Jitney Busses scrapbook

Collection no.:
6023

Description:
This small scrapbook contains clippings, from December 1914 to March 1915, documenting the controversy over lack of regulation of "jitney" buses in Los Angeles. Many of the clippings come from the Los Angeles Times, the Express, the Tribune, and the Examiner, and are identified as such in pencil or ink annotations, along with dates (often without year). The remainder of the clippings are not identified as to source. The jitneys were private automobiles that operated as "buses" and competed with the network of streetcars in downtown Los Angeles (and other cities) in the early years of the 20th century. Unlike the streetcars, they were unregulated, meaning their drivers were not commercially licensed and did not follow standard routes; and their vehicles were not uniformly identified and were not bonded or insured; and they paid no taxes. The "nickel chasers" as they were dubbed, were the cause of traffic congestion and of many traffic accidents.

Dates:
1914 December-1915 March

Extent:
0.21 Linear feet
1 box

Language(s):
English

Subject(s):
Bus accidents--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resources
Buses--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resource

Genre(s):
Clippings
Scrapbooks

Geographic Name(s):
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--20th century--Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Archival resources

Conditions governing access:
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

Preferred citation:
[Box/folder# or item name], Jitney Busses scrapbook, Collection no. 6023, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Record date:
2012 September

Contact Information:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu