REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Ihr by me NARS 022 24 18 turn over tho thirds of their monthly salaries as Deputies to the Party Treasurer, according to an announcement inserted on the front page of each issue of TRABAJO.
All of these circumstances, which are fairly well substantiated, seem clear evidence that the local Communists are quietly and steadily strengthening their organization. personally am inclined to share at least partially Mr. Martinez opinion that the strength of the movement, as well as its potential consequences if many badly needed social and legislative reforms are not made, is being underestimated.
The one fact that to my mind makes the presence of a seemingly well organized and growing Communist movement in Costa Rica dangerous is that the laboring classes appear to have many legitimate grievances.
Insofar as can ascertain, they share most unequally in the nation income: wages are very low, employment scarce and irregular (it is extremely difficult to find work for coffee workers between crops) and the cost of every day staples such as sugar, flour, rice, beans and potatoes is very high. The brunt of the Government taxation falls on the consumer, since more than 50 per cent of the national income is derived from import duties, whereas the direct income tax produces less than per cent. Likewise, the Communists complain bitterly of the graft and corruption in the present national and municipal governments.
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