Paris Taxi Drivers Fight Competition

Wednesday 22nd April 1936

The French government had fought shy of imposing deflation on the country's numerous and politically powerful farmers but it was prepared to take on Paris's taxi-drivers by permitting "reduced rate" drivers which it was expected would drive fares down. The government was rewarded by a well-supported 24 hour stirke which took practically all of the capital's 5,000 cabs off the the road. The police gave some protection to non-union drivers but they were far less numerous than their unionzied colleagues. The improved flow of traffic through the city made it even more dangerous for pedestrians as motorists and bus-drivers sped through the quieter streets.

The union also managed to fit in a protest against the "interference and domineering attiude" activities of the Prefecture de Police which regulated the profession. Their ultimate goal was a fixed rate for all classes of taxi. Little changes.