Transcript
Index
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:29 - Decision to move to Janesville--Chicago overcrowded--suggestion from couple on train, gift of money
00:05:56 - More on finding a house in Janesville--visiting Wilson School--few other black families--ability to get along with whites
00:08:34 - Work at Janesville Country Club, low pay--job with Chicago and Northwestern at South Janesville--keeping track clear
00:16:27 - Backgrounds of fellow workers at South Janesville yard--work as a carman, repairing cars--use of American Ass'n of Railroads rulebook--inspection and care of freight cars--flat spots on wheels
00:29:14 - J. S. as member of Brotherhood of Railroad Carmen--comments on fellow workers
00:33:45 - Reason for freight train priority over passenger trains
00:35:46 - No recollection of discrimination from Chicago and Northwestern--acquaintance with manager, Mr. Lightheiser--switchman as desirable job
00:38:34 - Living in Janesville--member of First Baptist Church--wife asked to join choir--J. S. as usher captain--getting acquainted
00:43:49 - The Scott children and Janesville's schools--story about daughter Sandra--note about African forefathers
00:46:22 - Availability of public facilities
00:48:07 - Discrimination at local tavern, support from a friend--served at Isabel's that night--other minority residents in Janesville, Dr. Nino and the Lopez family
00:54:58 - Other black people in Janesville--George Davis and the city body shop--Ike Williams family--Stud Wilson
00:56:50 - Little contact with Beloit black community until J. S. worked at Beloit Iron Works and joined the Kennedy Lodge
00:58:18 - Introduction (2nd part)
00:58:27 - The Al Beck story, dismissed from GM because of race, Beck did not appeal
01:02:09 - Timing of Al Beck's firing--importance of his fair-skinned appearance--Beck Working at Chrysler today
01:05:12 - J. S. getting a job at GM--assistance from a Mason friend--J. S. once assisted a white Mason
01:08:22 - S. Janesville yard closed down--work in Chicago and Beloit--pay discrimination at Beloit Iron Works, bad treatment there--then work at Clinton, Iowa yard with Chicago and Northwestern
01:15:49 - Then received call from Fisher Auto Body--worked through Paul Meicher in public relations office--Tom Jeffries as personnel director then
01:19:16 - J. S. “knew the score”--allegations of discriminative clause in local union contract--no hard evidence--Elmer Yenney refused J. S. a copy of the contract, prior to J. S.'s hiring by Fisher
01:23:49 - Conversation with Local 95 official, no follow-up--J. S. insulted in conversation with Elmer Yenney, J. S. characterized as “another Paul Robeson”
01:24:38 - Self-restraint in face of insult, spiritual influence--J. S. reluctant to force issue--Yenney died shortly before J. S. was hired--J. S. in Clinton at time of his hiring by Fisher
01:33:11 - “Robeson” comment taken as Communist slur--recollection of meeting Blue Jenkins from Racine, labor leader there--Jenkins took J. S.'s Gazette clippings relative to job discrimination, letters to editor--experience fishing near Fort Atkinson--Jenkins failed to return clippings--Jenkins asked about hiring at GM, several years prior to hiring of J. S., no mention of Beck case
01:44:24 - Nature of J. S.'s work at GM--started at straight pay due to proficiency
01:47:47 - Attitudes of fellow workers--new job, steaming headliners--problem of depleted stock at beginning of shift and cut steam hose, harassment--pressure for working early to set up job
