Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-12-04
Negro Passengers and the Lynch Street Bus

Since the beginning of the national emergency and the
subsequent entry of the nation into the world conflict
projecting condition of which has arisen and not with
ample Justification the plea of the Negro for greater
share in the benefits and responsibilities OF an American
citizen thus giving prominence to and mtenslfylng the
question throughout the south and the nation one o.
the most sensitive in relation has been and IS
the public passenger transportation services In this area
has occurred some of the most serious and dsquietng
cdents evolving relations in the south AS has
haps been true of cities of its size the City OF Jack
has not been wholly without incidents arising out of
relations its local transportation system.
In weeks there has been marked increase in
such incidents the Jackson City Bus Line the increase
probably being altogether confined to the No. Bus
rating North Mill and Lynch Street Without reference
to any particular incident and being wholly in accord
with the nationwide efforts being made to improve the
conduct of certain people of the Negro group the buses
street cars railroads. and in the public the need for
which direct the attention of the Negro patrons OF the
Lynch Street Bus With the idea and hone that such Incl
dents be brought to end there is here suggested
what to be in the minds of most intelligent obser
the the increase incidents involving
latons on the Lynch Street Bus.
Before doing So however, it should first be pointed
out that than 95 percent of the using the
Lynch Street Bus are Negroes greater percent of it's
daily trips to and from its western terminus to Capitol
Street is made without single white passenger. When
the occasion when white passengers get the
Bus for the Western trip they generally get off
at Capitol where the of Lynch and
Clifton Street. leaving boarding the bus about mile
from the end of the line.
Until recently in accordance with city ordnance dis
played the front the Negro began
taking seats standing from the and white passen
began taking seats standing from the front Dur
my the observance Of this ordnance there might have been
times when white passengers got the bus and could not
get seat but according to observers these times have
been exceedingly because, under such conditions
Negro passengers invariably got up in order to give the
white passengers seat act of courtesy.
Recently, after most of the patrons had become
customed to the provisions of the ordnance referred to-
ruling has been evoked to effect that matter
how Negroes get the bus and regardless to the
complete lack of other passengers the two front seats
must remain vacant The Negro worker going and from
available is creating the problem for the bus drivers
charge with the enforcement of this ruling, out of
which the increase in the incidents in the Lynch
Street Bus Moreover when the first affects of the change
will have away, Negro workers, riding to and from
their daily toll will still be moved to wholly
bitterness by getting board the bus day after day
and times being forced to stand while looking with
swang bodies and tired aching feet at these seats 60
from end of the line to another without human
cupancy
In here pointing out what to most intelligent obser
to be the of the increased incidents
involving relations the Lynch Street Bus it
that the for such incidents is Immediately recognized
in the and in thus pointing out the and the
there suggested excellent opportunity to
improve relations in of its most sensitive
don the affects which would be to the honor glory
and benefit of the city of Jackson and all of its people
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