Call Sign September 2011
Page 5
Yellow identifiers and
the Yellow Star
It was in late 2008 that Call Sign received
respond if they so wish..."
several letters from Dial-a-Cab drivers com-
And I was inundated with responses
plaining about the encroachment of yellow
especially from Jewish drivers with not one
badge suburban drivers trying to poach
of them finding yellow badge stickers as
work in green badge areas ie touting.
being remotely offensive.
In fact it was a driver's wife who first blew
Steve Shaller (F34J) put it best when he
the whistle, writing to this magazine twice
wrote:
telling us of yellow badge drivers whom she
"I totally agree with you. Who is this idiot
knew were working in town. Simon
with a big chip on his shoulder? Who does he
Buggey, the PCO's Senior Driver and
represent and in what year is he living?
Operator Policy Manager at the time
1945? If he is opposed to a yellow identifier
responded with the usual guff about what
being attached to his taxi, then I must
would happen to them if they were caught.
assume that he doesn't like to wear his yellow
Following issues contained articles and let-
badge on his chest."
Does this offend Jewish drivers?
ters from DaC drivers who also knew yellow
Other responses were in the same vein
badges that worked out of their area.
with not one writer even hinting that he/she
others who were made to wear yellow identi-
Mary Dowdye, then Head of Standards &
thought the idea would bring back memories
fiers. If you think that we are going to allow
Regulations at the PCO, came back to reiterate
of the Warsaw Ghetto. As for me, I'd go fur-
this situation to arise again in a different
what Simon Buggey had already said, but the
ther and say that the disgrace wasn't LTPH
guise, you are very sorely mistaken. Families
problem continued.
putting the suggestion forward, but for this
who went through this life changing trauma
Another DaC driver then wrote to Call Sign:
crackpot organisation daring to insinuate even
still have relatives alive who not only work but
"I gave them (PCO) details of one yellow badge
the merest link, because THAT is the biggest
use our services, how do you think this appears
driver, his cab, his address and when and
insult of all. This group are using the
to a so called free society."
where he goes each day. They do nothing. So
Holocaust to try to avoid being identified
Mr Stanley goes onto infer that LTPH
much for their tough threats to act on infor-
when breaking the law. As Steve Shaller
"...may well be institutionally racist or that
mation given to them. To me, these drivers are
wrote, have they refused to wear their yellow
members of the staff may be racist." He added
no better than minicab touts. I have no sym-
badges for the same reason?
that "the forced introduction of these YELLOW
pathy for them and if they are finding it hard,
Walking round Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, I
Identifiers infringes the civil liberties of a
well so are we all. But let them do what we
saw many things I'd sooner not have seen but
minority race and all people of this Great
all had to do - get off their lazy backsides and
I know that it is important that we remember.
British multi-racial country. It most certainly
do the `green badge' Knowledge or leave the
Had I seen a suburban driver's yellow badge
infringes one's human rights."
trade. Don't steal our work. There's little
or yellow identification sticker, I would have
He ends by accusing John Mason of using a
enough to go around as it is."
walked out in disgust at it's presence there.
sledge hammer to crack a nut!
Last month LTPH announced that finally
If anyone would like to comment on my
I wrote a response to the DaC driver who
there was to be identification between green
views, these pages are always open...
sent me the copy. I said:
and yellow badges using the simple idea of a
"Thanks for passing this statement onto me
Alan Fisher
green sticker in the front and rear screen of a
but I have to wonder if it is a wind-up? I have
green badge driver's cab and a yellow one for
Editor
never read such rubbish in connection to the
suburban.
cab trade. This sounds like a desperate move by
It sounded simple enough until Call Sign
some yellow badges to avoid having a licence
received an email emanating from an organi-
SAVINGS!
to tout in green badge territory taken away.
sation we hadn't heard of before The
In fact I suspect that many Jewish drivers
London Suburban Taxi Association. It had
would find it insulting to have yellow badge
been sent to John Mason at LTPH and leaked
stickers used in the same discussion as that of
to us by a Jewish DaC driver in order to gauge
death camps. Whoever this group are, let them
# KITCHENS
our view. Signed by Melvyn Stanley of the
DaC drivers
come out and put a case based on taxi ability
LSTA, it contained one of the most ridiculous
& APPLIANCES
phone for
and not desperation...
statements this magazine has ever read.
special offe
# BEDROOMS
I have forwarded the LSTA statement onto
rs
Writing of what he referred to as the minority
several others, all of whom should feel free to
# WORKTOPS
Jewish Suburban taxi drivers, Mr Stanley said:
"These drivers are outraged that you are try-
# DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS
Call Sign
ing to force the introduction of identifiers on
# PLANTATION SHUTTERS
the front and rear of their taxi's (Hackney
September 2011
# ALL TYPES OF BLINDS
Carriage Vehicles) to identify them to the
Editor: Alan Fisher
General Public, not only that, but you propose
# AWNINGS
Address: 39 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH
to make them YELLOW. Are you aware of the
Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293
significance that this implication has, if not we
Email: callsignmag@aol.com
You are welcome to visit
will enlighten you. In 1940 YELLOW IDENTI-
Website: www.dac-callsign.co.uk
our showroom at:
Printers: Premier Print Group
FIERS were forced on people of the Warsaw
Unit 8 Tripes Farm,
25 31 Violet Rd, London E3
Ghetto, these people were a minority race, all
Design: Aldan Publications
Chelsfield Lane,
being Jewish, so that they would stand out
Tel: 07958 300 428
Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS
from the crowd and be identifiable. This brings
Email: dfdannyfresco@gmail.com
back horrendous stories into our minds of
Instant Kitchen and
Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must
which our parents and grandparents told us
not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or
Bedroom & Blinds UK
about. I am sure you know and have read of
Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced
01689 897111...
Call Ian (R50) on
either manually or electronically without the express
the well documented atrocities that were
permission of the Editor.
inflicted not only of the Jewish population, but
