McGhee, J Clinton 1976-07-21
J. Clinton McGhee talks about his career as a machinist and boilermaker for the Fort Worth and Denver Railway.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: J. Clinton McGhee
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: July 21, 1976
Location: Childress, Texas
Interviewer: Richie Cravens
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Personal background,
Employed by Fort Worth and Denver Railway (1929),
Work as supply man,
Location of work areas,
Number of employees,
Work as a machinist’s helper,
Description of steam engines,
Maintenance of steam engines,
Work shifts,
Typical day described,
Union membership,
Pre-union membership,
Beginnings of union (c. 1940),
Efficiency experts,
Salaries,
Effects of Depression,
Effect of railroad on Childress, Texas,
Payday described,
Local boarding houses,
Clientele,
Turnover,
"Boomers",
Population of Childress (1929-1930),
Reasons for leaving Fort Worth and Denver Railway (1930),
Oil business,
Effects of Depression on railroad.
Tape 1, Side 2: Return to railroad (1942),
Positions,
Boilermaker,
Certification by company,
Effects of World War II,
Labor shortage,
Women hired,
Mexican laborers,
Number of employees,
Work load,
Economy of Childress,
Organization of union,
Purposes,
Organization,
Transfer to St. Paul, Missouri (1969),
Retaining seniority,
Switch to diesel engines,
Work force in Childress,
Washington Agreement,
Ten families transferred,
Contact with railroad after retirement,
Evaluation of career.
Range Dates: 1929-1976
Bulk Dates: 1929-1969
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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