Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-03-09 | Page 3 | Porto Rican Cane Workers on Strike

PORTO RICAN CANE WORKERS ON STRIKE PAX JUAX, P. R.. March S. Ton Thousand Thou-sand cane field laborer In the eastern end of the island nrp on strike, causing the closing down of three sugar centrals. The men declare they are t.irei of waiting wait-ing for action by Ui labor officials at Washington, which would determine whether a general strike would be called. Reports from Porto Rico as long ago as last December Indicated the possibility of a general strike of between Ml.OOO nnd 60KjO laborers In the Porto Rlcan sugar Industry because of dis;itlsfnrtifin among the laborers over hours and wages. They asked an In'Teasn of CO cents a day over the rate pnld la.t year, and appeals for ahsislance were sent to .SarniiH Gompers, , president of the American Federation of I ii)or, and to Secretary of Labor Wilson. Wil-son. The presence In Porto Itico of a mediator of the department of labor for in vey titr.'i tion purpOKPH w:us report mi In a, San Junn dispatch of Pebrunry J4.