The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-18
NO GENERAL STRIKE.
Federation of Labor Decides Against
It.

Federation of Labor Decides Against
It.
CHICAGO, July 1S.-The conference Of
the American federation Of labor adj
journed at 7:S0 this evening after hav-
ing decided against a general strike. The
petition Of President Debs of the Ameri-
can railway union was indorsed. how
ever, and $1,000 voted the defense fund
for the coming trial of Debs. The execu-
tive council of seven will hold a final
session tomorrow. The following address
to the public was issued after a long dis
cussion:
THE great industrial upheaval now
agltatlng the country has been carefully,
calmly and fully considered in a con-
ference of the executive council of the
American federation Of labor and to the
executive officers and representatives of
the National and International unions
and brotherhoods of railway unions.
called to meet in the city of Chicago on
the 18th day Of July, 1894. In the light
OF all evidence obtainable and in view Of
the peculiar complications now envelop-
ing the situation we are forced TO the
conclusion that the best interests Of the
unions affiliated with the American fed
Grafton of labor. demand that they re-
frain from participating in any general
or local strike which may be proposed
in connection with the present railroad
troubles. In making this declaration we
do not wish it understood that we are
in any way antagonistic to labor or
CARNATIONS now struggling for right and
justice, but rather to the fact that the
no dad
and beset with complications so grave
I'm their nature that we cannot consist
emily advise course which would but
add to the general confusion.
The Press Unfair.
"The public press, ever alive to the
interestof corporate wealth, has. with few
exceptions, so maliciously misrepresented
matters that. in the public mind, the
working classes are now arrayed in open
hostility to federal authority. This is a
position we do not wish to be placed in,
nor will we occupy it without a protest
We claim to be as patriotic and law-abid-
ing as any other class of citizens. a claim
substantiated by our actions in time of
public need and public peril. By mis-
representation and duplicity certain cor
porations assume that they stand for
law and order and that those opposing
them represent lawlessness and anarchy.
We protest against this assumption, as
we protest against the inference that be-
caue a certain individual or a certain
class enjoy a monopoly in particular
lines OF trade or commerce, that IL neces-
sarily follows that they are entitled to a
monopoly in loyalty and good citizenship
The trades union movement is one of
reason, one Of elaboration and depending
entirely upon the voluntary and SOW
ereign action of its members; II Is demo-
cratic In principle and action; conserva-
tive In. it's demands and consistent In it's
efforts TO secure them.
industrial contests cannot be entered
into at the behest of any individual Of
fcer of this conference regardless OF the
position he may occupy In our organiza-
ton Strikes in our affilied organizations
are entered into only as a last resort and
after all efforts for a peaceful adjustment
Of grievances have failed and then only
after the members have. by their own
votes, usually requiring a two-thirds and
often a three-fourths vote to decide.
The trades union movement has its origin
In economic and social injustice. IL has
it's history. its struggle and its tendency
we'll defined. X stands as the protector
Of those who see the wrongs and injus-
tice resultant OF our present Industrial
system, and, who, by organization, mani
fest their purpose OF becoming larger
sharers in the product of their labor, and
who, by their efforts contribute toward
securing the unity and solidarity Of labor's
forces so that In the ever present contest