Omaha daily bee., 1888-08-01
BANKER BERARDINI IS WROTH
He Says He Has Been Standing BY
His Own Countrymen.
NEVER WAS A CONTRACT SHARP
Result OF Yesterdays Investigation
BY the Congressional lmmigra
tion Committee-The Old,
old Story.
The Immigration Investigation.

New York, July 3l.-The congressional
committee continued its investigation to-day
oil the immigration question. The committee
adopted resolution declaring that while
they were in session in this city any two
members of the committee named by the
chairman shall constitute quorum to issue
subppnas administer oaths and take tcsti-
mony of witnesses, and II sub committee Of
two or three members may be appointed by
the chair with like powers TO conduct the
examination of witnesses during the time
the committee is engaged here, or at
any other time or place that the full COM
mlttee may decide. This viii give the COM
mlttee an opportunity to carry on the investi-
CATION in two cities at one time.
Francis Bumont was the first witness to-
day. He came from Italy May last on q
tramp steamer. He paid his own passage at
cost OF l5i francs. He was induced to come
here by promises of making money. Fifteen
hundred other Italians came on the same
steamer. If he does not get work at
francs day, somebody, ne says, has got to
send him back to Italy. The agent, Dorelli,
saying that the Italian immigration society
here owned u vast amount of land and he
would be put to work on it. Dorelli has been
in the soliciting business for u number of
years. He had paid Dorelli thirty frnncs in
March last as earnest money! but received
nothing in exchange. 1t was paid in Naples
in the Office of the emigration society
Dorclll gave him a letter Introducing himself
and his companion to the colonization society
at Naples. The witness remained three
days in Naples before starting for America.
Those connected with the colonization society
told witness and his companion that they
would get plenty Of work and good pay in
this country. The society furnished cards to
be presented to the society in New York.
On their arrival here the society said they
had no lands and had to be content with the
reply that they should receive work Just as
soon as "God sent it," The witness borrowed
200 francs in Italy, and he is obliged to
return 25J francs. Interest on money
in Italy is % per cent per annum. His prop.
erty was worth 1000 francs, and according
to their laws the creditors can levy on the
property If so disposed to satisfy their
claims. The witness concluded by saying
that he would return TO Italy at once if he
had the money.
The committee examined Giuseppe Menitti
and Antonio Sqranibiglia, but gathered moth
ing new. Each told the old story of being
persuaded to come over here by promises OF
plenty of work and big pay, ana each, like
all the rest who have testified, raised their
passage money at enormous rates of interest.
Banker Berardini asked to be allowed to
testify. He said that ne wanted satisfaction
for the SANDER which was hurled at him yes.
terday. He was sworn. He said he had
been in this country six years and during
that time had been engaged in manufacture
ing cigars He was also banker
and railroad contractor. He said
he did not know the men - who
testified yesterday nor the men they referred
TO in Italy. He had no connection with them,
nor had he ever had anything to do with
bringing men from Italy. He said he could
give any quantity of references as to his
character, and had never misappropriated
anything He declared that he had spent
over $1,000 of his own money last year help
ing the Italian colony here, and that Mario,
superintendent of the Italian immigration So
ciety, had paid him 800 reward for this.
Congressman Oates crosse examined the
witness as to his mode of carrying on the
banking and contract business, but elected
nothing important. The committee then ad
iourned until Monday next.