The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-12
Protests Against the Arrest of
Santiago Iglesias, Sent to
Porto Rico to Organize the
Working Men Of the IsIanad
ROOSEVELT SENDS A
MESSAGE TO GOV. HUNT
Story From San Juan Is to Effect
That His Detention Is Due to
His Non-Appearance After
Having Thrice Been Summoned
Before the Local Court

Washington, Nov. 11.-Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor, saw the President today
to protest against the arrest of San
tiago Iglesias, who was sent to Porto
Rico by the federation to organize the
workingmen of the island.
Before Mr.. Iglesias left the United
States Mr.. Gornpers explained to the
President of the purpose of his visit
and asked that Gov. Hunt be notified
that his mission was not to stir up
strife, but simply to organize labor
along legitimate lines.
At that time he told the President
that Mr.. Iglesias during the Spanish
ascendancy had opposed the Spanish
regime and had been imprisoned. hav-
ing been liberated when the American
troops reached San Juan. BY the Presi-
dents direction, Secretary Cortelyou
wrote to Gov. Hunt concerning Mr..
Iglesias' mission. That letter was dated
Oct. 10. Last Saturday Mr.. Gompers
was surprised to receive the following
cablegram from Mr.. Iglesias:
Am arrested when stepped ashore.
No warrant was shown. Ignored Qg-
norant) charges. Remain jail"
This message Mr.. Gompers showed to
the President, and the President i'm
mediately sent an inquiry to Gov. Hunt
as to the cause of the arrest.
During Mr.. Gompers' interview to-
day he spoke to the President about
labor legislation, the Chinese exclusion
act, the extension of the eight-hour
law, the alien contract slabor law and
I ~ Iii n ~ NNraN-G
was especially anxious that the Presi-
dent should recommend the re-enact-
ment of the Chinese exclusion act, ana
he came away impressed with the be-
lief that the President would do So.
San Juan, P. R., Nov. 11.-Santiago
Iglesias was arrested here Thursday
on landing from the Red ID" line
steamer Philadelphia, which arrived
here that day from New York on her
way to Laguayra and Porto Cabello.
His detention was due to his non-ap-
pearance after having been thrice
summoned by the local courts to APP
pear in a case against him and seven
others brought in July of last year
when the currency was charged.
| At that time he persuaded the local
federation of labor to order all labor
organizations to go on strike unless
they were paid in gold at the same rate
as silver-master workman, So; journey
workmen, 81; and ordinary laborer,
$3.50. These rates were not accepted
by the employers and a general strike
which was accompanied by some
violence followed.
Iglesias and the other members of
the latter committee were charged with
conspiracy and the cases against them
were set down for trial Sept. II, 1900.
When that date was reached Iglesias,
who was at large on his own recog-
nizance, did not put in an appearance,
and the trial was adjourned. An order
was issued for his arrest. He is now
in Jail, awaiting trial in default of
$1,000 ball.
Today he sent petition to Gov. Hunt
asking to be released on his own rec
ognizance, explaining that he made a
similar application when first sum-
lInoned, but that the case was postponed
and no notice of the hearing on May II
was ever served upon him. The pub
lie prosecution asks that he be SEN
! fenced to a term of Imprisonment on
the ground that he is dangerous
labor agitator and is continually caus-
ing trouble.