Evening journal., 1914-10-30
.LAUD ITALIANS At
alliance Dinner
Mayor Howell Tells Visitors
They Are a Remarkable
People
GOOD CITIZENSHIP
THEIR PURPOSE

Good fellowship and oratory marked
the banquet given at the Hotel DUPONT
last night by members of the Italian
American Alliance and the event will be
long remembered by every Italian
American citizen who attended. 1t was
an affair par excellence. The chef had
done his best, preparing one of the most
elaborate menus ever served at a like
event in Wilmington. The banquet was
served in the grill room of the hotel,
which was beautifully decorated with
American and Italian flags flowers and
! ferns. Many women were among the
diners and their gowns gave a pleasing
touch OF color to the scene.
At the speakers table were officers
of the alliance, Mayor Harrison w. How
ell, Chief of Police George Black and
several prominent italians, guests Of
the organization. Mr.. Ricardo, Italian
consul at Philadelphia, attended as the
personal representative Of the Italian
ambassador. introduced by Anthony
Corletto, toastmaster, Mr.. Ricardo ex-
pressed pleasure at being present and /
declared he hoped the alliance would /
continue to grow in numbers and inhu- |
ence to the end that it might success
fully carry on its work of uplifting the /
Italians of the United States.
you are aiding the Italians in |
this country and l hope your power |
for good will increase and your num- !
bers doubled" Mr.. Riccardo said. |
"This organization is doing work
worth while; may it succeed
Mr. Riccardo read a telegram from
the Italian ambassador in which thel
diplomat expressed regret at not being
able to be present, and sent his best
wishes for the welfare Of the Alliance.
Following Mr.. Riccardo's address, Mr..
Corleto introduced Mayor Howell. whol
delivered the principal address Of the
evening.
The city's executive said he knew Of
no event of like nature which gave him
more pleasure than "this banquet cfI
Italian-Americans. He then proposed
toasts to President Wilson and the
King of Italy.
sNIy friends, it is with keenest salts
faction that address you this evening.
Mayor Howell said, "for / like the ltal-
ian people. Ny knowledge of Italian is
limited, but I know the sons and daugh-
ters of Sunny Italy who live amongst
us. They are a remarkable people. It
is significant, my friends, that your
mother country-fair ltaly-and your
adopted country-these United States
are among the few great powers of the
world not now at war.
"The Italian who comes 10 Whining
ton makes a good citizen. lie is thrifty,
i, hard-working and idealistic. in that he
labors and saves to own a home. They
arc builders-men who begin at the bot
tom and advance step by step. ] should
like to see YOU Italians take more in
terest in civic affairs and give to the
problems of the people a measure OF
your time and thought. There is no
valid reason why you should not An
other thought I wish to express is that
] should be pleased and satisfied to sec
Italians taught in our schools. We
teach our children, German and French,
why not let them master ltalianl
Mayor Howell then paid a tribute TO
Wilmington, declaring its citizens have
the proper spirit aud would do great
things for the city's advancement and
welfare. He urged his hearers to Join
i'm movements of a public nature and 70
work for the progress of this. city in
which there are 50 many Italians.
The mayors address was greeted with
applause and it was several minutes be-
fore Mr.. Corleto could win the attention
of the diners
Chief of Police Black was another
. speaker who won applause. The chiei
told OF his long friendship with many
y Italians here and praised them for then
z industry and loyalty to their friends.
z Leonard =. Wales spoke on "Great
= Italians" telling of the debt this nation
= owes tod Christopher Columbus, Michael
= Angelo and other great characters of
y Italy who have played a part in history.
y He said he knew the Italian and his
= ways. He has seen him come TO this
y City, almost penniless and without
y knowledge of English and by studying
= and working forge to the front.
= Henry di Bernardino delivered an ad-
y dress thanking Mayor Howell and viii
= mingtonians for the hospitality extended
y delegates to the convention He express
= ed his appreciation of the way loca
y Italians had entertained the visitors
= and declared the reception accorded his
y colleagues and himself had added to the
q pleasure of their stay here.
y Carmine. Di Mare. a local official oil
q the Alliance spoke along the same lin,
= and thanked Mayor Howell, Chief Black
q Consul Ricardo and other guests fo
= attending the banquet He said it gave
y Italians pleasure to entertain thcii
= friends.
y Samuel Verderamo also expressed
. qualification because OF the present o
y the mayor and other officials. He sai'
q their cooperation had materially as
= sisted officers of the Alliance in maxim;
q the third annual convention a success.
= One Of the features of the banque
q was the music. Selections from famou
= operas and patriotic numbers wer
y played and were thoroughly enjoyed.