d persons doing business in Mexican called for military intervention. C. Mexican Workers, 1910-1920 – Production in the Southwest conditioned the work experience and settlement patterns of Mexican workers. Because the region was underdeveloped, it needed large armies of migrants or casual workers – for instance, for ranching, agriculture, railroad work, irrigation construction, and other pick and shovel labor. When they moved to the Southeast they did not have the advantage of the labor organization. The labor was also affected the many who went to the United States. D. Mexicans Move to the City: the 1920s – Dramatic changes occurred during this time that affected all labor. North American quickly shifted to the cities as the immigration from Europe slowed. During the 20’s nearly 20 million North American left the farm for the city. Mechanization all contributed to the large harvest, which increased demand for temporary labor. The new immigration policy kept unskilled workers out of the country, encouraging the immigration of skilled workers. Mexicans also became very urbanized during this time. San Antonio and Los Angeles were favorite destinations. Religious refugees also joined the exile community. These refugees were mostly middle and upper class in contract to the majority of those who worked as laborers. E. Mexican labor in the 1920s – In 1921 California producers formed the Valley Fruit Growers of San Joaquin County as well as a labor bureau in Arizona, the Arizona Cotton Growers Assn, just to name a few. Railroads paid Mexicans the lowest industrial salaries ranging from 35cents to 39 cents an hour. Packing houses were higher at 45 to 47 cents, while in steel they earned 45 t0 50 cents. In the plants management Blacks and Mexicans were played against each other. In agricultural areas the White planted, irrigated, and cultivated, while Mexicans did heavier work of weeding, hoeing, thinning, and toppi...
