1908 - More Retrenchments

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Roanoke Times - January 29, 1908

More Retrenchments

   All sorts of reports and rumors have been afloat in the city as to 
further retrenchments by the Norfolk and Western Railroad.
   On report has it that the wages of the entire force would be reduced ten 
per cent. In reply to a question as to whether or not this report is true, 
and official of the company said that he had received no notice of any such 
reduction and that while he had not heard that any such action was 
contemplated, he did not know what the future might develop. The action of 
certain roads, he said, in cutting wages ten per cent was very apt to bring 
the matter to the attention of other roads, and there was of course at all 
times the possibility of such a policy being imitated. He had not, however, 
received the slightest intimation that the Norfolk and Western was 
considering such a step.
   A second report had it that the East End shops would be closed for an 
indefinite period, and that all the necessary repair work would be done at 
the West End shops. A reporter of The Times asked several officials of the 
road whether or not this report is true, and he could gain no definite 
information. It is certain that some kind of a conference was held this 
morning by certain officials in reference to the matter, but what decision 
was reached, could not be ascertained.
   It is reported at the shops that the men will work only two days this 
week, Monday and yesterday, making only sixteen hours. One of the employes 
of a certain department stated yesterday that so far this week he had made 
only ten hours, or five hours for each day. He said that up to dinner time 
no notice had been posted, but that he had been told that the men would 
work only two days this week. He declared that the situation was one of 
great anxiety for the employes of the road, as they did not know that bad 
news to expect and that the general situation did not seem to promise them 
any improvement in the immediate future.
   It is said that some of the men had nothing to do at the shops and will 
have to their credit this week only one day of eight hours.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link