El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-25
LABOR UNIONS
GROWING IN
MEXICO
Employers Find They Have
a New Problem in Walk
ing Delegates.
RAILWAYS FIND GOOD
NATIVE HELP SCARCE
y EEXICO CITY, Mex, Jan. Is
MI Employers Of labor in Mexico
- - are Just beginning to realiza

y REXICO CITY, Mex, Jan. Is
MI Employers of labor in Mexico
are just beginning to realize
that consideration must be given to
demands of organized forces, and that
the various trades are beginning to ex-
hlblt the same coherency of purpose
that has been manifested for many
years in the United States.
Attempts to for munions were IN
heard of in Mexico a dozen years ago,
but employers have suddenly aWak-
ened TO the fact that organizations
must be reckoned with in all of the
skilled trades, especially in connection
with the operation OF the national Sys-
TEN of railways.
The walking delegate was not taken
seriously until the recent strike of rail-
way machinniSts. but it now appears
that perhaps three-fOurths of the
skilled labor of the country is organ
lied. Unions must be considered in the
adjustment of grievances, since the or
ganized element seems to dominate the
non-union forces. Labor disputes are
becoming less and less to be regarded
as purely local questions.
The National Railways find difficulty
in securing competent engineers since
American trainmen have been with
drawn. Recently a native engineer
deserted his engine, calling to his fire
man to follow, when he saw the glow
of a red signal light upon the boiler.
The engineer, conductor and fireman
from safe distance waited for an ex-
pected explosion, until the steam died
down and the engine became stalled
The boiler was stlll red, but not hot
when the trainmen learned that they
had been frightened by their own ig-
norance.
Sentimental Revolt Starts.
a rebellion based upon sentimental,
rather than political grounds, was
caused in suburb Of the capital re-
Gently, when government authorities
started to denlolish the Church of the
Virgin Of Piedad, TO make room for
barracks. Residents who had worshiped
tested en- masse- The authorities found
another site for the barracks.
The Indignation Of the villagers was
not entirely dissipated by the change
revered painting of the Virgin al
ready had been removed to a smaller
chapel The story of the origin of the
painting is one that most Mexicans have
forgotten.
Early in the 18th century a devOut
member Of the Order of San Domingo,
living in Rome, contracted with an
artist to paint a picture Of the Virgin
with the Saviour in her arms. Before
the picture was finished he and another
of the same order were instructed to
go to Mexico. They sailed, taking the
half-fininshed work Of the artist with
them The ship was caught in storm
and hope was abandoned by the crew
The two religious men prayed to the
Virgin for aid, promising if delivered
to beg in the streets of Mexico for
funds with which TO erect near that
city a church which should be known
as the church OF the Virgin de Ia
Piedad Compassion. The storm passed
ana the ship rode safely into port. The
grateful monks began soliciting aims
to fulfill their vow.
Picture Is Completed.
Upon unwrapping the work of the
artist, they were atsounded to find that
. IL " 2
painting possessing a beauty and tech
have produced. The discovery made
easier the gathering Of the funds, and
on February 2, 1872, the church was
dedicated. It was one of the most
beautiful in Mexico at that time. In
recent years the walls of the church
have been seriously damaged by earth
quakes and the foundations have been
inundated.
The government is negotiating for
the purchase of a volume of the first
edition of Don QuiXote, published by
the house of Cuesta in Spain, and still
in that country If secured it will be
added to the collection Of rare vol
umes now in the National library.
Wearers of aigrettes may have to pay
a still higher price for them as the re-
suit of a government decision which
forbids the hunting of the white heron
in Quintano Roo. Slaughter at the
time of breeding has made the heron
almost extinct in Mexico. Quintano
Roo, far in the south, lis now the only
place where the bird is found in large
numbers.