La nostra terra. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1904-191?, 1909-03-27
Da una settimana
all'altra.

dll dlUld.
II New York Journal del IS corrente ha
il seguente ariticolo che riproducia-
mo integralmente. mel timore, tcaducen-
dolo, di alterarne anche involontaria
mente limp ortanza.
ST comincia giudicarci un po' pid
benovoimente ci pare ne sia tempo.
Sane AMI just handling of the much
discussed Italian crime problem will
settle that problem. The newspapers
and individuals talk great deal too
much alb out the Black Hand aud the
Back Hand aud the Malta.
FheBtach Hand is good deal of
myth Three or four young rowdies sit
down, write threatening lette to some
weak individual demanding money, and
they sign it THE Black Hand It is
simply picturesque name for the old,
familiar blackmail
Some of the Italians do commit muir
ders. Native born Americans do that;
also Germans French, Irish, English,
Scandinavians and Chinese.
The hysterical talk about the Italian
criininol as though he were the only
man that ever committed murder for
money or revenge. is nonsense
The fact is that the lillian, as rule
is peaceful, w-abiding citizen. At
mis- blackhandest, he cannot compare
with our American Night Riders that
whip and murder men in a quarrel
about tobacco or cotton, and cannoe
with our mob murders, thatburn and
hang negroes-Often getting the wrong
man.
It is the very peaceable nature Of
the Italian, hardworking and obedient
tolaw. that part if the trouble.
The fact is that the police authorities
in the big cities, and especially New
York City, have neglected their duty
as regards the Italian popolAtiea. -Is~is.
well to remember that there are in
New York 100000 Italians.
They make up one-quarter of the
population in Manhattan. Excepting
Milan and Rome, New York IS the
greatest Italian city in the world.
The Italians pay their taxes, and pay
their rent, and do great deal of hard
work. They are entitled to police pro-
lection, AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD
IT
There are on the police force plenty OF
irish detectives, and American detec-
tiyes. and detectives of all kinds. The
supply of competent policemen under
standing the Italian problem is altogeth-
er insufficient, The 100000 Italians in
New York City, one-quarter of the pop
ulation, are certainly entitled to one
quarter of the attention Of the police
force.
Tere should be on the force plenty Of
men understanding the various classes
Of Italian immigrants. sicilians Neapol-
itans and Others.
Italians. as rule, are herded together
en- accout Of their poverty. as all nation
alitie are when they first immigrate in
great numbers.
There is need of plenty of policemen
able to understan what is said, and abl g
especially to sympathize with the Ital-
ians, and knowing their characters and
giving them fair play.
The incompetent Mayor of New York
City and his incompetent police admin
istration are responsible for the grsater
part Of the trouble. The average citizen
and newspaper writer's, should stop the
everlasting Black Hand talk. 1t is non
sense, about on a par with that skull
and crossbones that lite boys put on
their letters when they play at being
pirates.
A reasonable supply Of competent
policemen understanding Italian condi-
tions and the Italian language combined
with just, careful examination into all
charges against Italians in place Of hys-
terical condemnation in advance, will
do away with the much exaggerated
talk and scare.