The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-08-20

ODreSon and his cOlleagueS 10 repair
from internecine strife, to re-establis
Mexico the good will and co-operatiol
Attitude of L. $.
How we'll he succeeds is going to
depend very largely upon the attitude
OF the United States. A determined
propaganda is being conducted by
privileged interests in the country 20
force Intervention, and if it succeeds
American boys will be sent across the
border to put a check to humanitar-
ianism and fight for our dividends.
In last weeks issue Of The Labo:
World was published an interview
with E. G. Dawson, secretary-treasure
Of the International Association Of
Machinists, who recently returned
from an extended tour of inspection of
the southern republic. He is sangu-
inc that the government will solve it's
it is building on the firm foundation
citizenship.
>. Mexico Buys Union Made Goods.
Mr.. Dawson has already told how
Mexico has made it condition of all
contracts awarded to American manu-
facturers that their products must be
produced under conditions that are
fair to organized labor. Contracts for
many thousand dollars worth of ma
terials and supplies have been placed
in this country, with concerns that
were recommended to the Mexican
government by the International as
sociation of Machinists. This policy,
pers and they are making formal pro-
test to Congress against what they
claim is unjust discrimination. I'm
deferred by denunciation and protests,
the Mexican government intends to
carry, through it's present plan of
spending it's money only with concerns
that deal justly with workers.
"As T nave explained" said Mr..
Dawson, in amplification Of this pro-
gram, the Mexican government Is
proceeding on tthe perfectly logical
theory that it will be impossible to
workers unless it is equally solicitous
for the welfare of American workers.
What effects the one for good or i'll
must inevitably similarly effect the
other. I have explained the plan as
being a combination of sound business
and broad humanity.
Cancels "Open Shop" Contract.
THAT the Mexican government is
in deadly earnest is proven by what
happened after I had explained to
Raymond P. de Negri. director gen.
eral of railroads, the real meaning
Of the so-called open shop plan of
employment. 1t did take long to
convince him that it was the reverse
Of American and everything else that
is good and humane.
DE Negri Immediately cancelled all
orders that had been in contemplat ton
for locomotive repairs and materials
and placed them with the 1nternation-
al Association Of Machinists. with the
understanding that the work would
be under the inspection of our men,
bers
Parenthetically, may say that the
Baldwin Locomotive Works thought
so we'll of contract for repairing II
locom motives that it loses by reason of
this policy that it sent Samuel Vau-
CLAIM, its president, to Mexico to see
whether the government could not be
induced to reconsider its action. He
may be there now. for all know: and
he will be there for many months be-
fore he gets what he is after
"Orders to be placed by the director
general include 1900 freight cars and
necessary equipment and tools for re-
pairing 400 locomotives. 1t is the pur-
pose to practically requip the great
locomotive and car repair shops at
Asguascalientes and at % other points
throughout the republic. The specific
condition of all contracts is that the
material furnished shall be produced
under conditions fair to organized la
bor"
Open Door for Labor Leaders.
Illustrating the contrast between
the attitude of some American rail-
oef the Mexican directors of railroads.
Mr.. Dawson cites a placard that greets
all visitors to his office. It tells them
that de Negri is so busy that he can
not meet personally those who have
business with his departments AMI
requests that complaints or sugges-
tlons be made in writing. The notice
then makes this exceptions: This does
not apply to officers or representa-
tives of labor organizations. who are
lh'lleu 10 call upon the director gen.
eral at their convenience"
AS may be expected" continued
Mr. Dawson. this policy of fair deal
ing and mutual obligation has had its
beneficial effect upon the workers. I
was permitted to see the whole
scheme in operation and to judge just
how it reacts them.
1.-THE government maintains it's i'm
portant railroad shops at Aguascali-
entes, where about 1000 men are en-
ployed. The machinery is obsolete and
there is lamentable scarcity of nee
essary tools. How the men can work
under the existing conditions is puz-
zling to me, but they are doing ia
tremendous lot of it. =.
II learned that, under many handi-:
caps, these men are practically re-l
Continued on page ,twol 81
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