- ployers and employee to replace the greed which now rules their actions. This greed and unfairness is attributed by capital to labor and by labor to capital 'whereas both are equally guilty. Capitalists it is true often give their workers small wages and long hours and at the same time make huge pro- fits. Labor, however, has itself often dealt unjustly with employers. Many strikes have been called by Labor unions in an endeavor to obtain higher wages when they already are receiving a just and fair wage which is sufh- cient for their needs. lt is here that justice and charity could help by creat- ing better feeling between employer and employee. The lust for power by the few who control the wealth of the world has destroyed love of God and of neighbor among these men. All is forgotten but the lust for wealth and the power which goes with wealth. This con- centration of power has led to a struggle for total domination. There is first the struggle for dictatorship in the economic sphereg then the battle to con- trol the stateg and finally the clash between the states themselves. All this leads up to war and general chaos. Because of the suffering and sin caused by unbridled competition Pope Pius advocates that the government control competition in industry to some degree. l44l

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual 5 3 WINIFRED TUBERTY St. Mary's Business School To hliflll' lzfffxis fo low' l1f'r. SIN' has Ulf' .s'1l1111if'.w! mul lmppiffsf zmlurf' of fllllll girl in ilu' xfflzool. . Xtmnic Cirvle IV: Junior Clzml l,2ll'ly f.UlHI11lffC6Q Senior Carnival Cmn- mittccg Senior Prmn Cmmnittccq ,luniur ,Xsscnlblyg hluuior-Senior Bzmquct Committcc: Secretary uf Soduhty ,lV. l43l

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual Our Holy Father also says that the government should guard the labor organizations which are formed to protect the worker. He does not advo- cate, however, complete freedom for unions so that they can endanger and destroy industry. He realizes, however, that in this age of greed, dishonesty and disregard of the law of God, the labor union is- the only means for a worker to obtain fair wages and good working conditions from the em- ployer. The Pope declares that it is a grievous offense for an employer to deny his workers a living wage. The Pope does not mean by a living wage, a wage sufficient only to keep life in a worker's family, but enough to enable him to clothe and feed them well, provide for their education and be able to afford simple amusements. The Pope clearly shows in his encyclical that it is not so- much strike- breakers and unions which are needed but obedience to God's command- ments and love of neighbor. If employer and employee used Justice and Charity in their dealings with one another there would be peace and har- mony on the labor front to replace the bloodshed and dissension now exist- ing in the world. Leo Norton '37 . SENIOR CLASS POLL Most Popular L. Gaffey T, Butler Best Looking L. Gaffey Maloney Most Cheerful R. Manning F, Norton Best Dressed R. Schneck T. Butler Most Humorous R. Manning F. Hartnett Best Dancer A. McCarthy T, Butler Most Collegiate XV Tuberty R. Fouhy Most Industrious O. Brusso P. Sheehan Most Petitlej M. McGough T. Butler Most Loquacious A. Battersby R. Fouhy Neatest R. Schneck W. Osborne Tardiest M. A. Peterson L. Norton Most Shy M. McGough S. Mitchell Pessimist L. Gaffey P. Sheehan Optimist XV Tuberty F. Hartnett Most Sophisticated R. Schneck E. Fennell Nicest Personality L. Gaffey H. Lagonegro Biggest Drag R. Schneck P. Sheehan Best Line L. Galfey E. Fennell Most Likely to Succeed A. Mancini P. Sheehan Most Pensive R. Manning S. Mitchell Best Sport R. Manning Arman Most Loyal A. McCarthy W. Osborne Most Active L. Gaffey R. Fouhy Most Spirited A. McCarthy R. Fouhy Most Courteous A. McCarthy J. Maloney Most Original R. Manning F. Hartnett Most Punctual R. Manning P. Sheehan Day Dreamer XV. Tuberty I. Lynch Meekest A. Mancini Johnson Best Driver H. Lagonegro M. McGough l45l