Document text
ORIGINAL MSS. OR FIELD NOTES (Cheek one)
PUB. Living Uwe ill
Nor azi&land
TITLEitalian Shoe *Adze Worker
WRITER Merton R. Lovett
DATE 4/13/39 •PP. 3
CHECKER DATE
SOURCEZ.am.,,.(t).... Interview
COMMENTS
Paper No. 7
Interview with
Roland Damiani
by
Merton R. Lovett
"From Memory"
Interview with Roland Damiani
BY Merton R. Lovett
(from memory)
"I do not think that all Italian Americans agree on Mussolini.
Some approve of his policy. Others think he is too reckless and
will drag Italy into war.
"I cannot answer for everyone. Personaly all my loyalty
is for this country. My interest in Italy is secondary. If a
war should break out in the old country tomorrow, I do not think
a dozen men would leave Beverly to fight.
"The admiration you speak of is confined mostly to the older
people. They are naturally pleased to see Italy active, respected
and powerful, The Italians are proud of their race and of its
ancient history. The history of Rome means much to them.
"The answer to that is easy. A great many Italians belong
to the American Legion. They have fought for America once. They
would fight for this country again if necessary.
"We have succeeded in geting most of the Italians here to
take out naturalization papers. They have taken the oath to
defend the United States.
"Of course you are right Mr. Lovett. The young fellows are
just as loyal Americans as any. They are as interested as your
boy in American institutions. My youngster here will never feel
any great affection for Italy. I hope be will make a fine engineer
or lawyer or doctor, I hope he will never have to fight.
Page 2
"There may be some Italian propaganda intended to win the
support of Italian -Americans. I have not experienced any. Hardly
anybody in Beverly reads an Italian newspaper.
"Hahl Hahi So it was rumored that Mussolini is responsible
for the law which requires the teaching of Italian in City high
schools? How could Mussolini influence the legislators here. Not
many of them are Italians anyway.
"Yes I was one of those that urged the teaching of Italian
at the High school. I thought that the Italian language was at
least as important as French and German. The Italians have
produced a great literature. It is the favorite language of singers.
"Well, supposing we do feel some racial pride. If you lived
in Italy Mr. Lovett, would you lose all interest in English?
Wouldn't you want your children to know a little about the master-
pieces written in that language?
"I have worked for years in Americanization work. I believe
in it. The results have been amazing. We have made good Americans
out of Italian immigrants, and just as often out of the French,
Germans, Russians and Greeks.
"Yes this work is also carried on at the United Shoe in noon
classes.
"No, I don't believe that the company has any axe to grind.
Certainly union leaders are as much in favor of Americanization
as the Companies.
1 "That's right the more a man knows; the more happily and
Page
successfully he lives with his neighbors, the better workman and
citizen, he becomes.
"Do I play golf? No, but I have played at it.
"'Yes its a great game, but takes so much time and costs so
much that few Italians have taken it up.
"The younger Italian -Americans are strong for baseball, foot-
ball and bowling.
"Yes, I could name many other players. We are proud of those
Italians Who have played on the High School teams. Many of them
were elected captains.
"I think "Buzz" Foley will be a good football coach.
"Sure some of the Italian -Americans hoped Flavio Tossi would
get the job. He was a standout at Boston College and a great
professional player.
"Perhaps you are right. Certainly a coach should have a
good moral influence on the boys. If Tossi is a roughneck it
is because of professional football. Anyway I don't think the
Italians resent his failure to get the job. The Italian ,boys
will be out there next fall, working for Coach Foley,"