Minutes 02/13/1942 - Laserfiche WebLink

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at $2.50 each, totaling $170,OO. On motion of Mr. H6ward~ the Treasurer wac authorized to pay came from fundc in her handc from collection of DOg Taxes. The following letter wac read: "On Sunday morning, February lst~ a group of colo~e~ soldiers From Fort Eustis came to Portsmouth and tried to cecure a taxicab as a~ick means of transportation. On their firct attempt they were told that the cab wac waiting for a cpeoial party. ~hortly after a group.of w-bite ~oldlers came up and ~ked for the ca~ and they were readily accomodated by ~he same driver. On a second attempt they cucceeded in getting another cab but the driver or ce~d them ou~ witheut giving any explanation. ~ ~ ~ Thi~ inciden~ might seem to be trivial but whenever a cab driver or company rezucec ~o ~ranspor~ men of ~he armed~rces of the United States because of color,then it seems to be time that the City governmen~ take effective st~os in alleviating thic appallirgl condition~ Today "Democracy is on trial~ and every loyal American should be making a coura - geous attempt to precerve thece liberties and equalities. Joe ~ouis hac dic~v~ ~o and love for America by donating his entire puree t; the Na~y Relief ~u~d. ~Y ..... ;i - · ~z~s unsezrisn is a direct challenge to every American who loves thece United Sta~es. In order tha~ racial good will might be pres~mved and that the increas~ lng Negro population might be sufficiently accomodated in, the line of quick and comfortable t~ans~or~tio~;we ~titi~ t~e~ty ~oun?i! of Portsmouth to put colored owned and operated caos z~ ~nzc ~y. Aoout 5~ cz ~ne co±orea .workers of the Navy Yard are late for work daily becauce of poor transportation. T~his me,us an invaluable loss to the Federal Government at thic time and also to the worker. So many ~icitors to our city who are not acquainted with the policies of the cab companies are late for trainc ~ad busec because cabs are called and do not re~oond. Oolored cabc could very eacilyremedy this situation. Even a small town like Suffolk has over a half dozen colored cabs, or for hire cars. Favorable aottion on this ma~ter will do much in preventing disorder and disturbances, No doubt those soldiers recented the action of the cab drivers and will come again with "chips on their shoulders" and perhaps s~art some trouble. Could we bl~me them? ~nic ic only one incident among many similar ones° Adequate trancportation is not afforded colored citizens in this City and we feel that if it ic brought ~o the attention of the city government it will become cog- nizant of its responsibility ~d immediately authorize the ooeration of colored cabs in th~ s city so that colored people may have better transportation ~nd acoomodation. Very truly yours, mittee on taxicabs, Motion of Mr. was adopted. Frank D. Smith." Howard to acknowledge ~nd to refer to the special eom - Report of F.B. Hill & Company for auditing ferry books and accounts for the month of December, 19~l, was received and ordered filed. Privilege of the floor was granted Mr. Roberts, who reoresents the Central Labor Union and Metal Trades Counoil~ who asked for improvement in the-bus service in the City, stating that this service ic inadequate both as to size and number. Motion of Mr. Howard to refer this matter to the Manager and a commit~ tee of three of the Council ~o work with a committee of two from the Central Labor Union, two from the Retail Merchants Association, two from the Chamber of Commerce and two from the Metal Trades Union, was adopted. The Chair appointed to the said committee, Messrs. Howard, ~arren and Hall. Mr. Fox made a report of the B~idge and Tunnel Bill before the Legis- lature, stating that we were able to secure some amendment to same, the most important being the taking over of our ferries as a going concern. Mt. Fox ~nnounoed the death of Mr. M. E. Haug on ~eb~uary lOth, and his motion to appoint a committee to bring in suitable resolutions of respect, was adopted. The Chair appointed Messrs. Fox, Hutchins and Lawrence on said eom - mittee. Motion of Mro Eox to aooropriate $2,500.00 to pay the widow of the late M.E. Haug five months' pay to July 31ct~ ~42, was laid on table until next meeting. Notion of Mr. Fox that the Council recess, was adopted. ~oon ~suming session, Mayor Leigh was excused and Vice President Chair. Wilson assumed the On motion of Mr. Fox, the Manager was authorized to expend amount nec- essary in Civilian Defence and report such expenditure to the Council from time to time, for appropriation for same. Motion of Mr. Lawrence to concur in the Manager's recommendation on fire stations, was adopted. each. The following letter was read: "Prior to the year 1930, assessors were paid for their services $5,Ooo! The 1930 Legislature amended the law, changing the assessment period f~om every five I