Document text
ORIGINAL MSS, OR FIELD NOTES (Cheek one)
PUB, Living Lore in
New England
TITLE_AlliajLiglonjorje
WRITER Marton R. Lova++
DATE 4/09 WDS, PP. 3
CHECKER DATE
SOURCES GIVEN Interview
COMMENTS
Paper No. 9
Interview
with
Roland Dammiani
by,
Merton R. Lovett
"As well as remembered."
Interview with Roland Dammiani
by Merton R. Lovett
(from memory)
"Yes, Mr. Lovett, I think our Italian Alderman has made
a good record. I think he is honest. He is also smart.
"No, I have no political ambition. I am busy enough
and have plenty of troubles
"Perhaps I could get the Italian vote. I have been
president of the Italian Republican Club. Maybe that would do
as much harm as good. But why talk about it?
"We certainly do need a good playground in Ward Three.
Too many of the children play in the streets.
"Of course I knew young Tanzella. He was an honor
student at the high school. Did you know he had considerable
skill as an artist?
"Perhaps the driver was not to blame. I think he was
careless. There is no excuse for running a boy down in the street.
"His mother feels terrible. He was a good boy.
"Sure lots of the boys and girls race around Rantoul
Street with roller skates. Its dangerous, but they do it. When
I was a boy, we didnft use roller skates. We played in the
streets, though.
"Theta what I mean. Its better to spend fifty thousand
dollars for a good playground than kill one child.
"The playground by the city stables is too small. When
they build the new city garage it will be smaller. Its not big
Pages
enough for one good ball field. Besides its nothing but an old
dump ---wet like a swamp in the spring.
"Alderman Scotti is working hard for a new playground.
He is opposed to putting the new garage where they plan.
"My wife and I, we worry every time our two children
go out to play. We have to watch them all the time. They are
too young to realize the danger.
"There is not much change at the United Shoe. Many
of the departments are on a four day week. Thy say business
should improve next month.
"So you have tried often to get a job in the office.
Its too bad. Don't you know any of the big shots?
"Vose,- can't he help you. Well I suppose Hoar does
have the say.
"No, I don't believe many get a job by pull. There are
very few jobs, ever, these days.
"Oh, perhaps if President Winslow wanted to get a friend
a job, be could do it. Do you know him?
"Thsts too bad. Perhaps they do think you are too old.
They should not turn down a man like you, lust because he is a.
"Yes, theta right, I have known many such cases. If a
workman dies, they try to find a job for his wife or one of his
children. It prevents the family from suffering or breaking up.
"How long have I worked at the United Shoe? Fifteen