The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-07-18
WILL NOT STRIKE.
American Federation Of Labor
Refuses to Stop Work.
REASONS FULLY SET FORTH.
1t Would BE Worse Than Folly to Cal
Men Out on q General or Local
Strike These Times.


CHICAGO, July 13.-The conference
of the American Federation of Laho
adjourned at 7:3) this evening. afte
having decided against a genera
strike. The petition of President Deb
was Endorsed, however, and $l.0O'
voted for the defense fund for the com
ing trial of Debe. The executive coun
ell of seven will hold final session to
morrow. The following address to tht
public was issued after long discussion
Address to the Public.
The great Industrial upheaval now
agitating the country has been carefully
calmly and fully considered in the con
ference Of the executive council of the
Federation Of Labor, and the execu-
tive officers and representatives Of
national and ternational unions and
lrotherhncds Of railway unions called
to meet Ia the city Of Chicago on the
18th day Ct July, 1894.
In the light of all evidence obtain
able and In view of the peculiar con :
plicatieEs now developing in the situa-
ton we are forced to the conclu sion
that the best interests of the unions
affiliated with the American Fedora
ton of Labor demand that they refrain
from participating in any general or
local strike which may be proposed in
connection with the present railroad
= Ia
of this conference that general
strike ut this timc Is inexpedient. un-
wise and contrary to the best interests
of the working people. We further
recommend that all connected with the
American Federation of Labor now
out OH q sympathetic strike should
return to work aud those who conteln-
plate going opt on sympathetic strike
are advised 10 remain at their usual
avocations.
Sympathy With the A. II. U.
In the str ike OF the A. r. u. we rec.
"gnize al impulsive. vigorous protest
against the gathering, growing forces
of plutocracy power aud corporation
rule. In tho sympathetic rule Of that
they have demonstrated the hollow
shams of Pullman's paradise. Pull
man, in his persis:ent repulses of arbi-
trati0n and In his heartless autocratic
treatment of his employees has proven
himself u public enemy. The heart of
labor every " here throbs responsive to
the manly pulses and sturdy struggle
of the A. r.. y. IN their heroic endeav-
or 70 redress the wrongs of the Pull
man employees.
"Would 1t not be worse than folly TO
call men out on a general or local strike
In these days of stagnant trade and
commercial depression? Better let us
organize To protect our interests at the
ballot box and east our votes to redeem
this country from it's present political
and Industrial misrufe and take 1t from
the hands Of the plutocratic wreckers
n nd place II in til, hands of the COM
m,n people,"
a resolution was adopted condemn
Ing the republican ana democratic par
ties and pledging support to the popr-
hats. The conference then adjourned.
The Morning Session.
The conference during the morning
session took up the resolutions where
they were dropped before. Many
strong speeches have been made on
both sides OF The resolution TO order
general strike of the members in SYM
pathy with the Pullman strike. M. q.
Carroll of the International Ty pograph-
ical Union appealed to the feelings Of
the con inference on the manner In which
labor had been trampled Oh by capital
and said the only way to force recogni-
ton was 10 order a complete tie-up
Messrs. Mcclure aud Perkins made
speeches on the same line, arguing
most emphatically in favor Of the reso.
lutIons.
A Strong Opposition.
Mr.. Drunmond took up the opposl-
lion and discussed at length the mad
Of general strike. He said:
II want Debs 10 understand that 1t is
Unnecessary for Us to order strike.
He wishes to shift the responsibility
rom his shoulders, and object. Ifhe.
las started it and can not win, let
him lose. If we should strike now the
financial condition Of the country Is
'uch that q great many Of our members
would not go out, and the vacancies
would be filled with non-unionists. /
'elieve that the condition of the coun-
ry IL such that o general strike would
lot win. do not want the reputation
4 having our federation lose. Tam
'pposed to the resolution
Mr.. Garland Of the iron and steel
workers. said: 1--WE were unable to
orm an effective organization 80 long
3 the Pullman shops were working on
wages, and not until the A. r. u.
trike have we been able 10 do any
hing. In our organization We have
ad great strikes. both In sympathy
nd for grievances. am opposed to a .
eneral strike now, because we have !.
ertain scale of wages adopted by arbi-
'ati0n, and IL we strike that scale will lie
roken. am not favoring Debs. He !
as very arrogant In the start, not
zen recognizing US. and now he wants
} shift the responsibility. ] can call
1t the iron and steel workers. but Can
e no favorable results.
Mr.. Evans then said: "If the local
ganizer Of the American Federation p
Labor had attended II his business 81
10 A. r. U. would neve have handled Il
Is strike. ani opposed to The reso. b
tion."
Patrick Mcbride, representing the :.
al miners. said: 1T strike is or d
red, let II be for ourselves, and not q
Debs. While I can cali out the OF
.L~.-- 81 =