Philip Gannon interview, 1987 Aug. 2.

              PHILIP GANNON
OH 1086
New Deal in Montana/ Fort Peck Dam Oral History Project
Montana Historical Society
Summary
TAPE I – SIDE A
0 to 5 minutes
Tells what did before came to Fort Peck Dam project. Worked his way through
University of Washington with a little help from parents. Remembers trying to find
work. Other job prospects at the time. Corps of Engineers needed strikers at Fort Peck,
requirements was to have engineering degree. Civil Service exam, grade, salary $ 150 per
month. Good salary. Hard times, no money during Depression. A good opportunity at
Fort Peck. Came on Great Northern Railroad to Glasgow, met friend and arrived at Fort
Peck. First impression of Fort Peck when came, size of project, gumbo roads from rain.
6 to 10 minutes
Wheeler and other shanty towns. Remembers being affected by workers’ living
conditions, mess hall, showers. He knew he would get to live at hotel. Describes first
job, striker at pump barge at core pool. Had to watch switchboard and gauges, monitor
speed of engines. Deck hands’ duties. Describes co- workers and characters got to know.
Graveyard shift. Tells what did with leisure time. Handball, other sports. Got to know
Carl Plumlee playing handball. Didn’t have a car, relied on government transportation.
Got into printing own photos. Goals important. Most of the workers saved their money,
didn’t blow it. Phil saved up money and was able to buy car. Describes work on dredge.
Reads eye- witness account of big slide wrote for Corps of Engineers booklet. They had
expected to be done with dredging, but when slide happened it prolonge [ prolonged] his
employment almost a year and a half.
11 to 15 minutes