New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-28
AN ITALIAN TESTIFIES.
TELLING HOW HE CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.


LIVING HERE ON FIFTEEN CENTS A DAY.
Many strange and interesting facts were brouRhs
to view by the side lights thrown upon the immi-
grafton question before the Committee Of Congress
yesterday. The Italian papers here. Eco dItal-
ia,D and Progresso Italo-Americano," apologized
yesterday for their attack upon Mr.. Ford, the
latter having denied that he had used the terms
lowest grade Of humanity" ETC., regarding
Italians ascribed to him. The proceedings were
watched by committee representing the Italian
societies of New-York, Philadelphia, Boston and
Baltimore. The committee is as follows: Dr. U.
Abruzzo, No. 223 Centre-st, Or. G. b. Bettinis
No. University place, Lawyer A G. Astsrita. 81
Chambcrs-st
Mr. Mario, manager Of the Italian Emigration
Society, who began his testimony on Thursday.
was recalled and gave further information regard
ing parties of laborers who have been brougho
over under contract and sent TO st. Paul, Boston
and other places When asked by Mr.. Ford as to
eighteen marble cutters, who were brought from
Carrara to work for Barker Torrey & Co., Boston.
the witness said that he investigated the case, and
the party was passed by Collector Magone because
there was nothing TO prove tnat the mcn ca"s
here under contract.
Mr.. Ford-what wages DO these men demandi
Mr.. Marzo-From 81 TO s1 25 day.
Mr. Ford-Dut suppose they could not get 20 m'ees
would they Work for lessl
Mr.. Marzo-No. They would rather s,arve thah "orA
for less than fair wages
Mr.. Guenthcr-But they will permit their wives and
children to work for almost nothing will they noti
Mr.. Marzo-As to that 1 can't say know only about
the
Mr. Guenther-Are you that there are Italian
women in New-York today making dozen pairs OF
corduroy trousers for ten centsl
Mr. Marzo-It may be so. L don't know.
Mr.. Ford-How many Italians are there now In the
United Statesl
Mr. Marzo-About 400 000
Mr. Ford-what percentage Of can read and wris
their languagei
Mr.. Mazo-For the whole country. can't say; for
NewYork L should think about onehalf
Mr.. Ford-Can you tell Mr. Mario. how It Ia II
there are 5000 1000 OF these immigrants Idle
here, that the bosses continue TO import morel
Mr.. Marzo-I believe It is owing mostly 10 the blank
tickets which have been sold in large numbers The
people who have either get passengers to use
them or their money OF course. they VIII resort
to any device inducing people to use their tickets
Another cause Of continued immigration is that 20
soon Italian is fortunate enough TO save little BY
his work here, he sends 1t homo to his people, This
talked about in the village, and the people make any
sacrifice to get America. which they regard az the
land OF gold seveny.hve per cent Of those who have
come this year stopped in NewYork and It's vicinity
Many Of them have little or no money but have seen
some who had from $500 to 5000.
The next witness was peasant from village
about eight miles from the town of Campobasso,
which, he said, was eight hours by rail from
Naples. He was questioned through the inter-
pretor Mr.. Boucher His name was Francisco
Salone. lie was forty years of age. but could
not tell whether his home was in Northern or
Southern Italy. In reply TO long series of ques-
tions he answered as follows:
am not Calabrisn My calling that Of mu
letter. owned mule and carried wood. other
freight Sometimes hired the mule out 20 ride had
nine months work in year. making from one and
half TO Day sad wife and two children
support, aud had to lind myself LEFT my mmhy m
Italy NY wife sometimes Cid a days work for her ~
lations which she received nothing but her food
was induced 70 the United States by the repre-.
sentatlons Of a man called Nicola Bartoni He worked
secretly in my country, and party Of wentyfour went
TO Naples at the did We over In the steam.
ship Olympia, on tho 9th Of May last paid my own
fare had sold mule for 100 francs above
the brokers' fee, and borrowed 40 francs Baron per.
suaded by telling us that wages were ifom
81 90 to 81 so day here that living cheap and work
plenty and that had already sent two companies over
one Of forty another OF twenty have not had ono
dey's work since got here. The only way WORK can 20
had is by paying bosses" from 81 to &C. and have
not tho money to pay 1 have not cent, No, would
not work for 90 day II had chance am sup
ported by the Italian Benevolent Society," ana nave
had meal tickets from the Italian Emierant Society MY
family live In Italy by charity and ntue niaiLe hey
grow can live here Is cents day, and would not
spend more than % cents day II was making steady
wages OF sl a day.
The hearing will proceed at l o a. m to-day.
Washington, July 27.-Mr. Spinola, OF New
York, who is n member of the committee now IN
session in New-York investigating the question
of immigration, stated to-day that he had expected
to ioin the committee tomorrow, put thdt ne
yonId be unable to do so. He is much interested
in the Senate amendment to the Army ,Appropria-
iion bill, making. appropriations for haroor de-
fences and will take an active part IN tne manage
mcnt of the bill when it comes before the House.
THE aRIFoRMAs COOLING OFF PERcEPTIBLY.
Rome July 27.-The Rtforma' declares that ,n'
statements made before the American committee In
ou,rno into the immigration question exaggerated,
but that II Americas be confined to remedy
for excessive immigration the agents Of Italy VIII nos
cause discontent The " Riforma" believes that IL
win not be difficult for Italy and America 10 agree III
order 10 coun,eract doings of greedy specuators
especially when the Italian Parliament has approved
the emigration bill.
IVES AND STAYNER ARE RETICENT.