New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-31
Huerta 'Wields /
Strong Hand in
Labor Problem
Mexican President Aims -
Drive Out Radicals a
Solution of the Ser;ous
Situation i'm Yucatar
Alleged US. Stacker Held
Laborers Are Transferred n
Gulf Ports Where Work
Is Plentiful; Many Starve
By George E. Hyde
Special Dispatch to The TYibyn.

Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune 1,c
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 3O.-The Mex,.
can government is undertaking to ad-
just the abnormal labor situation !,
the Yucatan peninsula and other part.
Of the republic by furnishing frea
transportation from the districts wbsr.
labor is plentiful to parts where il "a
in demand.
Mexico's labor problem in Yucatan is
especially delicate in view of the ism
lation of the peninsula and because
of the low price of sisal, which has
thrown many out Of work. While Ia
borers are plentiful and work scarce in
Yucatan, an opposite situation exists
at the Gulf ports, in the oil fields and
In some of the agricultural districts
where crops must soon be harvested.
commission from Yucatan recentlv
crossed the Gulf to visit President de-
la Huerta, explaining that labor is
virtually starving and asking him 70
act. While government officials DENY
any political Importance of a decision
to counterbalance labor conditions, it
is generally known that a spread Of
rise to alarm. Efforts have been made
to detract from the importance of the
situation and instances wherein labor
ers have fired the crops and buildings
of wealthy land ords have been at
trlbuted simply to vandalism.
The labor situation in other parts Of
the republic is still potent with serious
developments, ard many observers he
heve that President de la Huerta has
established dangerous precedent in
arbitratlng strikes. Government off,
Gals, however, point out that there are
at present ample data to show that
wages for Mexican workers are in
many instances barely covering the
necessaries of life. On the other hand.
there is evident strong tendency on
standard of living This inclination is
checked by continuing troubleS, plainly
injurious to both capital and labor.
Arbitration Is Compulsory
The rulings of the President in labor
disputes constitute virtual compulsory
arbitration, his ruling being accepted
as final. Heretofore he has never in
terfered unless asked or until the stu
alton had seriously affected the gen
eral public. Labor legislation will be
one Of the few measures which De la
Huerta hopes to be able TO force
through the present Congress before
he leaves office. With growing So
cialist wing in the lower house, il is
expected that debate on any labor
measure will be lone and partisan,
with serious possibilities of opening q
split in the government majority. which
is still restless
The attitude of General p. Elias
Gales, Minister of War, regarding
labor is variously criticized. but has re-
suited in no change from his standing
orders to military commanders caution
ing that troops are to take no part in
labor disputes unless public order is
disturbed to point where civil au-
thorities can no longer handle the stu
alton. This line of conduct has been
consistently carried out, and the mill
tary has taken hand only when called
upon by the civil authorities in several
recent strikes which threatened serious
consequences.
Observers expect that strikes in Mex
leo will be less frequent as soon as the
government weeds out foreign aglta-
tors, which it is preparing to do. Presi-
dent de la Huerta recent! assembled
the principal agitators at the National
Palace, informing them that continue
ton of propaganda of seditious cha2ac--
ter will not be tolerated, and advised
them to remove themselves elsewhere.
The President suggested that he send
the leaders to the Tres Marias penal
colony and allow a continuation Of their
propaganda there among the criminals.
He expressed the opinion more serious
ly that radical ideas will not prosper III :
Mexico, where entirely too much per-
Cnno1 frooIopo utNa for ex-
IRENE measures.
The police have carried out raid on
the printing office of Lynn +. Gale, al
legged American Stacker, who calls HIM
self the chief of the Bolshevists IN
Mexico. A large amount of seditlous
literature was seized. Further drastic
action is expected this week when the
result of Investigations of agitation n
the army is known. The absence OIL
General Gales, who is directing the
campaign against the rebel Zamora, has
necessitated delay in final action.
Much Evidence Obtained
The civil and military authorities are
cooperating closely and have obtained
large amount of evidence regarding
centers of propaganda and the foreign,
ers involved. AS the result of one raic
it is believed that a large amount o.
Red propaganda is printed in the Eng,
lish language in Mexico City anu
shipped to points in the United States
for distribution there. Government
officials have decided not to give 'ne
Mexican press further copies OF sea-.
tious literature. and the newspapers
are asked to mutilate any fac-simile r..
productions of literature they nov
have, so that it will not serve the pu.'
poses of agitators by giving VIDE GU
culation to the very propaganda "h'es
the government desires TO suppress
This measure has been taken because
it is believed that the agitators tneh.-
selves often send copies Of their 'iuel-
allure to the newspapers inviting eAp''
sition in order to gain it circulation
National Cloak & Suit 70.