The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-05-16
LABOR IN FAVOR
Of PHILIPPINE
INDEPENDENCE

WASHINGTON, May 13.-That
organized labor in the United States
is practically unanimous in support
of Philippine independence, was the
statement made today by Crisanto
lEvangelista, labor representative Of
the Philippine Mission, which was
empowered by the Philippine I4egis-
lature to work for independence.
81 have had conferences with
Samuel Gompers, President of the
American Federation of Labor, %
said Eyangelista. and Mr.. Com
pers assured me that organized la
Dor i'm America is PRACTICALLY unan-
imous for our independence, and
| that the organization of which he
is the head would do all in its
power to assist us.
81 also talked with Frank Nor
rison, secretary Of the American
Federation, and he gave me exactly
| the same assurance.
81 conferred with many labor
/ bodies in cities from San Francisco
! to New York, and not in single
| instance did | run across a labor
man who was not friendly to the
idea of our immediate indepen-
dence."
Mr.. Evangelista, who is presi-
dent of the Printers Union in the
Philippines, said that labor organ
izations in the islands were affil-
lated with the American Federation
of Labor, and that as a result of his
visit here there would be closer CO.
operation than ever.
Anyone who ventures the opin-
ion that the Filipino people are not
united on the subject of indepen-
dence is laboring under mistaken
idea" said Evangelista. 81 call
your attention to the cable dispatch
from Manila to the effect that - /
labor union officials in the Phillip
pines have pledged themselves not
| to call any strike while the Philip
pine Mission is in the United States.
when ! was selected by the la
! Dor organizations of the Philip
pines to represent labor on the Phil
| ippine Mission the different unions
raised funds for my expenses. The
shoemakers made for me specially a
the tailors a fine suit and the cigar
makers sent along a supply of ci-
CARS. The laboring men were elat-
ed to know the Mission was coming
to the United States to lay before
this country its request for indie
pendence. They all wanted to do
something for the cause, even if it
was only to have a hand in attiring
their representative on the mission.
Labor organizations in the ISL
ands are working for the same
principles that organized labor is
contending for in the United
States. In some cases we have
found it necessary to conduct
strikes, about $50 of which have
been successful. In the past year,
however, we adopted the system of
voluntary mediation and arbitra-
ton, which has prevented many
| bitter conflicts between employers
and employees. Yet We have won
many important increases in wages,
and bettered somewhat the stand
ard of living of the workers. The
cigar-makers as a result of trade
Iunionism have obtained a wage in
crease of 1919, the printers from
! so to 1000 and there have been
advances of from 80 to 400 in va
rious other industries. Sanitation
i'm the shops has been materially i'm
proved.
1--WE in the Philippines are MAX
ing more progress toward govern
ment operation of public utilities
than are you in the United States
Since Filipinos have been given a
controlling part of the machinery of
/ government, we have taken over the
steam railroads and made them pay
profit of 100000 pesos a year
more than under private owner
ship. We have taken hold of the
highways and have 1000 miles of
the best macadamized roads in the
world. The Manila city govern
ment is about to take over the
street railways and the gas and
electric plants, while the territorial
government is arranging for owner
ship and control of the coal supply
and other necessities of life. We