The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-04-23

Thanksgiving Celebration, which term
mated in a drunken brawl, and for
which no one was ever punished.
Business went right on, undisturbed
except, of course, Interruptions with
railway traffic.
The only thing approaching dis
order was when the Rebels demanded
the surrender of some firearms de-
posted at the American Hotel. THIS
the management refused to do, declar'
ing there was none there. But the
Mexicans knew better, so they
threatened to search the premises and
seize the arms. They actually locked
the proprietor up for an hour or two.
The arms were later surrendered by
mutual agreement. The Rebels re-
ceipted for them and went their way.
There were frequent Interruptions of
railway service, consequently of mail
service between us and the states.
During all my stay I heard but one
gunshot, an accidental discharge by
a careless American. Yet, after these
Interruptions in mail service we would
read in the American Press of battles,
burnings, loctings, hangings, murder,
lpillage and rape at Pearson and near
bv communities. Most of this we got
from the local FL Paso papers. These
papers would print any lurid story
purporting to come out of Mexico.
Without attempting to varify it or
giving authorship. They would appear
under the heading of "It Is Report
ed. Especially was this the policy
of the FL Passo Times, the Phelps
Dodge Copper Trust (of Bisbee famc}
sheet.
1t is true that Mexcans did often
- take supplies without paying for them
At Pearson the Co. had a large mer'
chandise store. They often got food and
clothing there, giving only a receipt
in exchange. But I never knew OF
them looting the place. Or even helping
themselves, tho the officers often went
behind the counters and assisted the
clerks in selecting clothing for theil
:, men.
The Pearson -Madero Co. remained
neutral throughout, consequently nom
! of their property was destroyed exccp
:, that of transportation.
1t is true that they finally had t.
suspend operations, due to continued
l. interruptions of transportation. The,
IS have suffered loss of profits certain
h ly. But this loss they charge up t
e the Mexican Nation, expecting it t.
J" be paid with interest when peace an
d tranquility prevail.
/! I passed out of Mexico several time
c. during the twelve months. Not one
'r was held up, robbed or molested. Thi
lc in spite of the fact that different fac
20 tons controlled. ,Jaurez, the borde
t. port town. at different times. Whe
returning I always brought consider
70 able goods, tools and other persona
rs effects, with me from the states. n,
n once was I charged a duty on then
p. And only once was a passport require
n of me by the MexicanS But on leavin
20 Mexico finally, the train on which
~ was riding was held up by n band {
h. Rebels near Chihuahua City. All pc
Id sons were searched for arms. \
10 money or other vauables were take
a. from any individual. But being in
le playful mood. the "Rcbcs' sent RI
ms train wild into Chihuahua City leavir
he us to hoof it some fifteen miles.
of 7 am not pretending there has bee
to no atrocities committed in Mexico du
ne ing the ten years of Revolution an
n Counter.Re Revelation. Personally I kno
al of number of them. What I n
ne trying to do is to show that there
3D., ,jno foundotion whatever for most
lr- those reports, and to establish q
reason for their circulation. 1t
RS, cconcmic and is deep seated in Ii
a profit taking system and is exploit,
,r- by those who would profit by intt
ne ivention.
M. Bear in mind. Mexico has been
Ise a state of war, more or less, for t
ny years. Compare the reported atrociti
in both in number and degree with thu
or reported of other countries and 9th
wars in like period and we find th
mt are as but a speck on the atroci
re- world map, assuming they are all tr'
,ht which they are not.
nd In this connection it is well to quo
from another. 4 capitalist heav
rat interested in Mexican Oil. In the
,ht Worth Star Telegram, date Mar
MS lst appears statement accredited
ew one Joseph +. Guffey of Pittsburg,
. David Lawrence, newspaper report
ing reports Mr.. Guffey as having sa
d" commenting on a reported speech
Governor Lowden of Illinois, wher'
nal he made the statement that affa
,dy in Mexico were "deplorable". 81
Mr.. Guffey; "Probably an investi
tion would show that there have bc
more hold ups, robberies and murd