Labor Woes on the Great Northern Grade
Chief Engineer E. H. Beckler reports on the rapid push to bridge the mountains and finish the main line, but complains of a revolving door of disgruntled workers.
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Chief Engineer E. H. Beckler of the Great Northern Railroad reports that the main line grading could be finished in sixty days if weather permits. Construction is moving forward near the summit, including a complex 'switchback' being built to handle the steep terrain. However, labor remains a significant bottleneck. Beckler stated that they could employ 900 more men but struggle to keep them. He described a cycle where workers quit to look for better food and lodging, or leave after getting drunk, noting that roughly half the payroll money ends up in the hands of local saloon keepers.
“One gang, after working a few days in one place, starts on a tramp looking for a camp with better food and a nice bunk house. Another gang, after working a week or so, goes off and gets drunk. The third gang is at work.”
The narrative of the 'transient' worker seeking better conditions is a classic 19th-century labor trope, reflecting the brutal reality of construction work. It underscores the early tension between the massive capital required for Northwest infrastructure and the men who were often discarded in the process.
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