REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Ihr eyme NARI Date 24981 criticize Mora for advocating cooperation with foreign capital, and we have here the paradox of the formerly anti imperialistic labor group now ostensibly wishing to cooperate with American capital, while the far more conservative Rerum Novarum organization has been considering an attack upon American companies. The opinion recently expressed by Father Nuñez is similar to that of various Costa Rican capitalists who a short time ago criticized Mora bitterly in the press for advocating such cooperation, although until Mora advocacy they themave been in favor of it. separate despatch will shortly be forwarded regarding Father Nuñez and the Rerum Novarum)
My next conversation was with don JQlio Peña, the Manager of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, and a memorandum of it is enclosed. It can be summarized as follows: Conversation wi th Don Julio Peña: When asked whether he considered the Vanguardia Popular party to be still a Communist party Señor Peña answered in the negative and pointed out that Mora has asked nothing more of the present administration than to keep promises made with respect to the maintenance of the social advances which Vanguardia Popular has obtained, such as the Labor Code and the Social Security law. In the opinion of Señor Peña, Mora was sincere in his advocacy of cooperation with both domestic and foreign capital. As to the Labor Code he said that a year ago Vanguardia Popular would not consider any changes of the Code but now appeared to be perfectly willing to discuss modifications. This fact has been confirmed to me personally by a conservative Costa Rican capitalist who told me that much to his surprise Mora had insisted upon seeing him and had said that he realized that the Labor Code was adopted quickly and that he would be very willing to consider modifications which would not affect essentials.
his Costa Rican to consult with his friends and to present to him modifications which would obviate justified complaints. Since the United Fruit Company has come to an amicable adjustment of difficulties with labor, asked Mr. Reginald Hamer, the chief of the company in Costa Rica, his opinion of Vanguardia Popular. His remarks are summarized below.
Conversation with Mr. Hamer: The Vanguardia Popular is the only permanent party in Costa Rica; all others are on a personal basis, such as the Calderonistas and the Cortesistas. The United Fruit Company employs 10, 000 la borers and thus when Mora approached Hamer the latter was glad to talk to him.
Mora attitude appeared to be perfectly sincere as his opinion was that he could get more benefit for labor if he could cooperate with the United Fruit than if he fought it, and added that the Vanguardia Popular would meet the company half way. Hamer agreed to do so and when Mora pointed