Tribune Excerpts
The following article appeared in the March 2008 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune
Detsa on the Line
By Mitch Pedroff
They found a tavern that had rental rooms on the second floor; room rates were reasonable at twelve cents a day. Father had a name for these overnight quarters, saying, “We went to a flophouse; railroad men didn’t need fancy rooms, just a place to flop down and rest for one or two nights and then back to work. We slept on cots, not beds … three or four in a room.”
The next day, the group convened in one of the company buildings where an orientation was presented. After completing some paperwork, a well-groomed gentleman stood on a platform and spoke.
Much to their astonishment, this man spoke po nashi (Macedonian) to the detsa. Father attended school in the selo and quickly identified this person as a Bulgarian teacher because of his mannerisms, demeanor and speech.
He commented, “All of our teachers in Konomladi were educated in Bulgaria. He could have been one of our people, but … no doubt in my mind … he was a former teacher.”
The detsa were impressed that a person of stature spoke to them in their own language. They sat up and listened like school children.
First, the teacher-spokesman talked briefly about the company and, then, discussed the expectations and responsibilities of their new workers. The detsa were to work cooperatively, not to fight and not steal from one another. If one were caught stealing, he would be sent back to St. Paul and face imprisonment. It was their responsibility to take care of their health. This was very important for their own sake. It was also very important to listen to the foreman and follow directions since none had experience working on the railroad. He further stressed that by listening to the foreman, accidents would be avoided. The company had a work schedule, and a certain amount of time to complete its job. Serious accidents must be avoided.
Next, the teacher told the workers that they would meet people not found in Macedonia. In dealing with these people, he stressed the importance of following certain rules.
The first group is the zhalty lugje (yellow people). These people will be their own labor force, working on the same line with the Macedonians. Under no circumstances were the detsa to talk, communicate or socialize with the zhalty lugje. In turn, the yellow people would do the same. The zhalty lugje were to do their work and the Macedonians were expected to do theirs.
The second group is the ts’rveny lugje (American Indians). These people will appear, observe work in progress, and follow the work force for long periods. Then, they will disappear only to return when it is least expected.
Accordingly, the teacher instructed the detsa to not speak with or attempt any type of communication, to disregard them and continue the work at hand.
“They may be strange looking people” the teacher noted, “but they will not hurt you.”
Continuing, the teacher instructed the detsa to secure all personal items at night and to do the same with shovels, hammers, buckets and all other tools. They were to be placed in storage cars. Concluding, he told the detsa that the ts’rveny lugje did not comprehend private property rights and were notorious night raiders.
The spokesman then spoke of the most important topic of the day – PAY! The moment had arrived and the room grew silent and quiet. Continuing, he stated their pay would be $2.50 per day for a 10- hour workday, plus overtime. The normal schedule would be a six-day workweek of 60 hours, but work on certain Sunday’s could be expected when agreed upon by the workers. Their first day of pay begins when the train departs on the next day.
The detsa were elated and excitement echoed throughout the room. Their expectations from the company were far exceeded -- $60 a month plus overtime, no rent to pay, no taxes, food provided and being paid while traveling to Montana. All this was just unbelievable, plus there was no need to worry about the Turk.
“This was very good pay for the time.
There were no taxes and most important
we did not have to fear the Turk taking our
money. The money was mine. No one ever
paid for overtime in the selo. The 10-hour
day was not as bad as it seemed. It was not
like working in a factory for eight or ten
hours, because we had our breaks.”
