Show federation OF LABOR conference adjourns after address to the public chicago july 13 the conference of the Arn erlan federation of labor adjourned at this evening after having decided against a general strike the position of president debs of the american hallway union wae endorsed however and 1000 voted for a defense annd for ibe coming trial of debs the executive council of seven rill bold a final tes slon tomorrow alie address to the public was issued afier a lone discussion the great industrial upheaval now agitating the country has been carefully calmly and fully in a conference of the executive council of the A merican hallway abion and to ahe executive officer and representatives odthe rational and internal unions and brotherhoods of railway unions called to meet in the city of chicago on the jtb day of july 1891 in the light of all the evidence obtainable and in view of the peculiar complications now developing the situation we are forced to the conclusion that the best interests of the unions with the american federation of labor demand that they refrain 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 to labor now struggling for right or justice but rather to the fact that the present contest has become and beset with complication so grave in their nature that we cannot consistently daviee a coarse which would but add to the general confusion the public press ever alive to the interest of corporate wealth have with few maliciously misrepresented strikers that in the public mind the working classes are now arrayed in open hostility to federal authority that is a position that we do not wish to be placed in nor will we occupy it without protest by misrepresentation and duplicity certain corporations assume that they stand for law and order and that those opposing them represent lawlessness and anarchy we protest against tilie assumption as we protest agugust the inference that certain individual or a certain clina enjoy a monopoly ih particular lines of trade or commerce that it necessarily follows that they are entitled to a monopoly in loyalties and good while we may not have the power to order a strike of the people of our country we are fully aware that a recommendation men dation from blits conference to them to lay down their tools of labor will largely influence the member of our affiliated organizations ani appreciating the responsibility resting upon us and the duty we owe to all we declare it to be the sense ot this conference that a general strike at this time Is inexpedient unwise and contrary to the best interests of the working people we further recommend that all connected with the american federation of labor now out on a sympathetic strike should return to work and those who contemplate going out on a sympathetic strike are advised to remain at their usual avocations |