The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-03-17
IA 7 rip To C,1b|a., ~
Samuel Gompers Writes Entertainingly Of
His Recent Visit. III
Condition of Labor IN the Pearl of the
Antilles. t>

AAA SAAO 4 S%4A VI S446
"a. :
equal chance to learn the trade.
Though there are different versions, as
to the origin of the strike, it developed
into demand on the part of the Gu
boys to learn every branch Of the trade
without discrimination as to national
ity. They did not want to oust the
Spaniards, but insisted upon square
deal. $ :
OF course a conference with the en-
ployers was necessary and also an in
terpreter I declined either a Cuban or
a Spaniard for that purpose. An
American, Mr.. Kent, son Of Rev. Dr..
Kent, pastor Of the Peoples church Of
Washington, D. c.. cordially accepted
my invitation. This inspired CONT
dence in my purpose to serve them all
to the best Of my ability. The inter-
view, was had with Mr.. .Gustavo Book
the president of the largest company.
representing a great many factories.
The conference lasted over two hours.
during which Mr.. Book denied the
charge of discrimination. Since he
denied the charge, I thought he ought
to declare that he would not discrim-
mate in the future. He assented. =, !
suggested that he write letter to the
men on strike to that effect. This he
declined to do. 1 then suggested that
he write it in a letter addressed to me-
He consented, and in less than an hour
after received the following: "
HAVANA, Feb. TO- 1900.
MR.. SAMUEL GOMPERS: -.
DEAR 5SIR:-Relative to the inter-
view which we had this afternoon and
the statements which you made, I de-
sire to say that it has never been the
policy or the practice of our company
to discriminate against any nationality
either in the employment or the oppor-
tunities of employment or the oppor-
tunities of learning any branch Of the
cigar industry. We have had, just
previous to the strike, a large number
Of Cuban apprentices, which were en-
ployed by US. y -.- :,
Il desire to assure you that it has al
ways been, is now and will be, in the
future, our determination not to dis
eithcr in the employment or
in the apprentices, against any nation
altty whatever. ~, .,-. ~s ; : .-s14e -.1e
II am very glad to have had the
pleasure re this INT srXi ieyv 3sand hope sitts
ssla E q
y y 81 q 3rsTANsO BOOK 8.
Il took this letter to Mr.. Navarro;
secretary of the "Liga Trabajadores:
Cubanos'' League of Cuban Workmen)
who submitted it to the men. They
disputed the denial of past discrimin-
alton, but after urging, accepted the
promise of non-discrimination in the
future as victory and declared the
strike off. On the following Monday,
February IL, all returned to work. -.
BY invitation I attended mass
meeting of the "Liga de Trabajadore
Cubanos," at the Lara Theatre, called
for II o'clock in the morning, but which
was not called to order until nearly /
o'clock in the afternoon. There exists!
q penchant among all in Cuba. to make
an engagement or call a. meeting an
hour or two before the hour it is to be
kept Or held. It has become a .byword
among Americans that when you make
an engagement with anyone in nlCuba,
to keep it "manana" (tomorrow); will
do. This organization really had
charge of the cigarmakers' strike, and
1t was therefore necessary for me to
attend the meeting, in order to be pres
ent should adverse criticism be indtlg-
ed In. None took place. I was neces-
sarily late at the afternoon meeting at
Monte Gale, Sc. They had sent scouts
all around to look for me. They may
have thought that 1 had quit: They
seemed reassured when I showed up,
and after, an explanation were much
gratified at my course. The meeting
was: good one in point of attendace,
spirit and Intensity of interest. Again
through the courtesy and ability of Mr..
Busto, my interpreter, their attention.
was; called TO the fact that though
most OFFS the. work now done in Cuba
was by hand and almost primitively,
there was evidence Of the early intro
duction Of modern methods Of produc-
ton, machinery, steam, and electricity;
that organization was essential II, they
hoped to hold their own or become the
larger sharers in their production of
wealth. Their attention was called to
Governor General Woods order by
which public work was to be given out
by contract instead Of as heretofore
done by day labor direct; that this was
done without a word of criticism or
advice from them, the only one In. Cuba
protesting was ''forelgner"-m
that if they really wanted Cuban inde-
pendence they should organize better
and more thoroughly in their trade
unions: that under any form Of gov
ernment they would find trade unions
essential to the protection, welfare and
progress Of themselves, their families
and those who were to follow them.
They resolved to appoint committees
to take into consideration all that had
been said to them and appointed anotl1-
er committee to meet me at the peir
the following day to say "Good bye
a vote Of thanks was passed. and
speeches expressing the highest appre.
citation Of my efforts were, made. All
thought that my visit among them
would be frauRht with oond rnanlfr