Evening star., 1946-02-20
Pennsylvania Snow
Delays Taxi Caravan
Bringing Protest Here


by three days of living in cramped
quarters, at least 200 former service
men driving their own taxicabs
slowly rolled toward Washington
today to protest against Chicago
ordinances which are depriving them
of work.
Scheduled to arrive early today,
the caravan found going so preca-
rious on Pennsylvania highways
that leaders of the movement said
it was doubtful whether the cabs
would reach the city by late this
evening.
Just now many persons were max
ing the 800-mile trek remained in
doubt, the number being estimated
at from 300 to 1000. At least 40
wives of the ex-GIs were said to
be travelling with them.
Plan to See U. S. Officials.
They have been on their way
since II am. Monday-bent on see
ing any and all Federal officials who
will listen to their plea for more
cabs in Chicago than the 5000 now
allowed, and for more cab companies
than the two they say hold a
monopolistic grasp on the city's
transportation facilities.
Matt Rottner, general manager
of the American Taxicab Drivers
Association for Discharged Veterans,
kept in touch with the motorcade
by telephone.
He heard of the laborious progress
from Edgar Sirles president of the
association who was leading the
band. All the way from the West
Virginia Panhandle through Pitts
burgh the tourists battled snow ar1o
sleet. In some places nine inches
OF snow blocked the roads.
Long Way to Go.
Early today the cars, some of them
painted cream and white-the col.
ors selected by the veterans for !
new Chicago cab company-wers
stretched out along the Pennsyl.
vania turnpike with some 180 miles
to traverse before reaching the Cap
ital.
THE Reception Committee will
hear from them when they are Sc
or rs miles away and go out to
greet them" Mr.. Rottner said
They probably won't arrive before
late this evening and will go right
to their lodgings. They've had
pretty tough going"
Escorted by police, the drivers will
enter Washington via Wisconsin
avenue, proceed along Pennsyl-
vania avenue to the Capitol and
circle the grounds once.
After that the veterans will get
down to work They will see Brig.
Gen. Graves B. Erskine, jr.. of the
Labor Departments Retraining and
Rehabilitation Administration, press
their cause in the Justice Depart
ment, and seek an audience with
President Truman.
Warm Welcome Assured.
The advance party has done every
thing possible to assure a warm
welcome. Last night J. r. White,
chairman of the Washington Chap
ter Of the American Veterans Com
mittee, tremendously turned over
the headquarters to the taxicab off,
cials for use during the conferences.
The District Commissioners CO.
operated by obtaining use of Camp
Simms barracks, Fifteenth street
and Alabama avenue Sc, for the
veterans, along with the promise of
$40 Army beds, with ample pillows
and blankets.
The women will be quartered at
the Washington Tourist Camp in
East Potomac Park and colored
drivers will sleep at Carver Hall, 21l
Elm street NV.
Food and money presented an
other problem, Arthur Dickholtz
vice president of the taxi drivers
association said. The caravans war
chest. such as it is" has dwindled
to nothing. he said.
Bringing Own Food.
Instructions were given to the
drivers to bring canned food. But
If the stay is extended, there will be
a call for contributions in food or
money. He planned to ask the Red
Gross for food the men can cook
themselves, Mr.. Dickholtz said.
He said the caravan will not leave
until every veteran gets assurance
of his right to operate a taxicab. u
All but about Is of the cabs used
for official business will be parked
In lot designated by the police.
Arrangements were being made to-
day for hall for mass meetings.
Mr.. Dickholtz said the group seeks
an amendment to the CT Bill of
Rights to assure veterans a special
license to participate in any busi-
ness now restricted by municipal
laws or regulations. This has been
discussed with Representative
Church, Republican. Of Illinois, he
added.
We don't want people to think
our problem pertains only to Chi
cago," Mr.. Dickholtz said. What
we would really like to see would
be 10000 other veterans in the same
fix In other cities to join us in as
serting themselves"