Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-03-18

oners Amos Deinard, NJ. G. VIII
lians and Mrs. NJ. d. McVey that
the firm still refused to allow him
to drive on the 3 to IL pm. shift
because Of his race.
Blue and White Cab Co., offic-
ials are said to have promised the
commission at a hearing in De-
cember that they would abide by
the FEP ordinance which pro-
hibits discrimination on the basis
Of race against any Of their drivers.
White who has been a Blue &
White driver for almost three years
was given a scholarship to attend
the University Of Minnesota. He
requested in October, 1859 that the
firm give him a chance to work
extra on the 3 to IL shift to sup
plement his income because the
scholarship was not enough to
furnish a living for his family. It
is a common practice for cab
companies to employ students for
extra work.
White was told that the Blue a
White and Yellow Cab companies
had agreed that Negro drivers
would not be assigned to the might
shift" When White who has an
excellent record as a driver, pro-
tested being penalized because Of
his race the Blue and White
management refused to alter its
stand.
Mr.. White then filed a complaint
with the FEP commission alleging
discrimination.
In the meantime Thomas Jack
son, S721 Fourth Av. s., also
filed n complaint with the COM
mission which charged the Air
way Cab Co, with refusing -
hire him because W his race.
Mr.. Jackson is a public school
teacher who drives cabs in the
vacation months. Airway Cab Co.,
at one time popular firm in the
Negro community is the only one
of the three major cab companies
which does not employ Negroes as
drivers.
Individual drivers for Blue and
White Cab Co., and Yellow have
claimed the Airway drivers use
the fact that the firm has all-white
driver force as a subtle method
against the other firms among
those white patrons, who might
have race prejudice.
This charge has been made by
both Negro and white drivers Of
the Yellow and Blue & White
firms.
At a commission meeting held
Dec. n, the commission explained
to Blue and White Co., representa-
lives refusing to allow White to
operate a cab on the night shift
because Of his color, was in viola
ton Of the city ordinance.
The firm officials and their at
torney VIM. c. Kelly agreed that
the firm would obey the law.
Monday, March Is. almost three
months after the commission meet
ing in December Mr.. White, the
driver who made the complaint
told the commission that the Blue
& White manager said they would
not place him on the 8 to IL pm.
shift until the Airway Cab Co.,
which has 80 per cent Of the Negro
trade hires some Negro drivers"
The commission at the compile
ton Of Mr.. Whites testimony or
dered Louis Erwin, the executive
director to inform the firms at
torney that it would be brought
back to the commission at the next
meeting unless it keeps its prom
Use to obey the law.
Records OF the December 81,
commission meeting revealed Air
way firm officials offered to en-
ploy on the spot Thomas jackson.
the complainant in their case. Mr..
jackson of course said he couldn't
accept employment during the
winter months. His complaint was
based-on treatment he received In
the summer months.
He was referred to the firm IN
the summer Of 1869 by the Min
neapols Urban League. After his
application was accepted and APP
proved by the police cab insector,
the complaint said the firm gave
him the run around by refusing
to assign him a cab. Growing tired
of the obvious Discrimination TO
hire him jackson went to work for
another cab firm and then filed
his complaint with the FEP COM
mission
Community Concerned
There Ia growing dissatisfaction
in the Negro community about the