The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-11-17
81 II
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MEXICAN LABORER
FEELS BETTER AT
HOME THAN IN U. S.
Treated Like Dog Here,
Says Jose Torres
By SCOTT NEARING.

Federated Press STAFF Correspondent
VERA CRUZ, Nov. 16.-Jose Torres
of Vera Cruz, Mexico, is a frst-class
mechanic and is employed by one of
the leading oil companies as a truck
driver
would you like to go to the United
states?" / asked Torres, after we had
spent a few minutes in discussion of
the international situation.
For one reason only" he answered.
Il am anxious to take course in
electricity, and there in nothing here
in Mexico Of the kind l want. l would
not care to go there and work"
Pressed for his reasons, Torres ex-
planned that in the United States
and particularly in the border states
-Mexicans were little better than
dogs, and we're frankly treated as in
feriors by those with whom they came
in contact. But in Mexico" he added.
since the passage of the new consti-
tuition even the Americans here do not
treat us with open disrespect."
He then cited a number Of instances
in which Mexicans, working for
American firms, had secured protec-
ton against unfair conditions by an
appeal to the Mexican courts. Mex
leo has much to learn from the United
States in mechanical improvements,
was his conclusion, but I prefer to
work here where a Mexican is a man"
Asked as to the possibility of an
other revolution in Mexico in the i'm
mediate future, Torres referred to the
widespread and persistent rumors
that certain Mexican political leaders
were meeting in San Antonio, Tex, to
lay plans for an outbreak.
at looks to me-" said he, 'as tho
the United States were actually en-
couraging fractional strife in Mexico.
If not, why do they permit these
plottings to go on across the border?
And why should they not encourage
division among us? 1t will make cas-
Ter the coming absorption Of Mexico
by the United States"
Then ! turned the conversation to
the economic situation confronting
Mexico. Eyes" said Torres, I'VE are
an agricultural people. Still. modern
industry has made serious inroads on
the old handcrafts. Large scale or
ganization is taking the place Of the
small producer.
Another thing" he went on. "Just
consider the way men are treated by
the big industries. The corporation
handles men just the way handle my
tools. Here is a big heavy wrench
When l am thru with it for a moment
throw it right on the ground. That
is the way the poems are treated. Here
is another wrench that l use in the
adjustment of magnetos. You see,
keep it wrapped in paper, and when
ever use it, I wipe it carefully and
return it to its box. That is the way
the corporation treats skilled labor.
do you see this drill? l have
broken it. Perhaps l can make a
punch Of it. If not, | will throw It
on the scrap heap. That is the worker
who has lost an arm or leg. II they
can, they make him a Waterman at a
low wage. If he is too badly battered
up they throw him on the human
scrap pile"
Torres then told me how he made
protest against reduced pay and
heightened hours OF labor in one of
the big oil companies. He was black
listed but the struggle over his case
had restored the S-hour day.