Community in Flux |Move: Fall Winter 2015 | Magazine | Oregon Humanities

31.12.15

Community in Flux |Move: Fall Winter 2015 | Magazine | Oregon Humanities: The Oregon Journal reported that, encouraged by police, the Roma—described as “the gaily dressed wanderers”—asked for assistance to return to Texas and New Mexico because Portland was “too cold” for them. Mayor Riley persuaded the US Office of Price Administration (OPA), the federal bureau in charge of rationing, to issue special gas rations to the Roma so they could make the drive south.

The Oregonian considered this a “notable feat” by the mayor, not only because the OPA’s rationing of items like gas, rubber, sugar, and butter was so strict, but also because Riley was “getting rid of at least half the gypsies [who] have been afflicting the city.”

“We are right proud of our mayor,” the paper wrote.