Word: piras
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...discussion with his old friend Italian Vice Premier Giuseppe Saragat, Florence's cheerful, chirpy little Mayor Giorgio La Pira once argued that bankers should divide their funds with the poor. "They would go to prison," replied Socialist Saragat. Christian Democrat La Pira, whom Florentines sometimes call "the Saint," shook his head. "Oh, no," said he, "they would go to Paradise...
...party polling the most votes, the Christian Democrats found themselves in many cities polling more votes but losing seats. In Turin, Genoa, Venice, Pisa and Rome, the Chris tian Democrats lost their legislative majority, and stood in need of allies. to govern. In Florence Mayor Giorgio La Pira, Florence's busy little friend of the poor, polled more votes than any mayor ever had, but ended with only 25 city council seats out of 60, v. 31 in 1951. In Rome the Christian Democrats increased their vote by 13 percent but lost twelve of their 39 seats. In Bologna...
...Pira's eye fell on the huge, handsome old villas that perch on the hillsides above Florence. Most belong to rich Italians who occupy them only a few months a year. Drawing on his experiences as onetime aw professor at the University of Florence, La Pira rummaged among old ar-:hives, finally found what he wanted: a aw of the Kingdom of Italy, passed in 1865, which empowered Italian mayors to requisition private buildings in grave emergencies...
...first requisitions were few, and Florentines were amused at the procedure. Scouts spotted an empty villa. In great secrecy, La Pira signed the requisition or der the night before. Next morning early, the decree was delivered to the owner. An hour later, before the hapless owner had time to move in fake tenants, a task force arrived at the villa comprising a requisition functionary, a blacksmith (in case the owner had barred the doors), two city cops on motorcycles ("policemen on motorcycles are always more impressive,'' (explained La Pira), and sometimes La Pira himself. In a matter...
...Charity. But as evictions increased, La Pira stepped up his requisitions. Early this year. La Pira ran into his first big trouble. La Pira coveted the splendid Fiesole villa of septuagenarian Princess Emilia Ruspoli. He moved in 57 evictees, delivered a note to the princess, reading: "I am sure you are grateful for the opportunity I have given you to do a great act of charity and so to insure that God will take you up to paradise...