Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-20


Practically all the trades in that city are
said to be operating under the open shop
The American Federation of Labor WILL
1T Is said. assess each member of its aff1li-
ated unions one cent a month for one year
for this purpose. 1t is also proposed to
place forty union organizers in that place
to help along the movement.
Delegates Santiago Iglesias, Eugenio,
Sanchez and Joaquin Becerri, from Porto
Rico. have introduced in the convention
of the A. F. of L. preambles and resolu-
tons which recite that more than six
hundred thousand agricultural and indus
trial workmen. including men. women and
children. are at present in Porto Rico in
the same deplorable condition they were
in at the time of the Spanish regime, ten
years ago.
THE average wages paid to the bulk of
the working population Of Porto Rico en-
gagged in the coffee and sugar industries
Is fifteen cents and forty-fi cents re-
spectively. for ten hours work q day, thus
creating a condition to them of most
desperate character.
The legislative assembly of Porto Rico
has committed itself against the enact
ment of labor laws to better the condi-
ton of the workmen and, furthermore,
no recommendation to that effect has
ever been made by the governor of the
island to the legislature, wfrile capital
Is AFFORDED every opportunity to increase
Its resources and encroachinR power to
the detriment and injury Of the labor
interests the needs and problems of
which are ignored and contemporary
treated.
There are at present in Porto Rico
100000 children under fourteen years of
age who are being deprived of an educa-
ton on account Of the fact that the local
government has failed to provide a suf-
f1cent number of schools and teachers
where such education could be given -
The present political statute of Porto
Rico is considered disgraceful by poll
ticians and capitalists. the. United States
Cong 7ess having denied citizenship and
self-gcvernment to Porto Rico: but still
worse is the social and financial tyranny
In which both capitalists and politicians
arm in arm. with the trusts have held
the working population Of the island I'M
der system of government incompatible
with American principles and American
dacsncy."
1t was resolved that committee is
Jointly with the Porto Rican delegation.
and presided over by the president of the
Anne rican Federation of Labor shall call
on the President of the United States, and
transmit to him the following recon-
That American citizenship be granted
to Porto Rico.
That pract:ca! and necessary econo-
mics be introduced in the appropriations
| for personnel of the insular adnainistra-
| ton.
That the school appropriation be in
creased to twice the amount now ex-
| pended annually and that an investigation
be made of the reasons why $50. 900 worth
Of school books have been destroyed dur
| Ing recent years by the department of
| education.
That the salaries of the Porto Ricar
school teacher be placed on the same
| rank as those paid to American teachers
That the eight hours working day act
and the labor liability act of the country
shall be observed and enforced by the
different heads of the insular depart
ments.
/ The radical abolshrnent of convict Ia
Dor in public works.
Payment to worknlen engaged in gov
eminent work In Porto Rico of living
wages. compatible with decent govern
ment, and suppression of the 40 and 80
cents ten hours day scale
That the executive council in Porto Rico
Ebe directed to investigate and prosecute
all corporations holding more than 500
acres Of land. In violation of the Foraker
act and enjoined from granting fran
cmses which are burden to the people
| Of Porto Rico.
| That the insular police force in Porto
Rico shall not longer be used as an eff
tective means of breaking strikes and
Eterrorlzing people while peacefully de-
| handing better wages or better treatment
The establishment of a branch of the
labor bureau In Porto Rico for the bene-
fit of the people of the island: and
The enactment of a law prohibiting the
employment Of children under the ages of
fourteen years in factories, workshops
and like establishments.
l. The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on resolutions. and the committee
recommended that resolution No. 25, in
PRODUCED by Delegates Santiago Islesias,
Eugenio. Sanchez and Joaquin Becerri
from Porto Rico be amended by striking
out the recommendation No. 1, That
American citizenship be granted to Porto
Rico" and substituting in its place the
| following amendment, introduced by
| Treasurer Lennon:
Resolved, That the American Fedora
ton of Labor. in convention assembled,
believes Porto Rico to be part of the
United States: we therefore declare it to
be our opinion that a territorial form of
government should be initiated in Porto
Rico by the Congress of the United States.
without further delay. to the end that the
people of the island be enabled to rapidly
develop full and complete self-govern-
| ment."
Also that the words pending the es-
tablishment of the foregoing. the follow
ing reforms be inaugurated," follow
| Treasurer Lemons amendment
On motion the report of the COMMITTEES
was concurred in. the vote being unani-
nous.