MODESTO C ROLLAND
SUMMARY
He is born in La Paz, Baja California Sur on June 14, 1881 was baptized on Sept. 21, the same year.
His early studies were done in La Paz and Santa Rosalia, at the urging of his mother he moves to Culiacan, Sinaloa studying for Teacher of Elementary Education, graduating on Dec. 16, 1903.
He traveled to Mexico via Mazatlan and Manzanillo; he studies Civil Engineering & ends his carrier in three years instead of four, graduating in 1906.
On April 5, 1905 he is professor of Surveying Drainage and Irrigation in the School of San Jacinto, "National School of Agriculture and Veterinary " and formalized as professor on February 1, 1906. In April 1906 he publishes: "Some Lessons on Raising Polygons by Deflections. On July 1906, he prints "Lessons on Dams, given in the clase of Topography Drainage and Irrigation."
On February 10, 1908 he marries Virginia Melendez de la Garza whith whom he procreate five children.
In August 1909 he proposes and gives the "Free Academy of Reinforced Concrete," first classes of concrete in Mexico. In 1910 he publishes "Elements for Calculation of reinforced concrete." From 1908 to 1910 he built countless private residences and the aqueduct Xochimilco, Mexico.
The National Chamber of Cement in 1962 says the precursors of concrete in Mexico were the Ings. Manuel Marroquin and Rivera, Miguel Rebolledo, Modesto C. Rolland and Ortiz Monasterio. Outstanding on the Paseo Reforma No. 96 a work of MC R. with a clearing of 22 mts built during the Porfiriato.
In 1908-9 he organized a club of Engineers to study the problems of the country, proposing among other things the nationalization of the railways and the establishment of postal savings.
On the 19th May. 1909 at the home of Alfredo Robles Dominguez, the Antireeleccionist National Center is born, it will become a national party, those presiding: Emilio Vasquez Gomez, Francisco I. Madero, Modesto C. Rolland, Felix Palavicini, Achilles Elorduy, Roque Estrada and Eduardo Hay. "
In 1909 a "Manifest to the Nation" of the Antireeleccionista Party is published at the start of its campaign, Modesto C. Rolland signs as founder.
On 1 Sep. 1911 the Antireeleccionist Club "Francisco Diaz Ramirez" promotes mexicanizing the national lines. Those in charge: Pres. Modesto C. Eng Rolland, 1st Vpdte. Mr. Joaquín Santaella, 2 ° Vpdte. Mr. José Rodríguez Cabo, Sec 1st Joaquín M. Alegre.
On 9 Feb. 1913 Manuel Urquidi Subsecretary of Comunications, meets to organize the office with Alberto Pani J, his brother Arthur and Mr. Alessio Robles, they are joined by: Carlos Arguelles, Ramon Puente, Samuel Vazquez, and Ings. Alvarez del Castillo, Efrain Gomez and Modesto Rolland.
On the death of Pres. Madero and Vpdte. Pino Suarez, on his farewell to his students at the Colegio Militar, he tells them they will be instruments to shed Mexican blood, that afternoon he was dismissed. He was removed from office, imprisoned and threatened with being shot. After a month of solitary confinement, he was received by Minister Garza Aldape, whom he assured he was not a conspirator, but disagreed with the policies of Huerta. He was released but decided to flee to Veracruz and by ship to the U.S.
In Ciudad Juarez the Minister of Communications, Mr Zulara introduced him to Don Venustiano who talk to him about the problems of Mexico, the agrarian problem was the cornerstone of the country's social problems. He particularly talked about schools and the need for a school system. Don Venustiano he decided embodied national unity and he had to work under his influence. He was commissioned to travel the U.S. in 1913 to develop plans for reconstruction, but especially for the elementary education system and the municipal organization.
In June 1914 he was consul in N. Y. commissioned to create organs for the dissemination of Carranza Movement in the U.S., in August he writes: following Rafael Capmany Zubarán Minister of the Interior, I organize the information office" Mexican Bureau of Information ", that wrote articles for magazines and a weekly newsletter , "Mexican Letters," which was sent to 500 U.S. newspapers, Pres. Wilson, Congress, Senate and other officials.
Returning to Mexico he was appointed officer in the Ministry of Comunications in October 1914.
On October 26, 1914 the Board of the National Railways of Mexico City, appointed as directors of the Executive Committee: Carlos Basave, Luis Cabrera & Modesto Rolland.
During December 1914 the NY Times published several news received from Vera Cruz sent by Modesto Rolland as Minister of Communication of Carranza.
On the 7 & 23 December 1914 he delivers a lecture to the Revolutionary Confederation in Veracruz, titled "The Agrarian Question and Practical Means to Solve the Problem."
He resigns from the cabinet and is commissioned as Secretary of the "Technical Committee of Petroleum," with Pastor Rouaix as Pres. & Jose Vazquez Schaffino , Salvador Gómez & Ignacio Mora. The Commission traveled to USA to study the oil industry.
The 6 Jan. 1915 Modesto C. Rolland, Salvador Alvarado, Gustavo Espinosa Mireles and others, launched an invitation to form the Revolutionary Confederation as a civil organization of the revolution & the crowning of the military victory.
In 1915 he accompanied Salvador Alvarado appointed governor of Yucatan, he was commissioned to organize the State Agricultural Commission, were he created the Agricultural and Rural Cadastre & reissued his book on Surveying of 1906.
During his stay he built the first concrete pier for the oil terminal in the Port of Progreso.
In 1916 Feminist Congress of Mexico (at the Teatro Peon Contreras Merida) as a man close to Alvarado, he seeks the consensus of teachers so the Governor may confer the suffrage to women.
On 23 Mar. 1916 in the "Voice of the Revolution" of Yucatan, he regrets the little profit Mexico obtains from oil exploitation (being the third world producer) and the disappearance of the Technical Committee of Petroleum that was preparing legislation to protect this heritage. The oil must be nationalized & pipelines and refineries must be constructed around the country.
In April 1916 he traveled to Mexico to request the Education Sec Palavicini , for a teacher as head of the Dept. of Public Education in Yucatan, obtaining the designation of Gregorio Torres Quintero.
On June 21, 1916 in Sto. Domingo close to Carrizal, Chihuahua, the troops of Gral J. Treviño clash with those of Gral Pershing who was chasing Villa. On the 24 Jun. 1916 in view of an eminent war, the "American Union Against Militarism" invited to a peace conference in El Paso Texas: Modesto C. Rolland, Luis Manuel Rojas & Gerardo Murillo (Dr. Atl), they were finally installed on June 28 in Washington as the "American Peace Commission," with: Moorfield Storey Pres., Modesto C Rolland Vpdte, Chrystal Eastman Sec., other members: David Starr, Paul Kellogg, Manuel Rojas and Dr. Atl. Faced with intransigent attitudes in the U.S., he published an open letter to W. Wilson President of the U.S., noting the grave injustice that a war with Mexico would be.
In 1916-7 the Socialists & the American Federation of Labor incline towards Carranza as the best hope for the Mexican Revolution. The International Socialist Review publishes articles written by Carranza’s publicist Modesto Rolland.
In 1916-18 the "Graphic" and "Columbus Publishing" are published in N. Y., led by Modesto Rolland creator of the Latin American News Association of the Carranza government.
While in NY he learned of the theories of Henry George's on a single tax, that proposes taxing only land, he read all his books and converted to this cause, attending the "Single Tax Congress."
In 1916 he addressed a public letter to Don Venustiano proposing solutions for the Northern District of Baja California, requesting an executive committee be sent to study them.
In Dec.1916 a committee formed by: Salvador Alvarado, Ezequiel A. Chavez, Max. Chaubert, Pedro Solis Camara and Modesto C. Rolland, presented to the Constituent Assembly a draft of Civil Service Law for the Mexican cities, this is the public until December 7, 1920.
The XXVII Legislature on April 13, 1917 approves the representatives for the Southern District of Baja California: CC. Modesto C. Rolland proprietor & Eduardo S. Carrillo substitute.
He conducted extensive studies of the Internal Revenue of the State of Yucatan, which was published on April 3, 1918 in the newspaper "Voice of the Revolution."
In Nov. 1918 he addresses the Governor of Yucatan, Carlos Morales Castro to inform of the delivery of telegraph receptors ordered by General Alvarado; this as Mgr. of the Company of Development of Southeastern Mexico, all to provide wireless communication for Yucatan.
When Gen. Alvarado tries to figure in the presidential elections he founds the newspaper "El Heraldo de Mexico," Modesto Rolland is director, from April 25, 1919 to 24 Mar 1920.
In 1919 he heads a commission of Ministry of Hda to study the conditions for the Northern District of Baja California; the report was delivered in December of that year. It turned out a precise analysis of economic and political problems of the District with several proposed solutions, among others it proposed a port in the "Laguna Salada", which is 8 meters under sea level, located near Mexicali. He also proposed the construction of several dams, of which only has been built to date the dam Abelardo Rodriguez.
In 1920 he founded a Club for Socio Economic Studies, where students of political economy could meet to discuss and preach true methods of social reconstruction.
Between 1920 and 1934 he obtained permission for several surface water harvesting.
On October 11, 1920 Pres. Adolfo de la Huerta issued a decree for the creation of the Free Ports written by Modesto C. Rolland.
In 1920 Pres. Obregon appointed him as Chairman of the National Agrarian Commission, there he designed the bases that determined the extent of the ejido endowments.
In Sept. 1921 he published "The Municipal Disaster in the Mexican Republic" with a foreword by Gomez Morin; it was the first book in Mexico about the Free Municipality. The book includes the "Draft Civil Service Law for Mexican Cities."
In 1922 he founded the newspaper "El Hombre" being its editor until 1925.
In 1922 he published a book on Foundations, Floors and Roofs of reinforced concrete.
In 1923 he wrote "The Mexican Free Ports and The Free Zone on the northern border of the Mexican Republic."
In 1923 Pres. Obregon creates the Mexican Free Ports, including the ports of Guaymas, Salina Cruz and Puerto Mexico.
The 31 Jul. 1923 in a meeting in NY, Modesto Rolland of the Mexican Free Ports, announced that two Mexican Free Ports will be opened to world trade.
In 1923 he was Pres. of the radio station CYB. The 6 Mar. 1923: the Mexican Radio League, the Center of Engineers & the Central Mexican League Radio Club merge to form the Central Mexican Radio League, in 1923 Modesto Rolland was founder & Pres. of the League, other leaders were
Vicente Lombardo Toledano, Felipe Sierra, Francisco C. Steffen, Salvador and Manuel L. Domenzain Stampa. He represented the League when the Regulation for Radio Stations was presented to Pres. Obregon. With the League he organized the Great Radioelectric Fair at the Palacio de Mineria on July 16 to 25, 1923 inaugurated by the Pres.
In 1924 he presented a paper on the Mexican Free Ports in the 2nd Congress of Ings. in Monterrey.
The 20 Jul. 1924 the Mexican Free Ports are officially opened in a ceremony at Salina Cruz, on Pres. Obregon behalf Mr. Leopoldo Vazquez delivers the opening speech, M. Rolland is the director.
When Gen. Heriberto Jara became governor of the State of Veracruz on 1 Dec. 1924, he conceived a great stadium in Jalapa, the capital; Modesto C. Rolland was contracted for this purpose & with his project & under his direction on the 25 Jun. work started, concluding on the of 14 Sep. (only 2 months & 16 days) to the astonishment of experts from around the country, for the stands were covered with 3.000 m2 of a monolithic parabolic concrete roof. On Sep. 20, the Pres. Calles solemnly inaugurated the stadium.
In 1925 he widowed when his wife Virginia dies due to a tragic accident.
In September of 1926 by decree of President Elias Calles the Mexican Free Ports disappear, Don Modesto as Director enters into a long polemic against the decree.
He then returned to the construction of homes and buildings in Mexico City. Among others he constructs: the building of the Foreign Club in Mexico, a large residence would become the Russian Embassy in Mexico and in Cuernavaca the Hotel Chula Vista.
In 1927 he marries the concertist Rosario Tolentino Guizar, with whom he breed a daughter.
During this period he gave way to his creative ability, he set up a plant to produce hollow bricks & other prefabricated concrete products; he manufactured and sold a water pump driven by wind. Between 1912 and 1926 he registered 11 patents relating to the above.
In 1929 he is the editor of "Review" the organ of Georgist Union in Mexico City.
In 1930 he was invited to work in the Ministry of Communications as Director of Railways, undertaking the construction of the Ferrocarril del Sureste, to communicate Yucatan.
In September 1930 he gave a lecture on "The Agrarian Problem in Mexico" at the "Henry George Foundation of America" at a Congress in San Francisco, California.
In 1931 he opened a cooper mine in the village called "Las Minas" located in a ravine near Jalapa Veracruz.
In 1932 he wrote "Communism or Liberalism" dedicated to the "Union of Veterans of the Revolution" there he describes the failure of Laborism & Agrarism to solve public welfare.
In 1934 he was appointed Sub Sec. of Communications.
In May 1934 the Company Petrolera la Laguna is formed in Jalapa Veracruz , with M Rolland as shareholder. On October 30, 1935 the Company Petrolera Veracruzana is founded with M Rolland as Pres. and Gral Mgr., Treasurer Rafael Murillo, Rafael Pouze Chazaro Sec.
On October 25, 1938 he presented a lecture before the National Congress of Exporters at the Palace of Bellas Artes on the "Mexican Free Ports."
On 7 Nov. 1938 whit consent, he ordered the elimination of offensive images of the heads o states Hitler & Mussolini in the mural of the Central Airport of Mexico City's, in response to a German diplomatic protest and since Mexico faced a boycott of countries whose oil companies had been expropriated, Mexican oil then being sold to Germany.
On April 14, 1939 at the initiative of Pres. Lázaro Cárdenas, Congress approves the reinstallation of the Mexicans Free Ports: Puerto Mexico, Topolobampo Salina Cruz the decree is signed by the Pres., Sec of Had. Eduardo Suarez & Sec. of SCOP Modesto C. Rolland.
In 1939 when Gen. Mujica Sec of SCOP resigns to campaign for the presidency, M Rolland Deputy Sec SCOP and is appointed Deputy Sec. of Economy.
On May 1, 1940 Congress approves an agreement to pay four oil companies expropriated by decree of 18 Mar. 1938, releasing the locks on the sale to Mexican oil abroad; the decree is
signed by the Pres. Cardenas, the Managing Sec. of Had Eduardo Villaseñor & the Managing Sec. of Economy Modesto Rolland.
In 1940 the Mexican Free Ports are reopened in Salina Cruz and Puerto Mexico, and later in Topolobampo and Ensenada, M. Rolland is Mgr. until December 1952 when Pres. Ruiz Cortines, takes office.
On November 5, 1940 he gives a lecture at the Mexican Society of Geography and Statistics on "Free Ports and Traffic Interoceanic across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec”.
The Mexican Free Ports developed the Decavia project, which proposed to transport up to 25,000 ton ships, on traveling locks rolling on 10 rails on a route with slopes of 0.5% & curves of 10 ', covering 188 kmts & climbing 220 meters between Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos.
He designed & built a fixed sand dredge to bypass the coastal sands continually blocking Salina Cruz, first of its kind in the world. When he left the Free Ports the dredge was neglected &, abandoned due to conflict of interest with dredging contracts. As Manager of the MFP he installed water & sewage and paved the streets of Salina Cruz.
In 1943 Pres. Manuel Avila Camacho appointed him federal representative & president of the "Coordinating Committee of the Suchiate" in Chiapas.
In 1941 Mr. Neguib Simon decided to build a Sports City in Mexico including: a bullring arena, a sports stadium, movies houses, racquetball stadium, tennis courts, bowling alleys, restaurants, Olympic swimming pool, a pool with mechanisms to simulate waves, a boxing arena & parking. He contracted Modesto Rolland to design & construct the project. The works of the Plaza de Toros began in December 1944 & at a given time had 10,000 workers in three shifts. The novelty is that the arena is 20 meters below the natural ground and stands 20 meters above, thus doubling the world's largest arenas. The magnum opus was opened on February 5, 1946, although skeptics in January 1946 forced a load test of 10 days, with 120,000 bags of 50 kg sand covering all seats. The project continued with the Olympic Stadium which was inaugurated on 6 Oct. 1946, being the first major forum for sports events in Mexico City that was not wooden structure.
On April 16, 1949 Modesto Rolland Dir Mexican Free Ports visits Los Angeles Cal. in search of US capital for US $ 300, 000,000 to finance the construction of the Decavia, reports UP.
The 9 Jun. 1952 in response to a survey of Mr. Ruiz Cortines, candidate for Pres. he addresses him
with a publication: "Effective Way to Prevent Poverty & Fight Communism." The country's problems are stripped by showing what is unresolved: Public Misery, The Agrarian Disaster, the Laborism that has created a privileged class without solving the problem of workers, the Electoral Problem as those elected for positions are not the best & most prepared Mexican, a remedy has not been found to the municipal disaster. He finally points to the following needs: economic reform, respect for municipal freedom, proportional election, and democratic brakes called: Revocation, Initiative and Referendum; ceasing of all arbitrary measures such as the ejido policy.
In 1954 Arch. Carlos Lazo Sec. of SCOP, Carlos Contreras and Modesto Rolland conceived and designed the original concept of SCOP Center, located in a large area between Avenues of Xola, Universidad, Niño Perdido & Acutzingo in Mexico City.
In 1957 he finally moved his residence to his ranch the Santa Margarita on the outskirts of Cordoba Veracruz.
In 1958 Mr. Lopez Mateos in his campaign for Pres. invited Modesto Rolland to accompany him on his trip through Baja California.
He died in Cordoba Veracruz on May 17, 1965.
