Document text
ORIGINAL MSS. OR FIELD NOTES (Chaok one)
PUB. Livia& Lore in
New Inland
TITLE Italian Shoe *whim Worker isBever3s
WRITER Norton R. Lovett
DATE 4/609 WDS. PP.
CHECKER DATE
soun4S. quat (1) Interview
COMMENTS
Paper No. 6
Interview
with
Roland Damiani
by
Merton R. Lovett
0
"As well as rametbered,
Interview with Roland Damiani
BY Merton R. Lovett
(from memory)
"Yes, it was a tough day, Sunday, but the church was
crowded. It VAS Palm Sunday.
"A great many Italians attended mass. Others visited
the Italian church in Salem.
"Of course some never visit any church. Their sympathies
are, however, with the Catholic church. When they die or are
married, they call on the priest.
"Yes, I guess it is a sure -sign of spring. Most of the
Italians are enthusiastic farmers. They want a garden of their
"Their skill is inherited, I think. In the old country
everybody raised vegetables and fruit.
"I'm afraid I am an exception that proves the rule. I have
no place for a garden or time to cultivate it.
"Some day, I will get a cottage in the subUrbs. We'll have
a garden flowers, vegetables and grapes. My father and mother
will be happy. Be cannot work many more years in Boston. It will
give him something to do when be retires.
"That's right, the United Shoe Machinery Corporation supplies
many garden plots free.
Page 2
"Oh, there may be one hundred. More than half of them are
worked by Italians. They have no room for gardens in the tenement
district. But they want to make something grow. Besides, they
are frugal and hard working.
"I think so. They can make a pretty and paying garden where
most men would get discouraged. It is true that they can make a
bit of the dump profitable.
"The gardens are only one of many methods employed by the
United Shoe to make their men happy and contented.
"The company will supply fertilizer and seeds at wholesale
price.
"I suppose the merchants do object. It hurts their business,
"There is much to be said on both sides, however.
"No, it is incorrect to say that the company is in the mer-
chandizing business. Employees can order most anything they need
through the factory. The company will get it. Because of their
credit and size they can purchase things at the lowest possible
price.
"No, the company does not want to profit by such sales.
They sell at cost plus overhead. Of course, they do not sell food
or clothing, etc.
Page 3
"What can the men order through the company? Well, they
can buy paint, glass and hardwarisupplies. Also some furni-
ture, like furnaces and refrigerators. And of course, gasoline.
"No, they do not deliver anything. Most all the workmen
buy their gasoline at the factory. They save two cents per gallon.
The company has several pumps and they are kept busy before and
after work.
"How do the employees pay for their purchases? Well, the
accounts are kept by a separate department. Each man's account
is kept on a separate card. The amount owed is deducted from his
pay envelope.
"No, every man receives credit for what be has paid and he
always knows lust what the balance due is.
"Of course, the company does not charge him interest. The
small expense is figured in the cost.
"Well, I don't believe that the company runs a banking bus-
iness.
"Yee, I know it does sometimes happen, that the company pays
a man's bills. But just suppose I get deeply in debt. Perhaps I
have hospital bills. Perhaps I have been reckless or careless.
Sooner or later if I cannot settle, my pay is attached.
"What does the company do then? Well, if I am a good work-
man, they call me in for a conference. I explain to them my fins.
ancial difficulties. Then if they think I an not a dead beat, they
Page 4
will settle the bills and deduct something from my pay check each
week.
"Naturally. If a man shows himself unable to take advice.
If he is often in trouble because of extravagance, then they refuse
to help.
"Of course, they occassionally fire the man who is too weak
to handle his finances. Especially if his character is poor or his
work suffers.
"What do I think is the total annual amount of sales by the
company to its employees? I'm sure I do not know.
"Well, the merchants would naturally exagerate. But if they
lose some business, they still are fortunate. Because of the United
Shoe, hundreds of Beverly families are receiving weekly pay checks."