552 AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST
foreign superiors — the demand being for
complete native control. The backbone of
the discontent was broken by September.
Just at the close of the year, an interesting
strike broke out among the peons on the
ranches of the Laguna region in the neigh
borhood of Torreon. Their numbers reached
into the thousands — 3,000 raiding the
Santa Catarina ranch and killing about
forty head of cattle daily for their mainte
nance.
Organization among laborers other than
the railway employes, the stevedores and
cotton factory workers, is sadly lacking.
The rank and file of membership in the
unions too often dumbly follow the lead of
agitators who are moved by personal mo
tives. The following with regard to the
strikes in Vera Cruz in 1911 illustrates the
situation (Mexican Herald, July 8, 1911) —
"No demands were presented by the stevedores
in Vera Cruz or the employes of the San Rafael
paper mills when they struck. It was only after in
sistent inquiry on the part of the employers that
the demands of the men were made known. In fact
at the San Rafael mills most of the men were frank
in admitting that they went out because some of
their companions told them that it was the thing
to do. After striking at Vera Cruz and San Rafael
the employes held meetings and decided on com
plaints to submit."
However ill-advised much of the strike
activity of 1911was, there was at least one
benefit, the establishment of a federal De
partment of Labor within the Department of
Fomento. This measure was fostered by pro
visional president De la Barra. Under nor
mal conditions this department attempts to
keep itself informed as to the conditions of
labor everywhere within the country and to
settle conflicts arising between capital and
labor.
Thus far unionism in Mexico has been re
tarded by the lack of a national organiza
tion. Various attempts have been made to
correct this defect. During the height of the
strike activity of 1911 preliminary steps
were taken in the formation of a National
Confederation of Laborers at Chihuahua. A
large meeting was held in the state theater
and the assemblage was addressed by a num
ber of labor leaders who pointed out the
advantages of such an organization. It was
intended to effect a national organization
and establish branches throughout the
republic. This plan failed to mature. How
ever, there is in existence in Mexico City
at the present time an organization known as
the "Free Employes" (Empleados Libres)
which plans to establish branches through
out the republic. This society purposes to
accomplish the following things :
First : To obtain Sunday rest for the em
ployes of the capital city and if possible,
all over the republic, without any restric
tion.
Second : To shorten and regulate the work
ing hours in commercial establishments to
the best advantage of employers and em
ployes.
Third: To protect and aid members, ma
terially, intellectually and morally, looking
always to their betterment, well-being and
progress; to accomplish which the society
will do all possible to find employment for
idle members, will establish courses of study
on practical subjects, will look to the estab
lishment of a library, and will give lectures
on subjects tending to the uplift of members.
Fourth: The society will give financial
assistance to members in case of illness or
death.
Fifth: Attempts will be made to secure
the passage of laws preventing employers
from obliging employes to sign contracts re
nouncing articles of the law which protect
them.
Sixth: Efforts will be made to establish
branches of the organization throughout the
republic.
Seventh : The management of the organi
zation is to be entirely in the hands of em
ployes.
Eighth: The society will hold itself aloof
from political and religious affairs.
Labor unionism in Mexico today is in its
infancy, yet the unions are exercising an in
fluence that is rapidly being recognized
by the leaders of industrial affairs. In
Orizaba, the working men have a savings or
ganization and have recently started a small
cotton factory of their own with bright pros
Thus far the labor
pects for the future.
unions have taken little part in active poli
tics, although they have exercised their
influence in bringing about the passage of
certain desired laws. In this manner they
have succeeded in obtaining a Sunday closing
law in a number of cities.
University of California.