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 W7 
 
GOVERNMENT OR PORTO RICO 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LABOR 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR 
 
 ~" Carmelo Honore, Chief 
 
 SPECIAL BULLETIN 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR 
 
 ON 
 
 STRIKES IN PORTO RICO 
 
 DURING 
 
 FISCAL YEAR 1917-1918 
 
 AND 
 
 APPENDIX OF LABOR LAWS 
 
 APPROVED 
 FROM 1916 TO MARCH, 1918 
 
 June 1, 1918 
 
 SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO 
 
 BUREAU OF SUPPLIES, PRINTING AND TRANSPORTATION 
 
 1918 
 

 
 
 GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO 
 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LABOR 
 
 
 P % $Z* BUREAU OF LABOR 
 
 
 Carmelo Honore, Chief 
 
 
 SPECIAL BULLETIN 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR 
 
 ON 
 
 STRIKES IN PORTO RICO 
 
 DURING 
 
 FISCAL YEAR 1917-1918 
 
 AND 
 
 APPENDIX OF LABOR LAWS 
 
 APPROVED 
 FROM 1916 TO MARCH, 1918 
 
 June 1, 1918 
 
 SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO 
 
 BUREAU OF SUPPLIES, PRINTING AND TRANSPORTATION 
 
 1918 
 
.V. : :,:• ::; :•::■ : :' ." "\ &® $~$¥¥ 
 
 Ay 
 
 'ft 
 
 DOCUMENTS 
 OFFICIALS OF THE BUREAU OF°£&BOR. 
 
 Carmelo Honore Chief. 
 
 Ramon Lebr6n* Assistant Chief. 
 
 J. Figueroa Disdier Chief Clerk and Statistician. 
 
 Jacinto Font Torres 2 Stenographer. 
 
 Luis Barrera Inspector. 
 
 V. Ramos RodrIguez Inspector. 
 
 Salomon Rosario Inspector. 
 
 R. RodrIguez Gonzalez 3 Inspector. 
 
 Luis F. Machioote 4 Inspector. 
 
 Juan Morales Bi az 5 Clerk. 
 
 Rafael Fernandez 6 Messenger. 
 
 1 Appointed on September 26, 1917. 
 
 2 Appointed on January 10, 1918, to fill the position held by Mr. Jose Julio Morales, 
 who was transferred to the Public Service Commission. 
 
 3 Appointed Clerk on July 5, 1917, and promoted to the position of Inspector on March 
 20, 1918, to substitute Mr. Juan B. Soto Latorre, who was transferred to the Department of 
 Justice. 
 
 4 Appointed on April 10, 1918, to substitute Inspector Pedro M. Velez, who was trans- 
 ferred to the Department of Health. 
 
 5 Appointed on March 27, 1918, to fill the postion left vacant by the promotion of Mr. 
 Uam6n Rodriguez Gonzalez. 
 
 6 Appointed on May 5, 1918, to sub statute Mr. Ernesto Cordero Rios, who was trans- 
 ferred to the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Since the year 1914, the date of the publication of our special 
 report concerning the great strike of the tobacco workers employed 
 by the Porto Rican American Tobacco Company, although there were 
 in this industry, as well as in others of no less importance, other 
 strikes, no official publication was deemed necessary; the present 
 instance being not only necessary but urgent. 
 
 The perturbation suffered this year by several industries and by 
 the public have not been more important than before, but the fail- 
 ures suffered by the laborers in their attitudes and demands have 
 been greater. 
 
 With the publication of this short history, the public, whom we 
 believe anxious to know the action taken by the Bureau of Labor 
 in relation to the strikes occurred, will be shown the truth, since in 
 this publication we will expose facts which have taken place, and 
 which have been commented upon by the press of the Island in dif- 
 ferent ways, establishing ambiguities which we hereby make clear. 
 
 It will not be possible for us to detail specifically the measures 
 practiced by this Bureau to conciliate the interests of laborers and 
 employers in dispute, and still less possible to reveal the meetings 
 and conferences of confidential character held. * But in the descrip- 
 tion of our brief account, our impartiality and discretion with which 
 we have acted to avoid the great evils and the disastrous results suf- 
 f erred (due to the interruptions in the industries) by the agricul- 
 tural laborers this year, as a result of resorting to strikes as a means 
 of self-betterment, will be shown. 
 
 Laborers and employers will see and consider for themselves what 
 will be best for their interests in the future. 
 
 We will do our duty making recommendations, so that a solid 
 and fraternal peace will be established between the equally important 
 factors of the industrial life and the social progress of the Island. 
 
 593299 
 
STRIKES OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, 
 i 
 
 On September 7, 1917, a Convention of organized laborers was 
 held in Bayamon, previously called by the leaders of the Free Feder- 
 ation of Labor of Porto Rico. 
 
 In this Convention the following resolution was approved: 
 
 PLAN FOE AGREEMENT 
 
 For the Agricultural Laborers in the Cultivation of Sugar Cane and at 
 
 Sugar Mills During the Year 1918. 
 
 (Approved at the Second Congress of Agricultural Workers, on the 7th day of 
 
 September, 1917, at Bayamon, P. B.) 
 
 1. Eight hours shall constitute a day's work. 
 
 2. An increase of sixty cents over the wages paid in 1917 in work done by 
 contract or by day. 
 
 (As an illustration: Laborers earning 80 cents during the crop of 1916 
 and 1917 will earn $1.40 per day, in all work they may do under the same con- 
 ditions in 1918, and it should be understood that this is the minimum in the 
 scale of salaries established by this contract.) 
 
 (Laborers earning one dollar during the last crop will earn one dollar and 
 sixty cents in 1918.) 
 
 3. Working hours in all agricultural work will be from 7 to 11 a. m. and 
 from 12 to 4 p. m. 
 
 4. All work shall be paid the laborers on Saturdays, beginning at 3 o'clock 
 p. m. Payment will be made in United States currency and in envelopes, in 
 places where work is done, or at the offices of the central, or at the residence 
 of the planters for whom the work is done ; Provided, That said planters will live 
 at a distance of not more than one kilometer from the place where work is done, 
 and that said payment will never be made in stores in which the planters make busi- 
 ness with the laborers. No employer, his agent, foreman or planter, is authorized 
 to make any discount from the salaries of any laborer on account of his debts, 
 neither shall he oblige any laborer to make contributions for any purpose, with- 
 out his previous consent; And provided, further, That a week will be considered 
 from Saturday until Friday of next week, whenever employers object that they 
 cannot pay full salaries before seven o'clock p. m. on Saturdays. 
 
 5. The law regulating the work of women and children will be strictly ob- 
 served. 
 
 0. No laborer shall be persecuted because of his activities in the manage- 
 ment of a strike, or because of any complaint made to employers or foremen 
 in behalf of his companions, and if any have been discharged on this account, 
 lie shall be immediately reinstated in his position. 
 
 P 
 
6" BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 7. Women and children working at the plantations will receive an increase 
 of 25 cents over the salaries they received during last crop, and none shall re- 
 ceive less than 75 cents per day. 
 
 8. The relations between employers and employees will be cordial, and for 
 the settlement of any difference or dispute that may arise, the laborers will ap- 
 point a committee. This committee shall work for the settlement of the dis- 
 putes with the employers or their representatives, and while the conference lasts 
 laborers affected will continue work, until an answer is received, satisfactory or 
 unsatisfactory. In case the answer of the employers is not satisfactory to the 
 laborers, these may take up the matter before the association or their trade, so 
 that it may decide what is most convenient to do. 
 
 9. The terms of this contract must be signed by the manager of the farms, 
 centrals or sugar plantations affected in this demand, and by laborers having 
 a legal authority from their companions to represent them in the conference. 
 This agreement will be enforced immediately after its approval and being signed 
 by the parties affected, during the year 1918. 
 
 Additional Clause. — Ditch-diggers will receive a minimum salary of $3 per 
 day of seven hours. 
 
 RULES AND REGULATIONS 
 
 For the Establishment of Agreements Between Workers in Sugar Mills 
 
 and Their Employers. 
 
 1. Eight hours will constitute a day's work in all labor done at a factory 
 and in the transportation of sugar cane for the factories. 
 
 2. General increase of sixty cents per day for all laborers over salaries paid 
 in 1917, taking as a basis the agreements already made, and where these do not 
 exist, the salaries paid as a minimum per day. 
 
 3. Ice water and sanitary cups must be provided, and sanitary rules in gen- 
 eral strictly observed. 
 
 4. No laborer will be persecuted because of having taken prominent part 
 in a strike. 
 
 5. All agreements will be made in writing and signed by the representatives 
 of the employers and of the laborers duly elected; Provided, That the terms of 
 this contract will be enforced during 1918. 
 
 6. All disputes arising will be discused and settled by a commission of 
 laborers appointed for that purpose, and the representatives of the employers. 
 
 7. Employers must grant the laborers the salary that they were perceiv- 
 ing, and shall also assist them by furnishing doctor and medicine. In all other 
 ing, and shall also assist them in furnishing a doctor and medicine. In all other 
 accidents, laborers may make use of the Law of Compensations for accidents 
 suffered by laborers in their work. 
 
 (Signed) Rafael Alonso, 
 
 General Secretary of the Free Federation of Labor of Porto Bico. 
 
 In accordance with a circular published by the directors of the 
 above-mentioned laborers' association, which was sent to us at our 
 request, we were informed that upon the beginning of the work of 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. ,f7 
 
 cutting and grinding the sugar cane of the crop for the year 1917 
 to 1918, an active campaign for a strike of laborers would also begin, 
 if the employer of that industry would not accede to the petition 
 demanded by the laborers. 
 
 Considering the conditions very serious, should the consequences 
 be not prevented by means of conciliation or arbitration before the 
 crop season began, we sent the following circular to the Sugar Grow- 
 ers' Association, to the owners of sugar factories and to sugar-cane 
 growers. 
 
 "December 4, 1917. 
 
 "Manager of the Central , 
 
 " , P. R. 
 
 'Dear Sir: Having been informed that laborers, both organized and un- 
 organized, are beginning an agitation with the intention of declaring a strike 
 of agricultural laborers, for the coming harvest, and believing that it will be 
 the interest of all to avoid the conflict, always disastrous for every branch of 
 the industrial activity, allow me to request of you, as I shall also request from 
 the Sugar Growers' Association, the measures which you propose to adopt to 
 prevent opportunely a disturbance that may affect the interests of the parties 
 affected. Your cooperation so as to obtain practical results in favor of our work- 
 ing people would be very praiseworthy and undoubtedly efficacious, and as a 
 consequence, a state of solid harmony would be the satisfactory result. 
 
 ' ' Therefore, permit me to request of you a frank and detailed answer con- 
 cerning this vital issue, and the names and addresses of all your colonos, together 
 with any other information which in your judgment would pertain to the pur- 
 pose of this letter. 
 
 "Very sincerely, 
 
 (Signed) "Carmelo Honors, 
 
 "Chief, Bureau of Labor." 
 
 Simultaneously, copies of this circular, and letters offering our 
 services were sent by the Bureau of Labor to the Directors of the 
 Free Federation of Labor, first, and later to the Strikers' Committees 
 as soon as the strikes began. 
 
 Many letters were returned to us because they were not called 
 for, and many failed to answer. 
 
 All the answers received expressed a desire to co-operate with 
 the proposition indicated, with a view to avoid loss and injury 
 to the parties involved in the dreaded conflict. But none of the 
 employers deemed it necessary to hold meetings or conferences to 
 such ends previous to the commencing of the agitation or strike 
 propaganda. All affirmed that there would be no strike; that the 
 
8 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 laborers felt satisfied with the salaries received, but that if any indus- 
 trial trouble occurred, they would have no objections to accede to 
 whatever they in justice demanded. 
 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing answers, the faith in an industrial 
 peace sustained by the employers, an active propaganda for strikes 
 Commenced at the beginning of January, 1918, and extended through- 
 out the Island, until nearly the end of April, when a great number 
 of sugar factories had finished their grinding. 
 
 During the period which we refer to, i. e., from the first week of 
 January to the end of April, the interruptions in the sugar industry 
 may be described as follows: 
 
 AGUADA. 
 
 In this district not more than fifty cane cutters abandoned their 
 work on the 7th of January, demanding increase in salary only. 
 They maintained their attitude during one week, but failed to obtain 
 their aims and returned to their work seven days later, the work 
 of the central continuing without interruption until the termination 
 of the year's crop. 
 
 arecibo. 
 
 In this district the propaganda for the agricultural workers' strike 
 began practically during the middle of March. The Bureau of Labor, 
 which had made several attempts to prevent a disturbance in the in- 
 dustry of this district, where several important factories are located, 
 insisted upon carrying into effect conferences of laborers and em- 
 ployers to prevent a total stop with disastrous results to the industry 
 and to the great number of employees, but failed in its endeavors. 
 
 Neither laborers nor employers accepted the suggestions made by 
 the Bureau with a view to settling the matter with practical results 
 for both parties. The factories denied the existence of a strike, 
 proving that the grinding had not ceased and that they were sure 
 of continuing it to the end, having a sufficient number of laborers 
 satisfied with their salaries. 
 
 The Committees named by the laborers in the various districts 
 affected by the movement, declared that they would not return to 
 work without obtaining the approval of the petitions which they 
 had addressed to the employers in accordance with the resolution 
 passed by the convention celebrated at Bayamon. 
 
 Unfortunately for the strikers, the centrals continued their grind- 
 ing, working continuously, although not at their full capacity. On 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 9 
 
 April first an assembly of agricultural workers took place at the 
 " Oliver" Theater in Arecibo, called together by the labor leaders 
 of the district, in order to hear the advices offered by Mr. F. C. 
 Roberts, Special Agent of the Bureau of Conciliation and Arbitration 
 of the Department of Labor of the United States, sent to Porto Rico 
 for the purpose of preventing the stop in the sugar industry, which 
 is considered as an important factor in the present war. 
 
 Nearly 600 men were present at the assembly, and after hearing 
 Mr. Roberts ' speech, adopted the following resolution: 
 
 "The laborers of the central 'Los Canos' assembled on the first day of 
 April of 1918, at the city theater and accompanied by Mr. F. C. Roberts, Special 
 Agent of the Department of Labor of the United States, after having heard 
 the reading of a detailed report of said Mr. Roberts requesting in the name of 
 Mr. W. B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor of the United States, that they would re- 
 turn to work, resting assured that the National Government would practise an 
 investigation and would grant justice to the demands made and which have been 
 the cause of the present strike, 
 
 "Resolve: To return to work after they should receive a cablegram from 
 the Government at Washington guaranteeing that a complete investigation of 
 the production and profits of said central would be made within the term of fif- 
 teen days by a person appointed by the National Government, and that in ac- 
 cordance with the results of said investigation they would give fair salaries to 
 the laborers who were employed in said central; 
 
 "Provided, That said investigation will be made taking into consideration 
 that most of the work being performed at 'Los Canos' is done by the piece, 
 and that the hundreds of dollars which are weekly carried away by the piece- 
 work bosses should not be regarded as money distributed among the laborers 
 as wages; And provided, further, That the laborers will be paid the difference that 
 might exist between the two rates of salaries from the time they return to their 
 work to that in which the investigation is over and new salaries fixed, and also 
 will be paid the amount equivalent to the excess in hours of labor from the time 
 work is continued to the date new wages be fixed, according to the number of 
 hours of labor per day, after the investigation, and according to the salary fixed 
 for each." 
 
 At the close of the Assembly, in which this Bureau was repre- 
 sented by two of its officers, who accompanied Mr. Roberts, several 
 laborers returned to their work, not all being permitted to return 
 because the employers had already employed many laborers brought 
 from other agricultural districts of the interior of the Island. 
 
 The centrals continued grinding until the end of the season with- 
 out further interruption, and without changing the salaries which 
 prevailed, as demanded by the Committees of the strikers, main- 
 taining that the salaries paid satisfied the needs of the laborers who 
 
1° 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 had substituted the old employees. The strike, therefore, was prac- 
 tically ended in the first week of April, not only without benefit to 
 the strikers but also many of them losing their occupations, which 
 had already been filled by other laborers, coming from the interior 
 of the Island. 
 
 ARROYO. 
 
 On January 29, 1918, as the result of the continued propaganda 
 carried on in this district, so that the laborers would abandon their 
 work, a great number of agricultural laborers employed in the cen- 
 trals and colonias here, declared a strike. 
 
 The employers maintained the standard salaries, declaring that 
 all persons employed were satisfied with them ; and that even if they 
 would suffer delays or troubles during the process of grinding, they 
 would be able to continue until the end of the crop, in the same way 
 they were doing it, and would not accede to the demands of the agi- 
 tators representing the movement. 
 
 After a period of three weeks trie laborers returned to their tasks 
 under the same conditions in which they worked at the time they 
 abandoned their work, having failed in all the original petitions 
 that lead them to the strike. 
 
 An official of the Bureau of Labor held several conferences with 
 the employers and laborers, endeavoring to end the conflict. All his 
 attempts failed, the employers maintaining that they considered un- 
 just the petitions of the strike directors, inasmuch as they paid a 
 salary equal to or superior to that prevailing in other localities where 
 strikes did not exist. 
 
 BARCELONETA. 
 
 Although from the beginning of January difficulties between em- 
 ployers and agricultural laborers existed, the strike was not formally 
 declared until the beginning of April. 
 
 An official of the Bureau of Labor, who with great insistency had 
 tried, in the same manner as in other localities affected by the para- 
 lization of the industry, to prevent its effects, on the 12th of April 
 informed as follows: 
 
 "The central, notwithstanding the declaration of strike, continues grinding 
 at full capacity. Factory employees demanded an increase in their salaries which 
 was granted by the manager, allowing them a 25 per cent increase in their sala- 
 ries. To equalize conditions, an increase of 30 per cent was granted to the ma- 
 chinists and stokers in locomotives. These arrangements were made verbally be- 
 tween employer and laborers. The strike of factory employees produced inter- 
 ruptions in the grinding, but after the 9th instant the work continued normally. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 11 
 
 "About 900 peons work in the central, excluding its colonias. 
 
 "There are also surplus workers from adjacent districts who are dwelling 
 in the quarters of the central. 
 
 "Salaries of agricultural workers continue the same as before, without 
 increase. 
 
 "Many laborers with whom I talked seemed content and desirous of con- 
 tinuing their work without interruption ; others are partisans of the strike. ' ' 
 
 CAGUAS. 
 
 The factory located here does not employ laborers in cane cul- 
 tivation. 
 
 On the night of January 28, 1918, seventy factory employees of 
 the "Santa Juana" Central held a meeting in which they resolved to 
 suspend work unless a favorable answer was given to the following 
 demand, within ten hours: 
 
 "(a) That an increase of 50 cents per day be made in the salaries, begin- 
 ning with the minimum paid during the past year's crop, which was $1.10. 
 
 "(b) That eight hours will constitute a working day. 
 
 "(c) That they would permit a committee composed of laborers to be 
 named from among the factory workers, which would be commissioned to set- 
 tle any disputes between employers and employees. 
 
 "(d) That they would permit lunch to be brought in at whatever time it 
 arrived. 
 
 "(e) That no laborer be discharged because of having taken active part 
 in the strike. 
 
 ' ' (/) Better treatment from the engineer, who has been thus far provoking 
 a conflict which the laborers desire to avoid, and that on ' ' cleaning days ' ' laborers 
 from the factory be employed, and not strangers. 
 
 " (g) That as an act of kindness and regard for the personnel who has 
 been working at the factory for a number of years, Pablo Acosta and Colo Ale- 
 jandro be readmitted at the factory to do the work they did before, or any other. 
 
 "And finally, that after a study of the matter, we have decided to allow 
 ten hours' time to answer this petition, beginning at the time of its delivery, 
 8 a. m." 
 
 The central decided to answer the petition, and in a letter ad- 
 dressed to its employees, essentially made the following proposition: 
 
 1 ' To maintain the prices paid during the previous week, allowing to each 
 laborer at the end of each week a 15 per cent bonus which had been offered to 
 be paid at the end of the crop, provided that they would guarantee to end the 
 present crop under these conditions." 
 
 The central agreed to this, and notified the laborers, who returned 
 another, amending the. original, in which they proposed an increase 
 of 20 cents a day in the wages of each and all laborers, giving as 
 
12 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 a reason for this preference the fact that the 15 per cent bonos of- 
 fered benefitted some laborers more than others, while the cost of 
 living had increased equally for all. 
 
 The central agreed to this, and notified the laborers, who returned 
 to work. 
 
 The strike only lasted 36 hours, with full success for the strikers. 
 
 CAROLINA. 
 
 In this district the strike was declared on the 20th of March, the 
 propaganda continuing until the beginning of April. 
 
 The employers maintained on all occasions in which the Bureau 
 intervened in order to avert the threatened strike, at first, and later 
 to settle the strike already declared by the agitators, that no such 
 state of industrial perturbation existed. It is undeniable that the 
 factory did not, during several days, have- the full number of em- 
 ployees for its ordinary production. 
 
 It could be proven that many laborers employed in difierent 
 plantations abandoned their work ; that a large number of employees 
 were not satisfied with their wages; that others joined strikers for 
 fear of persecution by strikers. 
 
 The work in the factory was not stopped until it was necessary, 
 in order to repair the machinery. It was also proven that notwith- 
 standing the fact that new laborers were employed, the situation 
 was abnormal for three or four weeks. 
 
 In an effort to terminate the conflict, an arbitration committee 
 co-operating with the Bureau of Labor, consisting of laborers, was 
 formed and accepted by the employers. 
 
 Both failed in the attempt. The laborers refused to reconsider 
 their petitions and the employers did not deem it necessary to hold 
 a conference, stating that no strike existed, that they were paying 
 fair wages, and could terminate the season with the men already 
 employed, to whom they had been paying a 15 per cent bonus each 
 week, in addition to their regular salaries. 
 
 can6vanas. 
 
 In this district an active propaganda was made by prominent 
 members of the Free Federation of Labor, who succeeded in inducing 
 many laborers to abandon their work. The central does not employ 
 laborers in the cultivation of cane. The grinding was not inter- 
 rupted, notwithstanding a lack of agricultural workers to supply the 
 mills, and a lively state of strike existed throughout the season. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 13 
 
 The disturbance in the grinding only lasted a few days. The 
 strikers failed to obtain any benefit whatever, although they main- 
 tained their attitude in various farms for several weeks. 
 
 FAJARDO. 
 
 On the 4th of March the agricultural laborers of Fa jar do, Lu- 
 quillo, Mameyes, Ceiba and a few colonias of Rio Grande declared 
 a strike. 
 
 Several members of the Free Federation of Labor were desig- 
 nated by that organization to lead the strikers, beginning their work 
 on the 8th of March. From that date until the 15th, order pre- 
 vailed; but since that date the central which had been unable to 
 work at full capacity, brought laborers from other towns, and the 
 propaganda carried on by labor agitators was continued with greater 
 intensity and energy. 
 
 In this movement about 4,000 laborers were involved. Repre- 
 sentatives of the Bureau of Labor were sent to the districts affected 
 by the strikes, to insist on the solution of the conflict by means of 
 conciliation or arbitration, which the Bureau had already attempted 
 several months before. With a similar object in view Mr. F. C. 
 Robers also visited the workers, but likewise without success. 
 
 At first, the employers expressed their desire to discuss the sit- 
 uation with a Committee appointed by the laborers of the district. 
 The labor agitators opposed, and since then the central openly re- 
 fused to hold any conference, stating that it preferred to continue 
 grinding under the existing conditions, regardless of the fact that 
 the expenses were decidedly greater as a result of employing unex- 
 perienced laborers. 
 
 The employers, as a whole, maintained that they were paying 
 high salaries; higher than those paid in other districts, where no 
 strike was declared, and where not even an active propaganda had 
 existed, and that they had offered a 15 per cent bonus at the end of 
 the crop to all laborers, who had been loyal during the crop. Resting 
 on this fact, they formally declared that they could not grant the 
 increase demanded by the leaders of the movement representing 
 the strikers. 
 
 The employers continued bringing laborers from other districts 
 until they had a sufficient number to substitute the strikers. The 
 laborers denounced the fact to the Bureau of Labor and this, believ- 
 ing there was probably a violation of Act 17, approved by the Legis- 
 lature in 1917, entitled "An Act to Determine Certain Duties of 
 
14 BUKEAU OF LABOE. 
 
 Employers in Cases of Strikes/' filed suits against one of the most 
 prominent employers of the district and his agents, on charge of 
 bringing laborers to substitute the strikers without letting it be 
 known to them that a state of strike existed in the place where they 
 were going to work. 
 
 Act No. 17 to which we refer, reads as follows: 
 
 ' ' Section 1. — That when any employer or owner of a factory or agricultu- 
 ral estate, or mercantile or industrial establishment of any kind, or any of their 
 agents or representatives, during a general strike of their laborers or employees 
 of any class or during a lockout, advertises in the newspapers, or by means of 
 bills or in any other form, for laborers and employees of any class, or employs 
 agents to solicit or personally solicits persons to work in place of such strikers, 
 he shall state clearly and precisely in all such advertisements, whether written 
 or verbal, the fact that a strike or lockout exists. 
 
 ' ' Section 2. — That if any person, firm, association or corporation, 'labor agent 
 or representative violates the provisions of this Act, such person, corporation, firm, 
 association, agent or representative shall be punished by fine not to exceed one 
 hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one hundred days, 
 or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court, for each violation. ' ' 
 
 The laborers brought to fill the places of strikers were given, 
 besides their regular salaries of $1.50 for eight hours' work per 
 day, free transportation, meals and lodging. 
 
 The strike ended in the middle of April, when its directors, con- 
 sidering the continuance of the strike a failure, instructed the labor- 
 ers as to the convenience of returning to work, it being the only 
 means of preventing greater misery in the laborers' homes, as the 
 laborers brought to take their places began to fix their residences 
 in the district, which fact constituted a serious menace for the future 
 economical and social conditions of the former laborers, who were 
 unable to move to other districts. 
 
 GUAYAMA. 
 
 During the month of February the laborers who worked in the 
 cutting of sugar cane in this district began a strike movement di- 
 rected by several labor leaders. 
 
 According to information obtained, the strike did not gain suf- 
 ficient ground and its agitators abandoned the campaign. In April, 
 in accordance with a statement issued by the Executive Council of 
 the Free Federation of Labor in Porto Rico, a state of strike was 
 declared to exist in that district, and several representatives of said 
 institution, coming from other districts, arrived there in order to 
 maintain the state of strike, which was supposed to exist. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 15 
 
 They found that no strike existed, but that the laborers' will 
 could be easily moved by means of an active propaganda, and they 
 began the campaign. 
 
 Several meetings were held, all of which were well attended, 
 and again a strike was officially declared. With this declaration 
 came other movements, similar to the first, which also failed, the 
 influence of the propaganda being felt every time laborers came 
 in touch with it. 
 
 Although a state of strike existed since February in all the dis- 
 trict, works practically were never completely stopped. 
 
 The number of agricultural laborers employed in the sugar-cane 
 plantations in this district, is approximately 5,000, including women 
 and children. An examination of the pay-rolls corresponding to the 
 month of January proved these figures to be correct. 
 
 On Saturday, April 6, 1918, although the influence of strike 
 propaganda was being felt on several important colonies, and as a 
 rule many cane cutters did not attend to the work, the rest of the 
 laborers worked as usual. 
 
 The strike situation was fully discussed by the Bureau of Labor 
 with them all: With the owners of large plantations, with labor 
 leaders, with the police, with sugar-cane growers, with agricultural 
 laborers, with overseers and with the foremen. 
 
 It happened in this district that at nights a number of laborers 
 gathered around the agitators in their meetings, applauding, giving 
 hurrahs for the strike, and expressing their intention to follow the 
 strike movement, but on the following morning at daybreak, they 
 took their tools, followed their way to the fields and did their days' 
 work. 
 
 The work here was generally done by piece. Each morning the 
 laborer and the overseer agreed as to the price of the work he was 
 to do, before beginning it. The overseers offered a certain amount 
 for the work and the laborer accepted or refused. Work done "by 
 the day" was very scarce, and overseers tried their best to have 
 all the work done by the piece system. 
 
 The strike ended without success for the laborers. The employ- 
 ers maintained the wages which had previously prevailed, and in 
 some cases offered a bonus of 15 per cent to all workers who would 
 continue working regularly until the season closed. 
 
 HUMACAO. 
 
 In this district there were several partial strikes. The first took 
 
16 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 place on the 7th of January, and ended the following day, by an 
 agreement between laborers and employers, without benefit for the 
 laborers. 
 
 None of the strikes was of much importance, until finally during 
 the middle of February, the greater part of the laborers went on 
 strike, excepting those who directly belonged to the central nearest 
 the city. 
 
 The industrial peace of the district became definitely established 
 after the laborers and employers had reached an agreement, on the 
 seventh of March, on the following basis: 
 
 "(1) The laborers will return to work on the plantations which have ac- 
 cepted this agreement, beginning on March 7, 1918. 
 
 " (2) Prom this date the following wages will be paid: 
 
 11 (A) For cutting cane, one dollars and fifteen cents per day for eight 
 
 hours' work. 
 
 "(B) The car drivers will be* paid one dollars and fifteen cents for 
 
 nine hours' work. 
 
 "(C) The men engaged in the cultivation of cane shall earn ninety 
 
 cents. 
 
 "(D) Women and children shall earn, respectively, sixty and seventy- 
 five cents per day, eight hours' work. All children under sixteen years of 
 
 age shall be required to work only seven hours per day. 
 
 "(3) The preceding salaries are to be taken as the minimum, without es- 
 tablishing a maximum limit, this being left to be fixed by the employer, who in 
 establishing it will consider the quality of the work and the laborers' efficiency. 
 
 " (4) The work of ditch-digging, plowing, carting and packing will be done 
 by the piece. 
 
 "(5) All work shall be done, if possible, collectively by piece in order to 
 have the laborers get the benefit themselves. 
 
 "(6) No laborer shall be discharged because of having taken prominent 
 part in the strike, nor be denied work at any farm for that reason. 
 
 "(7) The relation between employers and employees shall be respectful and 
 cordial. A Committee shall be appointed by the laborers to solve any difference 
 which may arise between laborers and employers or their representatives. While 
 conferences are being held between the employers and employees, the laborers 
 shall continue working until the conference is over. In case no satisfactory dcei- 
 sion for the laborers be obtained, the case will be put to the decision of their 
 union, which will in an assembly decide what to do. 
 
 "(8) The working hours shall be from seven to eleven and from twelve to 
 four, except in case of different agreement between laborers and employers. 
 
 " (9) This agreement is made and will be fulfilled to their best understand- 
 ing by the signers, who swear by their word of honor to follow it during the 
 crop season of 1918." 
 
 This agreement was signed before the Assistant Chief of the Bu- 
 reau of Labor, who from the beginning had been trying to settle 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 17 
 
 the conflict by means of arbitration, and had had to work hard in 
 undoing the sentiment of hostility between employers and employees. 
 
 The agreement was not accepted by some colonias, and the above- 
 mentioned central did not take part in the conference nor suffered 
 consequences of the strike, even when it paid the same salaries paid 
 by colonias. Notwithstanding this, the laborers quietly continued 
 working until the end of the crop, and even working in the plan- 
 tations of the employers who refused to sign the agreement. 
 
 This strike lasted only a few days, and the only practical benefit 
 obtained by the laborers, was the written agreement, since the wages 
 in the agreement were equal to those being paid in most of the 
 plantations during the present crop. 
 
 NAGUABO. 
 
 Although the employers of this district at first refused to con- 
 sider the petition of the laborers, after a conference held with the 
 officials of the Bureau of Labor, and considering their suggestions 
 just, reconsidered their attitude and granted the demands made by 
 the strikers of the district. Notwithstanding this concession, the 
 strikers still continued to refuse to work, claiming that the close 
 proximity of this central to thoso at Fajardo and surrounding dis- 
 tricts would tend to produce great difficulties in the solution of the 
 strikers problem of those districts, if they returned to work in 
 Naguabo. 
 
 Consequently the employers of Naguabo, following the example 
 set by those of Fajardo and other localities affected by the strikes, 
 continued their work using men who refused to follow the strikers, 
 laborers living in the farms, and laborers brought from other districts. 
 
 Although with no few interruptions, and at great expense, the 
 neighboring central continued its grinding until the end of the crop r 
 without acceding to the demands of the laborers. 
 
 In this strike the laborers obtained increase in wages, the strikers 
 not being the ones benefitted by it, those benefitted being the ones 
 brought from other districts, and those who did not join the strikes 
 in the district. 
 
 MAMEYES, LUQUILIX) AND CEIBA. 
 
 The greater part of the plantations in these districts cultivate 
 their cane for the Fajardo Central. The agricultural laborers em- 
 ployed in these places declared a strike at the same time as the 
 Fajardo laborers, and presented the same demands. They were, 
 
18 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 therefore, subject to practically the same troubles and misfortunes 
 suffered by the Naguabo laborers. 
 
 PATILLAS. 
 
 In this district the agricultural laborers began propaganda for 
 a strike, during the second week of January. In a meeting held 
 on the night of January 11 it was decided to formally declare a 
 strike as soon as the cane cutting began, but not later than the 
 29th of that month. Consequently, on that date a great number 
 of laborers employed in the cutting and cultivation of sugar-cane 
 abandoned their work. By the intervention of the Bureau of Labor, 
 the employers who had refused to have anything to do with the 
 laborers, alleging that they were not affected by any such strike, 
 finally consented to have a conference with the laborers of the dis- 
 trict for the purpose of discussing the demands submitted to them. 
 But as the employers demanded that the leaders of the strike, who 
 were not regular workers, properly speaking, would not be admitted 
 to the conference, it could not be held, as the laborers did not accept 
 these conditions. 
 
 As in other districts, laborers from different towns were brought 
 to take the places of those who refused to work. The grinding con- 
 tinued without interruption, although the output was less than usual 
 and the expenses greater. 
 
 The laborers, disorganized, lacking sufficient resources for their 
 support and for the continuation of their attitude, returned to their 
 tasks on the 19th of February, without having benefitted themselves 
 in the least. 
 
 RIO GRANDE. 
 
 On March 21 a telegram was received by the Bureau of Labor 
 with the information that a Committee of laborers, affiliated to the 
 Free Federation of Labor had declared a strike. The laborers asked 
 the employers to sign an agreement increasing the wages of $1 and 
 $1.25 which they were receiving for a day of eight hours' work, to 
 $1.50 for the duration of the crop. 
 
 This strike, although only partial, brought great trouble in the 
 industrial activity for the cultivation of coming crops, and great 
 losses of extraordinary importance for the employers affected. It 
 was impossible, however, to hold a conference of laborers and em- 
 ployees, and naturally the industrial peace was broken until the 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 19 
 
 beginning of March, when the movement failed and the strikers 
 returned to their tasks. 
 
 In this district there were some employers who were willing to 
 grant all that the strikers demanded, due to fear of great loss in 
 the preparation of their plantations, even when alleging that the 
 salaries they paid were higher than those paid in some districts where 
 no strike existed nor even a propaganda for same. 
 
 The sugar factory in this district did not suffer a complete stop 
 or any great loss in their regular production. 
 
 rinc<5n. 
 
 In this district there was a partial strike that lasted only eight 
 days. Twenty-five laborers of an important sugar plantation sus- 
 pended work on January 7, demanding increase in wages. Their 
 petition was not granted and they decided not to return to work 
 on the same plantation, but accepted work on a neighboring plan- 
 tation, belonging to the same central, at the same rate. 
 
 Notwithstanding the low salaries paid in this region, there were 
 no more strikes, and the work went on as usual, without interruption. 
 
 VEGA BAJA. 
 
 The strike began on January 14, at 6 a. m. More than three 
 hundred agricultural laborers took part. The laborers did not make 
 their petitions in the regular way, but instructed their leader to 
 have a conference with the employer and demand better wages and 
 better conditions in their work. The leader put forth his best efforts 
 in behalf of the laborers, and although not fully successful in his 
 attempt, he was called on the 25th of that same month by the em- 
 ployer, to sign the following contract, which was agreed by both 
 parties : 
 
 "Salaries that will Prevail During the the Sugar Crop of 1918. 
 
 Cane cutters 
 
 Removing rails 
 
 Wagon loaders 
 
 Loaders 
 
 Women and children 
 Ditch Diggers 
 
 Mlnimu 
 With food 
 
 n Salary 
 
 
 Without food 
 
 for one meal. 
 
 for one meal. 
 
 $1.00 
 
 
 fl.10 
 
 1.05 
 
 
 1.15 
 
 1.00 
 
 
 1.10 
 
 0.85 
 
 
 0.95 
 
 0.50 
 
 
 0.60 
 
 By 1 
 
 jiece 
 
 
 "No striker will be suspended because of having shown activity during the 
 strike. ' ' 
 
20 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 This contract being signed, the laborers proclaimed that they 
 had won the strike and work was resumed. The majority preferred 
 the wages without food. Rations generally consisted of rice and 
 beans, corn flour, and codfish, distributed in single lots, with bread, 
 The food was cooked by a contractor or man in charge who provided 
 it at a maximum cost of ten cents per ration. 
 
 VEGA ALTA. 
 
 The laborers from this district, nearly five hundred in number, 
 went on strike on January 14, 1917. All laborers from the different 
 plantations did not join the movement and it failed shortly after 
 it began. An active propaganda under the direction of members 
 of the Free Federation continued and its effects were felt on the 
 first of April, when a new strike was begun. 
 
 The strike lasted a week, practically, all laborers resuming work 
 and only a part of them being benefitted on returning to work. 
 
 The central made separate agreements with some employees and 
 these convinced the others to return to work. 
 
 The laborers obtaining the highest increase in their salaries were 
 those at the factory and in the railway system, as they thought that 
 these were the ones who could cause the greatest losses to the in- 
 dustry, which, notwithstanding the difficulties encountered, never 
 had their mills stopped. 
 
 YABUCOA. 
 
 In this district, although an active campaign was made to have 
 a general strike of agricultural laborers in the sugar-cane industry, 
 work was in no way interrupted. Before serious disturbances oc- 
 curred, a meeting called by the Bureau of Labor was held, in which 
 both laborers and employers were present, and also the Chief of 
 the Bureau. After a lengthy discussion of all conditions which 
 should prevail during the sugar-cane crop to safeguard the indus- 
 trial peace, a contract was signed, which read thus: 
 
 "1. The laborers will be paid a minimum salary of 95 cents per day of 
 eight hours. In addition, a 15 per cent bonus will be paid weekly. 
 
 "2. Railroad workers will be paid $1.25 per day which will end not later 
 than 6 p. m. In addition, a 15 per cent bonus will be paid weekly. All work 
 after 6 p. m. shall be paid for at the rate of 15 cents per hour, the 15 per cent 
 bonus to be paid also. 
 
 "3. Ditch diggers will receive $1 for every day of eight hours' work and 
 the 15 per cent bonus, to be paid weekly. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 21 
 
 "4. Loading will be paid for at the rate of 13 cents per wagonload for 
 plant cane or 15 cents for ratoons, plus the 15 per cent bonus. 
 
 "5. Work will begin at 7 a. m. and cease at 12 m. It will be resumed at 
 1 p. m. and end at 4 p. m. 
 
 "6. Those who arrive late to their work need not be accepted, but once 
 accepted a proportional sum shall be deducted from their wages. 
 
 "7. Extra work will be paid for at the usual rates and the 15 per cent 
 bonus will apply. 
 
 "8. Women will be paid a minimum salary of 55 cents per day of eight 
 hours' work, plus the regular bonus of 15 per cent. 
 
 "9. No restraint will be exerted against any laborer by reason of his politi- 
 cal or religious belief or because of his activities as a striker, except in the case 
 of any punishable offense. 
 
 "10. These wages will be paid during the crop season of 1918, and the 
 bonus also. After the crop is over, a minimum salary of 75 cents per day of 
 eight hours will be paid. 
 
 ' ' 11. The relations between employer and laborers will be respectful and 
 cordial, and in case any disputes arise a Committee will be appointed to solve 
 them. This Committee shall endeavor to reach an agreement satisfactory to the 
 parties affected and the laborers shall continue working while the Committee is 
 at work in the solution of the disputes. In case no agreement is reached, the 
 matter will be carried before the laborers' association and discussed, and a deci- 
 sion taken. 
 
 "Yabucoa, P. R., January 12, 1918." 
 
 On February 9, nearly one month after they signed the contract, 
 the laborers complained that the employers had violated the terms 
 of the contract and carried the same before an assembly of their 
 association, declaring that the agreement signed was not good. 
 
 The employers, on the other hand, alleged at the same time in- 
 fringement on the part of the laborers, and made use of the decision 
 taken by the assembly of the laborers to act accordingly. 
 
 Nevertheless, although both parties considered from that date that 
 they were not bound to obey the contract, they still continued their 
 friendly attitude, seemingly obeying the clauses of the contract. 
 
 Work at the central was at no time interrupted, although the 
 laborers did not succeed in having their wages raised to the standard 
 originally demanded. 
 
 The results in each case, as seen in the preceding paragraph, are 
 clear and complete. Only 25 per cent of the number of districts 
 involved in the strike obtained successful results; but nowhere at 
 the full extent of the wishes and ambitions of the laborers, not even 
 in the proportion necessary to meet the high increase in the cost of 
 
22 BUKEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 living. Besides, the places where some success was obtained were 
 not the places where the greater number of laborers joined the 
 movement. 
 
 In those places where the propaganda was most active and where 
 the most energetic agitators tried their best to inspire vigor to the 
 movement, the difficulties were the greatest and the employers most 
 inexorable in their attitudes. On that account, due to that mingling 
 of sentiments and passions, the failure of the laborers to obtain their 
 aspirations and the great losses suffered by the employers in the 
 industry. 
 
 BAKERS' STRIKE. 
 
 PONCE. 
 
 The bakers of this important city, considering the actual eco- 
 nomical crisis, due to the high cost of living, and being unable to 
 work for more than five days in the week, on account of a resolution 
 of the Food Commission, resolved, in an assembly duly called to 
 that effect, to submit to their employers a petition with the measures 
 which should be put in force for the betterment of the conditions 
 of the persons engaged in the industry. 
 
 The aforesaid demand was handed to all employers, by a Com- 
 mittee appointed for the purpose. They refused to give any con- 
 sideration to the demands and to discuss the matter in order to 
 prevent the conflict. 
 
 Consequently, with their situation unchanged and their econom- 
 ical condition becoming harder and harder every day, it was decided, 
 in an assembly held on February 13, to begin strike against those 
 employers who would refuse to grant better conditions to those en- 
 gaged in the industry. 
 
 As soon as the Bureau of Labor heard of the negotiations carried 
 on by the laborers, it offered its best services to both employers and 
 employees, and at their request, worked until the dispute was settled. 
 
 On February 19, at 3 p. m., by mediation of the Bureau of Labor, 
 the first meeting was held. A favorable solution was not obtained 
 and it was necessary to adjourn until next day, when a new session 
 was held and some employers, after a long and reasonable discus- 
 sion, reached an agreement in order to continue work. The accepted 
 agreement reads thus: 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 23 
 
 1 ' The salaries of laborers working at nights will be as follows : 
 
 Foremen $2.25 
 
 Assistant foremen 2. 00 
 
 Workers in wooden bowls 1. 75 
 
 Common bakers 1.60 
 
 Assistants 1.00 
 
 " Salaries of bakers working in day time: 
 
 Foremen 1. 75 
 
 Assistant foremen 1.60 
 
 Workers in wooden bowls 1. 35 
 
 Common bakers 1.25 
 
 Assistants .85 
 
 ' The standard salaries will refer to ordinary number of hours. 
 
 ' ' Bakers will resume work in the bakeries whose owners have signed this 
 agreement. 
 
 "Bakers shall work gladly and willingly, forgetting all evil thoughts about 
 this last strike, and shall observe the rules governing the work inside the shop. 
 
 ' ' The employers will keep friendly relations with the bakers and will pay 
 their wages daily, after the day 's work is over. 
 
 "In the shops, labor and sanitation laws will be observed. 
 
 "On resuming work it is agreed that all workers in strike shall be read- 
 mitted, it being understood that they shall not be discharged on account of hav- 
 ing joined the strikers. 
 
 ' ' The shop owners will allow bakers to alternate in . the work, so that all 
 may work for a number of days in the week. 
 
 "Any dispute between the patrons and bakers will be settled by the arbi- 
 tration committee named by the Union of Bakers for that purpose. 
 "The preceding rules shall be strictly observed." 
 
 This assembly was presided over by two employees of the Bureau 
 of Labor and the mayor of the city. Not all the owners of bakeries 
 were present and the strike was ended only in several of the shops 
 affected. The others who refused to accept this agreement continued 
 with their difficulties. 
 
 Those in charge of the sale and delivery of bread were also in- 
 volved in the strike, but in the contracts they were not mentioned, 
 the terms applying to bakers only. 
 
 It was generally agreed by patrons and strikers that those en- 
 gaged in the sale and distribution of bread received a fairly good 
 salary and could endure better the existing conditions of the 
 industry. 
 
24 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 A few: days later the remaining employers, except one, complied 
 with the rules accepted at the assembly and continued working. 
 
 The public in general was pleased with the success of the bakers, 
 although partial. 
 
 The employers recognized the fairness of the demands of the 
 bakers, and no further interruption occurred. 
 
 PENUELAS. 
 
 On May 1, 1918, bakers declared a strike, asking for higher wages. 
 
 The Bureau of Labor was notified of the strike and its interven- 
 tion asked for. 
 
 On the fourth of that same month the employers, through the 
 intervention of an employee of the Bureau of Labor, met a com- 
 mittee of strikers and an agreement was reached whose main clauses 
 were the following: 
 
 "1. For each 200 pounds of wheat flour and 50 pounds of potato, or other 
 substitute, the bakers will prepare 260 pounds of bread and will receive pay 
 of $2.50. 
 
 (t 2. In the manufacture of crackers, for every 200 pounds of wheat flour, plus 
 any quantity of substitute, the bakers are to receive $2.50. 
 
 "3. In reckoning the weight of crackers, the net weight of the flour and 
 substitutes will be considered. 
 
 ******* 
 
 "7. Employers must accord good treatment to their employees and wages 
 must be paid daily, after their task is over. 
 
 * * * * * * * 
 
 "No laborer shall be dismissed for having taken part in the strike move- 
 ment. ' ' 
 
 This agreement was reached amicably, and the laborers returned 
 to their work. 
 
 YAUCO. 
 
 On the 24th of May a strike occurred here in two bakeries. The 
 Bureau of Labor offered its services, which were accepted by the 
 laborers, but the employers refused to discuss the matter. How- 
 ever, within two days a solution was reached, pending a written 
 agreement between the conflicting parties. 
 
 The total number of men on strike did not exceed sixty. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 25 
 
 STRIKE OF MOTORMEN AND CONDUCTORS OF THE PORTO 
 RICO RAILWAY, LIGHT & POWER COMPANY. 
 
 On the 26th of September, 1917, at 6 p. m., one hundred and 
 fifty-five employees of the electric cars went on strike in San Juan. 
 The following day the Bureau was informed that the strikers had 
 submitted to the Manager of the company the petitions which they 
 demanded to resume work. 
 
 Among others, these were the most important: 
 
 "Increase in salary up to 30 per cent per hour. 
 
 "Better treatment on the part of the inspectors and directors of the com- 
 pany. 
 
 "Expulsion of one inspector accused of having badly treated both conductors 
 and motormen. 
 
 "That no employee should be discharged without giving his case sufficient 
 consideration. 
 
 "That employees should not be prohibited to form a union of their trade." 
 
 The Bureau of Labor immediately sent the following letter to 
 the manager of the company: 
 
 "September 28, 1917. 
 "Mr. O. M. Sewell, 
 
 11 Manager, P. B. Bailway, Light Sr Tower Co., 
 
 (Through the Commissioner of Agric. <$- Labor), 
 
 "San Juan, P. E. 
 
 "Dear Sir: Having had knowledge that the street-car conductors and mo- 
 tromen employed by your company went on strike Wednesday evening, I beg 
 to offer you the services of this Bureau toward settling this controversy. 
 
 "Investigations as to the attitude of the strikers were made yesterday by 
 this Bureau, and it seems that it will not be very difficult to settle it at an early 
 date if you kindly accept to take part in a meeting where both employer and 
 employees be present for the discussion of the demands made by the strikers. 
 
 "This meeting can be held at any hour and place you may designate. 
 
 "Hoping this letter will meet with your acceptance and with the same spirit 
 with which it is written, I beg to remain, 
 
 "Yours respectfully, 
 
 (Signed) "Carmelo Honors, 
 
 "Chief, Bureau of Labor." 
 
 On the same day the following answer was received: 
 
 ".Sax J lax, Por.ro Eico, September 28, 1917. 
 "Mr. Carmelo Honore, 
 
 Chief, Bureau of Labor, 
 
 San Juan, F. 1\. 
 "Dear Sir: I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of even date and 
 to say that the places of the majority of the men which left the Company's serv- 
 ice Wednesday evening have already been filled and that the necessary steps 
 
26 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 have already been taken to fill the places of the others. Therefore, we deem it 
 unnecessary to have further communication, through conference or otherwise, 
 with such former employees, or to avail ourselves of your friendly offer of inter- 
 vention. 
 
 ' ' The only thing which occurs to me at the moment that you might do that 
 would likely help matters, would be to use the good offices of yourself and your 
 Department to the fullest extent in an effort to induce the men who left this 
 Company's services Wednesday, and their sympathizers, to refrain from commit- 
 ting acts of violence and intimidating the Company's employees who have taken 
 their places. If you can do anything in that direction you will have rendered a 
 great service to this Company and to the public. 
 
 "Yours very truly. 
 
 (Signed) "O. M. Sewell, 
 
 ' ' President. ' ' 
 
 Notwithstanding the preceding refusal, the Bureau insisted upon 
 appealing to the fairness and administrative ability of Mr. Sewell, 
 in order that he would consent to a conference with his old employees, 
 as a more adequate and feasible means to end the conflict. The 
 Bureau's efforts were successful, and a meeting was held on Sep- 
 tember 29, at 10 a. m., at the company's office. 
 
 The discussion of the demands lasted three hours, but it was 
 not possible to reach an agreement. 
 
 On October 1, upon receipt of the following letter, all efforts were 
 considered to have been futile. 
 
 "San Juan, Porto Rico, October 1, 1917. 
 "Mr. Carmelo Honore, 
 
 ' ' Chief, Bureau of Labor, 
 
 "San Juan, P. R. 
 
 "Dear Sir: In reply to your personal appeal this forenoon in behalf of -the 
 conductors and motormen who went on strike last Wednesday, I have to say that 
 in view of the refusal of the men to accept our proposition of Saturday, which 
 was the best we could offer, we have gone ahead employing new men with the 
 view of filling the places vacated by the strikers, a large number of the vacan- 
 cies have already been filled with good, reliable men and it would not be fair 
 to throw these new men out now to make room for those who went on strike. 
 
 "I am exceedingly sorry for the old men (and their families), who must 
 suffer for the loss of their positions through having been thrown into the strike 
 unwillingly, but there is nothing we can do for them now further than to take 
 back such of them as may be acceptable to the Company and for which we have 
 vacancies without displacing any of the new men. The rest of the old men will 
 have to seek employment elsewhere. 
 
 "Yours very truly, 
 
 (Signed) "O. M. Sewell, 
 
 1 ' President. * ' 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 27 
 
 Although the foregoing letter served to explain itself, in con- 
 vincing us of the futility of trying to settle affairs, we nevertheless 
 continued. 
 
 Although a great number of unexperienced hands were used and 
 great difficulties encountered, these were rapidly overcome and the 
 services of the old employers rendered unnecessary. 
 
 The employer showed no intention whatever of reinstating them. 
 
 The strikers, who showed great diversity of opinion regarding 
 further continuance of the struggle, finally sought the Bureau of 
 Labor in the hope that through its intervention they might all be 
 reinstated and their right to associate be recognized, dictating rules 
 for mutual respect between directors and employees of the Company. 
 
 Although the Manager at first openly refused to reconsider his 
 decision of declaring the positions of the strikers vacant, he accepted 
 an invitation for an interview with the Governor, for the purpose 
 of settling the abnormal condition of the traffic, which was being 
 greatly censured by the public. 
 
 Finally, on October 2, the old employees were informed that 
 they might return to their work immediately, having obtained some 
 slight benefits among the most important of which are the following: 
 
 ' * Increase in wages based on the number of years each employee had served 
 the company. 
 
 li Right to organize was recognized, and the formation of a local union for 
 the defense of their interests in general and the mutual protection of its asso- 
 ciates. 
 
 1 * The right of the employees to appoint a Committee to settle any disputes 
 that might arise. 
 
 "It was considered reasonable that no employee would be discharged with- 
 out proper trial, and other measures of great moral value were taken. 
 
 "Besides this, the manager donated $100 to cover the expenses of estab- 
 lishing their local union." 
 
 Once the laborers returned to their work, they worked faithfully 
 to establish their union. 
 
 At present, their Association has progressed greatly in the social 
 and economical fields and has plans for future betterment. It has 
 been the means of obtaining new increases in wages as well as other 
 benefits. 
 
 OTHER STRIKES. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL WORKERS. 
 
 At Bayamon, by the middle of the month of January, a strike 
 of agricultural workers occurred in several sugar plantations. Tt 
 
28 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 lasted only a week, the laborers returning to work under the same 
 conditions. 
 
 SHOEMAKERS' STRIKE. 
 
 Among shoemakers, our records show strikes at Arecibo, Ponce, 
 Caguas and Yabucoa. They obtained slight increases in wages, but 
 so light that none of them obtained an increase of 20 per cent. 
 
 STRIKE OF HELPERS. 
 
 (construction work.) 
 
 Among the men of these occupations, a strike occurred, in San 
 Juan, about the middle of February, involving about one hundred 
 and twenty-five men, all employed by the same employer. The 
 wages earned ranged from 14 to 17 cents per hour, and a general 
 increase to 20 cents per hour for all was asked. The employer 
 agreed to pay 16 cents per hour to those earning 14 and 15 cents be- 
 fore the strike, and 17 cents per hour to those earning 15 and 16 
 cents. This strike lasted only a week, during which time work con- 
 tinued uninterruptedly. The success, although partial, was bene- 
 fitial to all. 
 
 Another strike among men engaged in construction work being 
 done under contract for the municipality occurred during the first 
 week of March. The strikers, about one hundred and twenty-five 
 in number, asked for higher wages. They were granted 17 cents 
 per hour as a minimum during a day of eight hours' work. 
 
 STRIKE OF MASONS OR BRICKLAYERS. 
 
 Only one strike of masons occurred during last year, according 
 to our records. This began on the 29th of April. It was favorably 
 settled on May 4 — that is, five days after it began. 
 
 The causes of this strike may be stated as follows : Several masons, 
 skillful in different branches of their trade, were working for an 
 employer who had a contract to make some construction work for 
 the Insular Government. They secured work with a foreman in 
 another division of the same building and left the work they were 
 doing, as the new work offered them better salary. The superin- 
 tendent of the work refused to allow these masons to continue work 
 in the new branch, claiming reasons that the workers did not deem 
 proper, and all decided to abandon the work, demanding that the 
 foremen be given power to employ whoever they wished, in doing 
 the particular kind of work entrusted to their care, without the 
 intervention of any one else, provided the work could be done right. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 29 
 
 The employer in this case, considering the demands of the work- 
 ers reasonable and the attitude of his representative improper, ac- 
 cepted the propositions of the strikers, and then all the workers 
 (the ones causing the strike also included) returned to their work 
 on the morning of May 6, two days after the agreement was made. 
 
 STRIKE AMONG TOBACCO WORKERS. 
 
 AGUAS BUENAS. 
 
 Thirty-seven tobacco strippers declared a strike on September 21 
 and did not resume work until the end of December. 
 
 There was also a strike of cigarmakers, at that same date, in 
 which there were about three hundred men involved. Both were 
 intervened by the Joint Advisory Board appointed the preceding 
 year at the General Assembly of laborers of the tobacco industry. 
 
 ARECIBO. 
 
 Seventy-five tobacco strippers declared a strike on May 27, 1918. 
 It lasted only one day. The Bureau of Labor intervened and suc- 
 ceeded in obtaining an increase of 33!/3 per cent over the preceding 
 wages. 
 
 bayam6n. 
 
 One hundred and thirty-seven strippers were on strike from 
 October 27 to December 26, 1917. Nine hundred and forty-two 
 cigarmakers were also on strike during that same period, and their 
 strike was settled through the same intervention, the Joint Advisory 
 Board. 
 
 BARCEDONETA. 
 
 Sixty-seven strippers, who were earning 30 cents a day, declared a 
 strike on the 29th of August. The stop lasted only until the 5th of 
 September, when an increase of 25 per cent was obtained through 
 the intervention of the Bureau of Labor. 
 
 catano. 
 
 Two strikes of tobacco strippers occurred during the year, due 
 to different causes and affecting the same number of persons. 
 
 The first was caused by the refusal of the employer to increase 
 their wages, and the second to the improper treatment accorded 
 the women by a foreman whose removal was demanded by the 
 employees. 
 
 The first strike was won by the strikers, who obtained an increase 
 of 20 per cent over their salaries, but the second failed, as the fore- 
 man was not removed, and the laborers returned to their tasks upon 
 
30 BUKEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 the assurance of the employer that the conduct of the foreman would 
 be rectified to meet the complaints of the workers. 
 
 The Bureau of Labor intervened in both these strikes. 
 
 caguas. 
 
 There were several strikes among the tobacco strippers here. 
 One was caused by the bad quality of the tobacco and another by 
 poor wages. Sixty-eight workers went on strike the first time and 
 five hundred and fifty the second. 
 
 There was also another small strike involving thirty-two women. 
 
 All were intervened by the Joint Advisory Board and were favor- 
 ably settled by an agreement between employer and employees. 
 
 In another factory eighty cigar makers went on strike, the Joint 
 Advisory Board intervening. 
 
 CAYEY. 
 
 Eighteen strippers in a tobacco factory declared a strike on the 
 27th of October, 1917, and did not resume work until December 
 26. Two hundred and sixty-five cigarmakers were on strike at the 
 same time. 
 
 CIDRA. 
 
 Ten strippers and one hundred and thirty-nine cigarmakers de- 
 clared a strike here. It was intervened by the Joint Advisory Board. 
 
 coamo. 
 
 A strike of tobacco strippers occurred here. rFhe Bureau of 
 Labor intervened through one of its representatives. A conference 
 was held by employers and employees, and after discussing the de- 
 mands of the latter, an increase of 10 per cents over the preceding 
 wages was granted them. 
 
 MOROVIS. 
 
 A strike of tobacco strippers, due to the low salaries existing, 
 began on November 5 and ended on December 9. The strikers, 
 through an agreement made directly between employer and em- 
 ployees, obtained increases in their salaries. 
 
 manatL 
 
 Three hundred and fifty-three cigarmakers held a strike from 
 September 19 to December 26. The Joint Advisory Board inter- 
 vened in its settlement. 
 
 MAYAGUEZ. 
 
 One hundred and fifteen cigarmakers held a strike from Decern- 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 31 
 
 ber 23, 1917, to January 9, 1918. An increase in wages was ob- 
 tained in various cigar shapes (vitolas), ranging from 50 cents to 
 $1 per thousand. 
 
 It was settled directly between employer and employees. 
 
 NARANJITO. 
 
 Eighty-seven strippers abandoned their work on December 17. 
 They did not resume work until December 31. They demanded an 
 increase of 5 cents per standard weight (pesada) and were granted 
 an increase of 2 cents. The agreement was made directly by nego- 
 tiations between employer and employees. 
 
 penuelas. 
 
 Forty-six strippers declared a strike on October 21 and it lasted 
 until December 26. It was settled by the Joint Advisory Board. 
 
 Eighty-seven cigarmakers held a strike during that same period 
 and it was also settled by the Joint Advisory Board. 
 
 PONCE. 
 
 Three hundred and seventy-five strippers held a strike which be- 
 gan on October 21. The conflict was settled and ended on December 
 26. An agreement was reached, the terms of which we have not 
 been able to find exactly. 
 
 Three hundred and forty cigarmakers were also on strike during 
 that same period. In both strikes the Joint Advisory Board inter- 
 vened. 
 
 SAN LORENZO. 
 
 Two strikes of tobacco strippers occurred here. The first began 
 on September 26 and ended on December 26. Ninety-five persons 
 were involved. The Joint Advisory Board intervened. 
 
 In the second, which began on November 23 and ended on De- 
 cember 14, one hundred and fifty-one laborers were involved. They 
 returned to work without any increase in wages. We did not 
 intervene. 
 
 There was also a strike of cigarmakers in which two hundred 
 and eighty-four persons were involved. It lasted from September 
 26 to December 26. The Joint Advisory Board intervened. The 
 results are unknown to us. 
 
 SAN JUAN. 
 
 Our records show three strikes of tobacco strippers, while oc- 
 curred during the months of September to December, inclusive. 
 
32 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 There were five hundred and fifty-eight workers in the first, about 
 one hundred and fifty in the second and nearly two hunderd in the 
 last. In this last one the Bureau of Labor intervened and an in- 
 crease of 20 per cent was obtained. 
 
 The others were intervened by the Joint Advisory Board and 
 we have no data regarding the results. 
 
 There was also a strike of cigarmakers and the number of strikers 
 was one thousand two hundred and twenty-seven. The Joint Advi- 
 sory Board held negotiations with the employer and an agreement 
 was reached. The workers obtained fairly good benefits. 
 
 TOA ALTA. 
 
 Two strikes of tobacco strippers occurred here, in both of which 
 about forty persons were involved. The first was due to a demand 
 for higher wages, and was terminated with an increase of 20 per 
 cent. The Bureau of Labor intervened. 
 
 The second was due to complaints against a foreman. It was 
 settled satisfactorily within two days. There was also a strike of 
 about twenty-five cigarmakers. They obtained an increase in wages 
 in a proportion of not less than 15 nor more than 20 per cent. It 
 commenced on August 14 and ended on August 22, 1917. The 
 Bureau of Labor intervened. 
 
 UTUADO. 
 
 A strike of tobacco strippers occurred here, by reason of the low 
 wages paid, but it failed because of the excess of laborers in the 
 district. The strikers resumed work without obtaining any benefit. 
 
 There were also strikes in other branches of this same indus- 
 try in — 
 
 Bayamon. — Two hundred and ninety-seven workers. Began on 
 October 26 and ended on December 26, 1917. 
 
 Cayey. — Sixty-eight workers. Strike begun on October 27 and 
 ended on December 26. 
 
 Gidra. — Forty-six laborers 
 
 Manati. — One hundred and fifty-four laborers. From Septem- 
 ber 19 to December 26. 
 
 San Lorenzo. — Thirty-five laborers. From September 26 to De- 
 cember 26. 
 
 San Juan. — One thousand three hundred and sixty-six. Occurred 
 at the same time as that of the cigarmakers. 
 
 In these strikes agreements were made through conferences be- 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 33 
 
 tween the Joint Advisory Board and the employers. Concrete data 
 as to the results was not obtained. 
 
 Notwithstanding the effort set forth, the Bureau of Labor was 
 not able to include in this Bulletin exact information concerning 
 the strikes in which the Joint Advisory Board intervened. 
 
 Up to the present, the law establishing the Bureau of Labor has 
 not been amended in regard to the power and authority of its offi- 
 cials to interfere in all disputes that may arise between employers 
 and employees; and although we regret our impossibility of co-oper- 
 ating with the Joint Advisory Board, it pleases us to know that as 
 long as this body exist the industry will not be so frequently inter- 
 rupted, and consequently there will be no great losses for either 
 labor or capital. 
 
 Separate information in statistical form shall be published show- 
 ing the industrial situation from July 1, 1917, to May 31 of the 
 present year. 
 
 And now, as a simple comment to the series of strikes with dis- 
 agreable results for both, employers and employees, we must say: 
 
 That it is high time to rectify the methods of inexorability on 
 the part of the employers and of violence on the part of the em- 
 ployees, as a practical and judicious means of obtaining the best 
 solutions for their disputes. 
 
 It is the duty of Labor to consider itself the column uplifting 
 Capital, which is the base of its existence. 
 
 It is the duty of Capital to manage so that Labor, its inseparable 
 and indispensable brother, may enjoy a part of the benefits of pro- 
 duction in the way and proportion that dignity of Life demands 
 in modern civilization. 
 
 It shall not be possible to attain a solid and permanent industrial 
 peace to warrant the progress and welfare of both producing fac- 
 tors, without a careful study of the conditions that affect each, and, 
 above all, without putting aside in the struggles between them, any- 
 thing that may not be distinctly peculiar to both these important 
 factors, especially those affairs of personal character that frequently 
 give a base to industrial disturbances. 
 
 The Bureau of Labor is acting on a narrow field of action, and 
 without enough resources to develop its plans; but all should not 
 be left to the official initiative, because this cannot attain the de- 
 sired success without the discreet and altruist assistance of both 
 factors of production. 
 
34 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
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APPENDIX. 
 
 LABOR LAWS APPROVED FROM 1916 TO MARCH, 1918. 
 
 [No. 17.] 
 AN ACT 
 TO DETERMINE CERTAIN DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS IN CASE OF STRIKES. 
 Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Porto Rico: 
 
 Section 1. — That when any employer or owner of a factory or agricultural 
 estate, or mercantile or industrial establishment of any kind, or any of their 
 agents or representatives, during a general strike of their laborers or employees 
 of any class or during a lockout, advertises in the newspapers, or by means of 
 bills or in any other form, for laborers or employees of any class, or employs 
 agents to solicit or personally solicits persons to work in place of such strikers, 
 he shall state clearly and precisely in all such advertisements, whether written 
 or verbal, the fact that a strike or lockout exists. 
 
 Section 2. — That if any person, firm, association or corporation, labor agent 
 or representative violates the provisions of this Act, such person, corporation, 
 firm, association, agent or representative shall be punished by fine not to exceed 
 one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one hundred 
 days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court, for each violation. 
 
 Section 3. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 4. — That this Act shall take effect sixty days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, April 12, 1917. 
 
 [No. 10.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO DETERMINE THE PROCEDURE IN CASES OF CLAIMS FOR WAGES BY FARM 
 LABORERS AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Rico: 
 
 Section 1. — That whenever a farm laborer shall find it necessary to claim 
 from his employer any sum for wages, he may appear before the municipal judge 
 for the municipal judicial district wherein the property on which the work was 
 performed is situated, and file a complaint against the said employer, which com- 
 plaint shall be filed out by the judge or his secretary, setting forth therein un- 
 der oath the facts upon which the claim is founded; Provided, That where the 
 
 37 
 
38 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 property is situated in territory comprised in two or more municipal judicial dis- 
 tricts the complaint may be filed in any of the courts in whose district any por- 
 tion of the property is situated. 
 
 Section 2. — That the judge shall fix the date for the hearing of the case 
 which shall be held within ten days from and after the day on which the com- 
 plaint was filed, and it shall be the duty of the secretary of the court to serve 
 notice on the same day and by mail on the Commissioner of Agriculture and La- 
 bor of the day so fixed, together with a copy of the complaint, and the Commis- 
 sioner of Agriculture and Labor may intervene in the proceedings through any 
 of the employees under him. 
 
 Section 3. — That the marshal shall personally summon the complainant and 
 defendant for the hearing and deliver to each of them a copy of the complaint; 
 Provided, That at least three days shall intervene between the date on which 
 the summons is served and the hearing of the case. 
 
 Section 4. — That where the defendant is not found or where he has no resi- 
 dence in the municipal judicial district, the summons shall be served on the per- 
 son who in any manner shall represent the said defendant on the property on 
 which the work originating the claim was performed. 
 
 Section 5. — That where the parties shall fail to appear or where the defend- 
 ant only shall appear, the court shall dismiss the complaint or claim; but where 
 the complainant only appears the hearing shall be held in the absence of the 
 defendant. 
 
 Section 6. — Before beginning the introduction of evidence the court shall 
 pass upon all such questions of law as may be submitted to it, but no complaint 
 shall be dismissed for a mere defect as to form. 
 
 In the introduction of evidence the widest possible latitude shall be allowed 
 to the parties. 
 
 Section 7. — That within twenty-four hours after the hearing the municipal 
 judge shall render judgment, affirming or dismissing the claim. Where the claim 
 is affirmed the defendant shall be adjudged and directed to pay to the complain- 
 ant such amount of wages as shall have been shown by the evidence; Provided, 
 That the said municipal judge, if malice on the part of the defendant is shown, 
 shall adjudge him to pay to the complainant by way of indemnity or punishment 
 an additional sum of not to exceed fifty (50) dollars. 
 
 Section 8. — That any of the parties who may believe himself prejudiced by 
 the judgment may take an appeal to the district court for the judicial district 
 in which the municipal trial court is situate. 
 
 The appeal shall be taken by filing with the secretary of the municipal court 
 within two days after the rendition of judgment a notice setting forth the inten- 
 tion of appealing and by delivering a copy of the said notice to the oppoisng 
 party or to his representative or attorney. 
 
 Section 9. — That within five days from and after the date on which the no- 
 tice of appeal was filed, the secretary shall transmit to the district court a copy of 
 the complaint, of the judgment, and of all orders which the aggrieved party desires 
 to submit to the said district court for the revision thereof. 
 
 Section 10. — That upon receipt of the said proceedings by the secretary of 
 the district court, he shall report the same to the judge who shall fix, irrespective 
 of the calendar, a day for the hearing, within the first ten days after receipt of 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 39 
 
 4 
 
 eaid proceedings and notice thereof shall be transmitted by mail to the Commis- 
 sioner of Agriculture and Labor and by the marshal to the interested parties; 
 Provided, That the marshal of the district court may entrust the service of such 
 notice to the marshal of the municipal court for the district in which the per- 
 sons to be served shall reside. 
 
 Section 11. — That in the hearing on appeal the trial shall be held de novo; 
 and where the appellant shall be the defendant and the court, after the intro- 
 duction of the evidence, shall be satisfied that the said appeal was taken only 
 for the purpose of delaying a compliance with the judgment, it shall have power 
 to adjudge and direct the said defendant to pay to the complainant by way of 
 indemnity or as a punishment a sum of not to exceed one hundred (100) dollars. 
 
 Section 12. — That in no case of a claim for farm wages shall more than one 
 appeal be allowed. 
 
 Section 13. — That the judgment affirming a claim shall direct payment to 
 be made within five days from and after the date on which the said judgment 
 becontrs final. Upon the expiration of this term said judgment may be executed 
 on any property of the defendant through an order of execution which shall be 
 issued by the secretary on petition of the complainant, and which shall be exe- 
 cuted by the marshal within a term of not to exceed twenty (20) days from and 
 after the date on which the said order of execution was delivered to him. 
 
 Section 14. — That no costs shall accrue in this class of suits. 
 
 Section 15. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith, are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 16. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, November 14, 1917. 
 
 [No. 12.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO AMEND SECTIONS 1487, 1488, 1489 AND 1490 OF THE REVISED CIVIL CODE 
 
 OF PORTO RICO. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Eico: 
 
 Section 1.— That sections 1487, 1488, 1489 and 1490 of the Revised Civil 
 Code of Porto Rico are hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
 " Section 1487. — A person employed for domestic service, whether for the 
 personal service of the head of the family or for the general service of the house- 
 hold, whose service contract is for a specified time, may leave such service or 
 be dismissed before the expiration of the terms of the contract; but if the em- 
 ployer dismisses the employee subject to these conditions without sufficient cause, 
 he shall indemnify said employee by paying him the wages due and those for 
 fifteen additional days. 
 
 "Section 1488. — In addition to the provisions of the foregoing sections in 
 regard to contracts between employers and employees, the provisions of special 
 laws and regulations shall be observed. 
 
40 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 * 
 
 "Section 1489. — Field hands, mechanics, artisans and other laborers hired 
 for a certain time or for a certain work cannot leave nor be dismissed without 
 sufficient cause before the contract is completed. 
 
 "Section 1490. — The dismissal of field hands, mechanics, artisans and other 
 hired laborers to which the preceding sections refer gives the right to dispossess 
 them of all tools and buildings which they may occupy under the contract. ' ' 
 
 Section 2. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 
 lied. 
 
 Section 3. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, November 14, 1917. 
 
 [No. 26.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO AMEND SECTION 553 OF THE PENAL CODE, REPEAL SECTION 554 OF SAID 
 CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Bico: 
 
 Section 1. — That section 553 of the Penal Code, as amended August 9, 1913, 
 and March 28, 1914, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
 "Section 553. — That all day Sunday; from 12 o'clock noon on legal holi- 
 days, except Labor Day, that is, the first Monday in September, and the Fourth 
 of July, when they shall remain closed all day; from 9 p. m. every Saturday; 
 from 6 p. m. every working day; and from 10 p. m. on December 24 and 31 
 and January 5 of each year, commercial and industrial establishments shall re- 
 main closed to the public and suspend all work for employees one hour after clos- 
 ing, except the following: 
 
 "I. Libraries, sugar and alcohol factories, coffee-cleaning mills, and phar- 
 macies only so far as relates to the dispatch of prescriptions and medicines at 
 retail. 
 
 "II. Public markets, printeries, garages and bakeries; Provided, That no 
 establishment in public market places for the sale of provisions and merchan- 
 dise shall be exempt from compliance with this Act. 
 
 "III. Establishments where coffee and refreshments only are sold; restau- 
 rants, hotels, inns, eating houses, places where meals are served, confectionery 
 and pastry stores. 
 
 "IV. Casinos, billiard rooms, ice depots, meat stands, milk stalls, and stands 
 where sweets, matches, manufactured tobacco and periodicals are sold. 
 
 "V. Slaughterhouses, dairies, livery stables, piers or docks and undertaking 
 establishments. 
 
 "VI. Public and quasi-public utilities and works of emergency necessary to 
 prevent danger or considerable financial loss. 
 
 "VII. Theaters, or other places devoted exclusively to amusements or char- 
 itable purposes, shall not be comprised under the provisions of this section so 
 far as relates to the purposes stated herein." 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 41 
 
 Section 2. — That section 554 of the Penal Code in force is hereby repealed. 
 
 Section 3. — That employees and clerks of enterprises and establishments not 
 exempted by this Act, and who render services on the basis of an annual, monthly 
 or weekly salaries, or in any form other than for wages or piece work at a fixed 
 price, shall be entitled to one day of rest for every six days of work, at full salary. 
 
 Section 4. — That all violations of this Act shall be punished by a maximum 
 fine of one hundred dollars for the first offense, or by imprisonment for a maxi- 
 mum term of thirty days, and subsequent violations shall be punished by a fine 
 of from twenty to one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment from five to thirty 
 days, or by both penalties in the discretion of the court. 
 
 Section 5. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith, are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 6. — That -this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, 'November 23, 1917. 
 
 [No. 28.] 
 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUING OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING 
 HOUSES FOR ARTISANS AND LABORERS, PROVIDE FOR THE LEASING OF 
 THE SAME, WITH A CERTAIN RIGHT TO THE OWNERSHIP THEREOF, IM- 
 PROVE THE SANITARY CONDITIONS OF CERTAIN LANDS OF THE PEOPLE 
 OF PORTO RICO, PROMOTE THE CREATION OF FARMS TO BE LEASED TO 
 FARM LABORERS AND TO GRANT THEM TITLE THERETO, AND FOR OTHER 
 PURPOSES. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Rico: 
 
 Section 1. — That the Commissioner of the Interior is hereby directed to 
 build houses in any municipality of Porto Rico upon lands of The People of 
 Porto Rico to be selected for such purpose by the Commissioner of the Interior 
 and the Commissioner of Health, in order to furnish adequate habitations to 
 artisans, laborers and other working men at a reasonable cost. 
 
 Section 2. — That such houses shall be constructed and maintained in accord- 
 ance with the sanitary laws, rules and regulations, now or hereafter in force, and 
 they shall be rented, operated and maintained in accordance with rules and regu- 
 lations, not in conflict with this Act, adopted by the Homestead Commission cre- 
 ated by an act of the Legislative Assembly of Porto Rico entitled "An Act 
 providing for the sale to laborers of certain lands of The People of Porto Rico, 
 and for other purposes, " approved March 11, 1915. The said Commission shall 
 eonsist of the Commissioner of the Interior, who shall be ex-oflicio chairman 
 thereof, the Treasurer, the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Agri- 
 culture and Labor, and three persons of good reputation who shall be designated 
 by the Governor with the consent of the Senate; Provided, That the two prin- 
 cipal political parties and the laborer organizations of Porto Rico shall be repre- 
 sented in the said Commission. 
 
 Section 3. — That in order to provide the necessary funds in an amount not 
 to exceed two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) dollars for the works and 
 
42 
 
 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 improvements herein authorized, the Treasurer of Porto Rico is hereby author- 
 ized, directed and empowered to issue bonds of The People of Porto Rico to the 
 amount of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) dollars in accordance with 
 the terms and conditions of this Act. 
 
 The Commission shall fairly distribute in the Island the funds appropri- 
 ated for this purpose, proportionately to the number of laborers; Provided, That 
 such houses may be constructed on lands donated by municipalities or private 
 individuals to The People of Porto Rico to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
 
 Section 4. — That the said bonds may be coupon or registered bonds, or both, 
 and the coupon bonds may be made exchangeable for registered bonds, under 
 such regulations as may be prescribed. The bonds may be in any or all of the 
 following denominations: One thousand (1,000) dollars; five thousand (5,000) 
 dollars; ten thousand (10,000) dollars; and they shall bear interest at a rate 
 not to exceed four and one-half (4%) per cent per annum, which interest shall 
 be payable on the first day of January and July. The bonds shall be divided 
 for payment into series of fifty thousand (50,000) dollars or any multiple thereof; 
 the series shall be indicated by a serial letter on each bond; they shall mature 
 in the order of their issuance and shall be redeemable on any interest-payment 
 date after ten years from the date of issue thereof, after sixty day's printed 
 notice published in one or more newspapers in the city of New York and one 
 or more newspapers in the Island of Porto Rico, at least once each week dur- 
 ing said sixty days; and payable twenty-five years after the date of issue thereof. 
 Both principal and interest shall be payable either at the Treasury of the United 
 States, at the office of the Treasurer of Porto Rico, or at the office of such fis- 
 cal agent of the Government of Porto Rico as the Treasurer of Porto Rico may 
 determine, in gold coin of the United States of the present standard of weight 
 and fineness. 
 
 Section 5. — That the said bonds shall be sold by the Treasurer of Porto 
 Rico or by any fiscal agent appointed by him for that purpose with the approval 
 of the Governor, upon such terms as may be most favorable to The People of 
 Porto Rico and as near to the dates of their issuance as is practicable. The 
 proceeds from their sale shall be deposited with the authorized depositary of 
 the Government of Porto Rico to be designated by the Treasurer of Porto Rico. 
 That the said Treasurer of Porto Rico shall have, subject to the approval of 
 the Governor, entire charge and authority within the limitations herein prescribed, 
 in respect to all matters relating to the said bonds, including the terms and de- 
 nominations thereof, the manner, time and method of the issue and sale thereof. 
 Subject to the limitations hereinbefore provided, he shall take all action nec- 
 essary for the complete carrying out of the provisions of this Act, and he may 
 provide for the issuance, pending the preparation of definitive bonds, of interim 
 bonds or interim certificates therefor, provided that such bonds shall be coun- 
 tersigned by the Governor of Porto Rico. 
 
 Secton 6. — That for the payment of the interest on the said bonds, as it 
 falls due, and the repayment of the principal, the good faith of The People of 
 Porto Rico is hereby irrevocably pledged. 
 
 Section 7. — That the Treasurer of Porto Rico is hereby directed, authorized 
 and empowered to pay the interest on said bonds as it falls due and the princi- 
 pal on said bonds as they mature, out of any revenues coming into the Insular 
 Treasury and available for expenditure, including revenues accruing under the 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 43 
 
 provisions of this Act, and other revenues collected in excess of expenditures 
 required by law. 
 
 Section 8. — That the foregoing provisions regarding the payment of the in- 
 terest on said bonds and the repayment of the principal shall be deemed to be 
 in the nature of a continuous appropriation and be sufficient authority for the 
 Treasury of Porto Rico to make such payments, and no further appropriations 
 for the purpose shall be required. Such payments, however, shall be made by 
 the Treasurer of Porto Rico in accordance with the law governing the disburse- 
 ment of public moneys. 
 
 Section 9. — That all moneys received as rental or other income from the 
 said houses shall be handled by the Treasurer of Porto Rico and shall consti- 
 tute a special fund in the Treasury of Porto Rico, which moneys are hereby 
 appropriated for expenditure under the direction of the Homestead Commission 
 •for the payment of expenses of reports and maintenance of the said houses; 
 Provided, That the net receipts from such rentals or other income, after the pay- 
 ments herein authorized have been made, at the end of each quarter, upon the 
 first day of March, June, September and December, shall be carried to the credit 
 of a sinking fund for the purpose of paying the interest and principal of the 
 bond issue authorized by this Act until such time as the principal and interest 
 of the bonds provided for herein shall have been paid. 
 
 Section 10. — That the report of the Treasurer of Porto Rico to the Auditor, 
 of the amount of said bonds so issued and sold by him, together with the num- 
 bers and denominations, and the amount realized upon such sale or sales thereof, 
 shall be made a matter of record in the office of the Auditor and of the Treas- 
 urer of Porto Rico. 
 
 Section 11. — That the bonds herein authorized to be issued and the obliga- 
 tions thereby created, shall not be impaired by any act or resolution of the Legis- 
 lative Assembly or of the Legislature of Porto Rico, subsequently approved, or 
 by any interpretation thereof, or by any act or resolution heretofore approved ; 
 but the said bonds, when duly issued and sold, shall constitute a legal and bind- 
 ing obligation of 'The People of Porto Rico until duly redeemed and paid. 
 
 Section 12. — That the rental to be charged for houses built under the pro- 
 visions of this Act shall be fixed by the Homestead Commission. And likewise 
 the price at which the lessee may acquire ownership of the leased house and lot. 
 In determining the rental and the selling price, the Homestead Commission shall 
 take into consideration the following: 
 
 The value of the land occupied by said houses. 
 
 The cost of building said houses. 
 
 Repairs, insurance and other necessary and proper administrative expenses; 
 Provided, That such amount as shall have been paid as rental shall be applied, 
 first, to the payment of interest on the amount fixed as the selling price, at a 
 rate of not to exceed six (6) per cent, and the remainder shall be applied to 
 the payment of said price, and title to the property shall be transferred to the 
 lessee, his heirs or successors when the said price of said sale shall have been 
 paid in full. 
 
 Section 13. — That in order to defray the expenses that may be incurred in 
 the issuance and sale of the bonds, there is hereby appropriated, from any fund* 
 in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the amount of five thousand 
 
44 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 (5,000) dollars or so much thereof as may be necessary to be reimbursed to the 
 Insular Treasury out of the proceeds of the bonds herein authorized to be sold. 
 
 Section 14.— That the Commissioner of the Interior is hereby authorized to 
 provide for the survey, drainage, filling, laying out into streets and paving or 
 macadamizing, where any or all of such improvements are necessary, of lands of 
 The People of Porto Rico, and to make such other improvements on such lands as 
 may be. necessary or advisable to place said lands in proper sanitary condition 
 for habitation. 
 
 Section 15. — That the Commissioner of the Interior, in accord with the Home- 
 stead Commission, is hereby authorized to lease and sell lots of land belonging 
 to The People of Porto Rico improved in accordance with the preceding section, 
 as hereinafter provided. Public lands situated in or near towns may be leased 
 or sold to workmen for dwelling purposes only; public lands situated in rural 
 sections may be leased and sold to farm laborers either for dwelling purposes 
 or for dwelling and farming purposes, pursuant to the Homestead Act, approved 
 March 11, 1915. 
 
 Section 16.— That the lots of land to be leased for dwelling purposes with 
 a certain right to the ownership thereof in accordance herewith shall be of such 
 area as the Commissioner of the Interior may determine, but not to exceed 500 
 square meters. Lots of land to be leased for dwelling and farming purposes 
 in accordance herewith shall be of such area as the Commissioner of the Interior 
 and the Homestead Commission may determine, but not to exceed two hectares. 
 
 Section 17. — That after any particular tract of land shall have been im- 
 proved, as provided in section fourteen of this Act, and divided into lots or 
 small farms, the Commissioner of the Interior, in accord with the Homestead 
 Commission, shall publish a description of said lots or small farms at least three 
 times in two newspapers of general circulation in Porto Rico. Such public no- 
 tice shall also state briefly the conditions under which applications for the lease 
 of said lots or small farms are to be made, with a right to the ownership thereof. 
 
 Section 18. — That no application for the lease of lands w^th a right to the 
 ownership thereof under this Act shall be received unless the person making the 
 same is (1) a citizen of the United States; (2) one whose annual income does 
 not exceed one thousand (1,000) dollars; (3) of good moral character; and 
 (4) without other property in Porto Rico or elsewhere, the value of which ex- 
 ceeds three hundred dollars; Provided, That where dwellings are erected upon 
 any lands which are to be leased, with a right to the ownership thereof, the per- 
 son actually living in them, if without property in Porto Rico or elsewhere, the 
 value of which exceeds five hundred dollars, shall be given priority over all other 
 persons in obtaining such leases and ownerships. 
 
 Section 19. — That after a tract of land has been advertised, as herein pro- 
 vided, any person who can qualify as an applicant, in accordance with the pro- 
 visions of section eighteen of this Act, may make an appliaction for the lease 
 of a lot or for a small farm with a right to the ownership thereof, in the said 
 advertised tract of land. All applications shall be made in writing, and shall 
 be filed with the Commissioner of the Interior, and shall state the applicant's 
 first and subsequent choices of the lots or farms advertised. Persons making ap- 
 plication shall give to the Commissioner of the Interior all the information re- 
 quired by the Homestead Commission. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 45 
 
 Section 20.— That persons applying for the lease of lots of land for dwell- 
 ing purposes or for dwelling and farm purposes with a right to the ownership 
 thereof shall be enrolled in registries kept by the Homestead Commission, in the 
 order of priority of the filing of application. 
 
 Section 21. — That the Commissioner of the Interior shall make such inquiries 
 and investigations regarding the worthiness of the various applicants, and the 
 correctness of the information contained in their application as he may deem 
 necessary. After this information has been obtained, the Homestead Commis- 
 sion, created by an act of the Legislative Assembly of Porto Rico entitled "An 
 Act providing for the sale to laborers of certain lands of The People of Porto 
 Rico and for other purposes,' ' approved March 11, 1915, shall apportion the 
 lots or small farms with a right to the ownership thereof to the most worthy 
 applicants, due regard being had of all of the provisions of this Act, under such 
 rules and regulations and procedure as it may deem proper. In the assignment 
 of lots preference shall be given, other things being equal, (1) to persons actu- 
 ally living upon them, as hereinbefore provided; (2) to persons who have been 
 residents for one year or more, previous to the date of the advertisement of 
 said tract of land, of the municipality in which such lands are located, and in 
 the assignment of small farms preference shall be given to those having the best 
 records for industry and to those having the best knowledge of practical farm- 
 ing; and (3) choice of lots or small farms available for lots shall be granted 
 in the order of priority of the filing of applications. 
 
 Section 22. — That persons leasing lots w T ith a right of ownership under the 
 provisions of this Act may, with the approval of the Homestead Commission as- 
 sign their leases and ownership to other persons who are qualified under the Act 
 to lease or purchase such lots, or they may release their leases and ownership to 
 The People of Porto Rico under such conditions as the Homestead Commission 
 may determine by rules and regulations. 
 
 Section 23. — That the Commissioner of the Interior, in accord with the Home- 
 stead Commission, is hereby authorized to contract with the persons actually occu- 
 pying dwellings erected on lands of The People of Porto Rico to remove said 
 dwellings, and the Homestead Commission may, in consideration for such removal, 
 transfer all right and title of The People of Porto Rico in said dwellings to the 
 persons removing them; Provided, That the title to the said dwellings shall not 
 be transferred to any person other than the persons actually occupying them. The 
 Commissioner of the Interior, in accord with the Homestead Commission, is hereby 
 authorized to permit persons removing their dwellings and obtaining title thereto, 
 as provided in this section, to lease with the right of ownership other lots of The 
 People of Porto Rico available for that purpose and to place such dwellings thereon 
 upon compliance with the conditions herein specified, for the lease of lots of lands 
 belonging to The People of Porto Rico. 
 
 Section 24. — That it is hereby expressly declared that the purposes for which 
 lands of The People of Porto Rico are to be used, in accordance witli the provi- 
 sions of this Act, are public purposes. 
 
 Section 25.— That whenever in this Act rules and regulations are to be adopted 
 by the Homestead Commission, such rules and regulations may be repealed and 
 amended, or new rules and regulations adopted from time to time in the discre- 
 tion of said Homestead Commission. 
 
46 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 Section 26. — That whenever the word " person" is used in this Act, it shall 
 be interpreted to include workingman, head of a family, and the plural forms 
 »f the same when applicable. The word "dwelling," as used in this Act shall 
 include structure, house, habitation, inclosure and building, and the plural form 
 of the same when applicable. 
 
 Section 27. — That any person knowingly hereafter erecting any dwelling upon 
 lands belonging to The People of Porto Rico, otherwise than in accordance with 
 the provisions of this law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a penalty 
 of not less than ten (10) dollars, nor more than fifty (50) dollars, or by impris- 
 onment for not less than five days nor more than thirty days, or by both such fine 
 and imprisonment. Any person who, after this law goes into effect, knowingly 
 rents or leases for profit any dwelling erected upon lands of The People of Porto 
 Rico, except as permitted by law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable 
 by a fine of not less than fifty (50) dollars cr by imprisonment of not less than 
 thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment. 
 
 Section 28. — That the sum of twenty thousand (20.000) dollars, or so much 
 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the 
 Insular Treasury, not appropriated for other purposes, in order to carry out the 
 provisions of this Act, which said sum shall be reimbursed to the Insular Treas- 
 ury out of the proceeds of the sale of bonds authorized by this Act. 
 
 Section 29. — That an Act entitled "An Act providing for the sale to labor- 
 ers of certain lands of The People of Porto Rico, and for other purposes," ap- 
 proved March 11, 1915, where not in conflict herewith, shall remain in full force 
 and effect. 
 
 Section 30. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 31. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after approval. 
 
 Approved, November 27, 1917. 
 
 [No. 41.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO PROVIDE FOR A DISPENSARY AND MINOR SURGEON IN SUGAR FACTORIES, 
 FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS, ELECTRIC AND HYDRAULIC PLANTS, AND FOR 
 OTHER PURPOSES. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Bico: 
 
 Section 1. — That every owner of a sugar factory, factory, workshop, electric 
 or hydraulic plant or building plant operating power-driven machinery outside of 
 the urban zone, whose employees shall exceed fifty (50) in number, be and the 
 same are hereby obligated to provide a dispensary with a sufficient stock of medi- 
 cines adequate for cases of accident. 
 
 Section 2. — The dispensary referred to in section 1 hereof shall be estab- 
 lished in a proper room with sanitary conditions and of sufficient light and sup- 
 plied with water, telephone, operating table and other appurtenances thereunto 
 belonging, so that it may be used for giving first aid in cases of accidents; Pro- 
 vided, That in any accident occurring in the places mentioned in section 1 hereof, 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 47 
 
 the physician or minor surgeon shall be furnished with such supplies as it may 
 be necessary to use. 
 
 Section 3.— That it shall be the duty of every owner of a sugar factory, fac- 
 tory, workshop, electric, hydraulic or building plant operating power-driven ma- 
 chinery, whose employees shall exceed fifty (50) in number, to contract for the 
 services of a physician and a minor surgeon or a nurse for the care of traumatic 
 accidents occurring during the year. 
 
 Section 4.— That minor surgeons under contract by virtue hereof shall be 
 duly licensed to practice their profession and shall be provided with such instru- 
 ments as may be indispensable. 
 
 Section 5.— That the Commissioner of Health shall be in charge of the en- 
 forcement of this Act and shall visit and inspect said dispensaries either person- 
 ally or through his inspectors or other employees, to satisfy himself that said 
 dispensaries are properly supplied with all the material necessary for the pur- 
 poses for which they are intended. 
 
 Section 6. — That any violation of this Act shall be punished by fine, not 
 to exceed five hundred (500) dollars or by imprisonment in jail for not to ex- 
 ceed six (6) months. 
 
 Section 7. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 8. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, November 30, 1917. 
 
 [No. 42.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO PROTECT LABORERS IN THEIR RIGHT TO BE MEMBERS OF LABOR 
 ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Rico: 
 
 Section 1. — That it shall be unlawful for any corporation, company, partner- 
 ship, association, individual or any employer of laborers to require that the per- 
 son or persons so employed, as a condition precedent to obtaining work or to 
 continue working, or to the execution of any contract, agreement or covenant, evi- 
 denced in writing or otherwise, or by reserve conditions, shall sever their con- 
 nections or abstain from belonging to any legal organization or society; or un- 
 der any pretext whatever to prohibit, limit or restrict said employees in the exer- 
 cise of their social, economical, fraternal or commercial rights in connection with 
 or through any legal organization or society during their employment by any 
 employer. 
 
 Section 2. — That any contract, agreement, covenant or reserve condition of 
 the aforesaid nature shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of 
 this Act. 
 
 Section 3. — That any corporation, company, partnership, association, indi- 
 vidual or employer of laborers, violating any of the provisions of this Act shall 
 be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction of any person or persons 
 under the provisions of this Act they shall be punished by a fine of not less than 
 fifty (50) dollars nor more than five hundred (500) dollars for each and every 
 
48 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 such violation, or by imprisonment for not less than ninety days, nor more than 
 six months in the jail of the district where the violation shall have been com- 
 mitted, or by both penalties, fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. 
 
 Section 4. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 5. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, November 30, 1917. 
 
 [No. 46. | 
 
 TO AMEND AN ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION 
 OF SCAFFOLDS, THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, AND FOR OTHER PUR- 
 POSES," APPROVED MARCH 13, 1913. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Bico: 
 
 Section 1. — That section 1 of an act entitled "An Act to provide for the 
 construction of scaffolds, the protection of the public, and for other purposes," 
 approved March 13, 1913, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
 "Section 1. — That all scaffolds, elevators, hoists, platforms, scales or lad- 
 ders, or any other mechanical appliance whether portable or fixed, placed or 
 constructed by any person, firm or corporation in this Island for the purposes 
 of building, repairing, altering, destroying or painting any house, building, bridge, 
 viaduct or other construction, shall be constructed in a secure, appropriate and 
 convenient manner, and so placed when in operation as to offer proper and ade- 
 quate protection to the life and limbs of the person or persons working thereon 
 or passing thereunder, and in such manner as to prevent the falling to the ground 
 of any materials or utensils placed thereon. All scaffolds, platforms or other 
 similar appliances shall be, if possible, at least two feet wide and shall have a 
 safety partition and railing, forming a close rectangle, which shall be thirty-six 
 inches in height from the floor or surface of said scaffolds or platforms, and 
 shall extend the full length thereof and be solidly constructed, and firm and se- 
 cure enough to prevent its giving way from the building or construction. The 
 Chief of the Bureau of Labor, or his representatives are hereby authorized to 
 stop any work where the above provisions are being violated, and to require such 
 changes and modifications as may be necessary for the protection of the life or 
 limbs of the persons employed in said places before the work may continue. 
 
 Section 2. — That any person, or the administrator, superintendent, foreman, 
 overseer, or representative thereof, violating this Act shall be punished by a 
 fine of not less than twenty-five (25) dollars, or by imprisonment in jail for a 
 maximum term of sixty days. 
 
 Section 3. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 4. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 Approved, December 1, 1917. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 49 
 
 [No. 3.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO AMEND SECTION 3 OF "AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 553 OF THE PENAL 
 CODE, REPEAL SECTION 554 OF THE SAID CODE, AND FOR OTHER PUR- 
 POSES," APPROVED NOVEMBER 23, 1917. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Bico: 
 
 Section 1. — That section 3 of "An Act to amend section 553 of the Penal 
 Code, repeal section 554 of said code, and for other purposes," approved No- 
 vember 23, 1917, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
 ' ' Section 3. — That employees and clerks of enterprises and establishments 
 exempted by this Act, and who render services on the basis of an annual, monthly 
 or weekly salary, or in any form other than for wages or piece work at a fixed 
 price, shall be entitled to one day of rest fcr every six days of work, at full 
 salary. ' ' 
 
 Section 2. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 .Section 3. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, February 18, 1918. 
 
 [No. 6.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO EXTEND THE TIME FOR THE TAKING EFFECT OF ACT No. 14, OF THE 
 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF PORTO RICO, APPROVED APRIL 12, 1917. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Bico: 
 
 Section 1. — That section 4 of Act No. 14, entitled "An Act regulating the 
 load or weight that laborers may carry, and for other purposes," approved April 
 12, 1917, be amended to read as follows: 
 
 "Section 4. — That this Act shall take effect January 1, 1920." 
 
 Section 2. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 3. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, February SI, 1918. 
 
 [No. 10.] 
 AN ACT 
 
 TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE INHABITANTS OF PORTO RICO IN REGARD 
 TO ACCIDENTS CAUSING DEATH OR INJURIES TO WORKMEN WHILE EN- 
 GAGED IN THEIR WORK; ESTABLISHING THE DUTY OF EMPLOYERS TO 
 COMPENSATE THEIR EMPLOYEES OR HEIRS, AS DEFINED IN THIS ACT, 
 FOR INJURIES OR DEATH IRRESPECTIVE OF NEGLIGENCE, AND TO PRO- 
 VIDE WAYS AND MEANS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS DUTY; CREAT- 
 ING AN INSURANCE FUND TO SECURE EMPLOYERS AGAINST SUCH LIA- 
 BILITY AND PROVIDING FOR THE MANAGEMKNT WD REGULATION OF 
 
50 BUEEAU OF LABOR. 
 
 SUCH INSURANCE; CREATING A WORKMEN'S RELIEF COMMISSION AND 
 DETERMINING ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; ESTABLISHING THE LIABILITY 
 OP THE PEOPLE OF PORTO RICO WITH REGARD TO THEIR LABORERS FOR 
 INJURIES OR DEATH OF SUCH LABORERS IN WORKS PERFORMED BY AD- 
 MINISTRATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Porto Eico: 
 
 SHORT TITLE. 
 
 Section 1. — This Act shall be known as the Workmen's Accident Compensa- 
 tion Act. 
 
 EMPLOYMENTS COVERED. 
 
 Section 2. — That the provisions of this Act shall apply to laborers injured, 
 disabled or killed by accidents occurring while engaged in their work. Farm 
 laborers not employed to work with machinery operated by steam, gas, electricity, 
 animal or other mechanical power, domestic servants and employees engaged in 
 clerical work, in offices and commercial establishments where machinery is not 
 used, are excepted; Provided, however, That farm laborers employed in agri- 
 cultural work where animal power is used shall be entitled to the benefits of 
 this Act. 
 
 This Act shall not apply to any employer who regularly employs less than 
 three laborers, or to any laborer whose wages exceed the sum of twelve hundred 
 (1,200) dollars annually; Provided, That pursuant to the provisions of this Act, 
 compensation shall be paid to laborers injured, disabled or killed by accidents 
 caused by the employment and occurring while engaged in any public works 
 that may be performed by administration. 
 
 The Workmen's Eelief Commission is hereby authorized and directed to 
 ^pay such compensation pursuant to the terms of this Act, drawing from the 
 Trust Fund belonging to the Government such sum or sums as may be neces- 
 sary for the payment of said compensation. The sums so paid need not be re- 
 imbursed to The People of Porto Eico out of the fund created by this Act. 
 
 RIGHTS OF LABORERS. 
 
 Section 3. — That any laborer who may be injured within the provisions of 
 Jhis Act shall be entitled to — 
 
 3. Medical attendance, medicines and sustenance as may be prescribed, in- 
 cluding hospital service when necessary. 
 
 2. If the injury be of a temporary nature, to compensation equal to one- 
 half of the wages received by him the day of the accident, which compensation 
 shall run during such time as it may take to effect a cure. The period of such 
 payments shall in no case exceed one hundred and four weeks; Provided, That 
 in no case shall there be paid more than seven (7) nor less than three (3) dol- 
 lars per week. 
 
 8. If the laborer is partially disabled for permanent work he shall receive 
 a compensation of thirteen hundred (1,300) dollars 1 as minimum and twenty- 
 five hundred (2,500) dollars as maximum. Compensation shall be graded in 
 proportion to the rate of wages that the laborer was earning. 
 
 *The Spanish text reads: "trescientos (800) d6lares" (three hundred [300] dollars). 
 
STEIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 51 
 
 Any permanent injury which does not constitute permanent total disability, 
 such as the loss of an eye, a hand, a foot, or any other injury of a permanent 
 nature which does not wholly disable a laborer for any work in a remunerative 
 occupation, shall be considered as partial permanent disability. 
 
 4. If the laborer is totally disabled for work, he shall receive a compen- 
 sation of two thousand (2,000) dollars as minimum and four thousand (4,000) 
 dollars as maximum. The compensation shall be graded in proportion to the 
 rate of wages that the laborer was earning. 
 
 The preceding compensations shall be fixed between the maximum and mini- 
 mum in view of the earning capacity of the injured laborer and his probabili- 
 ties of life. 
 
 The total and permanent loss of sight of both eyes; the loss of both feet 
 at or above the ankle; the loss of both hands at or above the wrist; the loss 
 of one hand and one foot, and such injuries as may result in the permanent dis- 
 ability of the laborer for any work in a remunerative occupation shall be con- 
 sidered total disability. 
 
 5. If £he laborer loses his life as a result of the injuries sustained, death 
 occurring within one year from the time of the accident, as a consequence of 
 such accident, the widower or widow and legitimate children and grandchildren, 
 and, in the proper case, the illegitimate children and grandchildren, be they nat- 
 ural or not, of the deceased laborer all of whom were dependent exclusively on 
 his earnings for their support, and, in default thereof, the parents of the de- 
 ceased laborer who were dependent exclusively on his or her earnings for their 
 support, and if there be no such parents, the nearest relative who was also ex- 
 clusively dependent on the earnings of the decedent, shall receive a compensa- 
 tion of three to four thousand dollars as a maximum, which shall be graded ac- 
 cording to the earning capacity of the laborer and of the number of persons en- 
 titled to compensation; Provided, however, That compensation where more than 
 two persons are equally entitled thereto, as hereinbefore provided, shall be ap- 
 portioned in the proper proportion, in accordance with the Civil Code; Provided, 
 further, That an illegitimate child of a deceased laborer which child is not a 
 natural child, shall have a share in the compensation equal to one-half of that 
 accruing to an acknowledged natural child. 
 
 The laborer may, under will and testament, determine the apportionment 
 to be made of the compensation so as not to be in conflict with this Act or with 
 the Civil Code. 
 
 In cases coming under paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, where a sum of money is to 
 be paid to the laborer or to his heirs as compensation, pursuant to this Act, the 
 Workmen's Relief Commission hereinafter created shall exercise its good offices 
 by reasonable suggestions so that the sum received shall be invested in a man- 
 ner advantageous to the welfare of the laborer and his relatives, in such form 
 as to produce the best possible means of subsistence; Provided, That no allow- 
 ance for medicine and food shall be made after the date of the granting of such 
 compensation and sums advanced therefor shall be deducted from the said com- 
 pensation; Provided further, That if the laborer or his heirs, pursuant to this 
 Act, are minors or incapacitated persons, or if, in the judgment of the said com- 
 mission, there is a reasonable risk that such cash compensation may be squan- 
 dered, the said commission shall deliver the amount of such compensation to 
 
52 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 the district court of the district where the beneficiary resides, for custody and 
 investment in accordance with the provisions of the law regulating the applica- 
 tion of amounts derived from the sale of the property of minors. 
 
 EXCEPTED CASES OF ACCIDENTS. 
 
 Section 4. — Accidents occurring under the following circumstances are not 
 labor accidents and, therefore, shall not entitle the laborer or his heirs under 
 this Act, to compensation : 
 
 1. When the laborer attempts to commit a crime, or to injure his employer 
 or any other person, or when he voluntarily causes himself injury. 
 
 2. When the laborer is intoxicated, provided such intoxication is the cause 
 of the accident. 
 
 3. When the injury is caused to the laborer by the criminal act of a third 
 person. 
 
 4. When gross negligence of the laborer is the sole cause of the injury. 
 
 MEDICAL EXAMINATION. 
 
 Section 5. — During the period of disability the injured workman shall sub- 
 mit himself for examination, at reasonable times and places, by a competent 
 physician or surgeon, designated by the commission hereinafter created. The 
 commission is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with insular, municipal 
 and private physicians and with hospitals and practicantes when deemed advis- 
 able by it. 
 
 The workman and the employer shall also be entitled to designate and pay 
 a physician and surgeon to witness such examination, but this right is established 
 without prejudice to the right of the physician designated as aforesaid to visit 
 the injured workman at all reasonable times and under all reasonable circum- 
 stances during his disability. 
 
 The refusal or objection of a workman, without just cause, to submit him- 
 self to sueh medical examination or professional treatment shall deprive him of 
 his right to receive compensation, under this Act or to institute or prosecute pro- 
 ceedings under this Act for the recovery of such compensation. 
 
 WORKMEN'S RELIEF COMMISSION. 
 
 Section 6. — That a commission to be known as ' ' The Workmen 's Relief Com- 
 mission ' ' is hereby created, which shall consist of five members, as follows : 
 
 The Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor, who shall be chairman of the 
 commission ; 
 
 The Treasurer of Porto Rico; 
 
 And three other commissioners who shall be appointed by the Governor of 
 Porto Rico, with the approval of the Senate, and one of whom, at least, shall 
 be a person affiliated with one of the bona fide labor organizations, another of 
 whom shall be a physician and the other an engineer, until the next general elec- 
 tions are held. At the next general elections and in each subsequent election 
 there shall be elected three commissioners of the Workmen's Relief Commission 
 and a candidate shall be nominated by each of the three political parties casting 
 the highest number of votes at the previous elections. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 53 
 
 Such commissioners as may not be employees of the Insular Governemnt 
 shall receive a per diem of seven (7) dollars each for attending each regular 
 or special meeting of the commission, payable out of the Workmen 'a Relief Trust 
 Fund; and, further, mileage from their places of residence to the place of meet- 
 ing and return, at the date of ten (10) cents per mile. In no case shall the amount 
 for per diem for each commissioner exceed the sum of four hundred (400) dol- 
 lars per annum. The said commission shall elect a secretary prior to the first 
 day of June. The said commission shall have power to adopt such rules and 
 regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act not in- 
 consistent therewith, which said rules and regulations shall have the force of 
 law. Violation of any rule or regulation issued by the commission created by 
 this Act shall be deemed a misdemeanor punishable by fine of not to exceed fifty 
 (50) dollars for each violation. 
 
 REPORT OF ACCIDENTS BY EMPLOYERS. 
 
 Section 7. — Every employer subject to the provisions of this Act, or the 
 person representing him in business, shall report to the Workmen's Relief Com- 
 mission as soon as possible, within a period of five days from the date of the 
 accident, all injuries suffered by his employees in the course of their employ- 
 ment. Such reports shall be upon printed blanks furnished upon request by the 
 commission, and shall contain the name and nature of the business of the em- 
 ployer, the location of the establishment or place of business, the name, age, 
 sex and occupation of each injured employee, and shall state the date and hour 
 of the accident, the nature and cause of the injuries sustained and such other 
 information as may be required by the Workmen's Relief Commission. 
 
 The report made by the employer under the provisions of this section shall 
 not be evidence against the employer in any proceeding under this or any other 
 Act. 
 
 The refusal or neglect of any employer to make the report required by this 
 section shall be punished by a fine of not less than 'twenty-five (25) nor more 
 than (50) dollars for each offense. 
 
 The Department of Agriculture and Labor, within forty-eight hours after 
 receipt of notice from the commission of the occurrence of an accident to any 
 workman subject to the provisions of this Act, shall make a thorough investiga- 
 tion of the said accident, the cause or causes thereof, the character, nature and 
 extent of the injuries sustained, and shall file a full report of the said facts with 
 the Workmen's Relief Commission, including in the said report such other facts 
 and circumstances as in the opinion of the Workmen 's Relief Commission shall 
 enable it to pass judgment on the claim for the relief of the injured workman 
 when the said claim shall be presented to the commission as herein provided. 
 
 The Workmen 's Relief Commission shall have the power to make such fur- 
 ther investigation as it may deem necessary for the purposes of this Act. 
 
 The Workmen's Relief Commission, or some trustwo rthy person designated 
 by said commission, is hereby expressly authorized to subpo?na witnesses, under 
 notice of punishment fo rcontempt, to take oaths and declarations, to examine 
 books and documentary evidence material to the case under investigation, and 
 to visit and inspect the buildings, machinery and other property where any acci- 
 dent to a workman may have occurred. 
 
54 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION. 
 
 Section 8. — That from and after the approval of this Act, any workman sub- 
 ject to this Act who has sustained injuries while engaged in his work and in case 
 of the death of such workman as the result of said injuries, his legal heirs, as 
 described in paragraph 5, section 3, of this Act, dependent exclusively upon his 
 wages for support, may present to the Workmen's Relief Commission, within 
 ninety days counted from the date of the injuries or from the date of the death 
 of the workman, as the case may be, an application in writing for the compen- 
 sation provided for in this Act; Provided, That when the ninety days allowed 
 for filing the application shall have elapsed such application not having been 
 made, it shall be the duty of the Workmen's Relief Commission to investigate 
 the reason why the person concerned did not make such application and when 
 the commission deems that said application was not made because of ignorance 
 of the party concerned or because of some other reason not under the control of 
 such party concerned, said party shall be granted thirty days more; And pro- 
 vided, further, That no application shall be denied on account of prescription 
 unless it is clearly shown that said party concerned was notified of his right. 
 
 Such application shall state the date, place, nature and cause of the injury 
 or death, the name and address of the employer and the name and address of 
 the injured workman. 
 
 Within the period of fifteen days after the receipt of the report of the De- 
 partment of Agriculture and Labor, provided for in the foregoing section, the 
 Workmen's Relief Commission shall consider the petition for compensation and 
 shall render a decision either denying or awarding the compensation applied for; 
 and in case the commission is of the opinion that the petitioner is entitled to com- 
 pensation the decision of the commission shall specify the amount to be paid, 
 and the time and manner in which payment shall be made. 
 
 A certified copy of the decision of the Workmen's Relief Commission, deny- 
 ing or granting compensation under the provisions of this Act, shall be served 
 upon the applicant for compensation and upon the employer for whom the injured 
 workman was working at the time of the accident, within ten days after the ren- 
 dering of such decision. 
 
 A certified copy of the decision of the commission, signed by the president 
 and secretary thereof, and sealed with such seal as the commission may adopt, 
 shall be sufficient authority for the Auditor of Porto Rico, in accordance with 
 this Act, to issue a warrant to be paid by the Treasurer of Porto Rico out of the 
 Workmen's Relief Trust Fund. 
 
 No claim for the compensation provided for in this Act shall be considered 
 by the Workmen's Relief Commission unless the commission has received a writ- 
 ten application on behalf of the person or persons entitled to compensation, within 
 ninety days from the date of the accident. 
 
 APPEALS. 
 
 Section 9. — Appeals from the decision of the Workmen's Relief Commission 
 to the district court of the district where the accident occurred shall be allowed 
 to the claimant only when the commission shall have decided that no accident has 
 occurred for which compensation is provided in this Act. 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 55 
 
 Appeals from the decision of the Workmen's Relief Commission shall like- 
 wise be allowed to any employer who has been assessed for premiums under the 
 provisions of this Act only when the decisions of the Workmen's Relief Commis- 
 sion are to the effect that the accidents are such for which compensation should 
 be allowed under the provisions of this Act. 
 
 Such appeal must be taken by filing with the secretary of the district court 
 a written petition setting forth the facts upon which the appeal is based and serv- 
 ing a copy thereof upon the Workmen's Relief Commission within thirty days 
 after receipt of notice of the decision of the Workmen's Relief Commission. 
 
 After the appeal is perfected the district court shall proceed with the case 
 in the same manner as provided by law for an appeal from a judgment of a mu- 
 nicip; 1 court in civil cases. The decision of the district court shall be final on 
 questions of fact. 
 
 GROUPING OF OCCUPATIONS. 
 
 Section 10. — Before June 1, 1918, and before June 1 of each following year, 
 the Workmen's Relief Commission shall classify and group the occupations of 
 workmen to whom this Act applies in accordance with the probable risk or lia- 
 bility of injury under existing conditions and shall fix rates of insurance to be 
 paid by the employers of workmen in these groups. All such rates or premiums 
 shall be levied on the estimated payroll of the employer of such workmen for 
 the fiscal year covered by the insurance, on a basis that shall be fair, equitable 
 and just as among such employers. Where the Workmen's Relief Commission is 
 of the opinion that the payroll for the fiscal year prior to the year for which 
 insurance is to be collected constitutes a fair basis upon which to estimate the 
 payroll for the fiscal year during which the insurance is to be effective, the said 
 payroll for the fiscal year during which the insurance is to be effective shall be 
 estimated thereby; Provided, That when, in the opinion of the Workmen's Re- 
 lief Commission, such payroll cannot be taken as a fair basis upon which to esti- 
 mate the payroll for the year during which the insurance is to be effective, the 
 Workmen's Relief Commission may require a deposit in advance as hereinafter 
 provided. There shall not be more than five groups with rates not exceeding 
 those here stated. 
 
 Group No. 1. — Not over 4 per cent of the total annual payroll of the em- 
 ployers employing workmen entitled to compensation in accordance with this 
 Act in such group. 
 
 Group No. 2. — Not over 3 per cent of the total annual payroll of the em- 
 ployers employing workmen entitled to compensation in accordance with this 
 Act in such group. 
 
 Group No. 3. — Not over 2 per cent of the total annual payroll of the em- 
 ployers employing workmen entitled to compensation in accordance with this 
 Act in such group. 
 
 Group No. 4. — Not over 1 per cent of the total annual payroll of the em- 
 ployers employing workmen entitled to compensation in accordance with this 
 Act in such group. 
 
 Group No. 5. — Not over one-half of 1 per cent of the total annual payroll 
 of the employers employing workmen entitled to compensation in accordance with 
 this Act in such group. 
 
50 BUEEAU OF 1.ABOE. 
 
 The Workmen's Eelief Commission may establish as many sub-groups as it 
 may deem necessary and may fix different rates for any group or sub-groups of 
 any group, provided such rates are within the limits previously prescribed herein 
 for said group; Provided, That all public carriers operating railroads shall be 
 included in this Act while carrying on their business or traffic in Porto Eico. 
 
 EXCEPTIONAL CASES. 
 
 In exceptional cases where the laborer's occupation is extraordinarily dan- 
 gerous in the opinion of the commission, the commission may raise the rate of 
 insurance to a maximum of 10 per cent. 
 
 If after this Act has gone into effect it is shown by experience that because 
 of poor or careless management, or because of lack of safety appliances, any 
 establishment or work is extraordinarily dangerous in comparison with other like 
 establishments or occupations, the Workmen's Eelief Commission may at any 
 time advance its classification of risk and premium rate in proportion to the 
 extraordinary hazard. 
 
 ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PREMIUMS. 
 
 Section 11. — The Treasurer of Porto Eico is hereby empowered, authorized 
 and directed to levy, assess and collect semiannually and in advance from every 
 employer of workmen subject to this Act, such annual premiums as the Work- 
 men's Eelief Commission shall determine in accordance with the preceding sec- 
 tion, on the total amount of wages paid by said employer to workmen who were 
 or would have been entitled to the benefits of this Act during the year prior to 
 the levying of the premiums, if the same had been in force. 
 
 Said premiums, and those determined in Section 12 of this Act, having been 
 collected, shall be deposited by the Treasurer of Porto Eico in the trust fund 
 for compensation to workmen hereby created. The assessment shall be made 
 prior to August 30th in each fiscal year beginning on the preceding July 1, tak- 
 ing as a basis therefor the total amount paid for wages of workmen employed 
 by each employer during the previous year who were or would have been enti- 
 tled to the benefits of this Act if the same had been in force. 
 
 Should the employer fail to pay the semiannual premiums legally levied 
 upon him, on or before September 15 and on or before February 15, the Treas- 
 urer of Porto Eico may order the attachment of property of said employer and 
 shall proceed to collect such premium together with such charges thereon in 
 accordance with the law and procedure which is at present or which may here- 
 after be in force for the collection of unpaid property taxes. Surcharges shalk 
 be collected for every month or fraction thereof during which said premium shall 
 remain unpaid after September 15 and February 15, at the rate of one per cent 
 a month. 
 
 Any employer who prior to the first of July or to the first of January of 
 any year ceases to be subject to the provisions of this Act may excuse himself 
 from payment of premiums for the following semester or semesters by giving 
 such notification and producing such evidence that he will not be subject to this 
 Act, as the Workmen 's Eelief Commission may require. Any employer subject 
 to this Act during any part of a semester, shall pay the premiums for the whole 
 semester, but he shall be entitled to such reimbursement, if any, as provided in 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 57 
 
 the following section; Provided, That in such cases reimbursement may be Bade 
 at the expiration of the semester for which said premiums were paid. 
 
 Section 12. — At the end of each fiscal year the Treasurer shall compare the 
 actual payroll of each employer paying premiums in accordance with this Act 
 for such fiscal year, with the payroll of the preceding fiscal year on the basis 
 of which premiums were levied, assessed and collected by him, and if the pay- 
 roll for the year during which the insurance was effective is greater than that 
 of the previous fiscal year for which premiums were levied, assessed and collected, 
 the Treasurer shall levy, assess and collect upon the difference, additional pre- 
 miums in the same manner and on the same basis as the original premiums were 
 levied, assessed and collected; and if the payroll for the year during which in- 
 surance was effective is less than that of the previous fiscal year for which pre- 
 miums were levied, assessed and collected, the Treasurer shall refund from the 
 Workmen's Relief Trust Fund the proportion of the premiums corresponding to 
 the difference between the actual payroll for the year during which insurance 
 was effective and the year for w r hich they were levied, assessed and collected ; Pro- 
 vided, That in any case where the Workmen's Relief Commission believes that 
 the payroll for the present fiscal year is not a fair basis upon which to estimate 
 the payroll for the succeeding year, it may require in advance a deposit to cover 
 the premiums during the year for which insurance is to be effective, and the bal- 
 ance of the said deposit, if any, shall be refunded at the end of the year after 
 deducting the premium due on the basis of the actual payroll for the year dur- 
 ing which such insurance was effective, and if the deposit is found at any time 
 to be. insufficient, the Workmen's Relief Commission is authorized to require a 
 further deposit to meet such deficiency. The deposit required by the Workmen's 
 Relief Commission shall be levied, assessed and collected in the same manner 
 hereinbefore provided for the levy, assessment and collection of premiums. 
 
 DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS. 
 
 Section 13. — It shall be the duty of every employer of workmen, entitled to 
 the benefits of this Act, to file with the Workmen 's Relief Commission, on or 
 before the fifteenth day of July in each year, a duplicate statement under oath 
 showing the number of workmen employed by the said employer and who were 
 or would have been entitled to the benefits of this Act if the same had been in 
 force, and also the total amount of wages paid to said workmen during the pre- 
 vious fiscal year, and such other information in regard to the wages of the said 
 Avorkmen as may be required to be furnished by the commission. 
 
 The failure to file such statement on or before the date above specified shall 
 constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than fifty (50) nor 
 more than five hundred (500) dollars, in the discretion of the court. Blanks for 
 such statements shall be furnished upon request by the Workmen's Relief Corn- 
 mission. 
 
 It shall be the duty of every employer of laborers entitled to the benefits 
 of this Act to keep a complete register, in accordance with such regulations as 
 may be prescribed by the Workmen 's Relief Commission, showing the name of 
 every such laborer, the age and sex of such laborer, the nature of the work per 
 formed by and the wages paid to every one of the said laborer-. 
 
 The Workmen 's Relief Commission may order an inspection to be made of 
 
58 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 all the payrolls and other books or records of such employers relating to the pay- 
 ment of wages, by any representative duly authorized by it; and it shall be the 
 duty of such employer to permit such an inspection. 
 
 Any employer who knowingly falsifies the information required by this sec- 
 tion shall be subject to the same penalty herein provided for a failure to file 
 the statement required by this section and shall also be liable to the Workmen's 
 Belief Commission for three times the difference between the premium paid and 
 the amount that should have been paid, which sum shall be collected in the same 
 manner as provided for the collection of the regular premiums under this Act. 
 
 EMPLOYEES NOT TO PAY FOR INSURANCE. 
 
 Section 14. — No agreement by an employee to pay any portion of the pre- 
 mium paid by his employer to the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund shall be valid; 
 and any employer who makes a reduction for such purpose from the wages or 
 salaries of any employee entitled to the benefits of this Act shall be guilty of 
 a misdemeanor. 
 
 EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 Section 15. — If in the opinion of the Workmen's Relief Commission addi- 
 tional employees are absolutely necessary for the work of the Department of 
 Agriculture and Labor, the Treasury Department, the Department of Health or 
 of the Commission, in connection with this Act, such additional employees may 
 be employed and their compensation fixed by the Workmen 's Relief Commission 
 with the approval of the Governor. The expenses of the commission as well as 
 any traveling expenses incurred in connection with the carrying out of this Act, 
 shall be charged to the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund. 
 
 INVESTMENT OF SURPLUS OR RESERVE. 
 
 Section 16. — The Workmen's Relief Commission may invest any of the sur- 
 plus or reserve funds belonging to the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund in bonds 
 of the United States or of Porto Rico or bonds for which the credit of The Peo- 
 ple of Porto Rico has been pledged. All such securities or evidences of indebt- 
 edness shall be placed in the hands of the Treasurer of Porto Rico, who shall 
 be the custodian thereof. He shall collect the principal or interest thereof when 
 due and pay the same into the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund. The Treasurer 
 shall pay all warrants or vouchers drawn on the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund 
 for the making of such investments when signed by the president and secretary 
 of the Workmen's Relief Commission, approved by the Auditor of Porto Rico 
 and countersigned by the Governor. The Workmen's Relief Commission, with 
 the consent of the Governor of Porto Rico, may sell any such securities, the pro- 
 ceeds thereof to be paid over to the Treasurer, who shall pay the same into the 
 Workmen's Relief Trust Fund. 
 
 ACCOUNTS. 
 
 Section 17. — The Workmen's Relief Commission shall report all matters re- 
 lating to the receipts, disbursements, accounts and financial matters to the Treas- 
 urer of Porto Rico who shall keep an accurate account of the money paid in pre- 
 miums by each of the several groups of employments, and the expenses of ad- 
 ministering the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund and the disbursements on account 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. 59 
 
 of injuries and deaths of employees in each of said groups, including the cre- 
 ation of reserves to meet anticipated and unexpected losses and to carry the 
 claims to maturity; and also an account of the amounts received from each 
 individual employer; and of the amount disbursed from the Workmen's Re- 
 lief Trust Fund for expenses, and a statement of injuries and deaths of the 
 employees of such employer, including the reserves so created, and all other nec- 
 essary accounts of the Workmen's Relief Commission; Provided, That all such 
 accounts shall be subject to examination and inspection by the Auditor of Porto 
 Rico. 
 
 DISCLOSURES PROHIBITED. 
 
 Section 18. — Any information acquired in accordance with section 13 of this 
 Act by the Workmen's Relief Commission or by any officer or employee intrusted 
 with the performance of any duty under this Act shall be deemed to be confiden- 
 tial information, and any officer or employee who shall disclose the said infor- 
 mation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 
 ASSIGNMENT OF INSURANCE. 
 
 Section 19. — If any employer, whether an individual, firm, partnership, asso- 
 ciation or corporation, insured under the provisions of this Act, transfers his busi- 
 ness during the period for which said employer is insured, to any other employer, 
 whether an individual, firm, partnership, association or corporation, the Work- 
 men's Relief Commission may, on written notice and with the consent of both 
 parties, (the employer originally insured and the employer to whom the busi- 
 ness is transferred) assign to his successors all the rights, credits and obligations 
 of the employer originally insured, and in such cases shall substitute the name 
 of the assignee for the name of the employer originally insured in all accounts, 
 records and other matters pertaining to the former, for the balance of the pe- 
 riod for which the first employer was insured, notwithstanding the provisions of 
 section 23 of this Act. 
 
 DEFENSES ABOLISHED. 
 
 Section 20. — If any accident occurs to any workman employed by an em- 
 ployer subject to the provisions of this Act, who has failed to comply with said 
 provisions relative to the submission of reports and the payment of premiums, 
 the Workmen's Relief Commission is hereby authorized to charge said employer 
 with the amount of such compensation as the commission may authorize to be 
 paid to the injured workmen and the Treasurer of Porto Rico shall levy and 
 collect said amount in the same manner prescribed for the collection of premi- 
 ums. When a laborer or his heirs, in accordance with this Act, and in the case 
 specified in section 20, 1 and the Workmen's Relief Commission in the cases speci- 
 fied in Section 21, 2 institute an action to recover damages from any employer, 
 it shall not be a defense in favor of the employer — 
 
 (a) That the employee was guilty of contributory negligence; 
 
 (b) That the injury was caused by the negligence of a fellow-employee; 
 
 (c) That the employee had assumed the risk of injury; 
 
 1 Spanish text reads: "21." 
 
 2 Spanish text reads: "22." 
 
60 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 (d) That the injury was caused by the negligence of a sub-contractor or 
 of an independent contractor, unless the contractor or independent sub-contractor 
 shall have been insured in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
 
 No contract between employer and employee purporting to permit any of 
 said defenses shall be valid. 
 
 INJURIES BY WILFUL ACT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF EMPLOYER. 
 
 Section 21. — Nothing in this Act contained shall be interpreted as depriv- 
 ing the injured workman, or his heirs, in accordance with this Act, in case of 
 death, of waiving the provisions of this Act at any time prior to receiving com- 
 pensation under this Act and to claim and recover damages from his employer, 
 in accordance with the provisions of the law before this Act takes effect, when 
 the injuries sustained by the said workman were caused by the illegal act or 
 gross negligence of his employer; Provided, That only in case of waiver shall 
 the workman comprised in this Act, or their heirs in accordance with the same, 
 have the right to institute an action for damages against the employer. 
 
 LIABILITY OF THIRD PERSONS. 
 
 Section 22. — When the injury for which workmen are entitled to compensa- 
 tion under this Act shall have been sustained under circumstances creating a lia- 
 bility against some other person or against the employer where the injury was 
 caused by his illegal act or gross negligence or by defects in the machinery or 
 implements and when the workman or his heirs receive compensation under this 
 Act, the Workmen's Relief Commission shall be subrogated to the rights of the 
 injured workman or his heirs and may prosecute an action and recover damages 
 from such third person or such employer liable for such injury, which damages 
 when recovered shall be covered into the Workmen 's Relief Trust Fund for the 
 benefit of the particular group in which the injured workman's occupation was 
 classified. 
 
 ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS. 
 
 Section 23. — Rights and actions accruing under this Act shall not be assign- 
 able to other persons nor shall they be subject to attachment or to the claims 
 of other persons. 
 
 FINES COLLECTED. 
 
 Section 24. — All fines collected for violation of any of the provisions of this 
 Act shall be deposited in the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund. 
 
 CONTRACTS BETWEEN LABORERS AND ATTORNEYS. 
 
 Section 25. — Any contract, agreement or stipulation between the injured work- 
 man or his heirs in accordance with this Act, and an attorney, for the payment 
 to the said attorney of a fee contingent upon the result of the trial, shall be void 
 and have no legal force or effect unless it be in writing and approved by the 
 judge of the court where the suit is instituted. 
 
 Any stipulation, contract or agreement for the payment to the attorney prose- 
 cuting the claim for damages against the employer, of an amount in excess of 
 twenty-five (25) per centum of the amount recovered at the trial, shall be ille- 
 
STRIKES DURING FISCAL YEAR 1917-18. »;i 
 
 gal and void, and the making of such contract or stipulation, or the actual re- 
 ceipt by the said attorney of an amount in excess of twenty-five (25) per cen- 
 tum of the amount recovered at the trial shall be illegal and void, and shall con- 
 stitute misconduct on the part of the said attorney, punishable by suspension 
 or disbarment after proper proceedings have been instituted against the offender 
 in accordance with the existing laws. 
 
 LIABILITY OF CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTCRS. 
 
 Section 26. — In reporting their annual payrolls all employers shall include all 
 workmen who are working either on piece work or under any independent con- 
 tractor or sub-contractor employed or contracted by such employer, and all pre- 
 miums shall be based upon the current payroll of the employer so computed; 
 Provided, That this section shall not apply to employers for whom work is done 
 by an independent contractor, and if the latter is insured in accordance with 
 the provisions of this Act. 
 
 CREATION OF A TRUST FUND. 
 
 Section 27. — That the amounts existing in the Workmen 's Relief Trust Fund 
 created by Section 1 of an act entitled "An Act providing for the relief of such 
 workmen as may -be injured, of the dependent families of those who may lose 
 their lives while engaged in trades or occupations, and for other purposes, ' ' ap- 
 ' proved April 13, 1916, are hereby reappropriated to carry out the provisions of 
 this Act and shall constitute the Workmen's Relief Trust Fund hereby created 
 together with such other sums as are hereinafter specified. The aforesaid sum 
 advanced as hereinbefore stated, shall be reimbursed to the Treasury of Porto 
 Rico, wholly or in part, provided that in the judgment of the Commission the 
 "Workmen's Relief Trust Fund" is sufficient to cover safely such payments 
 as shall be made in accordance herewith within the year following the date of 
 such reimbursement after having deducted the amount of the same. 
 
 Section 28. — That all employers accepting the benefits of this Act and em- 
 ploying laborers under the conditions specified in this Act shall contribute to 
 the "Workmen's Relief Trust Fund" in the form and manner provided herein. 
 
 Section 29. — If at the end of any fiscal year said trust fund shall have a 
 considerable surplus after having paid all its obligations and liabilities, and at'tei 
 the commission has set aside such amount as it may deem advisable as a resen* 
 fund, the Workmen's Relief Commission shall reduce the rates of contribution 
 for part or all of the groups into which risks are divided. 
 
 DEFINITIONS. 
 
 Section 30. — The words "laborer" or "employee," wherever used in thus 
 Act, shall be construed to include any person employed by any employer, wb«» 
 is entitled to the benefits of this Act, whether such person is man, woman <i 
 child. 
 
 Section 31. — That no member of the Workmen's Relief Commission nor any 
 officer, employee, or agent thereof, nor any person in the service of the same, 
 shall represent another person, nor shall he have any interest in any transaction, 
 claim or matter in the jurisdiction of the said commission. Violations of this 
 section shall be punished by removal and permanent disability to serve on said 
 
62 BUREAU OF LABOR. 
 
 commission or under its jurisdiction, it being understood that this prohibition 
 shall not include acts that are purely official realized by virtue of office or em- 
 ployment. 
 
 Section 32. — That all laws or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Section 33. — That this Act shall be applicable to accidents occurring subse- 
 quent to June 30, 1918. 
 
 Section 34. — That this Act shall take effect ninety days after its approval. 
 
 Approved, February fS5, 1918. 
 
\ 
 
 14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 | DOCUMENTS DEPT. 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 i'v; 
 
 
 AUG . 5 1271 
 
 
 SENT ON ILL 
 
 
 SEP 2 9 1995 
 
 
 U. C. BERKELEY 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^OlVollo'Aie 1 Uni^^fgdiSrni. 
 
 I 
 
s 9929< 
 
 /V4 
 
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