Finding aid for the Jitney Busses scrapbook 6023
Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
2012 September
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Title: Jitney Busses scrapbook
Collection number: 6023
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Container: 1
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear feet
1 box
Date: 1914 December-1915 March
Abstract: 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.
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All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder# or item name], Jitney Busses scrapbook, Collection no. 6023, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of
Southern California
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bus accidents--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resources
Buses--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resource
Clippings
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--20th century--Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Archival resources
Scrapbooks