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

Oeldyeu ny SilOWStOTUlS anu tlTeU
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 how 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 progres.
from Edgar Sirles president of the
association who was leading ths
band. All the way from the Wes
Virginia Panhandle through Pitts.
burgh the tourists battled snow ans
sleet. In some places nine inche!
, of snow blocked the roads. @
, Long Way to Go.
Early today the cars, some of then
5 painted cream and white-the col
ors selected by the veterans for
| new Chicago cab company-wer
stretched out along the Pennsyl
, vania turnpike with some 180 mile
, to traverse before reaching the Cap
, ital.
THE Reception Committee vii
hear from them when they are s.
or IS miles away and go out t.
greet them" Mr.. Rottner said
They probably won't arrive befor,
late this evening and will go righ
to their lodgings. They've hae
pretty tough going"
Escorted by police, the drivers vii
enter Washington via Wisconsin
avenue, proceed along Pennsyl.
; yania avenue to the Capitol anc
circle the grounds once.
! After that the veterans will ge
down to work. They will see Brig
Gen. Graves B. Erskine, ir.. of the
Labor Departments Retraining ane
Rehabilitation Administration. pres.
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 warn
welcome. Last night j. r. White
chairman of the Washington Chap
ter of the American Veterans Com
mlttee, tremendously turned owe
the headquarters to the taxicab off
cials for use during the conferences
! The District Commissioners CO
operated by obtaining use of Cam
Slmms barracks, Fifteenth stree
and Alabama avenue Sc, for tn,
veterans, along with the promise O
500 Army beds, with ample pillow
and blankets.
The women will be quartered a
I, the Washington Tourist Camp il
East Potomac Park and colorec
drivers will sleep at Carver Hall, q,
Elm street NV.
Food and money presented an.
other problem, Arthur Dickholtz
vice president of the taxi drivers
association said The caravans wal
chest, such as it is" has dwindlee
to nothing, he said,
Bringing Own Food.
instructions were given to the
drivers to bring canned food. But
II the stay is extended, there will be
a call for contributions in food O,
money. He planned to ask the Rec
Cross 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.
All but about 25 of the cabs used
for official business will be parked
in lot designated by the police
Arrangements were being made to-
day for a 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.
1--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.