Jitney Busses scrapbook, 1914 December-1915 March

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Title:: Jitney Busses scrapbook
Dates:: 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.
Containers:: Box: 1
Extent:: 0.21 Linear feet 1 box
Language:: English
Preferred citation:: [Box/folder# or item name], Jitney Busses scrapbook, Collection no. 6023, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Scope and content:: 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.
Biographical / historical:: 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.
Rules or conventions:: Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects:: Bus accidents--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resources
Buses--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resource
Clippings
Scrapbooks
Places:: Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--20th century--Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Archival resources

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein
Date Prepared:: 2012 September
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-05-10T04:14-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Terms of access:: 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.

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

Location of this collection:: University of Southern California, Special Collections

Special Collections

Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189, US