The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-28
ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS.
How They Are Imported by Agents and Prac-
tically Robbed of Their Earnings.

New YORK. July 2z.-The congressional COM
mittee on immigration matters met again to-day
at the Westminster Hotel. Roberto Mario, the
manager Of the Italian Emigration Society, re-
sumed the stand. He furnished q list Of sub
contractors who were known to ply their trade
among the poor Italian smigrants. These peo-
pie. hs said, exscted commissions from employer
and employe. In some cases he had known en-
igrants to pay commissions to six or seven per-
sons and then not secure work. Five laborers
VINO had been hired in Italy came here On a
National line steamer last June. The witness
wrote to Collector Msgone about the matter. In
his letter Mr.. Mario said the men were under
contract with Paolo Farzone, a man of bad rep
%utation. who had hired them TO go to Saratoga.
Mr.. Magone, in answer, said the matter
had been laid before the emigration
commissioners, and they decided that the men
should pass through. The witness has not seen
the five men since. One Angelo Leo, in May
last, imported twelve lsborers by the steamer
EEtella. of the Italian Navigation COMPANY. He
found the men in Castle Garden and there
learned their condition. Leo secured the men
in Italy and purposed forwarding them to one
Ungaroe, at l53 West Third street. st. Paul,
Mimi. In the deal it was shown that each Of
the men was compelled by a contract to pay
500 to Ungaroe for the loan of S2l. The witness
wrote to UngarOe, but cot no answer. These
were all the cases of imported contract labor
that had come under his notice. Laborers in
italy, he said, are very poorly paid. except in
harvest time. when they got q dollar q day.
Francisco Zappone, an Italian muleteer, said
he had come to this country in May. On a ticket
Which one OF Toccies agents had sent TO his
native village with instructions to get a man.
The witness told about the wages he could earn
In his own country. he said ne could make
from one TO two francs a day at driving mules
Tor nine months IN the year. \ part of the
time be worked at farming. when be would
share in the crop with the owner, but would re-
ceive no money. The witness could not tell
what his wages for q year would amount to,
because he bod never figured it up, but he
thought 1t would average q little more than
q franc q day. Out of this he had
10 pay house rent and the living
OF bis family. He might occasionally get o
present Of a bottle OF wine. He has a wife and
two children In Italy. The witness said he had
20 francs when he arrived here, but had been
unable to get any work since be- arrived. Some
OF his countrynen who had come with him had
got work because they had money to pay for it.
be had been taken care Of by benevolent soci-
cites He would not work for so cents . day.
his family was starving now, and If he went TO
work for any such amount az that he would
OoIciy pc auIe 10 i've himself, ana his family
would still have to starve. He told Congress
man Guenther that be was willing 10 work for
him 81 30 cents q day. IL he had 81 a day right
along he would spend % cents . day for board
and lodging.
.'You could live well on THAR asked Congress
man Guenther.
well. not very we'll; but pretty well. I would
be SATISFIED he answered. He declared that he
would be only too glad 10 go back home; he was
satisfied there with what he was making. lie
had hoped when he came out here that lie could
make enough money in a couple of years to 60
home aud live.
Congressman Morrow wanted TO know why he
cid not 60 into the country 10 get work. he re-
Piled that he had no money to go with, and was
afraid be might Get lost in the woods.
After recess tue committee called Angelo An
tonic DE Derro, an emigrsnt from Italy, who ar
rived here April -. last. In Italy he was cer-
tain OF steady work from eight to ten months
each year. de WAS never without something 10
eat and a place TO sleep. As q reward for his
labors over there he received 10 cents q day and
his board. He heard that q man was max ne up
. party TO come TO this country, and he joined the
expedition. The man had an employment
agency In the Witness native village. This
man said there was work for them in America
~ 81 . day, and he undertook TO give them
work as soon as they arrived, or to give them
food until be found them work. But for this
mans persuasicns he would not have thought Of
coming here. He did not have TO pay anything
for his passage. He had no money. Az that