5. D. M.

It was the quietest night that anyone in Mexico's red light district could remember. Charros in from the ranches, generals and politicians in holiday mood strolled leisurely to their favorite bordellos, found the doors locked, turned impatiently to rival establishments, then beat frantically on doors up & down the street.

"Por Dios," explained a friendly policeman, "It's no use. The girls are having a meeting. That's right, they're forming a union!"

Next morning the story burgeoned on all the front pages of Mexico City. Mexico, most highly unionized country in America, was the first to boast a prostitutes' union. With bands and singing, 400 women assembled, listened to speeches, elected officers, voted a constitution, issued a manifesto: unless their demands are met they will go on general strike June 1.

First president of the union was Maria Gonzalez. A tall, angular woman of 29 notably lacking in sex appeal, she operates a room or as she prefers to call it a "ship" within Mexico City's tolerance zone. Loudly last week she issued her strumpet call.

The manifesto adopted at the mass meeting explained their position:

"We are exploited by the owners of assignation houses, sanitary inspectors, and policemen. We are also exploited by the stores which charge us more for clothing, and by the landlords who charge us more for rent. And when we are no longer able to work at our profession we are cast out into the world without hope of rehabilitation.

"The Government has sanctioned the formation of a union for the defense of our interests. It must be a strong, serious union to protect our cause."

Calling themselves the Sindicato por Defensa de la Mujer, the S. D. M. thereupon elected officers.

The S. D. M. promptly received the warm sympathy of the leader of Mexico's Federation of Labor, Guillermo Blauncarte, and of Arthur Brisbane's Daily Mirror which printed a strong editorial on "the saddest profession." Claiming a membership of 400 at its organization, the S. D. M. threatened boycott, blacklisting and picketing of all prostitutes who did not join by June 1. Though members of all Mexican unions must abide by an eight-hour working day, Mexican newshawks discovered that President Gonzalez was back at work last week, operating her "ship" twelve hours a day.

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