The age-herald., 1901-11-12
PROTESTS AGAINST
 IGLESIAS ARREST
SAMUEL eoMPERs, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR, CALLS TO SEE PREsl- DENT ROOSEVELT.

Washington, November H. = Samuel Gompers, president of the American Fed eration of Labor. today saw the presi- dent, to protest against the arrest of Santiago Iglesias who was sent to Por- to Rico by the federation to organize the workingmen of the island
 Before MT. Inglesais left the United States MT. Gompers explained to the president the purpose of his visit and asked that Governor 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 MT. Iglesias, during the Spanish ascendancy, had opposed the Spanish regime and had been imprisoned. having been liberated when the American troops reached San Juan. By the presidents direction Secretary Cortelyou wrote to Governor Hunt concerning MT. Iglesias' mission.
 Last Saturday MT. Gompers was sur prised to receive the following cablegram from Mir. Iglesias:
 Am arrested when stepping ashore. NO warrant was shown. Ignorant charges. Remain in jail"
 This message MT. Gompers showed to the president and the president imme- diately sent an inquiry to Governor Hunt as to the cause of arrest.
 During Mir Gompers' interview today he spoke to the president about labor legislation, the Chinese exclusion act the extension of the eight-hour law, the alien contract labor law and the con vict labor bill. MT. Gompers was espe- cially anxious that the president should recommend tie re-enactment of the Chi nese exclusfot act. and he came away impressed with the belief that the presi- dent would do so.
 San Juan, Porto Rico, November H. Santiago Iglesias was arrested here last Thursday on landing from the steamer Philadelphia, which arrived here ahat day from New York. His detention was due to his non-appearance after having been thrice summoned by the local courts to appear in a case against him and seven others brought in July of last year when the currency was changed.
 At that time he persuaded the local federation of labor to order all labor or ganizations to go on strike unless they were paid in gold at the same rate as silver-master workmen, 8: journeymen, $2; and ordinary 1aborere, S150 These rates were not accepted by the employers and general strike which was accom- panied by some violence followed
 1Bldotd6 anu JULIET u1eulD6Tb OI Ln6 COIn- mittee were charged with conspiracy and the cases against them were set for trial September Il, 1900. When that date was reached Iglesias, who was at large on his own recognizance, did not put in an ap- pearance. AS he did not appear on the adjourned day, luther adjournment was taken to May 20, 1901. when an order for his arrest was issued, he being in New York city.
 He is now in jail awaiting trial in de- fault of 5000 bail.
 Today he sent a petition to Governor Hunt asking to be released on his own recognizance explaining that he made a similar application when first summoned but that the case was postponed and that no notice of the hearing on May 22 was ever served upon him. The public prose cutor asks that be sentenced to a term of Imprisonment on the ground that he is a dangerous labor agitator and is con- tinually causing unrest.