This is the "RailWays" column of the 26 March 1942 edition of the Altoona Tribune: Once more our list of pensioned members has been changed by Father Time. J. A. Daly, retired passenger conductor, from St. Paul and W. P. Burns, a retired yard foreman, of Eau Claire yard were taken from the list last week. A few days ago A. E. Wilcox gave up 21 and 22 and took 479 and 490. He has always been after the best paying jobs on the Omaha and we are all wondering whether he has decided to take it easy on one of the best time freight jobs. There may be the possibility that the ingrown hair, that has caused an infection on his neck, made way freight work impossible. Time will tell, because at present his neck is so painful that he is laying off work as easy as 479 and 490. Betting odds are 2 to 1 that he will go back on 21 and 22. In spite of the need for men and speed, you must belong to the right union, to get work on construction projects at outside points. I don't know whether this work is to be closed shop but I do know that there doesn't seem to be much chance of being called for this work, unless you do belong. Thing like that don't happen on the railroad. There are men working, who have worked for over twenty years, who do not belong to any union. There is not much said to them but of course there is a lot of thinking. Young fellows, just starting out, are never asked to join until they are working steady enough to feel they can afford to help pay their way. I don't believe in a closed shop policy but I do believe that a man who has steady employment should work his way instead of dead heading. Conductor S. A. Timbers who has been carrying on a grim but winning fight for health, has the best wishes of all the workers for a speedy and complete recovery. L. F. Fischer and H. S. Connell have enlisted in Uncle Sam's army and have left for camp to be trained to help defend these United States. There are a lot of former railroad workers in the army and there is one thing they can be sure of, after the war has been won their former jobs await them. The security of peace will only come through a united strength for victory. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Seems I'm alway behind on something. Now I am working on getting my Christmas presents made. Yes, I'm one of those procrastinators. I've had the supplies since January -- where did the time go? -- Nance