Document text
ORIGINAL MSS. OR FIELD NOTES (Cheek one)
PUB. Living Lore in
New England
TITLE Italian Shoo Machine WorkertBeverly
0
WRITER Morton N. Lovett
DATE 4/209 IDS. PP. 4
CHECKER DATE
SOURCES GUEN_(?) Interview
COMMENTS
L,
Paper No. 8
Interview
with
Roland Damiani
by
Merton R. Lovett
"As well as remembered."
INTERVIEW WITH ROLAND DAMIANI
by Merton R. Lovett
"Yes, my little girl likes ice cream. Her grandfather
bought her the cone. It is almost as big as she is.
"Come here, Theresa. Say 'hello' to Mr. Lovett. No,
Mr. Lovett doesn't want to shake hands. Your fingers are too
sticky.
"Yes, the Evening School graduation was a huge success.
We had large classes. Most of them got diplomas.
"Of course the school can be improved. For one thing
I'd like to see the meeting nights changed.
"We meet now on Mcnday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Most of the evening school pupils work days. They get tired.
It would be a good thing to skip a night. If we met Monday, Wed-
nesdays and Fridays, the pupils would have more time to get their
lessons.
"Oh, I'll find plenty to do. Now that evening school
has closed, the wife and I can go out oftener. And when daylight
saving comes, I can play an occasional game of golf or softball.
"Yes, I belong to the United Shoe Athletic Association.
Most everybody does. It costs only a dollar. Of course, you
have to pay a little more if you join the golf club, or tennis
club or rifle club.
Page 2
"The golf club dues are $15.00 per year for members.
It costs outsiders $65.00 a year.
"Well, I wouldn't say that the Athletic Association
was self-supporting. However it may be since there are no
taxes to meet. Besides, the company furnishes the buildings and
grounds.
"I guess that's right. The company pays any unusual
expense and for irprovements. They say that the fairway water-
ing system at the golf club cost 02,000. The new bowling green
most have cost thousands also.
"No, a private club can hardly compete. Their dues
most be higher.
"For a dollar employees are allowed to use the big
club house, bowl, read, play pool, etc. The club house is busy
every night with dances, parties, suppers, contests, etc.
"Yes, the company encourages athletics. They offer
prizes and arrange competitions. There are many bowling leagues
and six soft ball teams*
"The bowlers pay ten cents a string. But the prizes
are donated. They also have a free banquet and theatre party after
the season closes.
Page
"Sure, the foremen and officers mingle at the club
with the workmen.
"Perhaps the company believes that improves the
morale of the employees.
"To say that it is part of the campaign against unions
would be far fetched.
"Of course, many workmen enjoy tennis or revolver prac-
tice. But lots of workmen never play games.
"Yes, we should be proud of our athletic equipment.
The athletic association keeps improving the grounds. Last
year they built a new caddy house and golf shop.
"The dozen tennis courts are considered perfect.
"Perhaps. Some day the golf course will be one of
the hardest and best in the country. They are altering fair-
ways and greens every year.
"No, the course was already hard enough to suit me.
If they make it any harder, have to carry around an adding
machine.
"No, I never got a hole in one. I've taken eleven
strokes or worse on several holes.
Page 4
"Yes, I get an occasional par score. I guess it's
luck. I got a birdie two on the 'Wedding Cake' last fall.
"No, my drive wasn't even close. It was in the sand
trap behind the green. I took a sock at it with my niblic.
The ball came out with a cloud of sand. It struck the flag
and dropped right into the cup. No one was more surprised
than I was.
"Have you played at the United Shoe golf club?
"How did you like it?
"You wish you worked at the Shoe, so you could be a
member.
"What was your score?"