The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-03-19
LABOR. CONDITIONS N | !. :. =:
ISLAND OF PORTO RICO
GOMPERS INVESTIGATING INDUS.
TRIAL PROBLEM ON OUR
LITTLE ISLAND.

The Labor Chief Visits Governor Hunt
and the Assn1ebly and Will Make a
Tour Of the Country. A San Juan
Editor IL Jailed for Criticisina the
Administration Hot Time Expected
at the Coming Fall Election.
San Juan, March 17.-Samuel Com
pers arrived on the steamer Coamo
last Thursday evening" A large conn.,
mittee from the local gremios, or un-
ion, was assembled on the long COW
cred pier to welcome the newcomers
from, the land of snow AS the great.
black hull Of the ship warped to the
dock the police band of 60 pieces
played Hail to the Chief Mr.. Com
pers stepped quietly down the gang
plank, his smooth-shaven intelligent
face glancing from side to side at the
multitude of Workingmen as he ad-
vanced.. He was driven to the Hotel
Inglaterra at once and called upon the
Governor and the members of the
house Of Assembly next day. In an
swer to, some: questions by our COR
respondents Mr.. Gompers said: I
have come here. at the instance of the
American Federation Of Labor to in
vestigate impartially the condition of
the Puerto Rican workingman irres-
pective of party and of creed. I shall
be governed by the testimony of the
many and will investigate personally
the labor conditions in all cities of the
Island. Sincerity and truth will be nv
watchword. The people have welcomed
me most cordially, and I feel that if I
can establish unanimity of action
among the working people I will have
accomplished much toward their SUBJ
stantial Improvement
Mr.. Gompers will attend a mass
meeting in the theatre and then make
a general tour of the island, recep-
tons being prepared for him in every
instance and the great leader will be
here a month taking notes.
EDITOR GOES TO JAIL.
The News still continues to assault
the policy of Governor Hunt, and de-
clares that, although the editor has
been put in Jail 50 times for criticising
the administration he will still continue
to tell the people the plain truth. Next
fall the elections for all political posi-
lions take place here, and if we may
judge from the dreadful riot and blood
shedat the polls four years ago, we
must look with apprehension upon the
result. The Federal party here, COM
prising the very best element in Puerto
Rico (the Spanish and foreign business
me nand sugar estate owners), has met
and dissolved the party for the better
well-being of the whole country It
announces that it will not take part
in Iva III h,,L
patriots to rally to the union with the
express purpose of working for the
autonomy of complete statehood of this
country. It looks. with favor upon the
election of the representative to the
American congress-; and is willing to
forego all political POSITIONS to secure
perfect harmony.,fa The. So called Re-
publ ean. party is: favored by the ad-
rninistration, and d. !, conpb Used *of the
negro element largely: LIT seems
strange to American eyes to see tall,
gentlemanly dressed negroes sitting in
the house of delegates among their
white brethren. = But here the feeling
against the black man is not SO strong.
The carnival, given only as. it can
be given n Spanish countries, came
to a close last Sunday night when two
grand balls one in the large theatre
and the othehr in the Spanish Casino,
signaled the last Of the gayety before
sackcloth and ashes. The streets of
this city were. filled with manquer-
aders of all ages, sizes and conditions
during the last ten days, and many of
the costumes were really very costly
and original. Spanish Adm rails in gay
uniform, much gold lace and great
square boards seemed to take the
popular eye and here and there the
quaint costumes of the provincial
Spanish peasants lent charming eff
feet to the parti-mob, who for the
most part, were colored people. The
upper classes contented themselves
with the costly balls and the throwing
of much paper ribbons and confetti
The streets were literally covered by
colored paper streamers and broken
flour balls, and the police had several
times to caution the overbold when
they took advantage Of their disguise to
commit some joke which passed the
bounds Of fun. I saw only one drunk
en- man, and he was dressed in the
blacklist of tights, a short ballet skirt,
golden bands on his arms, legs and
gilded bow and arrow in his hand. He
lay peacefully sleeping in doorway
oblivious to the jeers and gibes hurled
at him by the passing erry-makers.
There was a. street procession, but the
whole exhibition had a strained appear
ance, for Puerto Rico is not overly we'll
TODD now, and money is scarce.
LOOTHING SANTO DOMINGO.
The weather has been most delight
full all winter, the thermometer never
going above "a nor below IS in San
Juan. Of course in the mountains the
air is somewhat cooler, but not enough
to damage the banana trees, which
grow in profusion everywhere.
Antonio Cader, a merchant from
santo Domingo City, has just arrived
here on the steamer Julia. He says
that the city is the scene Of indescrib-
able lawlessness and that bands are
looting and burning whenever they get
a chance. His store is closed and the
prospects are that even the usually