Gurley, Frank 1976-08-05
Frank Gurley discusses his lengthy career with the Fort Worth and Denver Railway and describes the variety of positions he held with the company.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Frank Gurley
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: August 5, 1976
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Interviewer: Richie Cravens
Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Personal background,
Employed by Fort Worth and Denver Railway (March 20 1920),
Call and messenger boy,
Duties,
Daily routine,
Hours,
Salary,
Yard Clerk,
Duties,
Different jobs on railroad,
Job promotion,
Reduction of labor force (1920s),
Use of machines and labor saving devices,
Other jobs held,
Freight business,
LCL business ("Less Car Load"),
Package House Peddler Cars (PHPC),
"Less Car Load",
Bumped from job,
Depression,
Lay-offs,
Union—closed shop (late 1940s),
Depression,
Business on decline in railroad,
Cotton business held up,
Pick up in business (late 1930s).
Tape 1, Side 2: Use of split shifts,
Union,
Little effect on wages,
No friction,
Social functions,
Grievances,
Boss and freight agent,
World War II,
Explosive shipments,
LCL business increase,
Work force,
Livestock shipments increased,
Railroad business,
Icing of cars,
Desk job during World War II,
Work with explosives,
Blacks working on railroad,
Yard master (2 years),
Cashier (2 years),
Chief clerk until retirement (1968),
Pressure on railroad employees,
Relationship between employees,
Female employees.
Range Dates: 1920-1968
Bulk Dates: 1920-1968
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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