By Sun Advocate
| A hundred years ago in the month of November…
The following article was originally published in a Thursday edition of the Eastern Utah Advocate from November 1907. This is a reprint of that article.
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| Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad workers stand in the roundhouse at the Helper yards. |
Much has been said with reference to the cutting down of the working forces on the Rio Grand system.
General Superintendent Stenger of the Rio Grande Western, when questioned on the subject, said that he commenced making preparations to reduce the forces in the construction department gradually as the season advanced.
“We have kept a large force of men at work ” he said, “Improving the road all the season. When freezing weather sets in, we can’t tear up and build a new track in high places for the reason that it would all go to pieces during the winter. We have made these portions of the road solid and they will remain so until next season opens. In the valleys, where repairs are needed, we are yet working a considerable force. We are laying off men just as the weather compels us to.”
“This has been done every year in the past, and I do not doubt that it will be the custom in the future. Already the weather is too cold on certain portions of the road for men to work to our advantage. We shall do this year as we have heretofore, retain a sufficient force of men to keep the track in good condition. The work that can be deferred without impairment of the service, will not be attempted until the opening of next season,
“That’s all there is to be said about the layoff of men on the Rio Grande Western railroad.”
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| Track crews at the Rio Grande were the ones that were at risk during the seasonal layoffs in the early 1900’s. |
