ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW
Curtis Fudge
March 4, 1993
by Larry Lowenthal

0:00:19	Came to Springfield in January of 1947.
0:00:34	Took the Civil Service Exam for railway mail clerk, messenger at the Armory, clerk typist, mail analyst, and mail clerk at the Springfield Post Office.
0:01:01	Was the highest person on the civil service register for the messenger job.
0:01:20	Had veteran's preference and a disability, but was still refused for the job.
0:02:06	Went to building 104 for a physical for office work, but was given physical for laborer instead.
0:02:36	Passed laborer physical and was put to work in the mail and records section.
0:02:49	Felt that because of race was almost prevented from getting a job.
0:03:58	Came to Springfield from Washington, D.C., and grew up in Savannah, Georgia.
0:04:20	Wife lived near Springfield.
0:05:00	When first arrived in Springfield had two job offers at Uniroyal and Monsanto.
0:06:12	Worked at woodworking shop for a short time before going to the Armory.
0:06:29	Received layoff notice from wood shop, and that same day a letter came from the armory asking to report for a physical and an interview.
0:06:45	Talks about many problems that occurred while working at the Armory.
0:07:00	Never received a layoff notice while working at Springfield Armory.
0:07:44	Started in mail and records and went to personnel and became a personnel specialist during the Korean War.
0:08:02	From personnel went to contracts and procurement.
0:09:05	While in personnel inactive records for whites were easily found, but inactive records for blacks were located in the basement behind a bricked up wall.
0:10:04	Told personnel director about records situation and the wall was torn down.
0:11:18	Records had colored stamped in large letters.
0:11:44	Worked in Building 16.
0:12:16	Talks about location of records and felt that the black records were hidden on purpose.
0:14:38	Very few blacks worked in the office spaces, most worked in the shops.
0:15:12	Only black person working in Building 16.
0:15:34	Did not know how many black files were kept in hidden storage room.
0:16:00	The city of Springfield had a very small black population.
0:17:57	Own active file was kept in personnel office.
0:18:37	Believed that files were hidden to make it difficult to hire back people.
0:21:15	Morris Cruz, the chief of personnel was very helpful and sympathetic.
0:22:20	When purchased first automobile Morris Cruz was a voucher.
0:23:27	When first came to the armory to apply for a job had difficulty with some of the employees about being hired there.
0:23:42	Talks about having problems getting an interview with Henry Harper who was in charge of mail and records.
0:25:10	Morris Cruz demanded an interview take place.
0:26:00	While at the armory was often harassed by fellow workers.
0:27:00	Was in charge of purchasing office equipment when working in the procurement division.
0:28:00	Tried to stay on the good side of the women.
0:29:20	Thought that certain workers were trying to get him fired.
0:29:32	Actively involved with officers who he played baseball and softball with.
0:29:47	Felt that attitudes of other workers began to change towards him.
0:30:29	Received pin for twenty years of service.
Side B
0:31:10	Went to work in personnel in October of 1948 and stayed there until 1950.
0:31:35	Next went to contracts and procurement in 1953 and worked there until leaving in 1967.
0:32:00	In 1967 worked for Hartford DOD.
0:32:10	Office was located in building 16 while in contracts and procurement.
0:32:40	Continued purchasing office supplies for the Armory.
0:33:33	Was in charge of eight people in the administrative branch.
0:34:16	In order to receive supplies a purchase order was necessary, and a verbal or written request to the supervisor.
0:34:37	Purchased materials through GSA and locally with small businesses.
0:35:02	Talks about various businesses and their association with the Armory.
0:36:19	Discusses the types of typewriters that the Armory used.
0:37:00	When equipment needed repairing local shops were favored.
0:37:58	Talks about fellow employee Albert R. Abbott.
0:38:00	Many older people came back to work for the Armory during WWII.
0:38:30	Abbott was a clerk-typist who worked at the Armory for 23 years.
0:39:05	The workers he was in charge of were all in their sixties.
0:39:27	Got along very well with the older employees.
0:39:57	Felt that these workers were very sincere and professional.
0:40:13	Would occasionally have younger workers in the typist pool.
0:42:05	Kept in contact with Mr. Abbott after he retired.
0:42:28	Another fellow worker Mr. Heller lived at the YMCA.
0:42:41	Discusses picture of softball team.
0:44:30	Had a small team of 11 players, but still played on a regular basis.
0:44:40	Went to various towns to play softball on Friday afternoons.
0:45:00	The team used to stay out very late after games.
0:45:21	Was also a member of the baseball team.
0:46:14	Played on a softball team with several officers.
0:46:30	Talks about various buildings at the armory.
0:48:00	Enjoyed meals in the cafeteria and ate their regularly.
0:48:30	All of the cooks were black.
0:48:40	Meals were inexpensive.
0:48:55	Very few blacks worked in the shops.
0:50:00	Softball team was not part of an organized league.
0:50:46	Was the catcher for the team.
0:51:34	Would also participate in touch football games.
0:52:15	The Blue Eagle Restaurant was popular with employees.
0:52:25	Some of his fellow workers became alcoholics from spending too much time at the Blue Eagle.
0:53:50	Discusses Armory teams.
0:54:37	Teams did not have a set schedule.
0:55:10	Bathroom facilities were very poor.
0:55:39	Talks about touch football and who was present at the games.
0:57:00	Tells of Secretary of Defense McNamara's visit to the Armory.
0:57:15	The Armory fought vigorously to remain open.
0:57:24	The DOD office was opened in Hartford.
0:57:36	Contracts and procurement personnel were given first choice of job openings at the DOD office.
0:57:46	In 1966 he was offered a job at Hartford DOD, but did not accept it because he thought he might retire.
0:58:00	Wanted to stay at the Armory and have thirty years put in.
0:58:55	Knew that Springfield Armory was going to close and decided to take job in Hartford.
0:59:20	Stayed at the Hartford DOD from 1967-1980.
0:59:35	Retired August 28, 1980.
0:59:50	Talks about fellow worker Marvin Jacobs at the Armory.
1:00:03	Jacobs was a die maker.
1:00:54	Bill Ancrum was the highest ranking black at the Armory.
1:01:33	Met Jacobs and Ancrum after he came to the Armory.