Document text
ORIGINAL MSS. OR FIELD NOTES (Check one)
PUB. Living Lore in
New Englan
TITLE Italian Shoe Machinery Worker -Beverly
#3
WRITER Merton R. Lovett
DATE 3/14/39 W1. P.P. 7
CHECKER DATE
SOURCES GIVEN Interview
COMMENTS
Paper No. 3
Interview
with
Roland Damiani
by
Merton R. Lovett
"As well as remembered."
Interview with Roland Damiani
by Merton R. Lovett
(from memory)
"I'd rather not talk about it, Mr. Lovett. Why?
Well, I don't exactly know. A man can't find fault with
his bread and butter.
"How do I know I won't be quoted? I would worry
about my job; it isn't worth it.
"Yes, that's right. I have no occasion to criticize
the United Shoe. They have treated me more than well. But
I don't like to talk about it. They might not like it.
"Who might not like it? Well, I they I don't
know.
"1 suppose I think of the bosses the supers.
"No, no one ever told me not to talk. My boss is a
fine man; easy to talk to. He's fair and square.
"Mr. Cole? Mr. Vose? They are real guys. They have
helped hundreds of men who were in trouble.
"So far as I know they are all square shooters. A
fellow isn't afraid to go to them if he has a just complaint.
A man that does his work and tends to business hasn't much to
worry about.
Page 2
"Yes, perhaps it's the big shots in Boston that
worry us. They don't know us.
We don't know them. We
are kind of superstitioua about them. They wouldn't like
loose talkers. They insist on loyalty.
"No, there are no rules about it. But everyone
knows that in a big factory there are many secrets. Suppose
some competitors found out about some plans or new inven-
tions?
"Not that I know of. I never knew anybody who was
fired for criticizing the company, but they say men have been.
And jobs are scarce these days. Who knows? Where would a
fellow get another job if he lost the one he's got?
"I've heard that the company was afraid of spies.
"No, perhaps there aren't any. But the Government
is looking for a chance to get something on the big corpora-
tions.
"Well, anything the Government did to the United Shoe
Would hurt be. If they lose any business, some of us are bound
to lose our jobs. The men have got to stand by the company.
It's for their own benefit.
Page 3
"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps there is a hush,
hush atmosphere in all companies.
"No, I could not say that the bosses are to blame.
Perhaps the men imagine things. Perhaps it is the same in
any big shop.
"Maybe so, but I will not be quoted. You'd better
question somebody else.
"Well, I don't hear many complaints about the United
Shoe. I think the good steady workers are pretty well satis-
fied.
"Perhaps you have. Some men would never be contented.
Some are no good.
"Sure, who wouldn't like to get more money?
"I got promotions. I worked for them. I deserved
them. If a man is lazy or careless or a poor mechanic, he
can't expect advancement.
"Sure, some men deserve higher pay. Some probably
don't deserve so much. Men are not alike. On piecework some
men make forty dollars some twenty-five. Not everybody is
intelligent and skillful.
Page 4
"Well, you know which ones would do the kicking.
"No, you'd better ask somebody else. I won't talk
about unions.
I need no union to help me.
"Bow do I know it? Do the union members in other
shops get more pay? Do they get steadier work? I don't think
so.
Perhaps the company is opposed to a union? How should
I know?
"hat happened in 1919? Supposing the men who belonged
to the new union, lost their jobs? I was wise. I didn't lose
mine.
"Well, if a union man approached me, I'd tell him where
he got off.
"I believe the bird in the hand is best. A good job is
good. I wouldn't take a chance.
"I said before that you can't suit everybody. Why
should they want to strike? Have the workmen at the ceneral
Electric got higher pay? Have they worked as much? They have
not.
"Well, what would Beverly do without the United Shoe.
During the depression what city has been so lucky? Less than a
Page 5
thousand men lost their jobs during the worst times. Most
of them were unmarried.
"Why is there no union? Perhaps most of the men don't
want a union. The company treats them too well.
"Perhaps some are afraid. I wouldn't say.
"Do I think the management has bribed the men? I
haven't thought of it.
"That's your idea, not mine. Perhaps the company
spends a hundred thousand in benefits to save a million in
wages? but you'll have to admit that we do get the benefits.
"les, the company did give all the men that did not
strike contracts for a year at good pay.
"Probably that was one reason that the strike failed.
What do you think?
"No, the company kept the contracts. They have not,
except in a few cases, cut the pay during the depression. They
have only cut the number of hours.
"What do I think would happen to a workman who tried
to unionize his job? I have nothing to say.
Page •6
"The Italians are not agitators.. They are good work-
ers and do not take chances on losing their jobs.
"There may be a few. I don't know. Perhaps there are
even Italian communists. But if there are, they are damn few.
"Really, Mr. Lovett, I'd rather not.
"No, I'm not afraid. I think it would be disloyal.
"Well, if the shop Is unionized, there will be hell
to pay. What would Beverly do without the United Shoe?
"Who says what?
"Why, many people think that the company would leave
Beverly, if the shop was unionized, and they couldn't make any
profits.
"No, I never heard a boss say it. I don't know who
said it. Everybody is afraid it would happen. You're sure that
you won't quote me?
"Well, you can't blame employees for not talking. The
big shots wouldn't like to be critized.
"Despots? Benevolent dictators? I don't know. But
there is some saying about finding fault with your boss. What
is it, Mr. Lovett.
Page 7
"That's right. It wouldn't be nice or safe to
bite the hand that feeds you.
"No, I think I have talked too much. cuse me.
I must make some calls for the evening school. Several
were absent last night. I must visit them."