The Italians of Cleveland
The Italians of Cleveland
The Italians of Cleveland
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<strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Italians</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
By<br />
CHARLES W. COULTER<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Sociology<br />
Western Reserve University<br />
COPYRIGHT 1919<br />
PRICE 10 CENTS<br />
Under the Direction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
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<strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee<br />
Mayor's Advisory War Committee<br />
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Other Publications <strong>of</strong> the Committee<br />
Americanization <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Report <strong>of</strong> Work <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization<br />
Committee, <strong>of</strong> 1917-1918<br />
<strong>The</strong> Slovaks <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Lessons on American Citizenship<br />
<strong>The</strong> J ugoslavs <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Magyars <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Address:<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee<br />
Room 226, City Hall, <strong>Cleveland</strong>
<strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Italians</strong> <strong>of</strong> Clevel nd<br />
By<br />
CHARLES W. COULTER<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Sociology<br />
Western Reserve University<br />
COPYRIGHT 1919<br />
PRICE 10 CENTS<br />
Under the Direction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee<br />
Mayor's Advisory War Committee
FOREWORD<br />
This description <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Italians</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> is the fourth <strong>of</strong> a series<br />
prepared and pul lished by the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee.<br />
<strong>The</strong> preceding publications in this series de cribed the Slovaks, J ugoslavs<br />
and Magyars <strong>of</strong> this city. <strong>The</strong> next will deal with the Poles while<br />
studies <strong>of</strong> other nationalities will appear later.<br />
<strong>The</strong> presentation in this manner to the English speaking population<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> <strong>of</strong> the cultural and industrial contributions <strong>of</strong> the foreign<br />
born groups <strong>of</strong> the city is most directly in furtherance <strong>of</strong> the policy <strong>of</strong><br />
the Committee. In our opinion Americanization means much more than<br />
the teaching <strong>of</strong> American customs to the new citizens. It means the<br />
education <strong>of</strong> American as well. American life would be impoverished<br />
indeed, if it refused to welcome new and even strange element <strong>of</strong> custom<br />
and culture. <strong>The</strong> political institutions and social customs which we have<br />
now are too clearly the products <strong>of</strong> older civilizations beyond the seas<br />
to give us the feeling that America can be entirely self sufficient.<br />
Americans them elves are too closely related to alienage to look with<br />
any feeling <strong>of</strong> restraint or question upon the new comer:. It is a thought<br />
provoking fact that the President <strong>of</strong> the United States is the son <strong>of</strong> an<br />
immigrant.<br />
This description <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Italians</strong> who have found homes in <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
is a real object I son in the indebtedness <strong>of</strong> the older American to the<br />
new. It sets forth example after example <strong>of</strong> fine productive citizenship<br />
among the <strong>Italians</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong>. It indicates their unquestioned ability<br />
to carry on certain types <strong>of</strong> business enterprise, their sound and adaptable<br />
political capacity and their almost passionate devotion to the things<br />
<strong>of</strong> the mind and spirit. <strong>The</strong> new city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> from an architectural<br />
and artistic standpoint owes an immeasurable debt to the Italian immigrant.<br />
No public structure has been built in <strong>Cleveland</strong> within twentyfive<br />
years that is not partly the product <strong>of</strong> Italian artisans. <strong>The</strong> most<br />
beautiful portions <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> our public structures are entirely the work<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Italian born. <strong>The</strong>y have shown America how to interpret in<br />
splendid fashion the beauty <strong>of</strong> the spirit through the object <strong>of</strong> every<br />
day utility. Our city is far more beautiful because Italian immigrants<br />
have made it their foster home.<br />
In ability to acquire the best <strong>of</strong> American customs and to give loyally<br />
to the purposes <strong>of</strong> American democracy the Italian immigrant has<br />
been second to none. In time <strong>of</strong> need he gave generously to America<br />
at war. It should not be forgotten that the first American soldier to<br />
give his life in France was an Italian immigrant.<br />
RAYMOND MOLEY,<br />
Chairman <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee.<br />
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THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> Background<br />
THE BACKGROUND<br />
To understand the Italian <strong>Cleveland</strong>er it is necessary to know something<br />
at least <strong>of</strong> the country from which he comes. To generalize<br />
about the people <strong>of</strong> Italy as a whole, or <strong>of</strong> any one province in it, is a<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>itless procedure. It has been called the land <strong>of</strong> contrasts. <strong>The</strong><br />
country itself might be described as a desert, broken here and there by<br />
oases <strong>of</strong> matchless fertility and luxuriance. Its people enjoy refinement<br />
and a love <strong>of</strong> beauty at the one extreme, and live little better than animals at<br />
the other. <strong>The</strong>y are highly educated and at the same time grossly ignorant<br />
; rampantly rationalistic and crudely superstitious ; with many<br />
churches and unbounded religious indifference. In the north, ultramodern<br />
agricultural illllplements are to be found ; in the south the<br />
wooden plow and the primitive mattock. Great wealth and luxury live<br />
in sight <strong>of</strong> abject poverty. Her universities are in the forefront <strong>of</strong> modern<br />
education, while, owing to the backwardness <strong>of</strong> her primary schools,<br />
more than 45% <strong>of</strong> her populace can neither read nor write. So that,<br />
to understand the Italian immigrant, it is necessary to know not only<br />
the section from which he comes, but the measure <strong>of</strong> opportunity permitted<br />
him by his social caste. Mangano's observation that the provinces<br />
are unlike in everything except that they are different, might<br />
have been extended to cover the Italian people and institutions also.<br />
Such a contrast is not surprising when one remembers that for<br />
many years Rome, Venice, Florence and Naples existed a independent<br />
states, and that these provincial differences in the manners and customs<br />
<strong>of</strong> today are the direct heritage <strong>of</strong> the Middle Ages. This provincial<br />
disharmony is well recognized, and one <strong>of</strong> the most stupendous tasks<br />
which Italy now faces is to make her social unity as complete as the<br />
geographic has become.<br />
<strong>The</strong> very difference in the character <strong>of</strong> the country in northern and<br />
southern Italy, makes necessary diverse occupations, further augment ..<br />
ing the traditional distinctions. <strong>The</strong> cities <strong>of</strong> Venice, Genoa, Florence,<br />
Milan, and Bologna, with their extensive hinterland <strong>of</strong> rich country<br />
remind one <strong>of</strong> bustling American cities, full <strong>of</strong> industry, competition<br />
within and contact with the world outside. <strong>The</strong>se urban peoples are<br />
intellectual, content and progressive. <strong>The</strong>y have an obvious contempt<br />
for the Neapolitan and Sicilian peasant who has been under the rigorous<br />
discipline <strong>of</strong> the managers for absentee landlords through so many years<br />
that his spirit is broken and his intelligence potential only.<br />
Beyond the provincial stratification, there is a clear cut division on<br />
social grounds as well. Italy has her four distinct classes, each <strong>of</strong> which<br />
is capable <strong>of</strong> division into sub classes. <strong>The</strong> aristocracy (aristocrazia) is<br />
is made up either <strong>of</strong> the noble families <strong>of</strong> long standing, having their<br />
wealth chiefly in estates, or <strong>of</strong> citizens-government <strong>of</strong>ficials, bankers,<br />
business and pr<strong>of</strong>essional men-who, by reason <strong>of</strong> their wealth, success<br />
or service, frequently receive recognition by the crown. This class has<br />
come to be numerous as the titles are hereditary.. <strong>The</strong> middle class,<br />
which is confined to Neapolitan and northern Italy, forms the active<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional, and military casts <strong>of</strong> society. <strong>The</strong>y are almost exclusively<br />
urban. Th'e clergy are in a class by themselves. Some <strong>of</strong> them are <strong>of</strong><br />
noble lineage, men <strong>of</strong> education and high culture; others come up from<br />
the ranks, winning their way by merit only. <strong>The</strong> tendency is for the<br />
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CLEVELAND<br />
I -r A L Y.<br />
Percentage <strong>of</strong> Latin Americans to<br />
total population
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
clergy to stratify into ecclesiastics, orthodox servants <strong>of</strong> the church, and<br />
free thinkers. To these should be added the peasantry (contadini), exploited<br />
and forgotten workers <strong>of</strong> the soil who form the base <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pyramid <strong>of</strong> Italian society, and support the whole superstructure. In<br />
the North they own the land, live comfortably, take an interest in education,<br />
and participate actively in political life, so that their lot is not<br />
intolerable. In the South, however, the peasant's life is quite the reverse.<br />
He seldom owns the land. He labors hard, until within the last two<br />
decades for 15 or 20c a day, since which time the wage has risen to<br />
65 or 70c. He lives abstemiously and is measurably content. Meat is<br />
an article <strong>of</strong> diet with him only on New Years or other holidays ; bread<br />
<strong>of</strong> chestnut or rye flour and vegetables with light wine when procurable<br />
comprise his daily fare. He is honest, patient, thrifty, pious to the point<br />
<strong>of</strong> superstition, and generally light hearted despite his poverty. It is<br />
from this latter stratum <strong>of</strong> Italy's life we are now receiving four-fifths<br />
<strong>of</strong> our Italian immigrants.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Economic Burden<br />
In the Wars <strong>of</strong> Independence before 1861 when the kingdom was<br />
proclaimed, an enormous public debt had been contracted. This burden<br />
was multiplied when the new State found itself under the necessity <strong>of</strong><br />
quickly building up and equipping an army and navy, schools, ports and<br />
f:l.ilwayi', in order to approximate the level <strong>of</strong> other European nations.<br />
This poor but plucky little state, 1l1II1st have built on a sound financial<br />
bc,sis, for, at the outbreak <strong>of</strong> the Great War in 1914, besides her splendidly<br />
modern army and navy, she had an annual revenue <strong>of</strong> $15,000,000<br />
beyond her last national expenditure. This has required, however, a<br />
heavy burden <strong>of</strong> taxation, which, added to the increasing expense <strong>of</strong> the<br />
leisure cIa ses, has produced a growing di content among the Southern<br />
Italian peasants. And thi , more than any other one thing, has been<br />
responsible for their American exodus.<br />
<strong>The</strong> causes <strong>of</strong> the immigration might then be summarized as oppression,<br />
by taxation, which fell hardest on the agriculturalists <strong>of</strong> Southern<br />
Italy, as over against the abundant and remunerative labor <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
by America. <strong>The</strong> over-population <strong>of</strong> the Iberian peninsula, for its births<br />
have exceeded its deaths by 400,000 yearly, and the stimulation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Steamship Companies, added to the glowing reports <strong>of</strong> returning <strong>Italians</strong><br />
who have "done well in America, and are not loathe to tell their less<br />
fortunate countrymen about it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Immigration Stream<br />
<strong>The</strong> few who came to America before 1871 need not concern us<br />
here. <strong>The</strong>y were from Northern Italy, mo tly refugees, business men,<br />
students and adventurer . Garibaldi was a refugee in America for two<br />
years. Caesare Botta was here when he wrote his splendid History <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> American Revolution. Such cases were few as the American Immigrants<br />
to Italy. In 1871 the Southern Italian began to come. By 1880<br />
when the tales <strong>of</strong> American opportunity had been carried home, America<br />
was receiving 5000 every year. This stream has gradually grown in<br />
volume until between 1906 and 1916 more than 2,000.000 arrivals are<br />
recorded. <strong>of</strong> whom 1,700,000 have remained. In that decade one-quarter<br />
<strong>of</strong> our immigrants from all countries were <strong>Italians</strong>. <strong>The</strong>y have distributed<br />
themselves throughout our various states in the following<br />
manner:<br />
7
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
New York .......... ... . 470,000<br />
Pennsylvania . . ...... ... 190,000<br />
New Jersey . ..... ....... 115,000<br />
Massachusetts . ....... .. 90,000<br />
Illinois . ... .. .. .. ..... .. 75,000<br />
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60,000<br />
Connecticut . ............ 55,000<br />
Ohio . .... .. ..... ....... 40,000<br />
Rhode Island ...... ..... 30,000<br />
Louisisana . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25,000<br />
West Virginia . . . . . . . . . .. 25,000<br />
Michigan . ..... ......... 25,000<br />
Colorado . . .. .. :. ... .... 20,000<br />
Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,000<br />
Mississippi . . .. ........ " 20,000<br />
Minnesota . . ......... ... 15,000<br />
Wisconsin .... .. ........ 15,000<br />
Texas . . ................ 10,000<br />
Maryland . ........... ... 10,000<br />
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10,000<br />
Montana . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5,000<br />
Iowa . ................ .. 5,000<br />
Oregon . ..... " . . . . . . . . . 5,000<br />
In these states they tend to congregate in the capitals and large<br />
cities.<br />
3/7 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Maryland is found in Baltimore<br />
5/6 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Delaware is found in Wilmington<br />
3/8 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Illinois is found. in Chicago<br />
2/3 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Nebraska is found in Omaha<br />
3/5 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Missouri is found in St. Louis<br />
1/2 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Oregon is found in Portland<br />
2/5 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Louisiana is found in New Orleans<br />
1/3 <strong>of</strong> the I,talian population in Michigan is found in Detroit<br />
1/2 <strong>of</strong> the Italian population in Ohio is found in <strong>Cleveland</strong>.<br />
New York is next to Naples, the largest Italian city in the world ; in<br />
fact, 78.1 % live in the large urban centres, and 21.9% only in the rural<br />
communities, a fact which may indicate the unwi\1ingness <strong>of</strong> these immigrants<br />
from rural Italy, accustomed by tradition and training to agriculture,<br />
to pursue their agricultural occupation here. America seems to<br />
mean for them the deliverance from everything connected with the tilling<br />
<strong>of</strong> the soil.<br />
,Distribution in <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> is said to be the centre <strong>of</strong> Italian life in Ohio. Immigrants<br />
have their first residence here, then branch out into the neighboring<br />
towns. <strong>The</strong> U. S. Census <strong>of</strong> 1910 showed 10,839 Italian born within<br />
the city limits. Four years later the City Police Census <strong>of</strong> 1914, a discriminating<br />
piece <strong>of</strong> work, placed the number at 13,570, while Mr. E. M.<br />
Avery (History <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> published in 1918) baldly states "there are<br />
23,000 <strong>Italians</strong> in the city." 23,000, in view <strong>of</strong> the war restriction <strong>of</strong><br />
immigration, strikes one as an estimate entirely too high, but after comparing<br />
the increase in the number <strong>of</strong> children attending the public<br />
school, together with the figures <strong>of</strong> the naturalization bureau and the<br />
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THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Present Distribution <strong>of</strong> ltalian, in <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
estimate <strong>of</strong> the Italian Consul, he is led to the conelu ion that the latter<br />
figure approximates the fact. This figure, however, far from indicates<br />
their influence, trength, and civic importance.<br />
wing to the convergence <strong>of</strong> this pOI ulation into r tricted area<br />
from which other nati nalitie are sub tantially exelucl d, the econd<br />
generation, natiye born <strong>of</strong> foreign parents, are reared in what is practically<br />
an Italian colony, where the mother tongue is poken, Italian<br />
tradition, ideal , and custom are perpetuated and a national solidarity<br />
is maintained. In the e Italian blocks the children are bilingual, the<br />
parochial and even the public chool are almost exclusively <strong>of</strong> Italian<br />
composition.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Italians</strong> are located in two principal group , "Little Italy" from<br />
East Il9th to East 125th treets on Iurray Hill and "1ayfield Road ,<br />
in the midst <strong>of</strong> which Alta House stands, and "Big Italy," formerly confined<br />
to the Broadway, Orange and Ontario district, now by reason <strong>of</strong><br />
the interurban inva ion, scattered eastward along Woodland to E. 40th<br />
Str et. Jutside <strong>of</strong> these are six smaller colonie with from a dozen to<br />
two dozen families in each.<br />
(a) In the vicinity <strong>of</strong> vVe t 33rd and Fulton.<br />
(b) West 65th to 69th Streets, between Detroit and the lake.<br />
(c) orth <strong>of</strong> Miles <strong>of</strong>f Broadway.<br />
(d) Elizabeth above East 93rd.<br />
( e) Cannon treet and Ea t 86th.<br />
(f) St. Clair and 152nd, sometimes called the "Collinwood settlement."<br />
10
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> consistency <strong>of</strong> the first two named ,districts has not con iderably<br />
changed since 191 1, when the U. S. Immigration Commi ion reported<br />
the householders <strong>of</strong> the Mayfield Road District as being 96% Italian<br />
born, 2% <strong>of</strong> Italian parent , and 2% other nati nalitie .<br />
<strong>The</strong> earliest settlers in the district were for the mo t part from<br />
Central and outh Central Italy. More recently, however, an increasing<br />
number have come from icily, and this colony is mother <strong>of</strong> the "\Vood:<br />
hill and Collinwood ettlements.<br />
In the Ontario treet District, on the other hanel, acc rding to the<br />
same tables, 9370 are outh Italian and 7% <strong>of</strong> other nationaliti s.<br />
Typical Street Scenes in the Mayfield and Collinwood Districts<br />
11
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> residents here are almost ' entirely from Sicily with the infusion<br />
<strong>of</strong> a few from the campobasso region. It is mother to the Miles Ave.<br />
and West Side settlements, whose social and religious activities are<br />
still closely bound up with it. <strong>The</strong> reason for this stratification is set<br />
forth in the homely statement <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> them. "We <strong>Italians</strong> like to live<br />
with people from our own province who speak our own dialect and will<br />
help us if we get into trouble."<br />
Industry<br />
It is interesting to notice that the Italian immigration stream has<br />
its source in the agricultural provinces <strong>of</strong> Italy. Industrial sections like<br />
Venice have sent few to America. In fact 75% <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Italians</strong> who come<br />
here are men who in ,their own country live a healthful outdoor life,<br />
tilling the ground, or caring for vineyards and orchards. Less than 20%<br />
<strong>of</strong> these find such employment here. A few enter our shops and factories.<br />
Some are found in our mines, quarries, refineries, glue and paint works.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y help to construct our sewers, subways, railways and canals. In<br />
many ot our eastern cities the shoemaking and tailoring trades are almost<br />
exclusively in their hands. In California only are they found in any<br />
large way employed in healthful outdoor pursuits for which the home<br />
training has fitted them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian does not need to be taught thrift and carefulness. He<br />
comes from the land where modern banking was born. Economy and<br />
self-denial are inherent in him. For centuries he has lived in a territory<br />
which has been exhausted by over-cultivation, and he has succeeded in<br />
spite <strong>of</strong> hampering conditions and social restraints. Thus after hi.<br />
arrival in America he has less disposition than other Europeans to<br />
waste 011r natural resources. However well-to-do he becomes, he never<br />
ceases to be thrifty. If he is innoculated by American megalomania the<br />
element <strong>of</strong> waste and exploitation is at a minimum. This is not to say<br />
that he shuns pomp and grandeur. Quite the opposite i true. 0 one<br />
delights more to comport himself in a princely manner than the N eapolitan,<br />
being "Spagnolismo," he calls it. But even here wantonness is<br />
con picuously absent.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> colonies are distinct in their occupation. <strong>The</strong> people<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Orange and Ontario ection who come largely from Sicily and<br />
Palermo where fruits are grown and exported, find the centre <strong>of</strong> their<br />
interest in the sale and distribution <strong>of</strong> fruit products in the city. It i<br />
true here as elsewhere that the immigrant has prevailingly followed the<br />
trade route taken by his export. If, when he reaches <strong>Cleveland</strong>, he<br />
discover that the fruit trade is overcrowded, he finds what unskilled<br />
work he can. He follows the line f least resistance, which is to labor<br />
with one <strong>of</strong> the many street construction gangs. Here he finds hard<br />
outdoor work in congenial company, even though his inexperience is<br />
sometimes captalized by "de boss," one <strong>of</strong> his own countrymen, giving<br />
rise to a petty and inconsequential padrone system,.<br />
Thp. Mayfield section, on the other hand, formerly entirely recruited<br />
from Neapolitan Italy famous for its weaving, lacemaking, embroidery<br />
and needlework, has given itself over to the clothing and garment making<br />
industry, following in the main the old-land interest. <strong>The</strong> women as<br />
well as the men have found their way in vast numbers into the Printz<br />
Biederma n, Joseph & Feiss, H. Black, M. T. Silver and other clothing<br />
factories <strong>of</strong> the city, where their hands, long accustomed to the needle,<br />
12
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
find at least a semblance <strong>of</strong> familiarity. Few <strong>of</strong> the girls or women are<br />
engaged as maids or in other occupations than those connected with the<br />
garment workers, trades. <strong>The</strong> organizer <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Ladies' Garment<br />
Workers Union, numbering over 700 members, recently explained<br />
that the night meeting <strong>of</strong> her local was always small, due to the absence<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Italian girls who composed the bulk <strong>of</strong> it.. She explained that,<br />
though they participated actively in any meeting held during the day,<br />
they were never present in the evening. This indicated not only the<br />
large number <strong>of</strong> Italian girls in the clothing trades, bt\t was an incidental<br />
tribute to the rigidity <strong>of</strong> family discipline, especially where the girls<br />
and women were concerned.<br />
How rigid is this occupational conservatism may be seen in the fact<br />
that even where they are employed in large department stores, it is not<br />
in the s:!les departments but on embroidery and mending worl.< where<br />
the neeclle can be used. Until 1917, when the wage scale rose high<br />
enough to render it unnecessary, much <strong>of</strong> the garment work wa carried<br />
on at the home in the colony. <strong>The</strong> men to a larger degree have broken<br />
away from these industrial traditions and preferences, and are now found<br />
in increasing numbers in the F. B. Stearns, ela Park and <strong>The</strong> Metal<br />
Products factories.<br />
While this is true in general <strong>of</strong> their industrial pur uits, we find the<br />
native born Italian in almo t every business and pr<strong>of</strong>ession. <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
affords conspicuous examples <strong>of</strong> the native ability and business acumen<br />
<strong>of</strong>. this versatile and genial people.<br />
Business<br />
Of wholesale grocers, importers <strong>of</strong> fruits and oils, not to mention<br />
the commission merchants, there is an imposing list <strong>of</strong> those born in<br />
Italy.<br />
Th wholesale house <strong>of</strong> Frank Catalano, on vVoodland Avenue, is<br />
the oldest fruit bu iness in this section. It was established in 1880 by<br />
its present owner, one <strong>of</strong> the earliest arrivals from Northern Sicily, who<br />
made a business <strong>of</strong> importing oranges. It has ince expanded to handling<br />
other fruits and olive oil, doing an annual business <strong>of</strong> more than<br />
$150,000.00.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n came G. V. Vittorio, 746 Woodland, importing from Italy for<br />
the city trade vast quantities <strong>of</strong> ol ive oil, carloads <strong>of</strong> macaroni every<br />
month, dried and canned fish, mushrooms, nuts <strong>of</strong> all kinds, figs, beans,<br />
rice, anchovies and garlic. <strong>Cleveland</strong> is the distributing centre for these<br />
products to all the smaller towns and cities in the di trict. <strong>The</strong> Vittorio<br />
Brothers came to Clevdand 17 year ago CIirectly from Termini Imerese.<br />
their birth place in Sicily, and their business has been built up out <strong>of</strong><br />
their'native energy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Schiappacassi Brothers, John and Charles, have conducted a<br />
splendid wholesale business in domestic fruit and vegetables through<br />
the last 25 years <strong>of</strong> their residence in <strong>Cleveland</strong> ..<br />
<strong>The</strong> Corso Brother , Casper and Salvador, on Broadway, who too,<br />
were born in Termini Imerese, Sicily, now have a large wholesale and<br />
commission merchant business in fruits, nuts and vegetables. This trade<br />
has had a steady growth since its establishment in 1890. It has an<br />
annual business <strong>of</strong> well over $150,000, and has become a distributing<br />
centre for bananas and other fruits throughout the state. Such a list<br />
might be almost indefinitely extended. <strong>The</strong> names <strong>of</strong> John, Martin and<br />
13
THE I TAL, A N. S O F CLEVELAND<br />
'Thomas Rini, the Geraci Bros., Salemi and Trentanelli, large fruit dealers<br />
on "Woodland, that <strong>of</strong> Dicicco and Ranallo, the largest Italian dry goods<br />
merchants in the city, the Messrs. Gatto, <strong>of</strong> the Mayfield Builders Supply<br />
Co., Tony Martese, 'the plasterer, D. Costanzo on East 38th, and P.<br />
Piscopo, the builder on Murray Hill, are w II known to Americans as<br />
well as to the <strong>Italians</strong>' <strong>of</strong> the· city. Such a list is imposing, e pecially<br />
when one remembers that these firms have risen on a foundation <strong>of</strong><br />
capital accumulated -little by little through sheer thrift, enterprise and<br />
self-renuncia tion.<br />
Charles Ranallo<br />
Banking<br />
Nor hould one neglect to mention<br />
the bankers in these colonies, combining<br />
as they do the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> real<br />
estate dealers, loan makers, steamship<br />
and transportation agents and<br />
foreign exchange places. Most <strong>of</strong><br />
them operate in conjunction with<br />
( some large American bank, and they<br />
perform no small service to the community,<br />
bridging over economic<br />
crises and rendering liquid the financial<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> these settlements.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many houses doing<br />
this business whose managers have<br />
O'iven the majority <strong>of</strong> their time<br />
throughout the past three years to<br />
the financing <strong>of</strong> our Liberty Loans<br />
and VV. S. S. issues among their<br />
countrymen.<br />
Banking House <strong>of</strong> Vincent Campanella<br />
14
THE ITALIANS O F<br />
as well as accumulating thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars for the flotation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
loans <strong>of</strong> their own country in her r for liberty. Guiseppe ZitieIIo<br />
on West 69th and the Gugliotta Brothers on Woodland Avenue are<br />
typical <strong>of</strong> this class <strong>of</strong> bankers. <strong>The</strong> latter house, founded in 1904 with<br />
steamship <strong>of</strong>fice; real estate, postal telegraph and cable departments, is<br />
the largest <strong>of</strong> the kind in the city and handles the bulk <strong>of</strong> the Italian<br />
trade. Both brothers pursue as avocations ,their musical pr<strong>of</strong>ession,<br />
Nicola as expert cornetist and bnd director, and Salvatore as trombone<br />
specialist, are to be heard at all the Italian band meets in the city.<br />
In "Little Italy" Vincent CampaneIIa has also been conducting a<br />
banking business since 1905. Mr. CampaneIIa is a striking example <strong>of</strong><br />
business success built out <strong>of</strong> pluck, persistence, pains, and patience.<br />
Born in Abbruzzi in the fishing viII age <strong>of</strong> FrancaviIIa, he migrated to<br />
America in 1890, labored in the Pittsburgh coal mines, with R. R. construction<br />
groups, dug in our <strong>Cleveland</strong> sewers until he had accumulated<br />
a sufficient surplus to make his venture as a banker. He enjoys the<br />
confidence <strong>of</strong> the colony and conducts an increasing business. This man<br />
<strong>of</strong> whom it is said "he spent 75% <strong>of</strong> his time and energy in furthering<br />
the financial interests <strong>of</strong> Uncle Sam among his people since the war began,"<br />
teIIs us "America has treated me weII .... she has paid me 10c<br />
a day . . . and she has paid me $5000.00 a day." Such cases are typical<br />
<strong>of</strong> many. <strong>The</strong>y are not the exception, but the rule. <strong>The</strong>se unassuming<br />
'and potential business men who have come to our shores and from sheer<br />
labor and purpose have constructed creditable businesses and won their<br />
way into America's confidence, her economic and social life.<br />
Manufacturing<br />
In manufacturing also <strong>Italians</strong> have interested themselves to some<br />
purpose. Among the more characteristic and representative are <strong>The</strong><br />
Ohio Macaroni Company, ScoviII and 28th Street. This is the largest<br />
macaroni manufacturing concern in the state. Established in 1910 under<br />
the management <strong>of</strong> Joseph Russo and Sons, it is said to have been the<br />
first plant in the country to perfect the Semolina process for drying the<br />
wheat product so as to retain the full food value <strong>of</strong> the cereal. More<br />
recently still these enterprising Sicilians have begun the manufacture <strong>of</strong><br />
gluten macaroni for the hospital dietetic trade where starchless foods<br />
are required, which, with an incidental jobbing flour trade <strong>of</strong> no small<br />
proportion has brought an annual turnover <strong>of</strong> $300,000.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Roma Cigar Mfg. Co. is thoroughly characteristic. Since it<br />
was started in 1913 Albert Pucciani has been its manager and has increased<br />
its output <strong>of</strong> medium and high priced ciO"ars to 20,000 weekly.<br />
It manufactures for the domestic trade only, and has 19 employees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Forest City Macaroni Co. on Orange Avenue, <strong>The</strong> Foreign<br />
Products Co. <strong>of</strong> East <strong>Cleveland</strong>, the· Giuseppe Botta Frozen Desserts<br />
Mfg. Co. on Woodland Avenue, established in 1890, the Grasselli Chemical<br />
Company and the Pucciani Candy Mfg. Co. on Cedar Avenue, owe<br />
their inception to Italian enterprise and capital.<br />
Art<br />
Especially is the Italian happy and successful when his business is<br />
combined with art. "Business," he exclaims, "is a way to make a livelihood.<br />
Art is to live." In the artistic industry he is at his best. He can<br />
never forget that his is <strong>of</strong> the race <strong>of</strong> Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Leonardo.<br />
?o it is not surprising that <strong>Cleveland</strong>'s monumental mosaic, and<br />
15
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
to some extent its artcraft work is in his hands. In 1880 Joseph Carabelli,<br />
a stone cutter 20 years <strong>of</strong> age, came to <strong>Cleveland</strong> from the Italian<br />
province <strong>of</strong> Como and, seeing the opportunity for monumental work<br />
near Lakeview Cemetery, there establi hed what later developed into<br />
the marble and granite works, now operated by his sons Joseph and<br />
Charles. Before his death in 1912 he had become an active member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce and had served as Representative in the Ohio<br />
legislature. <strong>The</strong> Mayfield settlement owe its inception largely to the<br />
keen foresight, prodigious labor and sterling character <strong>of</strong> this artistic<br />
Italian pioneer.<br />
In 1870 also came James Broggini from the palmy plains <strong>of</strong> Lombardy.<br />
After 10 years learning hi artistic craft he established on ,Voodland<br />
Avenue the monumental works which bear his name, since 1916 an<br />
incorporated company employing a score <strong>of</strong> men and shipping monuments<br />
throughout the northern section <strong>of</strong> the state. <strong>The</strong> five statues<br />
adorning the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church are the work <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Broggini house, while the Holy "Vater font at t. Anthony's was the<br />
work and gift <strong>of</strong> the elder Broggini.<br />
No les noteworthy are the later monumental and statuary artists,<br />
Paul and Artiglia Gandola, natives <strong>of</strong> Bezano in northern Italy, the<br />
former an art graduate <strong>of</strong> the cademy <strong>of</strong> Milano. fter a novitiate <strong>of</strong><br />
carving and sculpturing in the French Department De Vosges, they<br />
came to America and finally settled on Euclid Avenue, East <strong>Cleveland</strong>,<br />
where they establi hed their well known tudio.<br />
Of somewhat similar type is the Mazzolini Artcraft Co., on Payne<br />
Avenue. This firm was established by Antonio lIazzolini in 1904 for<br />
the designing <strong>of</strong> church statuary and altar decorations. Many <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Roman Catholic churches and parochial schools in the city have statues<br />
or paintings executed by mel1ll ers <strong>of</strong> the Mazzolini family. Three<br />
cousins, Primo, Alphonzo and Joseph, all from Barga, Italy, now form<br />
the corporation and employ a half score <strong>of</strong> men. All employees are<br />
from Tuscany, and some are artists trained on the other side. Since<br />
1912 this firm has increasingly pecialized in the original de igning and<br />
manufacture <strong>of</strong> electric light fixtures with period or original designs,<br />
and fast polychrome colorino-s, for homes, hotels and theatres. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
trade is wholesale only. Through the large retail stores <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
and other cities these fixtures have found their way into some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most repre entative American homes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> greater part <strong>of</strong> our fre coing and mosaic work in the city'<br />
public places a well as in the private houses is accomplished by men <strong>of</strong><br />
Italy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian Fresco and Decorating Co., on ,;Vade Park Avenue,<br />
under the direction <strong>of</strong> Philip Garbo, has decorated numerous churches<br />
and publ ic building in the city. St. Jo eph's Orthodox Catholic Church<br />
on Scovill and 22nd, the Slavic Greek Catholic diflce on West 14th<br />
and Kenilworth, the Poli h National Independent Catholic building.<br />
the Metropolitan theatre, 1\[00 e Temple, the ew Roma Re taurant,<br />
and the "City <strong>of</strong> Erie" <strong>of</strong> th C. & B. line, all bear evidence <strong>of</strong> his decorative<br />
skill. Mr. Garbo's partner, Mr. Maldarelli, son <strong>of</strong> the master painter<br />
whose works are on exhibition in the City's Art Museum, and himself<br />
a portrait painter <strong>of</strong> some skill, has execu1ied the panel work in the e<br />
various institutions. In mo aic also Vincent Romanini, for 9 year manager<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Venetian rt Mosaic Company, is a most outstanding figure.<br />
17
I .<br />
Typical Mazzolini' . A rt Craft DesiJ ns
THE ITALIANS O F ' CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> floCJr <strong>of</strong> the Euclid Ave. Penn ylvania tation, <strong>of</strong> the Wm. Edwards<br />
establishment, the ew Roma Restaurant, several chools and many<br />
business <strong>of</strong>fices have been constructed by him. Vincent Belfi, for year<br />
superintendent <strong>of</strong> the marble and mosaic section <strong>of</strong> the orcro s Bros.<br />
works, builder <strong>of</strong> the floor <strong>of</strong> the Old Arcade, has pent the larger part<br />
<strong>of</strong> his life in <strong>Cleveland</strong>, combining art and bu iness.<br />
More recently still the partnership <strong>of</strong> Talamini and Bertini, also<br />
<strong>Italians</strong>. has entered in a large way into this field <strong>of</strong> applied art.<br />
It is difficult to say where business ceases and art begin . <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
art seems no less the expression <strong>of</strong> their artistic nature because it i<br />
commercialized by these enterprising people.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Raffaele Raineri also has a studio on Euclid Avenue, East<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong>. He is icilian by birth, an artist trained in Rome and<br />
Pompeii in architecture, modelling, carving and sculpturing. For years<br />
he conducted a studio in Palermo, and in 1899 came to America a<br />
modeller and designer for the famous architect, Stephen White.. After<br />
the latter's death he turned his attention to the carving <strong>of</strong> piano cases in<br />
the Strich and Zeidler factory, winning a gold medal in original piano<br />
design. A number <strong>of</strong> his models have found their w,ay into our art<br />
schools and museums, including the well known bust <strong>of</strong> the late Herman<br />
C. Baehr. Some <strong>of</strong> his cornice work decorate the Coventry Road and<br />
the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Heights High Schools, and other public buildings. His<br />
design <strong>of</strong> the proposed $50,000 Columbus monument, the construction<br />
<strong>of</strong> which ha been delayed by the war, has received most favorable<br />
consideration.<br />
"Artist Photographer' is sometimes a misnomer for, if the true<br />
application <strong>of</strong> the e words is understood, one must be both a creator<br />
and a craftsman to deserve the title.<br />
Jerome Chricosta is in truth an artist as well a a photographer. He<br />
loves color and dabbles in paint with as much pleasure and skill as he<br />
develops a photo
•<br />
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
is an Italian. Beatrice Melaragno, Madam Vellone, Esther Lapick and<br />
Florence Amarose enjoy an enviable reputation for their vocal achievements,<br />
while Misses Bessie Corso and Adeline Cuneo, <strong>of</strong> Urseline cad-.<br />
emy, have received favorable notice in oil painting and the ceramic art<br />
respectively.<br />
Salvatore Cirlcillo and "<strong>The</strong> Boy's Band"<br />
20<br />
Giuseppe V. Zottarelli
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Education<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motto Brothers<br />
Comparatively few Italian children have finished high school. Only<br />
108 out <strong>of</strong> a Latin-American population claiming to have reached the<br />
60,000 mark attended our high schools in 1915, and war conditions have<br />
prevented a rapid rise in the percentage since that date. This is partially<br />
due to the disproportionately large amount <strong>of</strong> illiteracy among the<br />
incoming Sicilians, partially also to a perversion <strong>of</strong> the parental virtues<br />
<strong>of</strong> thrift and ambition which require the child after completing the 9th<br />
grade to help contribute to the family income. <strong>The</strong>re are, however,<br />
splendid exceptions to th i rule.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian children are availing themselves in increasing numbers<br />
<strong>of</strong> the facilities <strong>of</strong> our technical high schools, and are coming up through<br />
our men's and women's colleges to take their plctces in the city's pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
life. ot a few <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong>'s public school teachers are proud<br />
<strong>of</strong> their Italian parentage. Misses Mary, Rose, Minnie ·and Lena<br />
D'Erric , Philomena Vacarriello, Nicolina D'Corpo, Angie Cannavina,<br />
Anne Dipente and many others are products <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong>'s grade, high<br />
or normal chools, and are passing on American education, traditions<br />
and ideals to the yottnger generation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> College for Women <strong>of</strong> Vve tern Re erve University in 1918<br />
graduated its first Italian tudent, Miss Sadie Odelo, daughter <strong>of</strong> the<br />
late Pietro Oddo, a musical composer <strong>of</strong> some note. who. as leader <strong>of</strong><br />
the Verdi Band, until his death, again and again delighted <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
audiences. Three other Italian student are now regi tered in this same<br />
college.<br />
One young man, a product <strong>of</strong> "Little Italy." a graduate <strong>of</strong> :l'Iurray<br />
Hill Public School, Loyola, St. Ignatill and St. Mary's Roman Catholic<br />
21
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Seminary, plans to be ordained to the prie thood in June <strong>of</strong> this year :<br />
ianother, -Pasini, the present coach at a e chool <strong>of</strong> Applied Science,<br />
;son <strong>of</strong> a medical doctor in the city, is an Italian, and Louis RameneUi<br />
'was well into his cour e in that institution when he left with the Lake<br />
side unit for duty overseas. Many students in Adelbert College and<br />
',Ve tern Re erve pr<strong>of</strong>essional schools come from Italian homes-George<br />
and William D'Errico in Adelbert, Dr. Victor Tanno, who has just<br />
completed his course in Reserve M dical, John Gattozzi at the Dental<br />
School, Dominic Lanese and Nicolas Farinacci in Reserve Medical, are<br />
typical products <strong>of</strong> the city's Italian settlements. <strong>The</strong>se, with the eight<br />
Italian undergraduate students enrolled in the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Law chool,<br />
make an academic line up which is an evidence <strong>of</strong> the Italian' thirst for<br />
knowledge and his appreciation <strong>of</strong> the opportunities for pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
training.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essions<br />
It i said that in New York alone there are more than 1500 lawyers<br />
and 500 physicians, the vast majority <strong>of</strong> whom have been educated in<br />
America, a splendid comment on the observation that the immigrants<br />
are the brawn and muscle and undeveloped brain <strong>of</strong> Italy, not the riffraff<br />
element.<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> has its full quota <strong>of</strong> Italian pr<strong>of</strong>essional men, nearly a<br />
score <strong>of</strong> doctors and dentists and a larger number in the fraternity <strong>of</strong><br />
law. Moreover, many <strong>of</strong> these men are well known thrOlwhout the<br />
city and in no way confine their practice to their Italian clientelle.<br />
In the medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession one has only to mention the name <strong>of</strong> Dr.<br />
Nicola Cerri, for 20 year's Italy's consular representative in <strong>Cleveland</strong>,a<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Rome, and in 1903 decorated by the<br />
Italian crown. One finds him approachable and philanthropic, a prodigious<br />
worker and delightfully genial representative <strong>of</strong> Italy in <strong>Cleveland</strong>.<br />
One medical practitioner from the Mayfield section is particularly<br />
. worthy <strong>of</strong> mention because <strong>of</strong> his progressiveness and public spirit,<br />
not to say his phenomenal uccess since he reached <strong>Cleveland</strong> in 1891-<br />
Dr. G. A. Barricelli, the pulmonary and cardiac specialist, who was for<br />
many years partner <strong>of</strong> the late Dr. G. Caru 0, whose scientfic writing<br />
he is posthumously publishing. Dr. Barricelli is a graduate <strong>of</strong> St. Franci<br />
College <strong>of</strong> New York and in medicine <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> IlIinoi . He<br />
has gracually won his way to wide recognition in the medical pr<strong>of</strong>ession,<br />
and is now giving much <strong>of</strong> his time to social welfare work among the<br />
<strong>Italians</strong> <strong>of</strong> the state. Among the many honors which have come to him<br />
since he began to practice in 1903, he has the unique distinction at present<br />
<strong>of</strong> being the Grand Commander <strong>of</strong> the Sons <strong>of</strong> Italy for the State.<br />
Nothing could be more tangible evidence <strong>of</strong> the continued confidence<br />
<strong>of</strong> his fellow countrymen.<br />
In the Woodland section a number are worthy <strong>of</strong> mention, among<br />
whom the following are typical : Dr. Romeo esi, a graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Naples, a general practitioner who has been medical examiner<br />
for the draft board <strong>of</strong> the 14th district ; Dr. Alphanzo Carfagna, a<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> Genoa University who has recently located at 28th Street<br />
and Woodland Avenue; and Dr. Giuseppe Romano, a graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Palermo, who has been practicing successfully in the district<br />
since 1908. <strong>The</strong> latter has written a number <strong>of</strong> cientific articles<br />
22
Dr. G. A. Barricelli
THE ITALIAN S O F CLEVELAN D<br />
which have received favorable comment. Since coming to this city he<br />
has devoted himself to surgery, although he continues to be <strong>of</strong>ficial examiner<br />
for the majority <strong>of</strong> the Italian<br />
societies in the district. Dr. Joseph<br />
D. Mannino, formerly a student at<br />
Western Reserve University, Ohio<br />
Northern and the University <strong>of</strong> Cincinnati,<br />
after a year <strong>of</strong> practice in the<br />
Woodland district, is now assisting<br />
Dr. Romano and is a man <strong>of</strong> promise.<br />
Both <strong>of</strong> these practitioners are connected<br />
with the city tuberculosis sanitarium<br />
and are laboring in their immediate<br />
community to break down<br />
the swaddling custom by which ignOt·ant<br />
mothers continue to hamper<br />
.the development <strong>of</strong> their tender<br />
<strong>of</strong>fspring.<br />
Two recent graduates <strong>of</strong> Vvestern<br />
Reserve Dental School, both Ameri<br />
can born <strong>of</strong> Italian parents, are now<br />
practicing in the city ; one, Chas. <strong>The</strong> Swaddling Custom<br />
Angellotta, on Euclid near Lakeview ; the other, Michael Castrignano,<br />
at 28th and Woodland: Both have built themselves into the life and<br />
confidence <strong>of</strong> their respective communities in the five years <strong>of</strong> their<br />
practice.<br />
<strong>The</strong> pharmacy business also has Italian representatives. <strong>The</strong> Italian<br />
Drug Company, on the corner <strong>of</strong> Murray Hill and Mayfield, is the<br />
oldest and largest in the city. Angelo C. Serra, who owns the Italian<br />
Drug Store at 27th and Woodland, has through the past fourteen years<br />
personally conducted that business.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the foremost Italian pr<strong>of</strong>essional men in the city are in the<br />
fraternity <strong>of</strong> law. <strong>The</strong>y do not forget that the jurisprudence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Western World owes more than a superficial debt to the code <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Romans, in fact it was in Rome that modern law was born. A catalogue<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong>'s prominent lawyers would include more than a few Italian<br />
names. Attorneys Benedetto D. Nicola, Loui Perry, D. J. Lombardo,<br />
Giuseppe V. Zottarelli, Alessandro Chiostergi , B. A. Buonpane, Louis<br />
Lonza would have their places in uch a catalogue, together with Michael<br />
Picciano, Charles Russo, and Joseph Nuccio, recen1t graduates <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> Law School, the latter <strong>of</strong> whom fills the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Assistant<br />
City Prosecutor. Peter Filocco, for many years the Italian police court<br />
interpreter, is now one <strong>of</strong> the probation <strong>of</strong>ficers in the city.<br />
Throughout the entire field <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essions we find the <strong>Italians</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> the city giving a creditable account <strong>of</strong> themselves. T11ese men are<br />
to be commended the more highly for their achievements in that many<br />
<strong>of</strong> them came to America under onerous handicap , in spite <strong>of</strong> which<br />
they have made their way and contributed to our civic life.<br />
24
THE<br />
- .<br />
. .... .... .<br />
<strong>The</strong> Church<br />
ITALIANS<br />
Peter Filocco<br />
O F CLEVELAND<br />
Joseph Nuccio<br />
As they come to us practically an <strong>Italians</strong> are at least nominally<br />
Roman Catholics. It may be truthfully said, however, that church duties<br />
and relations sit very lightly upon many <strong>of</strong> the men. Since the consummation<br />
<strong>of</strong> Italian unity in the homeland, patriotism has been a dominant<br />
trait in the Italian character. Accordingly the widespread opinion<br />
that the Vatican and the Italian Crown are not altogether in harmony<br />
with each other has done a great deal to weaken the claim <strong>of</strong> the Church<br />
on their allegiance. In fact a considerable number feel that in Italy the<br />
Church is positively unfriendly to popular liberty. <strong>The</strong> result is that a<br />
large number <strong>of</strong> the men seldom attend church except on ceremonial<br />
occasions, the congregation on most occasions being made up in large<br />
part <strong>of</strong> women and children. So loyal are they to our public school that<br />
there is no Italian Parochial school in the city.<br />
25
THE ITALIANS<br />
Holy Rosary<br />
O F CL "EVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> "Holy Rosary" Roman Catholic<br />
Church, situated on 1ayfield<br />
Road in the centre <strong>of</strong> "Little Italy,"<br />
was established in 1894 soon after<br />
the Mayfield settlement began on<br />
the arrival <strong>of</strong> Rev. \ntonio Gibelli.<br />
<strong>The</strong> present structure wa completed<br />
in the pastorate <strong>of</strong> Rev. G. Militello.<br />
since which time "with praiseworthy<br />
purpose it ha et it elf to the education<br />
<strong>of</strong> the youth, laying a good<br />
foundation for Christian living. good<br />
citizenship an 1 go d parenthood."<br />
It is now under the able direction <strong>of</strong><br />
Father Francis olan, who was<br />
characterized by one <strong>of</strong> his parishioners<br />
a "Italian in everything but<br />
his place <strong>of</strong> birth." He has associated<br />
with him two Italian helpers. Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church<br />
<strong>The</strong> congregation numbers between 16,000 and 20,000, and is almost<br />
exc1u ively Italian from Mayfield, Collinwood and Ingersoll Road. This<br />
parish has sent to the Ursaline Academy six sisters in all : Xavier,<br />
Maxim, Anastachia, Alfonzio, Euphrasia, and Ro ari .<br />
Connected with it are three men's societies, three local and one<br />
national women's organizations, aU <strong>of</strong> which meet periodically in the<br />
basement <strong>of</strong> the church or in Alta House. "<strong>The</strong> St. Joseph" sickness<br />
and death benefit society, a local Roman Catholic organization <strong>of</strong> 150<br />
members under the presidency <strong>of</strong> Leone Coppolino, is purely provident.<br />
In case <strong>of</strong> illness it provides a minimum weekly indemnity <strong>of</strong> $6, and, in<br />
case <strong>of</strong> death, each surviving member is assessed $1.50.<br />
<strong>The</strong> "St. Giovanni in Galdo Club" with a member hip <strong>of</strong> 200 under<br />
the presidency <strong>of</strong> Dominic Mastrandrea, and the "St. Nicholas" benefit<br />
association, with a membership <strong>of</strong> 60, each requires dues <strong>of</strong> 60c per<br />
month and pay a sick benefit <strong>of</strong> $6.00 weekly, together with m dical<br />
attendance, and in case <strong>of</strong> death $100 is paid toward the funeral expenses:<br />
<strong>The</strong>y mcet the first Sunday in the month in Alta House.<br />
A branch <strong>of</strong> the National Ladies' Catholic Benefit Association, under<br />
the pre!:>idency <strong>of</strong> Mrs. M. Kelley, holds regular meetings in the basement<br />
<strong>of</strong> the church. It is a mutual benefit and insurance ociety. <strong>The</strong><br />
due and sick benefit vary with the age <strong>of</strong> acces i n anel incapacitation.<br />
Under its auspices occasional picnics in the summer, anel socials in the<br />
winter are helel.<br />
Th e other three societies are local anel pertain to the care and conduct<br />
<strong>of</strong> the church itself.<br />
'26
THE . 1 TA L 1 A N S ' O F' CLEVELA ND<br />
Knights <strong>of</strong> St. Joseph<br />
<strong>The</strong> Holy Ro ary Society, numbering 175 with Mrs. Martha Dicillo<br />
as president, meets twice a month in the basement <strong>of</strong> the church, collects<br />
dues, sends adequate floral tributes to the homes <strong>of</strong> the deceased members<br />
<strong>of</strong> the parish, and arranges for a monthly ma s in honor <strong>of</strong> the<br />
souls <strong>of</strong> the recently dead,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sacred Heart, another church society, has a membership <strong>of</strong><br />
600. Under the presidency <strong>of</strong> 1rs. Rosa Sylvestro it supplies the parish<br />
church with the altar appurtenances, towels and embroidered pieces for<br />
both altar and sacristy. It helps the needy, but to a lesser degree, as<br />
other church societies make this their sole concern.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Saint Fancesco is purely a charity society <strong>of</strong> 150 members.<br />
Mrs. Louisa Trivesonno is it acting president. <strong>The</strong>se affiliated church<br />
organizations are a vital value and function largely in a social way,<br />
causing the feminine elements <strong>of</strong> the community to gather about the<br />
church,<br />
27
TH E ITAL IANS O F CL EVELAND<br />
St. Anthony<br />
"St. Anthony Padua," another Roman Catholic Church, i situated<br />
at 1267 Central Avenue at the centre <strong>of</strong> "Big Italy." It was dedicated<br />
in 1887 by Rev. Mons. Riccardo Gilmond, grew steadily until 1904 when<br />
a new edifice became necessary, the construction <strong>of</strong> which was due to<br />
the present past r, Father Humbert Rocchi. No one could have the<br />
work <strong>of</strong> his people more<br />
at heart nor execute it<br />
with a more wholesome<br />
sympathy and \ll1derstanding<br />
than he. B rn<br />
and educated at Rome.<br />
serving his novitiate to<br />
the priesthood in J taly,<br />
for five year a missionary<br />
in Brooklyn, his<br />
wide comprehension <strong>of</strong><br />
their needs, I togtether<br />
with his sane perspective<br />
<strong>of</strong> their place in the<br />
city's life, has won for<br />
him the unbounded confidence<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Italians</strong> and<br />
Americans alike.<br />
St. Anthony's parish,<br />
embracing more than<br />
10,000 people <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Central, Scovill, Woodland<br />
and West Side districts,<br />
u n d e r Father<br />
Rocchi and his assistants,<br />
has become a centre<br />
<strong>of</strong> social as well as<br />
<strong>of</strong> religious cuI t u r e.<br />
Here is found a branch<br />
<strong>of</strong> the above mentioned<br />
Ladies' Catholic Benefit<br />
Association. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are al 0 a number <strong>of</strong><br />
local church societies<br />
Rev. Humbert Rocchi<br />
outside those <strong>of</strong> a disdnctly<br />
benefit order, <strong>of</strong> which the "St. _ nna" is typical. Under the<br />
presidency <strong>of</strong> Mrs. ]. Rini this ladies' organization meets twice monthly,<br />
collects dues arrange re reations, assi ts cases <strong>of</strong> need and provides<br />
the necessary appurtenance to altar and sacristy.<br />
28
TH E ITAL I ANS O F CL EVELAN D<br />
St. Marion<br />
Knights <strong>of</strong> St. John<br />
Still another Roman Catholic church, St. Marion, has more recently<br />
been established at -Cedar Avenue and vVoodhill Road, at present in<br />
charge <strong>of</strong> Rev. Ralph C. Idone.<br />
Protestant<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are four Protestant Italian Missions in the city, all <strong>of</strong> which<br />
owe their early impetus, if not, indeed, their inception to the untiring<br />
lahors <strong>of</strong> Rev. Pietro E. Monnet, a Waldensian minister reared in the<br />
Angrugn:l Valley, at the foot <strong>of</strong> the Alps, who has spent twenty years<br />
working among his people in thi city. His Church, t. John's Beckwith,<br />
now located at Murray Hill Road and Paul Avenue, was originally<br />
a mis ion <strong>of</strong> the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, in charge <strong>of</strong><br />
Giu eppe Zottarelli, on Euclid Avenue opposite Lakeview cemetery.<br />
Mr. MOl1l1et took charge <strong>of</strong> the work in 1905, and the next year the<br />
mis ion wa taken vcr by the Second Presbyterian Church and moved<br />
to its pre ent location, where at once was erected the attractive, characteristic<br />
brick church, which bears the name <strong>of</strong> Mr. terling Beckwith,<br />
an elder <strong>of</strong> Second Church, out <strong>of</strong> whose bequest the building was<br />
erected. Here for fifteen year t. John" Church, though with a membership<br />
today <strong>of</strong> only one hundred and forty-nine, has made itself an<br />
asset t the community <strong>of</strong> incalculable value, and 11'. Monnet is loved<br />
and sought out by Prote tant and Catholics alike for coun el and help.<br />
<strong>The</strong> "Church <strong>of</strong> the avionr," a branch · <strong>of</strong> t. John's Beckwith, is a<br />
Pre byterian Mis ion occupying a comfortable brick building on Kipling<br />
Avenue at Five Point , Collinwood. It was initiated in 1916 by<br />
::\11'. Monnet, many <strong>of</strong> who e congregation had moved to this point,<br />
29
THE iTALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
attracted by the factory development. <strong>The</strong> congregation numbers fiftyseven<br />
and is served by Rev. Franci De imone.<br />
<strong>The</strong> "Church <strong>of</strong> the Redeemer," 1350 "Vest 69th Street, is also a<br />
Presbyterian Mi sion started by Mr. Monnet' cOl1rrregation in the ummer<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1911. <strong>The</strong> Church Extension Committee <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> Presbytery,<br />
which carries on the work both here and at the Church <strong>of</strong> the Saviour,<br />
has provided an attractive brick building. Rev. Frank Tomich, recently<br />
called to Akron to take charge <strong>of</strong> the Americaniz:atiol1 program<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Board <strong>of</strong> Education, served this mis ion as it pastor for five years.<br />
St. John's Beckwith Presbyterian Church<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian Baptist Mission on 33rd Street between Scovill and<br />
Woodland is 10 years old, and in charge <strong>of</strong> Rev. Pizzi, an Albanian, who<br />
was educated for the Greek Catholic Priesthood and became Protestant<br />
after he came to America. <strong>The</strong> Mission, which has 37 members and a<br />
property valued at $23,000, besides its regular religious services, from<br />
May to October holds an industrial school, <strong>of</strong> which there are over 60<br />
members. This school meets one afternoon a week with sewing for the<br />
girls and manual work for the boys.<br />
Th Baptist Christian Home Centre, Wist and Cedar, is conducted<br />
under the same auspices as the Italian Baptist Mission. In its industrial<br />
school there are over 90 members. <strong>The</strong> auditorium and reading<br />
room are open every night, and there are evening classes for boys with<br />
manual training, girls' sewing and cooking classes, mothers' meetings,<br />
and Americanization classes.<br />
One benefit organization is found in all four missions, viz. : "<strong>The</strong><br />
20th September brot!herhood." <strong>The</strong> members <strong>of</strong> ,each brotherhood<br />
branch made up <strong>of</strong> male adherents <strong>of</strong> the Protestant churches only, pay<br />
an initiation fee <strong>of</strong> $3.00 and 75c mon,thly dues, and receive if physically<br />
incapacitated $1 per day. Iu case <strong>of</strong> death $100 is paid toward the funeral<br />
expenses. Mr. Erminio Sipari , the president, arranges a meeting <strong>of</strong> the<br />
four branches in one <strong>of</strong> the churches monthly to transact business and<br />
plan its social activities. <strong>The</strong> organization is about to ask for incorporation,<br />
and to inaugurate an auxiliary for women.<br />
30<br />
, . ..
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Religious Festivals<br />
Rev. Pietro E. Monnet<br />
A religio-social event In which community interest centres is the<br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> the fete day <strong>of</strong> the virgin and the patron saints.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are three <strong>of</strong> these religiou festivals, St. Joseph's held the first<br />
Sunday after the 19th <strong>of</strong> March ; "St. John's," invariably celebrated on<br />
the 24th <strong>of</strong> June, which is, a holiday throughout the settlemen.t, and "<strong>The</strong><br />
Feast <strong>of</strong> the Assumption <strong>of</strong> the Bles ed Virgin," held on the 15th <strong>of</strong><br />
August. <strong>The</strong> latter festival lasts three days, brings out the vivid color<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Italian peasant traditions, and unite the community in one great<br />
family. A preparation is made on the evening <strong>of</strong> August 14 by an outdoor<br />
concert. Russo's Italian band <strong>of</strong> 60 pieces renders selections from<br />
Verdi, Otto, and other composers with Italian and American pa.triotic<br />
music. <strong>The</strong> celebration proper begin with High Mass on the morning<br />
<strong>of</strong> the saint's. day. Hundreds <strong>of</strong> little girls dressed in white scatter<br />
flowers befo.re the head <strong>of</strong> a procession which starts from the church<br />
door. .r\ choir <strong>of</strong> boys or girls follows singing. <strong>The</strong>n comes the float<br />
bearing the statue <strong>of</strong> the honored saint escorted by a guard <strong>of</strong> young men<br />
31
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
in picturesque costumes, the priest in hi robes, the acolytes in their cossacks,<br />
and the populace in holiday attire. Brass bands, floats representing<br />
sacred or historical episodes, and carriages loaded with flowers give<br />
length and added brilliance to the picture.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proces ion winds its way through the streets <strong>of</strong> the colony,<br />
and is frequently stopped by worshippers who desire to make votive<br />
<strong>of</strong>ferings at the shrine <strong>of</strong> the aint. <strong>The</strong> end <strong>of</strong> the route finds the procession<br />
back at the church door.<br />
<strong>The</strong> religious part <strong>of</strong> the festival over, the colony ?ettles itself to<br />
three days <strong>of</strong> feasting, athletic exhibitions, port , national dancing anq<br />
other recreations. This is the one season <strong>of</strong> the year when the best to<br />
be had is not too good for the poorest families .<br />
..(\n extended band concert is held on the evening <strong>of</strong> the second day,<br />
and invariably at it a hor e or cow is raffled in further honor <strong>of</strong> the saint,<br />
<strong>The</strong> colony then assembles itself en masse with it visitors from the<br />
city sometime to the number <strong>of</strong> 80,000 in a great natural ampitheatre<br />
before Alta House to witness a competitive display <strong>of</strong> pyrotechnics. A<br />
ca h prize is awarded the firm making the best display. It is customary<br />
for the mayor <strong>of</strong> the city, the committee <strong>of</strong> five having all the festivities<br />
in charge, and some other invited notable to act as judges.<br />
This feast affords the spectacle <strong>of</strong> an entire community disporting<br />
iself in its characteristic way.<br />
Columbus Day and the Carnivals are celebrated in much the same<br />
manner, but without the religious ceremonies. <strong>The</strong>re is an agitation<br />
among some Italian intellectuals against these unique celebrations on<br />
the ground that they savor too much <strong>of</strong> the old world.<br />
Settlements<br />
Outside the churches there 'are two main institutions at which the<br />
many fraternal, social, athletic and musical societies regularly meet.<br />
Alta House, in the centre <strong>of</strong> "Little Italy," 12510 Mayfield Road, deals<br />
with this nationality only. It is the best equipped settlement in the<br />
.:ity, havina swimming pool, a large gymnasium, public library, dispensary,<br />
visiting nurse, and club rooms where several Italian bands as well<br />
as the exclusively Italian societies me t. <strong>The</strong>re are few families in its<br />
neighborhood who have not a representative or more in a group meeting<br />
at this centre.<br />
Alta House<br />
32
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAN D<br />
An Alta House Sewing CIa' s<br />
Garment Products <strong>of</strong> the Sewing Class.<br />
<strong>The</strong> making <strong>of</strong> Artisans at Alta House.<br />
33
THE ITA.LIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Hiram House is situated at 2723 Orange Avenue. Here the work has<br />
formerly been carried on among the Jews, but as these have moved further<br />
east th <strong>Italians</strong> have replaced them, so that at present it is in the<br />
midst <strong>of</strong> the Italian section.<br />
Fraternal Orders<br />
In addition to these ettlement<br />
house , halls are sometimes hired and<br />
school buildings used for dances, benefits,<br />
and other gatherings <strong>of</strong> a special<br />
character.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian Social organization<br />
may be divided roughly into four<br />
classes :<br />
(1) <strong>The</strong> large fraternal organization<br />
, having national affiliations.<br />
(2) <strong>The</strong> Federated socletles, a<br />
loose but incorporated union <strong>of</strong> local<br />
benefi t organizations.<br />
(3) <strong>The</strong> Social Clubs, for the most<br />
part meeting at the Settlement houses,<br />
many <strong>of</strong> which are made up <strong>of</strong> women<br />
or permit <strong>of</strong> mixed membership.<br />
(4) <strong>The</strong> distinctly athletic aggregation<br />
for boys and men. A Party Costume<br />
All <strong>of</strong> these fill a very large place in the life <strong>of</strong> the group, stabilizing<br />
it, augmenting its solidarity, and insuring the individuals within against<br />
becoming public charges. <strong>The</strong>y are the teachers par excellence <strong>of</strong> practical<br />
social co-operation. It is aid that more than four-fifths <strong>of</strong> all the<br />
men in the various settlements have membership in one or more <strong>of</strong> these<br />
societies.<br />
To the first class belongs the tronge t and oldest Italian organization<br />
in the country, "<strong>The</strong> Sons <strong>of</strong> Italy," numbering in the United States<br />
more than 135,000 men. <strong>The</strong>re are 26 <strong>of</strong> these lodges in Ohio, and 9 in<br />
the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong> :<br />
Duca Degli Abbruzzesi 217.<br />
G. Marconi 147.<br />
G. Mazzini 218.<br />
Margherita <strong>of</strong> Savoia 262.<br />
Massimo D' Azeglio.<br />
Campobasso.<br />
Vittorio Emmanuele.<br />
S. Michele Del Sannio.<br />
Calabrese.<br />
34
THE · 1 TAL 1 A N S • O: F CL EVELAN D<br />
Products <strong>of</strong> the Art Class at Alta House<br />
<strong>The</strong> Supreme Lodge is quartered in ew York City, the Grand<br />
Lodge <strong>of</strong> Ohio at Euclid Avenue and East 118th Street. Dr. Barricelli,<br />
enjoys the honor <strong>of</strong> being President <strong>of</strong> the Grand Lodge <strong>of</strong> the State.<br />
This is a fitting tribute to the man who initiated the order, christened it,<br />
and nursed it throug the early years <strong>of</strong> its development.<br />
<strong>The</strong> organization is a fraternal order, designed for the education,<br />
welfare and safeguard <strong>of</strong> ts Italian members. It has provident and<br />
insurance features also. In case <strong>of</strong> death grants <strong>of</strong> $300 from the Grand<br />
Lodge and $100 from the local organization, besides certain funeral<br />
expenses, are made to the survivors <strong>of</strong> the deceased. By paying sick<br />
benefit ciues <strong>of</strong> $1 monthly, a weekly indemnity <strong>of</strong> $10 including medical<br />
attendance is also given.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is another society called "<strong>The</strong> Independent Sons <strong>of</strong> Italy," a<br />
much smaller national organization constructed on dissimilar lines but<br />
maintaining sick benefit and life insurance features. <strong>The</strong> local organization<br />
which meets at Alta House, numbers less than 100 members.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Woodmen <strong>of</strong> the World and the Oddfellows maintain all-Italian<br />
local branches at 55th and vVoodland, with the benefit unique to those<br />
well-known fraternal organizations. <strong>The</strong> first <strong>of</strong> these and each <strong>of</strong> the<br />
latter two has a women's auxiliary which has full sickness and death<br />
benefits.<br />
Before 1917 there were many local fraternal societies operating<br />
largely in the Orange and Ontario districts.<br />
Fraterna<br />
Operaia<br />
Crist<strong>of</strong>oro Columbo<br />
Sannitica<br />
Imerese-Beato Agostimo<br />
Imerese-Beato Agostimo<br />
Unione Santagatese<br />
Principe del Piemonte<br />
Palermitana Santa Resalia<br />
Maira S. S. Immacolata<br />
San Cosimo Damiano<br />
3S
THE ITALIANS -O F CLEVELAND<br />
Each had its <strong>of</strong>ficers, peculiar aims and social purposes, together with<br />
insurance and benefit features. Some, like the Society <strong>of</strong> Christopher Columbus,<br />
were mutual associations guaranteeing to his family in case <strong>of</strong> a<br />
member's death $100 toward defraying funeral expenses and an indemnity<br />
raised by an assessment <strong>of</strong> $1 on each surviving member <strong>of</strong> the organization.<br />
Obviously this was a precarious insurance method. To stabilize and<br />
standardize dues, rates, indemnities, and focus their purpo es, all these<br />
local organizations were united and incorporated by the state legislature<br />
in 1917 under the name, "Federated Societies." Each society is represented<br />
in the federation but has nO,t lost its identity, as the by-laws and<br />
rules <strong>of</strong> the latter body must be ratified by the local order to be coercive.<br />
Officers <strong>of</strong> the federation are elected annually. Salvatore Russo, connected<br />
with the Ohio Macaroni Co., is at present the presidential incumbent.<br />
In April, 1919, the largest society, "<strong>The</strong> Fraterna," affiliated with<br />
the "Sc,ns <strong>of</strong> Italy." Six others have made application to do so. It is<br />
expected that there will be a still further amalgamation <strong>of</strong> all these<br />
smaller bodies into one great representative organization.<br />
Social Clubs<br />
Of purely social clubs there is no end. Most <strong>of</strong> those with benefit<br />
features have been attracted into the Federation. But many organizations<br />
made up <strong>of</strong> persons coming from the same town or district in Italy<br />
remain separate. <strong>The</strong> "Matrice" and the "Imerse," social clubs, both <strong>of</strong><br />
which meet at Alta House, the "Sinagra," a local"mutual life insurance<br />
association numbering 100 and limiting its individual mortuary indemnity<br />
to $300, are open only to those coming from the same Italian cities,<br />
and are constructed with the purpose <strong>of</strong> obviating the need <strong>of</strong> Am rican<br />
relief.<br />
Others are charitable or semi-patriotic in character. "<strong>The</strong> Daughters<br />
<strong>of</strong> Italy," a ocial organization unconnected with the benefit society<br />
bearing the same name, belongs to this class. It was organized in 1910,<br />
meets in the basement <strong>of</strong> t. Anthony's church, arranges for Columbu<br />
Day and other parades, was active in our several Liberty Loan campaigns,<br />
as well as in welconling returning members <strong>of</strong> .the . E. F. This<br />
is the organization which has arranged the Soldiers' reception banquet<br />
and ball in the Winton Hotel for the 17th <strong>of</strong> May, 1919. <strong>The</strong> "Aureliu ,"<br />
a less pretentious organization, was responsible for the sale <strong>of</strong> more than<br />
$300,000 worth <strong>of</strong> U. S. Liberty Bonds, and $25,000 War Savings tamps.<br />
Still another type is the purely recreational club, meeting for the most<br />
part at Alta and Hiram settlements. A few like the "Jolly Good Fellows,"<br />
an organization made up <strong>of</strong> 25 men who meet at Alta House for<br />
recreation, to prepare plays and otherwise entertain them elves ; and<br />
the various small Spaghetti clubs which bring their members together<br />
at a restaurant, are unfederated and adaptable to any purpose which is<br />
expedient at the time. <strong>The</strong>y are for men only, and they <strong>of</strong>ten have<br />
definite social and political purposes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Prentice C1ul, on the other hand, is a purely women's organization.<br />
It was initiated by Misil Belle Sherwin at Alta Hou e for the<br />
young girls in Little Italy, now its membership <strong>of</strong> 6Q. is wholly <strong>of</strong> married<br />
women, some <strong>of</strong> whom are charter members. It affords recreation,<br />
arranges lunches, parties, games and dances for its members. Through<br />
the winter it has engaged in war work, in the summers' taken care <strong>of</strong> the<br />
sick in the colony and in general promoted facile social relations in the<br />
settlement.<br />
36
THE ITALIANS O F CLE VELAN D<br />
Somewhat similar in purpose is the "Noyes," named after the Alta<br />
House directress, a club for young married mothers, where they may<br />
get away from the irk and monotony <strong>of</strong> home life. <strong>The</strong>ir tiny babies<br />
form the touch <strong>of</strong> nature which makes the world akin.<br />
<strong>The</strong> "Romolo Matrons," the "Young Unmarried Women's Club,"<br />
and the "Romolo Juniors" are women's and girls' organizations serving<br />
a similar purpose and meeting in the same place.<br />
A Federation <strong>of</strong> these various women's clubs under the name, "Italian<br />
Women's Club," is now in process <strong>of</strong> organization under the presidency<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mrs. B. A. Buopane. Its purpose is charitable, social, musical<br />
and philanthropic, more particularly to keep the societies and individuals<br />
in touch with the great movements <strong>of</strong> the day, a task in which it is<br />
admirably succeeding. A ball is to be held under their auspice at the<br />
Winton Hotel April 29th, 1919, in honor <strong>of</strong> the returning <strong>Italians</strong> and<br />
Americans who fought with our expeditionary forces in Italy. This<br />
federation, as the men's organizations, will seek incorporation.<br />
Athletics<br />
<strong>The</strong> younger men and boys are proud <strong>of</strong> the past achievements and<br />
present standing <strong>of</strong> their athletic clubs in the various lines <strong>of</strong> sport.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are two baseball leagues, a Senior and a Junior, with eight teams<br />
in each. <strong>The</strong> names <strong>of</strong> the former clubs are an interesting contrast to<br />
the latter-J effersons, Marconis, Lincolns, and Garfields, over againsl/:<br />
the Altas, Macks, Cubs, and Elks. <strong>The</strong>se athletic club are organized<br />
and supported by the boys themselves through common dues collected<br />
throughout the year.<br />
Atheletes in Training<br />
Rocco Novario <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Athletic Baseball Association has<br />
been manager for the past four years <strong>of</strong> the Telling's-Stroller's, an "A"<br />
class all-Italian team which won the state championship in 1916, the<br />
city championship in 1917, and which then suspended operations to help<br />
America to "win the war." <strong>The</strong> "Mohawk," all-Italian football team,<br />
also carried <strong>of</strong>f the city's championship laurels from 1914 to 1918.<br />
In basketball the "Favorite Cones," made up <strong>of</strong> Italian operatives <strong>of</strong><br />
the Favorite Woolen Mills and financed by its manager, the "Mercedes"<br />
and "Red Skins," which carried . the <strong>Cleveland</strong> and class cham-<br />
37
THE -I TAL I A N _So O · F<br />
.<br />
C LEV E LAN D<br />
pionships respectively until 1917, are the boas<br />
. 9 ':}itI<br />
i , ; Y .I'f\Y'" and<br />
•<br />
I<br />
Alta's training.<br />
In boxing the two pr<strong>of</strong>es'sional athletic managers; Cha. ' Marotta<br />
and Sol Laurie, train promising Italian athlet'e and stag1 city amateur<br />
boxing contests. "Johnnie RL1 el," State and Middle Wet: .champion,<br />
now in Europe with the A. E. F., and John Rini, city chamlion in his<br />
division, are also products <strong>of</strong> these "stables" and are popular with the<br />
Italian populace.<br />
Basket Ball Teams <strong>of</strong> the Mayfield District<br />
38
Olin do G Melaragno<br />
39
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italian Press<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are 16 Italian newspapers printed in New York City, 6 in<br />
Philadelphia, and 2 in <strong>Cleveland</strong>. Four from New York :<br />
" n Progresso Italo Americano," I In Bollettino Della Sera," IlL' Aralclo<br />
Italiano" and .. L' Opinione," and one from Philadelphia, " Giornale<br />
D'Italia, " only find current distribution in this city .<br />
"La Voce del Popolo Italiano", at present a weekly which promises<br />
a daily publication this year, is said to be "the first, largest, and<br />
most influential Italian organ <strong>of</strong> publicity in Ohio." This outspoken<br />
political independent paper was established by its present manager and<br />
editor, Olindo G. Melaragno, in 1903. It now boasts a circulation <strong>of</strong><br />
15,000 in the city and 30,000 through the Middle States, has built and<br />
now occupies a modern brick publishing house at the corner <strong>of</strong> 14th<br />
and Central Avenue, and conducts an important foreign exchange and<br />
money order busines . It has interpreted American law and method,<br />
fearlessly striven to secure to I,talian Americans their economic and<br />
social rights, and insistently emphasized the advantages <strong>of</strong> citizenship.<br />
It forms the intelligent link between the Italian born and American life<br />
and movements. How widely it i read is evidenced by its many American<br />
business and recreational advertisements.<br />
"La Stampa", a small independent weekly, is published by G. Balzano<br />
at Orange 'Avenue and 14th Street.<br />
<strong>The</strong>atres<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are no distinctly Italian theatres in the city. "<strong>The</strong> Venice",<br />
a movie in the Mayfield settlement, owned and operated by Gabriel<br />
Gullia, hows the same pictures which are shown in the larger picture<br />
house but at a later time, and is filled to capacity nightly. <strong>The</strong> Venice<br />
Hall is frequently used for political mass meetings.<br />
This is not to say that the <strong>Italians</strong> are not fond <strong>of</strong> good music.<br />
Again and again the best operas which come to <strong>Cleveland</strong> are brought<br />
by <strong>Italians</strong>. It is said that the San Carlo and Creatore Grand Opera<br />
Company are supported by the majority <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Italians</strong> in the city. But<br />
they do not operate their own theatres, as some <strong>of</strong> Cteveland's other<br />
racial groups.<br />
Restaurants<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are four Italian restaurants in the city, one only <strong>of</strong> which is<br />
representative, the " ew Roma", situated on Pr spect Avenue. It is<br />
partly owned and entirely manao-ed by Frank Monaco, who took it over<br />
in the 'ummel' <strong>of</strong> 1918. He has increased it capacity to 500, making<br />
it the largest restaurant in the city, and one <strong>of</strong> the most attractive in<br />
the State, engaged a creditable orchestra, and arranges banquets for<br />
clubs and parties. It is an institution in the American as well as the<br />
Italian life <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong>.<br />
In this connection it ought not to be forgotten that the culinary<br />
art in the city's hotels and restaurants, is in ,the hands <strong>of</strong> <strong>Italians</strong>. <strong>The</strong><br />
chefs in charge at the Hotel Statler, the <strong>Cleveland</strong>, and the Shaker<br />
40
THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND<br />
Heights Club, Sossi Motta and Ettorezoia re.spect.ively, are <strong>Italians</strong>,<br />
together with the second chefs at the Hollenden. ilnd Winton. In fact,<br />
it is authoritatively stated that 140 out <strong>of</strong> the 200 leading cooks in the<br />
city's foremost eating places are <strong>Italians</strong>.<br />
Saloons<br />
<strong>The</strong> saloon cannot be overlooked as a place <strong>of</strong> entertainment and<br />
social recreation. Many <strong>of</strong> these people who are attracted from the<br />
poorest provinces <strong>of</strong> their country by the rich economic opportunities<br />
In the United States bring with them little equipment by way <strong>of</strong> education<br />
or practical training. In few cases can they read or write their<br />
own language. Finding the cost <strong>of</strong> living here disproportionately high,<br />
they gravitate into the congested districts where housing facilities are<br />
within their means.<br />
During these years they find life necessarily barren <strong>of</strong> recreation.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> younger men get it in the pool room, the children in the neighborhood<br />
school or settlement." <strong>The</strong>ir craving for companionship with<br />
their own countrymen leads them to the warm, well-lighted and convenient<br />
saloon, the degenerate cousin <strong>of</strong> the ins.titution with which they<br />
were familiar in their European home. <strong>The</strong>re are 18 <strong>of</strong> these institutions<br />
in the Mayfield settlement alone, which is a generous comment<br />
on their patronage. <strong>The</strong>y have become the main recreational centres<br />
for the older men.<br />
Political<br />
Year by year the Italian-American has increased his influence in<br />
the local politics <strong>of</strong> our great cities. One has only to look over the roll<br />
<strong>of</strong> city employees at such names as Charles Coralo, Tony Page, John<br />
Corso, to get the significance <strong>of</strong> this tendency. <strong>The</strong> Italian-American<br />
who in art is so extrinsic, in his political philosophy i just as practical.<br />
Government itO him stands or falls, not by its ideal theory, but by the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> concrete benefits, definable in economic and industrial terms.<br />
He forgets no favor and condones no adverse discrimination. So while<br />
the padrone system is at a minimum and political bo sism is not obtrusive,<br />
government is a tacit quid pro quo arrangement and the political<br />
aspirant who can give concrete evidence <strong>of</strong> influence or power is<br />
not forgotten. Up to the Wilson-Hughes election in 1916 the Italian<br />
colonies were overwhelmingly Republican. In that year a large Democratic<br />
vote was registered.<br />
Americaniza tion<br />
It is true that socialism <strong>of</strong> a revolutionary type suggestive <strong>of</strong> violence<br />
i rampant among certain elements <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Italians</strong>, but this is an<br />
inheritance from the homeland. <strong>The</strong> spirit <strong>of</strong> di content nurtured there<br />
by unfortunate economic conditions ha free scope when aggravated by<br />
harsh inc1 ustrial conditions here. It is true also that the <strong>Italians</strong> more<br />
than anv other <strong>of</strong> our ethnic groups come and go back to their native<br />
land, that they are migratory. Far from being a reproach, this should<br />
be a commendation. <strong>The</strong>y have been the barometer <strong>of</strong> our labor markets<br />
and a safety valve a well, relieving the tenseness <strong>of</strong> our industrial<br />
crises. Nor is he less an American because <strong>of</strong> these migratory habits<br />
and the over-estimated financial remittances to Italy. He is not oblivious<br />
to the fact that the first American to die in our expeditionary forces<br />
wa an Italian-American. In the present war no group ha lent its aid<br />
in men and money with greater abandon than <strong>Cleveland</strong>'s Italian sub-<br />
42
TH E ITAL I ANS O F CL EVELAND<br />
jects. Fourteen hundred, from the parish records, which are the ' most<br />
authentic figures yet available, were with our expeditionary forces, besides<br />
the volunteers who went back to join the Italian ranks in the same<br />
cause. <strong>The</strong>y are found in every branch <strong>of</strong> the service. Dr. Motto has<br />
achieved distinction in the medical corps, his brother Charles, a sculptor,<br />
well known in Italian circles, is with the A. E. F. in France. Eleven<br />
were with the Lakeside Hospital unit.<br />
Men from the Mayfield Settlement with the Lakeside Unit Overseas.<br />
One hundred and six appear on the list <strong>of</strong> casualties, either killed<br />
or wounded. In view <strong>of</strong> this it is not surprising that at nearly every<br />
public gathering <strong>of</strong> <strong>Italians</strong> through the past two years appeals were<br />
made and opportunity given to financially support America's army<br />
overseas.<br />
Nothing could tie them to America more clo ely than the sacrifice<br />
they have made for her honor, and nothing could better facilitate their<br />
Americanization.<br />
This has been an indirect though no less efficient Americanization<br />
programme. We would not have them exactly as we are. <strong>The</strong>y will<br />
still retain Italian social customs and ideals. Why not ? <strong>The</strong>y will still<br />
feel a kinship with the home people, but they love America no less because<br />
they love Italy so well. <strong>The</strong>re is room for diversity <strong>of</strong> custom and<br />
viewpoint in American unity. <strong>The</strong>y want and are achieving our language<br />
with surprising facility, and have been more ready than other<br />
ethnic groups to forego the teaching <strong>of</strong> their language in the public<br />
and parochial schools. <strong>The</strong>y speak with pride and gratitude <strong>of</strong> those<br />
large-souled Americans who have labored with and for them, and who<br />
have earnestly and sympathetically striven to understand and interpret<br />
them to America and America to them. <strong>Cleveland</strong> owes her Italian<br />
subjects a larger appreciation, and in the payment <strong>of</strong> our debt we will<br />
find ourselves the richer by the reciprocation <strong>of</strong> theirs,
CLEVELAND AMERICANIZATION COMMITTEE<br />
Mr. Raymond Moley-Chairman<br />
Mrs. J. N. Fleming-Vice Chairman<br />
Miss Helen Bacon-Secretary<br />
Mrs. A. L. Bishop<br />
Mr. A. W. Castle<br />
Mr. Harold T. Clark<br />
Mrs. J. J. Babka<br />
Mrs. Willard Beahan<br />
Mrs. W. B. Boyle<br />
Mrs. James M. Bryer<br />
Mr. Edward Bushnell<br />
Mrs. W. P. Chamberlain<br />
Miss Hazel Foster<br />
Mr. Hugh M. Fullerton<br />
Miss Helen Hanchette<br />
Mr . E. L. Harris<br />
Mr. George B. Harris<br />
Mrs. E. ·B . Haserodt<br />
Mrs. Ray A. Hauserman<br />
Mr. David E. Green<br />
Mr. R. J. Hoddinnott<br />
Mrs. Helen Horvath<br />
Mrs. Sarah E. Hyre<br />
Rev. Joel B. Hayden<br />
Mrs. Durward B. Igou<br />
Mrs. Stella Jacoby<br />
Rev. William A. Kane<br />
Miss K. Kennedy<br />
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE<br />
GENERAL COMMITTEE<br />
Mrs. E. H. Fishman<br />
Miss Alice P. Gannett<br />
Mr. Ernest Joseph<br />
Judge Manuel Levine<br />
Mr. Carl P. Vitz<br />
Miss Hedwig Kosbab<br />
Mrs. E. C. Kraus<br />
Mrs. E. E. Ledbetter<br />
Mrs. C. W. Webb<br />
Mrs. E. C. McCullough<br />
Mrs. J. L. Mihelich<br />
Miss Margaret Mitchell<br />
Mr. De La Mook<br />
Miss Sarah J. Neuhart<br />
Mrs. P. C. O'Brien<br />
Mrs. Chas. Orr<br />
Miss Mary E. Parker<br />
Mrs. Roger G. Perkins<br />
Mr. John Prucha<br />
Miss Mary Robertson<br />
Judge Joseph F. Sawicki<br />
Mrs. E. M. Spreng<br />
Miss B. Swainhardt<br />
Mrs. Howard S. Thayer<br />
Mrs. E. J. Weigel<br />
Mr. F. Allen Whiting<br />
Miss E. Louise Willmott<br />
Mr. E. R. Wright
Other Publications <strong>of</strong> the Committee<br />
Americanization <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Report <strong>of</strong> Work <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization<br />
Committee, <strong>of</strong> 1917-1918<br />
<strong>The</strong> Slovaks <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Lessons on American Citizenship<br />
<strong>The</strong> J ugoslavs <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Magyars <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cleveland</strong><br />
Address:<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> Americanization Committee<br />
Room 226, City Hall, <strong>Cleveland</strong>