San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-04

a contract was signed by Consul Cen
eral Alexandra Lubbcrt, representing
the laborers, and George w. Vary, |
superintendent of the employment and
welfare department of the Bethlehem
Steel Company, before the men were
entrained. and it is felt by officials
of the consulate. the immigration de-
partment, and by reputable labor
agents that precedent has been es-
tablished that will to a great extent
solve the problem of Mexicans coming
into this country in search Of work.
The laborers are guaranteed, in the
contract, a minimum wage of so
cents an hour for as many hours perl
day. and as many days per week as
the laws of Pennsylvania permit. The
contract also provides that MCXicanS
shall receive the same pay as men of
other nationality doing similar work.
Quarters and board have been Of
fered at S1.lO per day, and clause
of the contract gives the labOrers a.
right TO find beard and lodging at
other places should they find it cheap
err and choose to move. Railroad fare
and food during the trip will be pro-
vided by the employer and will be de-
| Quoted from the wages of the men in
small weekly payments. In recruiting
| the men they were given to under
stand that if they remained with the
company for one year that this would
be refunded TO them.
This is provided in the contract,
and it is also agreed that no one of
them shall be fired within one year
without just cause. The clause Of
most vital Importance, in the belici Of
consulate officials. is that which pro-
vidcS that. in the event the men do not
continue working and become n charge
on the public they will be sent back
to San Antonio and delivered 10 the
consul general at the expense of the
company.
Looking ahead consulate officials
see. by the use OF similar contracts,
a solution Of a problem that for some
time has occupied attention of labor
experts both in this country ard in
Mexico. Until a greater re-odjust-
ment is reached in Mexico there will
be many thousands Of men in that
! country without work. These men,
believing that there is an abundance
of work in the United States. have in
the last few months and will in the
future. continue to flood the border
states. This part of the country, hav-
ing already more common laborers
than there is work for. can offer them
nothing and they are left to the care
Of the government or charity.
That many Mexicans are in dire
need of work is realized and if there
is the demand for labor in other
states that orders placed with local
labor agents would indicate the Mex
lean consul says the placing Of labor
ers where they are needed would serve
two-fold purpose. Reliable labor
agents, who have studied the problem
for many years, say that within the
next few months thousands of Mex
lean laborers will be needed in many
parts of the United States. Two of
the sugar companies of Minnesota
alone. they said. have already asked
for 1900 laborers during the coming
harvest of the sugar beet crop. They
are offering SIS an acre for harvest
ing the crop, and in addition will fur
nish rail transportation there and
back, food on the trip up, and fur
nished lodging quarters for the labor
ers while there. This is only small
part of the demand. they said. that
will have TO be met within the next
| few months. Some concern is being
shown by local farmers and ranchmen
over the large movement of laborers.