BusTalk

[Mr. Linsky]

A major transit dispute that paralyzed New York City no less than did the blizzard of 1888 began on March 11th. 1941 and continued until the 23rd. of that month.

The walkout in protest of unfair treatment to black employees, was instigated by New York City Omnibus Corporation drivers and mechanics and quickly spread to virtually all other carriers in the boroughs.

Under the leadership of then Transport Workers Union (TWU) president Micheal J. Quill (a name to be reckoned with in New York's transit affairs), major concessions were won from the company ensuring equal rights for all workers.

Seen below at 6th. Avenue and 59th. Street in the early morning hours of March 23rd. 1941 is New York City Omnibus # 717 picking up the very first load of passengers following the end of the standoff.

Also pictured are picketers preparing to walk the lines.

Credits; upper photo within frame - lower photo TWU of A

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[Hart Bus]

According to an article on wikipedia MJQ was the leader of the union for 30 years starting in 1936.

Some mayors he got along with but not Mayor Linsky or Mayor Linsley or Mayor Lindsay. In 1966 he led a 12 day strike against the mayor. At one demonstration he said that he didn't care if the judge issuing a restraining order were to "drop dead in his black robes".

Ironically it was MJQ who dropped dead of a heart attack on Jan. 28, 1966 less than 3 weeks after the strike was settled

[Mr. Linsky]

ECA,

I remember Michael J. Quill as though it were only yesterday, and you are correct when you say that he was a thorn in the side of many at 'contaminated' hall - but he got the job done and drivers and mechanics today benefit from all of his shenanigans.

Mr. Quill was a short fellow and, with an Irish brogue so thick that you could cut it with a knife, you would have thought he just stepped off the boat!

And, he was no less fierce about his union than John L. Lewis was with the coal miners.

Interestingly, while Green Line drivers also benefited from a good deal of what the TWU gained, they were with Amalgamated and worked through all of the major TWU walkouts with impunity.

BTW; here's the whole story on the 1941 strike;

http://www.archive.org/stream/greatbusstrike00huberich/greatbusstrike00huberich_djvu.txt

In the picture below, Mr. Quill has facetiously placed a chair for the mayor on the podium knowing that he wouldn't dare show up!

Regards,

WCA

[Mr. Linsky]

Seen below at what is believed to be the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island are three 1948 Mack Model C-45-DT's and part of an order for fifteen numbered in the 5000's operating for the then City of New York, Board of Transportation.

While the city had already purchased a number of post war Macks, the C-45-DT's were the first to be Diesel equipped and ran well into the beginning of the 'New Look' era.

Shown circa 1950's are homeward bound commuters fresh off the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan which, prior to the opening of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, was a vital link to the four mainland boroughs of the City.

Credit within image.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[Mr. Linsky]

In regard to the three Mack Model C-45-DT's pictured above, I have received some additional information concerning their origin thanks to Michael T. Greene at GMOldLookBus;

I was wondering why the City of New York would have ordered only fifteen of this particular model when it was always their habit to purchase buses by the hundreds!

These coaches were originally part of a large order going to Surface Transportation System of New York (STS) but, with bankruptcy looming which eventually lead to their merger with Fifth Avenue Coach, they were able to reduce the order and found that the city was willing to take at least a few off their hands.

That completes the story on the New York City's small fleet of C-45-DT's.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[Mr. Linsky]

Seen heading south bound on Eighth Avenue and stopping for passengers at the third version of the famous Madison Square Garden between 49th. and 50th. circa late forties are two 1942 Yellow Coach Model TD 4505's operating for the Eighth Avenue Coach Company division of the Omnibus Corporation.

Of note was the particularly intricate and colorful livery that was unusual for the day, and the fact that they carried the 'Go The Motor Coach Way' logo under the windshield which was an Omnibus symbol both in New York and Chicago.

All told, 60 4505's were originally ordered for Eighth Avenue numbered in the 800's and 900's but fifteen were diverted to Lang Motor Bus Company of Long Beach, California.

A little history of Eighth Avenue Coach;

The Eighth Avenue Coach Company was formed in March of 1936 to replace streetcars operated by the New York Railway Company as far back as 1911.

In 1951, both Eighth Avenue Coach and Madison Avenue Coach were merged into the New York City Omnibus operation along with Fifth Avenue and Surface Transportation and remained so until the entire system was taken over by the city in 1962.

Credit with photo and used fro educational purposes only.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[Hart Bus]

Great photo. Reminds me of the time my uncle to me to the circus, when it had the side show.

Also saw my first hockey game there in January 1964.

Had forgotten that 8th Avenue was a two way street.

[Mr. Linsky]

ECA,

Some of my fondest childhood memories were those of seeing Barnum and Baily's 'Three Ring Circus' at that Garden.

We did see the side show with the bearded lady and the rest of the freaks before we went into the main arena - I remember that it was at the side show that I used to get the cotton candy.

I loved the part of the show where this little tiny car would stop along the oval (presumably over a trap door- I'm sure) and about forty rather tall people would emerge.

BTW; the Fiftieth Street facility, built in 1925 and closed in 1968, was the third location for the Garden with the first two being at 26th. Street and Madison Avenue with number one dating back to 1879.

MSG number two (1890 to 1925 pictured) probably had the most interesting history with the likes of the Vanderbilts and Morgans often seen hobnobbing at its famous Roof Garden.

That roof garden was also the scene of the murder of Sanford White - a prominent New York architect who was the designer of MSG II and who was caught by the man whose wife Mr. Sanford was carrying on with!

Just a bit of trivia.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Regards,

WCA

[N4 Jamaica]

Regarding the post with a photo of three Macks "at the St. George Ferry Terminal": The horizontal beams on the right do resemble the deck at the ferry terminal in old photos, but I am having difficulty with the building to the left. A huge fire destroyed the terminal on June 24, 1946, and the new building was dedicated almost five years later on June 8, 1951, by Mayor Impellitteri (NY Times archives, for both dates).
-----
In hunting around for old Staten Island photos, I came upon this page with several that should be of interest to Mr. Linsky:
http://oldstatenisland.tripod.com/transportation.htm
As you scroll down that page, you find gems, Bingham Mack 5490 and Staten Island Coach Company 305. What is listed as the Staten Island Ferry Terminal is more exactly the South Ferry or Whitehall St. terminal.
Joe

[Hart Bus]

WCA:

The first two MSG's were actually built on what is now Madison Square Park on 26th Street. Hence the name. It was/is the terminus for several bus lines.

Besides the freak show and the midgets, I remember that they shot a lady out of a cannon into a netting as the final attraction. I seem to remember that the cannon was attached to the roof of a truck. Don't know the make, but it was the same style that the FDNY used for its Rescue trucks ( I lived near Rescue 4 on Queens Blvd, near the BQE) and the NYC Police "Paddy Wagons"

ECA

[Mr. Linsky]

They've always said "never fool with a bus", and the image below makes that point very clearly.

Pictured in the aftermath of an accident in which New York City Omnibus # 817 (a 1941 Yellow Model TD4502) traveling north on Broadway hit an International Metro laundry truck at 10th. Street and knocked it over (this wasn't a difficult feat to accomplish in that the center of gravity on the Metro was rather high!).

Reports indicated that only the truck driver sustained any injuries and they were minor.

You can easily notice where the bus made a distinct impression in the side of the van.

I would say that the photo was taken in the very early fifties when the 'Curb Your Dog' law was already in place as noted on the lamp post.

The prominent landmark to the right of the frame is the Grace Church built in 1846.

Credit within frame.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[HwyHaulier]

[Hart Bus]

Vern------The freak or side show was a staple of the circuses for years, as well as stand alone shows at Coney Island. I seem to remember that the "side show" vanished from the circus when they appeared at the 4th MSG after its completion in the late 1960's.

Alan

[Mr. Linsky]

Oh!

There's still a 'freak show' in New York alright - only now you don't have to pay to see it!

Just look around you.

This is no reflection on my love for the city - it just is what it is!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another event in Manhattan that I never missed as a youngster was the New York Auto Show at the old Grand Central Palace (shown below) on Lexington between 46th. and 47th. (torn down long ago).

Aside from seeing all the great new models along with the usual futuristic experiments, I'd go to each booth to pick up the brochures and amassed quite a collection through the years.

I eventually gave most of it away (except for Cadillac) and I'm sorry about that because, from what I see on eBay, they'd be worth a few dollars today.

Just to keep this blurb on topic, you'll notice (center left of frame) the rear end of a Yellow Coach Model 740 operated by the New York City Omnibus Corporation.

Photo taken November 11th. 1938 - credit within frame.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

[HwyHaulier]

Mr "L" -

Counsel (Hon., Ad Hoc) thanks the witness for his service. Now all the griping and complaining from Defense Counsel! Ah, they coulda' entered
an objection before his Honor when it was happening! <G>

.................Vern................