Semi-weekly herald., 1915-06-17
PORTO RICAN BEFORE
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
BY Lowell Mellett


Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 10
1t seems that when General Miles oc-
cupied Porto Rico in 1891 and U. S.
military bands marched here and there
playing "a Hot Time in The Old Town
Tonight" it was sweet music to the
Porto Ricans. But it seems further
that the same music would not be so
sweet today.
"1t was like hymn of redemption"
said Prudencia Rivera Martinez, tes-
tifying before the Industrial commits
sion in Washington recently.
Martinez is president of the cigar
makers union of Porto Rico and is
a handsome, correctly dressed young
man, infinitely carefully and correct
ly dressed, much more so, in fact, than
John ID. Rockefeller, Jr., who proceed
ed him before the commission. So
handsome a youth coming this far to
fight for the barefoot laborerA of
his own land. But neither of these
qualities seemed to weigh heavily on
Martinez mind, while the troubles of
his people did. He made distinct
impression on the members Of the com
mission.
And then talking about it after
,cpd he relieved his mind further,
first having laid the groundwork of
his dlscontent in a recital of the slav-
cry under which the Porto Rican la
borers Rad suffered thruoght the cen
turtles of Spanish suppression. 1t is
to this same Spanish heritage that
defenders of conditions as they are
on the Island point. ave cannot be
expected to have removed entirely in
16 years the work of several hundred
years." they say.
But Martinez and his fellows want
matters corrected in the light of pres
ent civilization. 1t is not the GUS
toms of that old age that are to
blame, they say, but an "Anti-Ameri-
can" reaction.
"The island of Porto Rico never
confronted situation similar to that
now prevailing" he said. Certain
rich corporations and certain officials
are responsible for the most iniqui-
tous tyranny over the poor peasants.
During the last agricultural labor
ers' strike six workmen were killed
by the police, 100 wounded and 300
Jailed. Several meetings were disband-
ed by shots and clubbing following
criticisms of the government officials
and the sugar corporations overseers
and agents. Constitutional rights Of
the laborer have been denied time
and again.
"The working people have been de-
liberately terrorized, we believe to
make. them think it is crime to go
on strike.
"On the one hand the school bud
get has been cut down 100000 while
on the other $4,000 has been voted
to aid the sugar planters. More
than 250,OO0 children are deprived OF
an education, but the business inter-
ests are protected.
1--WE want an investigation of con-
ditions by commission from the Unit
ed States congress and next fall in
tend to make every effort to obtain
it. We can substantiate our charge
that while 100000 Porto Ricans in the
agricultural district are absolutely
unprotected from exploitation, the big
corporations that have the benefit OF
their labor are making millions.
"We want to be treated as Ameri,
cans, not as poems or serfs. Just now
while our independence is pending, we
are a people without country. We
feel that what we ask of this, our
ruling country, is not more than we
are entitled to ask"