BarbarousMexico JOHN KENNETH TURNER

FOUR MEXICAN STRIKES 209
beaten on the economic field of battle than he called
to his aid the police power of Diaz.
President Vera of the Grand League was waited upon
by the governor of the state of San Luis Potosi and
informed that if the men did not return to work fortlwith
they would all be rounded up and thrown in jail
and prosecuted for conspiracy aga inst the government.
Ile showed Vera a telegram froni President Diaz which
in significant terms reminded Vera of the massacre at
Rio Blanco, which had occurred but a year previously.
Vera hurried to the national capital, where he interviewed
Vice-President Corral and attempted to secure
an audience with Diaz. Corral confirmed the threats of
the governor of San Luis Potosi. Vera pleaded that the
strikers were keeping perfect order; he begged that
they be fairly treated. But it was no use. He knew that
the government was not bluffing, for in such matters
the Mexican government does not bluff. After a conference
with the executive board of the union the strike
was called off and the men went back to work.
Of course that demoralized the union, for what, pray,
is the use of organization if you are not permitted to
pluck the fruits of organization? The strikers were
taken back to work, as agreed, but they were discharged
one after another at convenient times. The membership
of the league fell off, those remaining upon the roll
remaining only in the hope of a less tyrannical government
soon replacing the one that had foiled them. Vera
resigned the presidency. His resignation was refused,
he still remained the nominal head of the organization,
but there was nothing that he could do. It was at this
juncture that I met and talked with him about the railroad
strike and the general outlook for Mexican unionism.