INVESTIGATION WORK INTO THE MUNICIPAL CITY GOVERNMENTS AND THE RURAL
SCHOOL SYSTEM, FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRES IN THE UNITED STATES
BY MODESTO C. ROLLAND
Putting aside my humble personality, not of much importance to the
reader, I am going to relate my life since the Mexican revolution, for
in this manner I can more clearly place in relief something of the
history and social conditions in Mexico, which should be known by all
who desire information on what has taken place and what we wish to do.
Convinced as we were of the tremendous social inequality that has
existed in Mexico under the authority of the capitalists and of the
clerical party, before the apparition of Madero, the idea was launched
of not permitting a re-election with a view to compelling Porfirio Diaz
to verify the necessary evolution, fearing as we did the effects of a
revolution.
[Illustration: MODESTO C. ROLLAND
Engineer, School Teacher, Member of the Cabinet]
We thought, inexperienced sociologists, that it was possible to
conquer a tyrant by persuasion, so as to permit the democratic
practices necessary to choose the President. We made a mistake, and the
anti-re-electionists had to combat a revolution. Madero expounded the
doctrines which were spread over the country, and was at the head of
the revolution that imperiously triumphed.
Many of us Mexicans thinking it was time to take part in public
affairs, united and formed an Engineers’ Club with a view to studying
national problems. In a word, we worked for the nationalization of the
National Railways, and for the establishment of postal savings. Nearly
all of our efforts were shattered by reason of the inertia displayed
by the Secretary of the Treasury, headed by Messrs. Ernesto Madero and
Jaime Gurza.
The Catholic party, seeing the approach of an epoch of social reforms
which they could not admit, conspired with the army and taking
advantage through Huerta, for Felix Diaz turned out to be weak, finally
assassinated Madero and grasped the power.
Then they enjoyed their clerical rule and their laws regarding public
instruction. The army served them to kill the people and to defend
their great estates. The war was kindled with more fury, headed by
Venustiano Carranza. We in the capital suffered day by day from the
insults of the soldiery. All persons who did not favor the government
were known to the authorities, and at any moment were likely to be
detained.
After the ten days’ tragedy, I went to the Military College, where I
was a professor, with the intention of speaking for the last time to
my pupils. I explained to them the course that the army would pursue,
and that they would be the instrument of a traitor to shed the blood of
Mexicans. That same afternoon I was dismissed from my charge. From that
time on I was persecuted.
Being independent and my ideas being known, I could not long remain
free. The idea contrary to the dictatorial system was what they
persecuted most. At length one day they took me out of my office and
conveyed me to the penitentiary where they held me in a dark dungeon
for a month in solitary confinement.
My friends arranged for Minister Garza Aldape to speak with me. I
explained to him frankly why I could not be with the Huertistas
for I could not conform with the politics of the outbreak, and the
consequences of the same. I made him understand that I was not an
active conspirator, for having to keep in favor with two parties is
truly crazy and like throwing oneself into the wolf’s mouth.
He permitted me to go out into the street, but it was impossible for me
to work. My business affairs were shattered; every move was constantly
watched, and at any time I might be sent back to the penitentiary, as
were many others.
I decided to get out of the country. I went to Vera Cruz and with some
difficulty boarded a boat as a contraband, and it was in the position
of table-steward that I finally arrived in this country.
This is the history of thousands of men in Mexico. Thousands of
families remained until they had nothing left to live on, and even the
women were in danger of being put in jail, as many were.
With great eagerness I went toward the north of the republic with
a view to putting myself in contact with the revolution. There I
met many friends who had travelled the path ahead of me, and under
various conditions were serving the cause. There I could speak with
Carranza, first chief of the revolution. It was in Juarez City where
I was presented by the Hon. Mr. Zulara, Minister of Communications.
Mr. Carranza spoke with me of the reconstruction of Mexico. At that
period of the struggle so much confidence was felt in the triumph of
the revolution that the first chief looked ahead to prepare the era of
reconstruction.
He talked with me of the agrarian problem, as a touchstone of all the
social unbalance of our people, and I was convinced that that serene
man, economist by experience and liberal by conviction ought to be the
personification of the national unity.
He spoke to me above all else of the schools. The great desire of
Mr. Carranza is to develop a school system in Mexico. He expressed
himself with the enthusiasm of the man who has long been in contact
with the needs of the people, and I was convinced still further of the
necessity of working without hesitation under the influence of such
a man. The supreme chief being convinced that another soldier was not
needed in the battlefield, and taking advantage of my experience as a
schoolmaster and as an engineer, he arranged for me to go to the United
States with a view to studying municipal and school systems. In this
way I joined a body of students of Administrative service, which Mr.
Carranza had been forming in this country and in Europe. I have put my
heart in my work, and happily I have found in this nation the greatest
facilities for attaining our object. I have visited the principal
cities of the East. New York particularly has served me practically.
SCHOOLS
The Department of Education furnished me with all the methods for
studying the schools, and in this manner I obtained most interesting
information regarding the organization and educative systems of
these schools, where from the first step a child takes, he is taught
something about democracy. The impression which this spirit of the
American schools made upon me will never be forgotten. The continued
effort of the teachers to form the free will of the child is excellent.
The soul of this nation palpitates in its schools. There the body
and the mind are fortified, intensifying the customs of sociability.
These things are facts, not theories, in the American schools. The way
in which all this educative labor is consummated with ingenuity and
honesty, was what impressed me above everything.
Regarding the material organization it is already known how able
Americans are. Organization is nearly always the secret of success, and
that is above all what the Latins need to learn.
The organization of the Department of Education is notable, which
makes possible the co-ordination of an infinity of data, so as to see
schematically the working of the mechanism. I can judge at sight of
the weak point so that the same may be perfected. The weak spot in the
Mexican school system being the rural school system, I was asked by
Carranza to investigate especially that phase in the United States.
The result of my inquiries brought forth the fact that the States of
Wisconsin and Massachusetts have the best organized rural system for
schools in America. These two States are going to be the pattern which
will be used for Mexico’s Minister of Education to work from.
It is well-known that the scholastic family is amiable over the entire
world, but I believe that the American teacher especially is a model of
courtesy. Wherever I went I was treated with such kindness that I shall
always remember my visits with pleasure.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
The revolution was eager to change the social state of Mexico and that
naturally comprised the sanitary condition of the people. In Mexico it
is necessary to change the hygienic state of the people who have been
always treated with a spirit of exploitation by the privileged castes.
We know that sunshine on the earth does away with the services of the
doctor, for which we shall work so that the sewers called _casas de
vecindad_ may be dispensed with; in these tuberculosis prospers, while
the rich owner assisted through the lenity of the laws is occupied only
in collecting the rents. Pure water, air and light,--the people need
these and Mexico will give them.
New York has given me great experience and has furnished a wide field
of observation, in respect to the Municipal services; and I wish to
set forth my report so as to profit by the many good subjects I have
studied. Naturally, here as in other places there are many matters
which have not yet been satisfactorily settled, as for example that
relative to the “casas de vecindad,” but anyway the efforts of this
people, so materially progressive will help us in a high degree.
The resolution of the problem of the “casas de vecindad” as it is
understood in Glasgow, is our ideal and we shall feel proud on the day
that we can present a city with comfort for the poor.
In the conscience of all the revolutionaries is the profound conviction
that to guarantee the triumph of the revolution it is necessary to
change the social status of Mexico, and for that reason they will
not hesitate to pass laws affecting the land to further works of
irrigation, to establish schools and to contribute to hygienic homes.
The example of this nation is valuable for us and we shall not fail to
utilize the same. We are anxious to push our people forward through
more democratic paths, and are certain that this nation knows how to
appreciate our efforts.
In Mexico, where it may be said that humanity is making a trial of
adaptation, we shall make a trial of what this country has shown us,
and if I myself put into practice what I have learned here I shall
consider myself happy, welcoming all the annoying details, for nothing
is worth more than the esteem of a nation.