Radio Cab History 1946

During the spring and summer of 1946, two groups of WWII Veterans, formed up and held meetings to discuss their interests in creating a taxi company.  One group called themselves Tuxedo Cab, the other called themselves Radio Cab.  They each appeared in front of the Portland City Council, to request operating permits.  Council told them to leave, get together, and come back as one company.  We did exactly as told, and reappeared before Council, as Radio Tuxedo Cab Company.  We were issued 35 permits to do business in the City of Portland.

Radio Tuxedo Cab, hit the streets on August 23, 1946.  Our first phone number was BE-1175.  Our first office was located at 1715 S.W. Salmon.  It was a two room wooden structure, and we didn’t even have a switchboard.  We only had two phones for incoming calls.  Out on the streets we shared call boxes with the other cab companies.  We also used service stations and restaurants that had free phones available, as a means to communicate with the dispatchers.

Our company was formed as a corporation that was owned by the drivers. Each owner/operator driver owned a share of all the assets of the company.  They decided on any rule changes or operating methods.  They all had a vested interest in the company, so they knew that their own personal success would depend on the overall success of the company.  It has remained that way continuously. 

Our original fleet numbered 35 cabs.  All of the drivers wore blue uniforms and chauffeurs caps.  They were all members of the teamsters union.  Times were good, but money was short for the drivers, because of the taxi stand locations and no two way communications radios in our cabs. 1948-1949