Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-10-18
Union Chief
Was Biggest
'Padrone'
Ho dc arriers' Chief
Kept Old System
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER

guished privilege of hearing the
report of the president of the
hod-carriers' union at the first
convention in 30 years of that
august body may be interested
in some further information con-
corning their late president,
Domenico d'Alessandro of Bos-
ton and Quincy. who passed
from this life in 1926.
That rare phenomenon, the
national convention. which &C.
Cured in st. Louis. was adj
dressed by the current president.
Joseph Victor Morechi. in whose
able hands the union has de-
veloped.
As president, Mr.. Moreschi
had the honor and duty of sum-
mariZing the events of 30 years
and did so in little report
which every rewrite desk in the
land should keep at hand as
model of condensation. How
ever, in eliminating all irrelevant
matter. Brother Moreschi sacri-
feed an inspiring success story
, and today's contribution 10
American letters will attempt 10
supplement the record.
Those who heard the report
of the Hon. President General
In St Louis were men of stone
were they not moved 10 tears
by the sad paragraph which told
of the reverent proceedings OF
the self-elected and self-perpetu-
atlng group of unioneers in the
national headquarters wheri
q AlesSandro was called 10 meet
his Maker.
Eulogies were delivered and
arrangements were made 10
erect a memorial TO the de-
parted servant of the humble
pick-and-shovel stiff and this,
IN time. was duly reported done,
a though, again economizing
words.
Brother Moreschi did not en-
large on the career of Brother
DAleSSandro. whom he sue
-ceeded IN office IA a proceeding
so haSty that the chair OF honor
and power did not cool.
LIE CAME over from a village
II near Rome in 1894 and went
10 work as hod-carricr near
Boston. where he observed with
a certain interest the operations
OF the old padrone system by
which Italian immigrant labor
erS were colonized Nike coolies,
employed in mass, voted in mass
and exploited.
The padrones operated a kick
back system and Brother DIAL
esSandro organized little local
union OF Italians 10 combat the
shake. with himself, Of course.
as boss.
He was soon recognozed by
Sam Gompers, who made him an
organizer for the AFL.
In 1908. when he had already
risen 10 the position OF vice
president Of the hod -carriers,
he was honored beyond express
sion by King Victor Emmanuel
of Italy.
Suddenly one day az a meet
Ing OF his subjects in the union
hall in Boston the Marquis hi
+ Bruno. the Italian consul. arose
4 to say that Brother D'Alessan-
1 dro had been made chevaliez
+ Of the Order OF the Crown oG
+ Italy, the same high honor that
later was TO be conferred on
Tomasco Pendergast OF Kansas
City and other Americans.
DROTHER D'ALESSANDRO
- persevered and by the time
Of his demise in 1926 had not
only become president-general
of a national union OF the AFL,
which even then had not held a
convention i'm ID years. but had,
himself. become the greatest pa
drone of all in the United States.
In fighting the old padrones
of Boston he had adopted the
padrone system for the hod-car-
riers union which. today, has
captured as Serfs Of the union
bosses thousands OF Americans
who never saw Italy nor have
Italian blood.
So Brother. now Chevalier.
/ D'AleSSandro of Boston and
/ Quincy prospered and grew fat
and with prosperity came new
interest.
Signora Philomena DAlesSan-
T dro. whom he had married In
their native village and who
thought she would share with
him the honor from the crown.
was induced TO leave his preten-
tious and expensive home in
Quincy through a legal Separa-
ton and the chevaher was seen
at home and on his official tours
in the company of another.
And when, In 1926. he died,
his will left 10 Signora D'Alles-
Sandro only $500 a year and she
went TO work in a macaroni fac
tory and lived as her counsel
said lin garnet" while the
other LADY occupied the mansion.
which was reported TO have cost
$4,000, and quickly recorded a
deed executed shortly before thu,
chevalier's death, conveying thu
same TO her.
The estate was guesstimated
by counsel and reporters at from
| 100000 TO $780, 900 and the en-
suing fight went on for two