The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-02-03
$4,000 New York
Taxi Drivers Strike
Continued on Page y

drivers on account Of race. creed
or color.
The first meeting Of strikers va;
Geld at Manhattan Lycem Hall or
East Fourth ST., yesterday morning
where problems Of the strike were
discussed.
LaGuardia Men Descriptive
Irving Cantor, chairman OF the
meeting, supported BY a group OF La
Guardia men, continually disrupted
the proceedings and fought against
any idea expressed about union or
ganization, Of the election Of a rank
and file committee of action.
What do we want to do, pay dues
TO a union?" Cantor asked. much to
the disgust Of the assembled strikers
1t seemed that the aim of Cantor
and his group Of supporters was to
break up any attempt at organization
which is necessary to win the strike.
He ranted continually against Com
munists, and advised that the Strik=
ers place the whole matter into the
hands of the Mayor and settle the
strike in q legal way
But in spite of this red-haiting
Cole, Of the Taxi Workers Union, was
given a big hand when he took the
floor and said; II am proud that ]
am organized. We are the ones who
are fighting for the nickels.n
A tremendous ovation was given
to Sam Nessin, representing the
Trade Union Unity Council Of
Greater New York, when he told the
drivers that they had "the full sup
port Of the T.UU.Cry representing
over $4,000 organized workers"
Cantor attempted to deny Nessin
the floor, but the question was put
to a vote and the strikers voted
almost unanimously to hear the mill
tant trade union leader.
"You need the support Of all the
workers." NeSs.n told the strikers
you must demand 100 per cent of
the nickel tax. Organize every ga
rage and elect a committee repre-
Senting every garage to lead the
strike. If you build up q strong
united organization you will win"
The applause greeting Nescin's re-
marks was by far the greatest given
TO any speaker during the meeting.
Many rank and file drivers. spoke.
All Of them were for unity and a
militant fight. va. .a
An old driver took the floor. He
told Of how the taxi men won the
strike in 1912 I'VE must get the
five cent taX," he shouted. 1--WE must
net go back until we get our nickel, .
There was motion placed to elect
at once a united front strike COM
mittee. The LaGuardia crowd. who
woe in ths roi~0ritv. hag4led fer a
while and tried to sidetrack the mo-
ton. but it passed. But before the
elections were completed, Cantor adj
journed the meeting and told the
strikers TO go to a meeting called at
the Lorraine Hall in Brooklyn.
The strike is remarkably success
I'll, despite all attempts to disrupt it
from within. The suddenness with
which the strike hit the garages and
the outstanding militancy Of the
strikers has overwhelmed the cab
owners and thrown them into a state
Of confusion.
The walkout commenced when 400
drivers Of the Elmore Taxi Co., of
Brooklyn, held a mass meeting and
voted to strike. - go
Big Companies Tied Up
Such companies as the Yellow,
Parmelee, Radio Cab, Progressive
Cab, Key West Transportation and
Edward Corp, are struck 100 per
cent.
The strikers are demanding that,
Na-id2s +he I'S"','Hr five cent tax thew
be paid 100000 or more. that has
been collected since the tax was i'm
posed last October.
The average income of the New
York taxi driver Is at the present
time from $40 to So per week. Driv-
ers say that their families are on
the verge Of starvation and that their
light is a struggle against hunger.
Mayor Works for A. f. of L.
A delegation Of strikers who visited
Mayor LaGuardia yesterday, under
the Leadership Of william Candell
president of the United Taxi Drivers
Union Of Greater New York. were
told by the Mayor to get in touch
with Hugh Frayne, district organizer
Of the A, F. of L.
This move of LaGuardis was
clearly an attempt to place the strike
into hands well skilled in the art OF
sellout. Frayne'S strike breaking ac-
tivities are well known throughout
the entire labor movement.
The Taxi Workers Union warned
the strikers against making any ne
gotiations with Frayne and called
the drivers to spread the strike and
elect at once representative COM
mittee from all garages TO lead the
struggle.
Organized and unorganized taxi
driverS!" said the call issued by the
union. do not allow the bosses to
divide us in the great struggle. we
must join together In a solid united
front, uniting all our forces, regard.
less of union affiliation or political
opinion. Elect, rank and file strike
committee representing the strikers
in every garage. Forward in militant
mass action for 100 per cent payment
of the nickel tax" - = r'sa t.it =.
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NOTICE TO PARTY MEMBERS
All Party members are instructed