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| 76. COUHUlTISli AID CATHOLICISM that Ho encouragement or stimulation need cone from the top* On the contrary, Bishops will of necessity be the ones to take the initiative in encouraging priests to study social problems. If the Bishop arranges a school or a conference for priests and let it be known that he is interest- ed, there will be no problem of attendance. Likewise that same interest will insure co-operation in getting priests released for summer study and in getting full co-operation for their initial work. But after that, European experience would indicate that they should be left alone for a while. They can learn, if necessary, from their mistakes. Some financial aid may be needed but, on the whole, social action is a relatively in- " expensive field. Then when the time is ripe, further steps can be talcen, with the formation of a Commission, possibly v/ith a full-time director, office, and all the pomp and circumstance necessary for the \7ork. As activities expand towards the formation of a national group, the work of the Department of Social Action will be constantly increasing. It would be the natural group to direct the training program for priests on the diocesan level, conducting one day meetings, two- or three^veek schools, and the like. It could serve as a clearing-house for ideas and an informa- tion center for those beginning in the field. Its present activities in aiding priests could be expanded considerably. Probably one of the most useful steps would be the gradual transformation of the present "Notes for Priests" (initiated by Fr. Haves and continued by Pr. Higgins) into a professional magazine, conparable to the Catholic Charities Review and the Catholic Educational Review. This magazine could serve many functions. 'In the first place it could imitate the excellent Protestant publication, Informr.tion Service, a weekly printed bulletin which normally carries a thorough but nontechnical study of an important current problem. Periodically it carries book and pamphlet reviews. As a second feature, it could carry technical articles of interest to priest directors of social action. Such might be tne study of a -labor school, a parish employment agency, a co-operative, or suggestions for labor arbitration. These articles would be professional, just as a surgeons' magazine might describe the latest style in appendectomies. Finally, it could retain the interesting news items and "quotable quotations" which distinguish the present notes. Organizations for Social Action. Thus far, \7Q have been interest- ed in training and framework, rather than the content of social action programs. Of course, an important part'of the content will be the adult education programs noted earlier. Thus, in Hartford, in addition to labor schools, there are foruris, rc.dio talks, newspaper articles, addresses to miscellaneous groups, and priests' meetings. There can be close co-ordination v/ith youth work and the ~v;ork of existing Catholic societies. There can be interracial groups. Liany other possibilities open up, but two deserve e:rtended commentj the A.C.T.U., and Catholic Action. 1). The A.C.T.U. In Hew York, Detroit, San Francisco, and else- where there have, been formed units called the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists. These organizations endeavor to give Catholic'onion workers adequate knowledge of the social teaching of the Church, training to make this knowledge effective in their respective 'unions, andfor^aniz- ed forum for discussing current problems in the light of Catholic principles and for reaching decisions for action. The A.C.T.U. does not form a bloc within unions. Rather its members as individuals or members |