Salt Lake Telegram | 1907-02-07 | Page 3 | Greek Boys, Slaves to "Padrones", Drive out Old-Time Bootblacks

OLD-Tlf lE BOOTBLACtiS CBY rULA NXVTTT.) Greek bootblacks, owned by a svndi-eate svndi-eate of wealthy men with headquarter in Athens, have entirely driven from the field in Salt Lake City the newsboy who caught stray pennies with his blacking "kit." and the darky bootblack, boot-black, who used to be a familiar figure on street corners. The "padrone" system, as it is called, which means practically slavery, has taken firm root here. Neat boot-blacking boot-blacking "parlora" have sifbplanted the "kit," and in them from one to six boya slave from before daylight until long after dark. These bovs are all Greeks, brought over from Europe especially for fhe boot-blacking trade. The system flourishes in every city in the Cnited States. The proceeds of the boys' labors, la-bors, amounting to millions annually, is sent back to Greece. The boys are almost all under age. but as tney are not eititen of this country cannotbe reached bv juvenile laws. The youths are furnished transportation trans-portation from home, and upon arriving here, are given food and clothing by their masters. A percentage of their earnings is saved or them, and after they have served here for several years, this monev is turned over to them. With it they go back to their native land. After entering the service of the syndicate, the boys give their entire time to their masters, working constantly, con-stantly, except during the time absolutely abso-lutely necessary for rest. The "pa drones" are not harsh, as a rule, and the life of the Greek slaves is bearable, bear-able, aside from the arduous and unremitting unre-mitting toil. It was about five vears ago that the Greek "padrones" began quietly, but effectively, to secure a bootblacking monopoly in Salt Lake City. Boot blacks possessing flourishing stands were bought out. and those ''driving a trade" on street corners, with a small "kit" carried in a box were intimidated in-timidated or drven away. Then shoe-shining shoe-shining "parlors" succeeded the stand and the less pretentious "kit." It is estimated that more than fifty Greek slaves are held in 8alt Lake City.