Adams] SHONTO : ROLE OF NAVAHO TRADER 133 



community's railroad men are usually out on the road, though a few 

 of the "early birds" will already have returned. 



Shonto's extra gang workers stay on the job for an average 2 to 

 3 months, depending to a large extent on how early in the year they 

 were called out. Few workers stay on the job until they are termi- 

 nated; most simply work until they are ready to come home and 

 then quit. There is a general drift back to the community in mid- 

 September, in time for lamb sales ; and harvesting in October brings 

 at least 50 percent of workers back each year. Thereafter, remain- 

 ing men continue to straggle back by two's and three's until the end 

 of the year. Each year, however, a few men manage to pick up sec- 

 tion jobs, and may not return to the community for several months. 

 Tliis is especially true of men who answer the infrequent calls in 

 late fall ; they are not likely to return to Shonto until planting time 

 the following spring. 



General eligibility for unemployment benefits usually opens up in 

 October or November. Not more than a fraction of Shonto's claim 

 load is likely to be eligible initially, as some workers are still on the 

 road and many others will have returned voluntarily less than 30 days 

 previously. The claim load mounts rapidly in November and Decem- 

 ber. Usually all or nearly all claimants are drawing compensation 

 by the first of the new year, and continue to do so until around the first 

 of April.^ 



EAILBOAD INCOME 



Railroad wages in 1965 were earned by 61 men out of a total eli- 

 gible labor force (21-50 years of age) of about 80. The total earn- 

 ing was $67,964, equal to 41.1 percent of Shonto's entire income for 

 the year (table 21). The average earning per individual was $1,114, 

 and the maximum (on a section gang) was about $3,500 (table 22). 

 All but six Shonto residence groups received some railroad income. 

 Distribution of earnings by families is shown in table 18. 



Figures shown for railroad income are gross earnings, before deduc- 

 tions for quarters, food, and social security. Federal income tax is 

 not deducted from Navaho railroad worker's pay. Net earnings run 

 about 20 percent less than the figures shown. All of this income is, 

 of course, earned and paid outside the community. It is estimated 

 that about 50 percent of it ultimately reaches Shonto, either sent home 

 in money orders or brought home by the returning workers in the 

 form of cash or merchandise. Nearly all workers send home at least 



•^ 1955 was an exceptional year In terms of Its limited manpower demand. Eligibility 

 for unemployment benefits was never terminated at any time, but ran to the end of the 

 old benefit year on June 30 and began immediately with the new one on July 1, despite 

 the fact that Shonto received four calls during the summer. This situation was not 

 repeated in 1956. 



635893—63 10 



