,*APT] #a 
,I ,GO TO ,PU]TO ,RICO 

#aideaide 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ROSE ,PESOTTA 

,TEXT 3 

,ROSE ,PESOTTA 

,BREAD UPON ! ,WAT]S  

,*,A,P,T,] #a  

,I ,GO TO ,PU]TO ,RICO 

,B,A,C,K ,9 ,N,E,W ,Y,O,R,K 
AFT] ! ,*ICAGO CONV5TION1 ,I EXPLA9$ TO ,PRESID5T ,DUB9SKY ?AT ,I 
HAD DONE EV]Y?+ 9 ,LOS ,ANGELES ?AT ,I HAD PROMIS$1 & N[ 9T5D$ 
TO GO BACK TO WORK 9 A DRESSMAK+ %OP4 

0,ANY?+ TO PREV5T IT80 

0,NO10 HE SAID1 0,I WI% SOME ( \R O!R VISE-PRESID5TS 
W\LD DO ?AT4 ,IT W\LD BE GOOD = !M4 ,BUT ,I ?9K Y\'D BE WA/+ 
Y\R TIME4 ,I CAN GIVE Y\ SOME?+ BETT] TO DO40 

0,:AT 80 

0,Y\ HE>D ,WILLIAM ,LOPEZ'S SPEE* AB\T ,PU]TO ,RICO80 

0,YES40 

0,W\LD Y\ LIKE TO GO !RE80 

,W\LD ,I8 4 4 4 ,= ME ! ,LOPEZ SPEE* HAD BE5 ONE ( ! HI< LI<TS 
( ! CONV5TION4 ,H]E WAS A *ANCE = VITAL MISSION>Y WORK4 

0,LOPEZ IS 9 T[N10 ,D4,D4 SAID :5 ,I AGRE$4 0,SEE HIM 
& HE'LL GIVE Y\ A L9E ON :AT NE$S TO BE DONE40 

,NEXT DAY ,I LUN*$ ) ,LOPEZ & ,JACOB ,POT(SKY ( ! ,AMALGAMAT$ 
,CLO?+ ,WORK]S1 :O HAD VISIT$ ,PU]TO ,RICO 9 ! SPR+ = ! ,N,R,A 
& HELP$ FRAME A ,NE$LE ,TRADES ,CODE :I* N[ AWAIT$ ,PRESID5T ,ROOSEVELT'S 
SIGNATURE4 ,BO? W]E PLEAS$ AT ! PROSPECT ( ACTION 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO BY 
! ,9T]NATIONAL4 

,IT WAS PLEASANT TO CONTEMPLATE GO+ TO ?IS TROPICAL M\NTA9 P>ADISE 
:I* ,*RI/OPH] ,COLUMBUS HAD DISCOV]$ 9 #adic & :I* ,PONCE DE ,LEON1 
SEEK] ( ! ,F\NTA9 ( ,ET]NAL ,Y\?1 HAD COLONIZ$4 ,?IS WAS ! ONLY 
L& N[ UND] ! ,/>S & ,/RIPES ON :I* ,COLUMBUS HAD ACTUALLY SET 
FOOT4 

,?REE & A HALF DAYS FROM ,NEW ,YORK BY /EAM%IP1 & #a1#d MILES S\!A/1 
,PU]TO ,RICO LAY #d MILES EA/ ( ,CUBA1 ) ! ,ATLANTIC ,OCEAN ON ! 
NOR?1 ! ,C>IBBEAN ,SEA ON ! S\?4 ,A HUNDR$ MILES LONG1 ONE ?IRD 
AS WIDE1 & ?US AB\T ! SIZE ( ,M>YL&1 IT HAD A POPULATION ( AB\T 
#a1#e11 M\NTA9S AS HI< AS #d1 FEET1 PRODUC$ SUG> CANE & TOBACCO1 
GREW LUSCI\S FRUIT1 & RAIS$ 0! F9E/ C(FEE 9 ! WORLD40 

,A FE/IVE BON VOYAGE D9N] WAS GIV5 ME BY ! WOM5 MEMB]S ( \R 
UNION4 ,>RANG$ BY ,FANNIA ,M4 ,COHN1 EXECUTIVE SECRET>Y ( ! $UCATIONAL 
DEP>TM5T1 !RE W]E FL[]S1 PLEASANT SPEE*ES1 GOOD WI%ES4 

,TIME SP$ BY4 ,REM9D$ AB\T M$ICAL PRECAUTIONS BE=E 5T]+ A TROPICAL 
C\NTRY1 ,I CONSULT$ ,DR4 ,GEORGE ,M4 ,PRICE1 DIRECTOR ( \R ,UNION ,HEAL? 
,C5T]1 :O HAS S9CE DI$4 ,I NE$$ TO BE IMMUNIZ$ AGA9/ MAL>IA1 TYPHOID1 
& SEV]AL O!R DISEASES4 ,?IS W\LD REQUIRE SEV]AL WEEKS4 

0,!N ,I'LL HAVE TO =GET IT4 ,I'VE GOT TO LEAVE 9 TWO DAYS40 

,DR4 ,PRICE SAID ,I WAS TAK+ A BIG *ANCE4 ,HE GAVE ME SOME ADVICE1 W>N+ 
ME ESPECIALLY AGA9/ DR9K+ UNBOIL$ WAT]4 

,! ,S4 ,S4 ,BOR9QU5 WAS SAIL+ ON ,?URSDAY1 ,JULY #a#b1 & ,LOPEZ & 
,I HAD BOOK$ PASSAGE ON H]4 ,I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO >RIVE 9 ,SAN ,JUAN 
) HIM4 ,HIS REPORT ON ! CONV5TION & MY PRES5CE W\LD BE EVID5CE 
?AT \R UNION MEANT BUS9ESS 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO4 

,MY MO!R & SEV]AL FRI5DS SAW ME (F4 ,FL[]S & FRUIT HAD BE5 
S5T FROM ! ,I,L,G,W,U (FICE4 ,ONCE MORE ,I WAS DEP>T+ = A /RANGE L&1 
& AGA9 MY ?\<TS TOOK ME BACK TO MY LA/ DAY 9 ,RUSSIA BE=E COM+ 
TO ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES4 ,! DI/ANCE SEEM$ SO GREAT ?AT IT WAS LIKE LOOK+ 
AT SOME LOV$ SC5E ?R\< ! WRONG 5D ( A TELESCOPE4 

,! %IP LEFT H] ,EA/ ,RIV] PI] LATE 9 ! AFT]NOON4 ,I /OOD AT 
! />BO>D RAIL UNTIL WE HAD PASS$ ! ,/ATUE ( ,LIB]TY4 ,REMEMB]+ 
MY FEEL+S ! FIR/ TIME ,I SAW ?AT SYMBOL ( HOPE & PROMISE SO MANY 
YE>S BE=E1 ,I FELT A LUMP 9 MY ?ROAT4 ,I L$ ,LOPEZ /]NW>D1 TO WAT* 
! SUNSET1 AS IT T9T$ ! BUILD+S & T[]S ( ,MANHATTAN ) P9K 
& R$ & GOLD4 ,! P9K & R$ FAD$ \T1 LEAV+ ONLY ! GOLD1 & 
SOME L9ES BY ,ALFR$ ,NOYES CAME TO MY M9D3 

,!RE'S A B>REL-ORGAN C>OL+ ALONG A GOLD5 /REET1 ,9 ! CITY :5 
! SUN S9KS L[4 

,SL[LY %AD[S CREPT OV] ! SC5E1 ! GOLD WAS GONE1 & DUSK FELL4 
,WE MOV$ PA/ OLD C>GO %IPS AN*OR$ & RID+ HI< 9 ! ROAD/EAD1 
%IPS GRAY & BLACK & ) IRON RU/ %[+ 9 GREAT BLOT*ES :]E 
! PA9T HAD PEEL$ FROM !IR SIDES4 ,! B>E MA/S ( A SAIL+ %IP 
W]E \TL9$ AGA9/ ! SKY4 ,& A C\PLE ( HULKS W]E AN*OR$ ON ! 
,J]SEY SIDE ( ! *ANNEL4 ,F]RIES CROSS$ \R PA?1 & MOTOR BOATS *UGG$ 
PA/4 ,/AT5 ,ISL&'S LI<TS EVOK$ MEMORIES ( PLEASANT ,SUNDAYS !RE 
) ,RUSSIAN FRI5DS YE>S BE=E4 

,?R\< ! ,N>R[S & 9TO ! OP5 SEA4 

,LAZILY1 RELAX+ COMPLETELY 9 SLACKS1 ,S\!RN ,CALI=NIA /YLE1 ,I 
SP5T MU* ( MY TIME 9 A DECK *AIR4 ,BOOKS FROM ! %IP'S LIBR>Y TOLD 
ME MORE AB\T ! WOND]L& 9 ! ,WE/ ,9DIES TO :I* ,I WAS J\RNEY+4 

,BOR9QU5 WAS ITS NAME :5 ! :ITE M5 CAME1 SO CALL$ BY ITS PEACEFUL 
,9DIAN 9HABITANTS4 ,COLUMBUS GAVE IT A DIFF]5T NAME --,SAN ,JUAN DE ,BEUTI/A4 
,BUT ,PONCE DE ,LEON1 COM+ ALONG A FEW YE>S LAT] ) 9/RUCTIONS FROM 
! ,C\RT ( ,SPA9 TO COLONIZE ! ISL&1 *RI/5$ IT ANEW4 ,SAIL+ 
9TO ITS F9E/ H>BOR1 HE EXCLAIM$3 0,AYE1 QUE PU]TO RICO60 
,:AT A RI* PORT6 ,SUBSEQU5TLY ?IS DESIGNATION WAS APPLI$ TO ! :OLE 
ISL&1 :ILE ! CAPITAL BUILT ON ! H>BOR %ORES TOOK ON ! ,SAN ,JUAN 
NAME4 ,?AT CITY WAS SETTL$ NE>LY HALF A C5TURY BE=E ! FIR/ H\SE 
WAS ]ECT$ 9 ,/4 ,AUGU/9E1 ,FLORIDA1 OLDE/ SETTLEM5T ON \R MA9L&4 

,BUT ! >RIVAL ( ! COLONIZ]S M>K$ ! BEG9N+ ( ! 5D = 
! ,BOR9QU5 ,9DIANS4 ,)9 A HUNDR$ YE>S !Y W]E WIP$ \T BY A 
COMB9ATION ( =CES--5SLAVEM5T BY ! ,SPANI>DS1 HURRICANES1 ATTACKS 
BY HO/ILE ,C>IBS1 & EPIDEMICS ( SMALLPOX BR\<T 9 BY ,NEGRO SLAVES 
FROM ,AFRICA4 

,LOAF+ ON ! DECK AS ! %IP SP$ ON & ! AIR GREW BALMY1 ,I AMUS$ 
MYSELF BY SPECULAT+ ON ! LIVES ! PASS5G]S L$ ON %ORE4 ,SOME1 ,I 
KNEW1 W]E S*OOL TEA*]S1 & SOME MI<T HAVE BE5 NURSES1 SALES GIRLS1 
/UD5TS4 ,O!RS W]E NOT READILY ID5TIFIABLE4 ,MO/ ( ! WOM5 LOOK$ 
BOR$ & SEEM$ TO BE *ANG+ CLO!S CON/ANTLY4 ,I WOND]$ :Y4 ,SLACKS 
W]E SO COM=TABLE4 

,LOPEZ HAD A CONSID]ABLE ACQUA9TANCE AMONG ?OSE ON BO>D1 & HE 9TRODUC$ 
ME TO TWO MANUFACTUR]S :O W]E RETURN+ FROM A BUS9ESS TRIP4 ,\R TALK 
WAS CASUAL1 & ,I AVOID$ T\*+ ON ! 9DU/RIAL SITUATION1 = ,I WANT$ 
?IS SEA-J\RNEY TO S]VE AS A VACATION4 ,BUT ,I DID ASK !M3 

0,:AT >E ! WOM5 ( ,PU]TO ,RICO LIKE 80 ,& ONE ( ! 
M5 SAID3 

0,MANY ( !M >E V]Y 9TELLIG5T1 & HAVE ! MAK+S ( GOOD 
BUS9ESS WOM540 

,I WAS UP ON DECK E>LY ON ,MONDAY1 = WE W]E DOCK+ BE=E EI<T4 
,A P]FECT SUB-TROPICAL MORN+ AS ! %IP PL[$ ?R\< ! DEEP BLUE 
,ATLANTIC--A FRE% BREEZE1 CLE> BLUE SKY1 SEAGULLS SO>+ ABOVE4 

,MASSIVE /ONE =TRESSES /& HI< & BOLD UPON HEADL&S AT ! 5TRANCE 
TO ,SAN ,JUAN'S BROAD L&LOCK$ H>BOR4 ,!Y W]E BUILT BY ! ,SPANI>DS 
LONG AGO AS A PROTECTION AGA9/ ATTACK BY PIRATES OR 5EMY VESSELS4 ,MORRO 
,CA/LE1 OLDE/ ( !SE1 WAS ]ECT$ 9 #a#e#c#i4 ,AS LATE AS #ahih IT )/OOD 
BOMB>DM5T--BY ,ADMIRAL ,SAMPSON'S FLEET4 

,AS ! ,BOR9QU5 /EAM$ 9TO ,SAN ,JUAN ,BAY1 ! SI<T BE=E ME TOOK 
MY BREA? AWAY4 ,H]E WAS A P>T ( ! OLD ,SPANI% T[N1 FLANK$ BY AN 
ANCI5T SEA WALL4 ,HI< ABOVE ! WALL W]E TWO PALACES1 & BESIDE & 
BEYOND !SE1 O!R H\SES ( GRACEFUL ,SPANI% L9E1 ) :ITE OR PA/EL 
SIDES1 RO(S ( COLOR$ TILE1 & V]&AS ) ,MOORI% >*ES4 

,ONE FELT AS WELL AS SAW ! GREAT AGE ( ?IS CITY4 ,TALL MOD]N BUILD+S 
9 A NEW] SECTION TO ! RI<T C\LD NOT TAKE AWAY FROM ! *>M ( ! 
ANCI5T ONES4 ,TO ! S\?1 A BLUE M\NTA91 ,EL ,YUNQUE1 %IMM]$ 9 ! 
SUN1 LIKE A GIGANTIC PRECI\S /ONE4 

,NATIVE BOYS1 BLACK & BR[N-SK9N$1 DIV$ FROM SMALL BOATS = CO9S 
?R[N 9TO ! BAY BY PEOPLE ON ! %IP4 ,?R\< ! BEAUTIFULLY CLE> 
WAT] ONE C\LD SEE !IR SLEEK BR[N BODIES BOBB+ UP & D[N4 ,! PI] 
WAS CR[D$ ) PEOPLE--:ITE1 BRONZE1 BR[N1 & BLACK1 9 :ITE CLO!S1 
SOME D+Y1 SOME IMMACULATELY CLEAN4 ,TWICE A WEEK !Y GA!R$1 AS = 
A SOCIAL EV5T1 TO MEET ! BOAT FROM ,NEW ,YORK4 

,\T ( ?AT CR[D ,I HE>D MY NAME CALL$3 0,WELCOME TO ,MISS ,PESOTTA6 
0 ,& !N3 0,WELCOME TO ,MR4 ,LOPEZ6 0 ,ABOVE !IR HEADS W]E 
WAV+ H&S & FLUTT]+ H&K]*IEFS & A BIG BANN] ( ! ,PU]TO 
,RICO ,FREE ,F$]ATION ( ,LABOR4 ,9 ! =EFRONT ( A DELEGATION ( AB\T 
#c WAS A LITTLE D>K-SK9N$ Y\NG WOMAN HOLD+ A HUGE B\QUET ( R$ 
ROSES4 ,%E WAS ,T]ESA ,ANGL]O1 :O HAD MADE ! FIR/ MOVE TO ORGANIZE 
! ISL&'S NE$LE WORK]S ?REE YE>S E>LI]1 & :O N[ HEAD$ !IR 
UNION4 

0,H[ LONG HAVE Y\ BE5 AWAY FROM ,PU]TO ,RICO80 ONE ( ! 
S*OOL TEA*]S ASK$4 

0,IT'S MY FIR/ TRIP H]E4 ,I'VE COME D[N TO WORK AMONG !SE PEOPLE40 

0,OH60 & H] EXCLAMATION SEEM$ TO D5OTE A SPECIAL K9D 
( LONEL9ESS4 0,IT MU/ BE WOND]FUL TO RECEIVE SU* A WELCOME6 0 

,AS WE /EPP$ (F ! GANG-PLANK WE W]E GREET$ BY REPRES5TATIVES 
( ! ,DEP>TM5T ( ,LABOR1 C[ORK]S ( ,LOPEZ4 ,T]ESA ,ANGL]O H&$ 
ME ! ROSES ) A GRACI\S B[4 ,SOME ( ! DELEGATION HAD TRAVEL$ ALL 
NI<T TO MEET ! %IP4 

,T]ESA GAVE ME TELEGRAMS FROM (FICIALS ( LOCALS ?R\<\T ! ISL&1 
9VIT+ ME TO VISIT !IR CITIES4 ,I WAS TO LIVE1 ! GIRLS TOLD ME1 AT 
! BO>D+ H\SE :]E ,ROSE ,S*NEID]MAN1 PRESID5T ( ! ,WOM5'S ,TRADE 
,UNION ,LEAGUE1 HAD /AY$ :5 %E VISIT$ ,PU]TO ,RICO = ! ,N,R,A SEV]AL 
MON?S E>LI]4 ,?IS PROV$ TO BE A L>GE COLONIAL H\SE ON ! ,CONDADO1 
A HI/ORIC %ORE HI<WAY4 ,FAC+ ! OCEAN1 ! H\SE WAS SET AGA9/ A 
BACKGR\ND ( D5SE TROPICAL VEGETATION4 

,AFT] ,I HAD *ANG$ CLO!S1 WE W5T OV] TO ! ,FREE ,F$]ATION ,HALL1 
:]E SOME #e MEMB]S ( ! UNION W]E WAIT+4 ,I EXPLA9$ ! PURPOSE 
( MY COM+4 

,MY SPEE* WAS TRANSLAT$ 9TO ,SPANI% BY ,LOPEZ1 A S5T5CE AT A TIME4 
,! ,I,L,G,W,U'S DECISION TO ORGANIZE ! ,PU]TO ,RICO NE$LE WORK]S UND] ITS 
PROTECTIVE W+ MADE A DEEP IMPRESSION4 ,H]E1 AS 9 \R UNION 9 ! ,/ATES1 
,I F\ND WOM5 TAK+ ! LEAD4 ,!IR HE>TS W]E DEEP 9 ! LABOR /RUGGLE4 

,AFT] ! MEET+ WE MAPP$ \T A PLAN ( ACTION4 ,WE W\LD MAKE A T\R 
( ! CITIES :]E !RE W]E NE$LE TRADES FACTORIES1 SET UP LOCAL UNIONS 
9 IMPORTANT SECTIONS ( ! ISL&1 & />T ORGANIZATIONAL & $UCATIONAL 
ACTIVITIES4 ,:]E SEV]AL SMALL UNIONS EXI/$ 9 A CITY1 EA* %OP COMPRIS+ 
AN 9DEP5D5T LOCAL1 WE W\LD 5DEAVOR TO COMB9E !SE UND] A S+LE 
,I,L,G,W,U *>T]4 ,VISIT+ ! ,N,R,A (FICES1 WE TALK$ ) ?OSE 9 *>GE1 
GOT COPIES ( ! NEW ,CODE1 :I* WAS TO GO 9TO EFFECT ON ,JULY #a#i1 ASK$ 
:AT PLANS !Y HAD = 5=C+ IT4 ,!Y HAD NONE2 !Y W\LD GET TO 
?AT LAT]4444 ,! ,CODE SIGN$ BY ,PRESID5T ,ROOSEVELT ON ,JUNE #bh PROVID$ 
= A WAGE SCALE ( @s#b A WEEK = HOME WORK]S1 9/EAD ( ! CU/OM>Y 
@s#a PAID = #f TO #g H\RS ( HOME WORK1 ) AS MANY AS ?REE P]SONS 
9 A FAMILY TOIL+4 ,! ,CODE ALSO RAIS$ ! PAY ( FACTORY WORK]S TO 
@s#c & @s#e A WEEK1 ! LATT] RATE BE+ = MA*9E OP]ATORS4 ,9/EAD 
( #d#h4H\RS1 ! FACTORY EMPLOYES W]E TO WORK ONLY #d H\RS4 

,I SP5T ! NEXT ?REE DAYS PREP>+ = \R CAMPAIGN1 CONF]R+ ) 
! LEAD]S ( ! ,FREE ,F$]ATION ( ,LABOR 9 ,SAN ,JUAN & L9+ UP ALL 
POSSIBLE SUPPORT4 ,WE PUT \T FEEL]S TO SEE :AT ! EMPLOY]S ?\<T 
( A COLLECTIVE AGREEM5T4 ,BE=E ANY SU* ACTION C\LD BE TAK51 H[EV]1 
A /RONG ORGANIZATION MU/ BE BUILT UP4 ,= ,I HAD >RIV$ AT A TIME DREAD$ 
BY ALL EXP]I5C$ ORGANIZ]S--9 ! WAKE ( A LO/ /RIKE4 ,REC5TLY ! 
TELEPHONE WORK]S1 /RIK+ TO GA9 BETT] CONDITIONS1 HAD MET ) CRU%+ 
DEFEAT4 

,FROM ,T]ESA1 ,S>A ,AL]S1 *AIR LADY 9 ! ,MORRIS ,/ORYK FACTORY1 & 
O!RS ,I LE>N$ SOME?+ ( ! HI/ORY ( \R 9DU/RY 9 ?IS ISL&4 

,= G5]ATIONS NE$LEPO9T WORK1 EMBROID]Y1 & O!R =MS ( F9E 
H& SEW+ HAD BE5 TAU<T BY ! NUNS 9 ! ,PU]TO ,RICAN CONV5TS4 ,GIRLS 
9 MIDDLE & UPP] CLASS FAMILIES TOOK PRIDE 9 ACQUIR+ SKILL ) ! 
NE$LE1 MAK+ EXQUISITE TABLE L95S1 L+]IE1 DRESSES1 BL\SES1 H&K]*IEFS1 
& DRESS ACCESSORIES4 ,BE=E ,WORLD ,W> ,I1 H[EV]1 !Y US$ !IR SKILL 
ONLY = !MSELVES OR !IR [N FAMILIES4 

,UNTIL !N ! GREAT S\RCES ( SU* >TICLES = ! COMM]CIAL M>KETS 
( ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES & O!R C\NTRIES W]E ,FRANCE1 ,BELGIUM1 & ! 
,MADEIRA ,ISL&S4 ,CO/S W]E L[ & PR(ITS L>GE4 ,!N ! W> CUT (F 
?AT SUPPLY4 

,SOME ( ! MORE 5T]PRIS+ NE$LE-PO9T TEA*]S 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO GOT 
A BRI<T IDEA ?AT W\LD MEAN PR(IT = !MSELVES & TRADE & ADDITIONAL 
9COME = ! ISL&4 ,ONE ( !M WAS DESIGNAT$ TO GO TO ,NEW ,YORK ) 
SAMPLES & E/ABLI% BUS9ESS CONTACTS4 

,?US ,PU]TO ,RICO GOT ITS />T AS ONE ( ! WORLD'S PR9CIPAL *EAP 
LABOR M>KETS 9 ?IS FIELD1 ) ,*9A & ! ,PHILIPP9ES LOOM+ AS 
IMPORTANT COMPETITORS4 ,FACTORIES CAME 9 LAT]4 ,/EADILY ! NE$LE WORK 
9DU/RY EXP&$1 & 9 #b YE>S BECAME ! ISL&'S ?IRD L>GE/1 SUBORD9ATE 
ONLY TO SUG> & TOBACCO4 ,\T ( AN E/IMAT$ #a1 NE$LE WORK]S1 
#a#g1 W]E EMPLOY$ 9 ! FACTORIES1 :ILE ! O!R #h#c1 TOIL$ BY 
H& 9 !IR HOMES4 ,SOME CUTT]S W]E EMPLOY$ 9 ! %OPS2 BUT MO/ 
( ! RAW MAT]IAL WAS CUT TO PATT]N 9 ,NEW ,YORK G>M5T %OPS & S5T 
D[N 9 BUNDLES TO ! ,PU]TO ,RICAN CONTRACTORS4 

,MAYAGUEZ1 C5T] ( ! ISL&'S H&K]*IEF 9DU/RY1 AF=D$ AN 
EXAMPLE ( OP]AT+ ME?ODS4 ,CLO? = H&K]*IEFS WAS CUT 9 ! ,NEW 
,YORK FACTORIES & %IPP$ TO ,PU]TO ,RICO1 HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( PIECES 
AT A TIME4 ,FROM ! SORT+ DEP>TM5T 9 ! ,PU]TO ,RICAN CONTRACTORS' 
%OPS1 WORK W\LD BE F>M$ \T TO ! HOMES ( 9DIVIDUAL NE$LE WORK]S 
9 BUNDLES ( SEV]AL DOZ5S4 ,! NE$LEPO9T & EMBROID]Y W\LD BE DONE 
9 ?OSE HOMES 9 ! HILLS &1 BY ! TIME ! H&K]*IEFS W]E RETURN$ 
TO ! CONTRACTOR1 !Y W\LD LOOK LIKE A DOOR-MAT = A MUD-TURTLE4 

,!N CAME ! WA%+ PROCESS 9 ! FACTORIES2 FROM MORN+ TO NI<T 
WOM5 WA%$ & /]ILIZ$ ! H&K]*IEFS4 ,SPECIAL *EMICAL PROCESSES 
W]E US$ TO BLEA* ! MAT]IAL )\T CAUS+ DAMAGE TO ! COLOR$ 
EMBROID]Y4 ,I HAVE SE5 !SE WOM5 /&+ AT ! /EAM WA% TUBS1 !IR 
H&S & FEET T]RIBLY SWOLL5 AT ! JO9TS4 ,MO/ ( !M SUFF]$ FROM 
>?RITIS OR RHEUMATISM4 ,ONE [N] ( A FACTORY TOLD ME ?IS WAS ! RESULT 
( ! *EMICALS 9 ! WAT]4 

,HUNDR$S ( DOZ5S ( !SE H&K]*IEFS W]E HUNG ON L9ES = T5 
OR FIFTE5 M9UTES & !N W5T TO ! PRESS+ & ! %IPP+ DEP>TM5T1 
:]E Y\NG GIRLS FOLD$ !M 9 SQU>ES & PACK$ !M 9 FANCY 9DIVIDUAL 
BOXES4 ,NEW ,YORK & O!R CITY CU/OM]S W\LD GET !M AT ! DEP>TM5T 
/ORES1 PAY+ AS HI< AS @s#a EA* = H&K]*IEFS ?AT CO/ ! MANUFACTUR] 
ONLY A FEW C5TS4 ,L+]IE1 BL\SES1 TABLE L951 *ILDR5'S WE>1 & 
O!R >TICLES W5T ?R\< ! SAME PROCESS4 

,A NE$LE WORK]S' UNION WAS E/ABLI%$ 9 ,SAN ,JUAN 9 #a#i#c#a4 ,O!R LOCALS 
FOLL[$ & A /RIKE WAS /AG$ AGA9/ A WAGE CUT 9 ONE ,SAN ,JUAN FACTORY1 
#d GIRLS WALK+ \T4 ,AFT] A MON? !Y WON !IR FI<T & GOT A UNION 
%OP4 ,9 #aicc !RE WAS A G5]AL /RIKE1 UND] ! AUSPICES ( ! ,F$]ACION 
,LILBRE ,DEL ,TRABAJO 7,FREE ,F$]ATION ( ,LABOR71 AFFILIAT$ ) ! ,AM]ICAN 
,F$]ATION ( ,LABOR4 ,?US A COLLECTIVE AGREEM5T WAS WON FROM ! ,NE$LE 
,TRADES ,EMPLOY]S' ,ASSOCIATION1 RECOGNIZ+ ! RI<T ( ! NE$LE WORK]S 
TO B>GA9 COLLECTIVELY4 ,FOLL[+ ?IS1 ! ,F$]ATION SET UP ! ,UNION 
,DE ,TRABAJADORES ,DE ,AGUJA ,DE ,PU]TO ,RICO 7! ,NE$LE ,TRADES ,WORK]S' ,UNION71 
EA* ORGANIZ$ %OP BE+ DESIGNAT$ AS A LOCAL4 ,SAN ,JUAN HAD FIVE LOCALS4 

,:5 A GIRL APPLI$ = A JOB 9 ONE ( ! L>G] G>M5T FACTORIES1 
%E HAD TO FILL \T AN APPLICATION BLANK TANTAM\NT TO AN 9TELLIG5CE 
TE/1 MU* LIKE A CIVIL S]VICE EXAM9ATION4 ,! BACK ( ! APPLICATION 
BORE A P]SONAL RAT+ REPORT & 9/RUCTIONS TO ! MANAG] ( ! E/ABLI%M5T 
TO JUDGE EA* EMPLOYEE ON ! FOLL[+ PO9TS3 ,QUALITY 9 PRODUCTION2 
QUANTITY ( WORK2 9DU/RIAL 9TELLIG5CE2 ABILITY TO LE>N NEW DUTIES2 
9ITIATIVE & CREATIV5ESS2 COOP]ATION2 PHYSICAL QUALITY2 LEAD]%IP4 

,! MANAG] HAD TO *ECK TO MAKE SURE EA* EMPLOYEE WAS ( EXCEPTIONAL 
LEAD]%IP1 C\LD COOP]ATE1 WAS 9 GOOD HEAL?1 9DU/RI\S1 CONSCI5TI\S1 
& A RAPID WORK]--ALL = ! MUNIFIC5T SUM ( @s#e A WEEK = #dh H\RS' 
WORK6 

,! ,COMMISSION] ( ,LABOR1 ,PRUD5CIO ,RIV]A ,M>T9EZ1 A %ORT D>K =M] 
CIG> MAK] & N[ ACT+ PRESID5T ( ! ,F$]ACION ,LIBRE1 ASSUR$ US 
( ALL POSSIBLE COOP]ATION FROM ! ,LABOR ,DEP>TM5T4 ,ONE COMM5DABLE 
?+ ,!ODORE ,ROOSEVELT ,JR4 HAD DONE DUR+ HIS ,GOV]NOR%IP WAS TO E/ABLI% 
?IS DEP>TM5T1 :I* 79 CONTRA/ TO SOME O!R GOV]NM5TAL AG5CIES 
9 ,PU]TO ,RICO7 WAS COMPOS$ ( M5 & WOM5 ) PRACTICAL EXP]I5CE 
9 ! LABOR MOVEM5T4 ,MO/ ( !M W]E ACTIVE & E>NE/ TRADE UNIONI/S4 

,AT ?AT TIME ! ,LABOR ,DEP>TM5T WAS WORK+ ON AN AMBITI\S REHABILITATION 
PLAN = HOME/EADS ON :I* TO RESETTLE ?OSE :O LO/ EV]Y?+ !Y 
POSSESS$ DUR+ ! #aicb CYCLONE4 

,WALK+ 9 ! N>R[ /REETS ( ! CAPITAL1 ONE DRANK 9 ROMANCE AT 
EV]Y TURN4 ,! M>K ( ANCI5T ,SPA9 L+]$ 9 ! =TRESSES1 ! ,GOV]NOR'S 
PALACE1 ! CA!DRAL1 ! MANSION BUILT BY ,PONCE DE ,LEON'S SON1 ! PLAZA1 
! MEMORIAL TABLETS1 ! /ATUES ( W>RIORS & O!R H]OES1 ! VE/IGES 
( ! /\T WALLS ( MASONRY ?AT HAD SURR\ND$ ,SAN ,JUAN 9 PIRATE DAYS1 
& 9 A ?\S& O!R NOOKS & CORN]S4 ,ON ! :OLE ISL&1 ONLY AB\T 
#b1 P]SONS AMONG A POPULATION ( #a1#e1 W]E FROM ! ,/ATES4 ,?US 
,SPANI% REMA9$ ! PR9CIPAL LANGUAGE SPOK54 

,HAV+ SE5 ! %[PLACES ( ! CAPITAL ON ! FIR/ EV5+ ) 
,LOPEZ & HIS WIFE1 ,I WANT$ TO VIEW ! O!R SIDE ( ! PICTURE1 P>TICUL>LY 
! CONDITIONS UND] :I* ! WORK]S LIV$4 ,A COMMITTEE ( UNION GIRLS 
PLANN$ TO VISIT A SICK MEMB]1 LATE NEXT AFT]NOON1 & ,I GLADLY ACCEPT$ 
AN 9VITATION TO ACCOMPANY !M4 

,! SICK GIRL & H] PEOPLE LIV$ NE> ! WAT]-FRONT ON ! BAY SIDE 
( ,SAN ,JUAN1 ON ! $GE ( A SLUM SECTION CALL$ ,EL ,FANGUITO4 ,!IR H\SE 
WAS SMALL1 & OBVI\SLY NEGLECT$ BY ! L&LORD4 ,BUT 9SIDE1 ! PLACE 
WAS TIDY & PRES5TABLE1 A TRIBUTE TO ! +5UITY & GRIT ( ! T5ANTS4 
,MY COMPANIONS BR\<T GIFTS TO ! 9VALID1 DELICACIES PUR*AS$ ) H>D 
E>N$ DIMES4 

,:5 WE CAME AWAY !Y TOOK ME A LITTLE F>!R 9TO ,EL ,PANGUITO1 0,! 
,LITTLE ,MUD10 :I* \<T TO BE CALL$ 0,! ,BIG ,MUD40 ,:AT 
,I SAW N[ APPALL$ ME MORE ?AN ANY SI<T 9 MY PA/ LIFE4 

,H]E W]E MANY S+LE-ROOM %ACKS BUILT ON /ILTS TO LIFT !M ABOVE 
! MUD1 %ACKS ?R[N TOGE!R ( OLD BO>DS & PIECES ( RU/Y T94 
,!RE WAS ( C\RSE NO PLUMB+ 9 !SE 0HOMES10 NO?+ ?AT 
EV5 REMOTELY RESEMBL$ SANITATION4 ,G>BAGE1 SLOPS1 RUBBI% ( ALL K9DS1 
& HUMAN ORDURE W5T 9TO ! MUD B5EA?4 

,N>R[ PLANK WALKS L$ TO SOME ( ! %ACKS4 ,BUT TO GET TO O!RS ! 
OCCUPANTS HAD TO TAKE (F !IR %OES--IF !Y HAD %OES-- & WADE ?R\< 
! MUCK4 ,?US !Y BECAME ! PREY ( HOOKWORM1 :I* ?RIVES 9 POLLUT$ 
SOIL4 ,PI]C+ !IR B>E FEET1 ?AT SC\RGE MADE ITS WAY TO ! 9TE/9ES1 
MULTIPLI$1 DRA9$ !IR VITALITY2 ! RESULT WAS CALL$ TROPICAL ANEMIA4 
,*ILDR51 DOGS1 & PIGS ALSO WAD$ 9 ! MUD ( ,EL ,FANGUITO4 

,I ?\<T ( MY HOME 9 ,UKRA9IA & ! PEASANTS1 :O US$ TO C>RY 
!IR %OES SLUNG OV] A %\LD]1 AS !Y WALK$ ACROSS ! FIELDS ON 
!IR WAY TO T[N4 ,?AT WAS = REASONS ( ECONOMY4 0,FEET WE DON'T 
HAVE TO BUY10 !Y SAID4 ,BUT ! SOIL 9 :I* ! PEASANTS TROD WAS 
COMP>ATIVELY CLEAN4 ,NO ONE 9 ,UKRA9IA EV] HE>D ( HOOKWORM4 

,MY FRI5DS L$ ME ALONG A %AKY PLANK TO LOOK 9 ON ACQUA9TANCES :O 
LIV$ 9 ONE ( ! %ACKS1 & TO PE] ?R\< O!R OP5 DOORS 9 ! 
R[4 ,! C\PLE WE CALL$ UPON W]E APOLOGETIC = ! CONDITION ( !IR 
0H\SE10 AS IF SOMEH[ IT WAS !IR FAULT 9/EAD ( !IR MIS=TUNE4 
,! MAN HAD LONG BE5 JOBLESS & WAS PLA9LY ILL2 ! WOMAN DID NE$LE 
WORK1 BUT E>N$ LITTLE4 ,= FURNITURE1 !Y HAD A TABLE & TWO *AIRS 
IMPROVIS$ FROM PACK+ BOXES4 ,9 A CORN] ( ! FLOOR W]E RAGG$ BLANKETS 
& A SACK ( /RAW1 :I* SUFFIC$ = A B$4 

,COOK+ WAS DONE ON A SMALL OP5 HE>? MADE ( /ONES4 ,EMPTY COCONUT 
%ELLS1 FROM :I* ! TOPS HAD BE5 REMOV$1 S]V$ AS COOK+ VESSELS1 
DI%ES1 & CUPS4 ,SMOKE FROM ! HE>? ASC5D$ ?R\< A HOLE 9 ! 
RO(4 ,FLAKES ( SOOT HUNG FROM ! RAFT]S1 & ! %ACK REEK$ ) ODORS4 

,! M51 WOM51 & *ILDR5 ,I SAW 9 ?IS SLUM MOV$ AB\T AS IF HALF-DEAD1 
! LI<T 9 !IR EYES DULL4 ,MO/ ( ! M5 W]E SUG>-CANE CUTT]S1 
N[ UNEMPLOY$1 & !IR FAMILIES LIV$ FROM H& TO M\?4 ,I WOND]$ 
:AT W\LD BE ! FATE ( ! *ILDR5 IF !Y GREW UP4 

,ODD SURPRISES W]E 9 /ORE = ME1 & A FEW H\RS LAT] A /RANGE 
FRI<T4 ,! W9D[S ( MY BO>D+ H\SE W]E )\T GLASS & UNSCRE5$4 
,MY B$ WAS 5CLOS$ BY A CANOPY ( NETT+1 :I* BUZZ+ MOSQUITOES TRI$ 
TO P5ETRATE4 ,LY+ 9 ! D>K & UNABLE TO SLEEP1 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ,I 
WAS HUNGRY4 ,ON A %ELF CLOSE BY /OOD C&Y ?AT HAD BE5 GIV5 ME :5 
,I SAIL$4 ,?AT W\LD TAKE C>E ( MY HUNG] ( ! MOM5T4 

,I REA*$ \T C>EFULLY UND] ! NETT+'S $GE1 REMOV$ ! COV] 
FROM ONE ( ! BOXES1 & PICK$ UP A C\PLE ( *OCOLATES4 ,ALMO/ 9/ANTLY 
,I FELT SOME?+ CLUT* MY WRI/1 SOME?+ ?AT MOV$ & WRI!D4 ,9 
ANO!R SECOND ! >M WAS BE+ GRIPP$ HI<] UP1 & !N ! PRESSURE 
WAS AT ! ELB[4 ,! S5SATION WAS ONE ( HORROR1 BUT ,I DIDN'T SCREAM2 
,I C\LDN'T4 

,MY VOICE WAS FROZ5 9 MY ?ROAT4 

,SOMEH[ ,I KEPT MY HEAD4 ,:ATEV] ?IS MI<T BE1 SNAKE OR MON/]1 ,I 
MU/ SAVE MYSELF4 ,REA*+ UP ) MY O!R H&1 ,I TURN$ ON ! ELECTRIC 
LI<T OV]HEAD & SAW--R$ & BLACK ANTS1 ?\S&S ( !M1 SW>M+ 
OV] MY :OLE =E>M1 LIKE SOME FANTA/IC LONG GLOVE4 

,I LEAP$ \T ( B$ & RAC$ TO ! V]&A1 BRU%+ (F ! SW>M 
( ANTS 9 FR5ZY4 ,?AT TOOK A LONG TIME1 = SOME ( !M CLUNG T5ACI\SLY 
TO MY SK91 & BIT ME1 LEAV+ MY >M DOTT$ ) R$ M>KS4 ,AFT] ?R[+ 
! C&Y \T1 IT WAS A FULL H\R BE=E ,I GOT RID ( ! 9SECTS ON ! 
%ELF & FLOOR4 

,9 ! MORN+1 HALF AWAKE AS ,I L+]$ 9 B$1 ,I LOOK$ \T ( ONE 
( ! LONG W9D[ OP5+S4 ,IT FRAM$ ?REE TALL COCONUT PALMS1 SET AGA9/ 
A %IMM]+ BLUE SKY4 ,D[N ! C5T] PALM A T9Y HUMAN FIGURE CLAD 9 
:ITE WAS MOV+1 AS IF 9 A MOVIE SET OR 9 A DREAM4 ,I HAD TO RUB MY EYES 
TO MAKE SURE ?AT ,I WAS NOT ASLEEP4 ,AFT]W>DS ,I (T5 SAW NATIVE BOYS 0WALK0 
UP & D[N ! TREES1 FEET & H&S MOV+ 9 RHY?MIC MOTION4 

0,! REAL JOY ( LIV+ 9 ITS GREATE/ REALIZATION44440 

,I TURN$ FROM ?AT L9E 9 A BRO*URE1 ISSU$ = T\RI/S BY ! 9SUL> 
,DEP>TM5T ( ,AGRICULTURE & ,COMM]CE1 TO ANO!R PAMPHLET FROM ! SAME 
S\RCE1 BUT DESIGN$ TO ATTRACT 9DU/RY4 ,9 ?IS ,I F\ND SOME REVEAL+ 
/ATEM5TS4 

,AMONG SEV5TE5 GOOD REASONS LI/$ = E/ABLI%+ 9DU/RIES ON ?AT 
ISL& ,I READ ?AT 0,PU]TO ,RICO'S WAGE SCALES >E REASONABLE40 
,ON O!R PAGES ! LANGUAGE WAS MORE EXACT3 

0,DUE TO ! OV]-POPULATION ( ,PU]TO ,RICO1 !RE IS ALWAYS A L>GE 
SUPPLY ( LABOR AVAILABLE4444 ,WAGES 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO :5 COMP>$ TO ?OSE 
ON ! MA9L& >E V]Y L[1 9 MANY CASES 9SUFFICI5T TO ADEQUATELY 
SUPPORT ! WORK]S & !IR FAMILIES1 EV5 IF /EADY EMPLOYM5T W]E 
AVAILABLE4444 ,LABOR AGITATION1 SO COMMON 9 ! 9DU/RIAL C5T]S ( ! 
,NOR?1 IS NOT F\ND 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO40 "9 

,?AT ( C\RSE WAS A SPUR TO ME4 ,IT MADE ME KE5 TO GET TO ,MAYAGUEZ1 
! ISL&'S BIG OP5 %OP H&K]*IEF C5T]1 :]E ! NE$LE TRADES 
FACTORY [N]S HAD B&$ TOGE!R 9 AN ASSOCIATION TO FI<T BO? UNIONIZATION 
& ! ,N,R,A ,CODE4 

,I W5T !RE ON ,FRIDAY1 ! DAY ! ,CODE BECAME EFFECTIVE1 ) ,LOPEZ1 
,T]ESA ,ANGL]O1 ,S>A ,AL]S1 & ?REE O!R ACTIVE UNION GIRLS4 ,WE SP$ 
WE/W>D ALONG A ROAD P>ALLEL+ ! NOR? %ORE4 ,! C\NTRY WAS GORGE\S1 
! ROADS L9$ ) ! R$ ( ! FLAMBOYANT TREES1 & ! HILLS & 
VALLEYS /RET*+ (F 9TO ! H9T]L& LUSCI\SLY GRE54 ,BUT 9 ?IS 
G>D5 ( ! GODS !RE WAS EVID5CE ( UTT] POV]TY EV]Y:]E4 ,ON ! 
DOOR/EP ( EV]Y HUT1 WOM5 & GIRLS1 MANY ( !M SMALL *ILDR51 W]E 
BUSILY SEW+ L954 ,! *ILDR5 W]E SP9DLY-LEGG$1 ! ADULTS LOOK$ 
HALF-/>V$4 

,OV]POPULATION 4 4 4 #dbh P]SONS TO ! SQU>E MILE 4 4 4 ,TO MAT* ! 
HUMAN SPAWN+ 9 ,PU]TO ,RICO1 A CON/ANT REPETITION ( ! MIRACLE ( 
! LOAVES & FI%ES WAS NE$$4 ,BUT !RE W]E NO MIRACLES 9 !SE MOD]N 
DAYS4 

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 

"9,PU]TO ,RICO3 ,COMM]CIAL & ,9DU/RIAL ,SAN ,JUAN1 #aicd PP4 #h1 ,D1 #a#f4 
,! ITALICS >E M9E4--,R4,P4 #aad 4 

,FROM 3 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aidd 3 ,*APT] #a -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #i1 #bag 3 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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