OCR Text |
Show TEN THOUSAND CANE FIELD MEN STRIKE SAN JUAN, P. 71., March S. Ten thousand cane flold laborers In the eastern end of tho island are on slriko causing the closing down of three sugar centrals. The men declare they aro tired of waiting for action by tho labor officials at Washington which would determlno whethor a general strike would bo called. Reports from Porto Rico as long ago as last December indicated the possibility possi-bility of a general slriko of between 50,000 and 60,000 laborers in the Porto Rican sugar industry because of dissatisfaction dis-satisfaction among ,ho laborers over hours and wages. They asked an increase in-crease of 60 cents a day over the rate paid last year and appeals for assistance assist-ance were sent to Samuel Gompers, president of tho American Federation of Labor, and to Secretary of Labor Wilson. The presence in Porto Ricp of a mediator of the department of labor for investigation purposes was reported In a San Juan dispatch of February 14. ( |