New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-31
DECEIvING THE FOREIGNERS
IMMIGRANTS TELL THEIR SAD STORY.
ITALIANS STARVING IN THIS c1TY-How THE
CONTRACT LABOR SYSTEM WORKS

CONTRACT LABOR SYSTEM WORKS.
Before the hour appointed yesterday for the
meeting of the Congress Committee on lmmigra-
ton Chairman Ford received telegram from
Lansing, Mich, that had been forwarded from
Washington by Mrs Ford informing him Of the
death by accident of his younger
sister, Esther Ford Mr.. Ford determined to start
as soon as possible for Michigan. The other men,
bers Of the committee resumed the hearing at IL
o'clock, with Mr.. Oates of Alabama, in the chair
Beginning once more with Italy, some startling
facts were revealed with respect TO three different
nationalities that impose upon the too liberal
immigration regulations OF the United States
Nicola D'Aloe, the first witness, was the saddest
looking specimen of ali the witnesses, so far, and
his story was revelation to the committee and
everybody present lie was a small, half-starved
looking creature bald and toothless, ragged and
unkempt with sunl1en cheeks and dull eyes, and
gave his age ffty-six.
HOW ITALIANS COME TO THIS COUNTRY.
In the process of much questioning he gave the
following information about himself and the
manner Of his coming TO this country:
native OF the village OF Palma, in the province
OF Chiet owned a small vineyard there that was
worth about 400 or 500 francs and got part Of my
livelihood by raising little corn and few vegetables
on shares. had little house and with my wife ana
four children contented with my lot For four years
n man named Nicola Saraceu, who keeps store In our
village and lends money has been sending men TO this
country for Nj Berardine, Of No. "a Mulberryst MY
self and thirteen others induced by him TO come
here and sailed from Naples By the steamship Cner
bon on June L. last, and arrived at NewYork on June
% There were $50 Italian immigrants on the ship with
me- 7 do not know how many OF them came the same
conditions that did But all who came from faInla,
like myself. had tickets given them by saraeeu' ana
agreed to pay $50 francs out OF our first wages Inc
tickets cost 115 francs and the passport one franc
Thts al Sara L
railway fare to Naples said 1 would make 81 20 to
81 so day here Two francs was the most could make
In Italy persuaded me in person. and drew origh'
picture Of chances 10 make money mere. lie gave
me with nv ticket Berardini. OF Mul0errysI'
and agreed in writing to pay the go francs oeore
the end Of August or II paid in that time, 70 allow
interest at 20 per cent per annum nave NOT "orAu
a day since came here. The bosses selected only INC
hg and strong men, and they had money, they had
to promise the payment OF DOSAGE" fees out OF their
first wages could not pay or get trusted lor Oos's'
and so got no work. Have been living on one charity
meal day all the time and get lodging ticket rom
tho Fm,rration Society. L had nothing when landed
did not come here TO seek citizenship ana "ou
not have come at all but iof sdrac.I
false representations VncenEo Tella, OF Phauepha'
q confederate Of saraced and Berardni and when ne
took rang Of twenty-five to Philadelphia recently
he charged each q them So 10 be paid out OF heir ~
earnings These men called strozzino' (cutthroat.
don't know what shall do unless the 4aIian |onSui
will send me home
IMPORTING CONTRACE LhbOhIfs''
Josiah b. Dyer secretary Of the Granite Cut
ters' National Union, unfoded strange tale
about the importation of contract laborers from
Scotland He testified as follows:
7 am an Englishman and have been In this country
about twenty years knowledge OF contract aoor
having been brought here. In April 1855 receiNcu
notice from Aberdeen that man by the name OF ueorso
Berry was there trying to procure lot OF granite cutters
for Gus wlke subcontractor who was ouilang the
State CAPITOL at Austin, Texas. looked OUT LOT
hem and notice their arrival here on the Circas OF
the Anchor Line given to the authoriHeS' haNo
here the AFFIDAVIT Of Charles Falconer one OF the egh
men who were engaged By Berry The affidavit was read
ona wen. To substantiate MI Dyer's evdence) The
marty arrived here on April &C. 1886, and were met oy
members OF knights OF Labor who told them 'ne law
and Induced nearly half OF them not TO proeecu !"
Texas Most OF them very men, and hso only
90 .o,iars in their poekets Each had to advance
from 10 TO 25 shIngs as earnest money "heh ne niA
the agreement come, and IL was uhders'oou IA ~.
agreement that they were TO repay he oaanoo Vi sl'
massage money as soon they earned H. Berry rep0
d that they would be provided with good board ana
Lodging for from s16 500 month"; and gave inc 0''o"
ing as the list of prices to be PAID $50 ,,,.,.
Bin OF prices for granite cutting at Capitol 6uanS'
Austin, Texas: oac
Reds and Joints per superficial foot I ISc'
/ inch drafts per lnea foot 90. 45c.
. in nch cut work per superficial foot &c c
Oadags per ms@O Gak S at these prices 81 day
while fast earns So per Day wyiirKr Contractor.
Austin. Texas March 10, 1883 ..,-,nr,,u
A LETTER SENT FROM AUSTIN TO AbE iAl- -
Berry showed following letter as his auhor ~ a''
., ,,t,s and as a means OF inducing the men to go;
'0' " Austin Texas March r. 1885,
To the Stone Cutters Of Aberdeen l., 4, ,v orrlov IN
co,snctne The Capitol building state OF Texas ana anie
~ ~ ,iiv authorized engage ana nlre lou ~
Cutters and 10 the same 70 Aus.n n, e q, 1rces
seno needed FOR Capitol building ~ me O Vi - ,he
ar,nd helow PAYMENTS this Work are nIIe III on,b
I5th dav OF each month for all work oone IN t seadv
a3enadin, IL will require eighteen months oa 1hnu1
MISUNDERSTANDING 20 enough stone 20 eompe t ,heir
plscksnlths are also needed in this WORK, anu ~
nav is 40 cents per hour - per day OF Ten % fare for
sha rpens for fifteen cutters Inc ao @
h advanced is expected 10 he returt ov
~ eaTnInes made by cutting. by the men to Who AAe "
GUS wILKE Contractor. Capitol Building