Oral History Interview with Vic Johnson, 1969 June 13, 2006

Victor Johnson was the superintendent of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation's Rolling and Finishing Mill. Began working at mill at 12 1/2 years old. Tom Verde was foreman. Began at rail mill as door puller (opened cover while charging). Other boys were Nettie Ryan, Alfred Ecklund, Mike Burke (a heater), John Hollywood (heater-controlled temperature), Frank Mitchell (blooming mill roller). Victor was a door boy for 6 months at .10 cents per hour. Later was a gas reverser for 9 months at .11 cents per hour, 12 hour shifts. Later worked as a buggy operator transporting ingots for 1 year. Tally job for 2 years at .13 cents per hour (boys rate), and later yard master in charge of moving ingots. In 1914, work hours became unreliable. Became timekeeper at $65.00 per month. He describes buying and selling script. Eventually became pay master. Handed paycheck to each individual. Discusses superintendents. A rolling mill was started at Trinidad but failed. CF & I bought the machinery and moved it to Pueblo. In 1919 he was Superintendent under F. E. Parks.