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To Alfred Blackman, California Division of Industrial Safety, June 20, 1957. This letter is illustrative of many hundreds of letters Galarza wrote to officials in state and federal agencies regarding violations of laws and regulations, particularly abuses under the Bracero Program. In 1957 nearly 500,000 braceros were contracted to work on various corporate farms throughout the Southwest. The California agriculture industry received nearly 200,000 workers from the bracero pool in this year, which is considered the height of the bracero era. Mr. Alfred C. Blackman 1031 Franquette Ave. Division of Industrial Safety San Jose, Calif. Department of Industrial Relations 965 Mission Street San Francisco, Calif. June 20, 1957 Dear Mr. Blackman: It has been brought to my attention that a Mexican national by the name of Toribio Rodriguez was killed in a fall from a truck while employed by the De Candia Farms near Stockton, California. The death occurred on May 26, I believe. Rodriquez, according to the testimony of fellow workers, was riding with 47 other workers on a truck which was not provided with the safeguards prescribed by law. A month before the accident which killed this man and injured others the Nationals in the camp had asked the Mexican Consul to investigate the unsafe conditions under which the men were being transported. I understand that this request was referred by the Consul to the Employers Service Representative in the area. 260 part 6. letters from an activist There is a statement of record signed by the workers who were riding in the truck when Rodriquez was killed. I would appreciate it if you could give me additional information on this case. Sincerely yours, Ernesto Galarza ...

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