The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-13

everybody
crystals and their really elegant appearances. They
cost only $3.50 piece, and so far appointments
were concerned were tar superior 10 the vehicles
IN use. They were much moro convenient In form
and less likely 10 suffer from the rough or uneven
pavements than heavy conveyances The horses draw.
ground and make greater number OF trips drlly,
wherefore the difference Ia prices and profits was
nectralized. Like the stages fares could DO had on
the public highways and stands were not required.
NEW PROPOSITION.
In connection with this question or cheap cabs
comes as y matter OF course many suggestions Some
OF them worth consideration: others are not be.
OF their mpractcability. A good deal has been
offered by the people IN tho business toward It's re.
form The privileged classes have suggested the
establishment OF stands and special licenses Tor those
VINO "0ua Ssy bes asa oa me have
freest competition could cheap cab system be OBJ
tanned But comes voice from tho former In the
person Mr. Van Ranst, saving that all the true
solution OF the problem might be found In the creation
OF commission by the Legislature 10 control the
hacks In New York. He defines his proposal in
this way:-..Iet tho Legislature appoint COM
MISSION composed Of two or three men,
who shall have INC w srnm saperyson Of
licenses to thor recall ! would have them endowed
with powers sufficient 10 nix rates and sea to their
forccment They should grant the licenses to those
who applied ana not only that their vehicles were
In proper condition but also that the rates published,
posted up and generally understood were charged rs
accomplish this would give them the right TO place in
each stand and at every place OF pubic call
whose duties, like those OF the Parisian Inspector
which were published in Mondays HrRALp should b
10 book and check the persons, distances and fares
those hey transport IRON point TO another Over
charging would, by this means be obvated, and AL
talk about privileged and "unprivegod' classes be
put u stop he commission should hear
uii complaints against hack drivers ana deal
with them, and none but respectable men
would then be In the traffic. do not
seek my affairs any privileges ahead Of those Gu
loved BY other mon, neither do | want any dis
tncton OF in the hacking system Of Now York.
Notwithstanding that | am charged with being The
running the business consistently can he established
am willing 10 indorso u; but, as l said before, the
whole trouble hes In the lrrosponsibity Of large
number of those ut present engaged IN II and
who have attached themselves 10 what Is known as
the Public Hack Owners Association. The truth -
that by having our cabs At stands before hotels
ana at specified points can place ioremcn
look them who Will that no injustice IL done to
passengers and that both proprietors aud customers
get their dues y
THE MAYOR on THE QUESTION
Yesterday HERALD reporter called on Mayor Wick
lalon 10 tho much vcxed cab question. His Honor OBJ
that there great need OF reorm In the back
srec.ion were needed, and, indeed, radical change
was necessary in my Judgment, " said M Wick
ham, 'lhe whole business OF licensing other cabs car
ragcs vendors should be put into the hands OF the
Poicc Commissioners. Had the police the Jurisdiction
over these vehicles TINT which we now complain Of
lack OF proper inspccuon-would be removed for
every officer would then be inspector, having rmme-
datey within HIS grasp the power TO restrict drivers
and see that they did not overcharge y certain
that no Mayor Gun know much, except through his
subordinates, Of the people to whom licenses are
granted, and no cannot at any time enter into the
lily to Afford redress 10 the complainant Had the
police who are familiar with the cabmen we'll
other citizens, power 10 deal with delinquent ca0men,
there would be less cause for complaint"
Speaking of the commission mentioned above MI.
wckham that II impracticable and, further,
that the city was afflicted with as many commissions
as II could bear.
HOW TO REGULATE THE HACK BUSINESS.
To THE EDITOR THg HgRALD:-
Having had some experience in cab riding and rates
having strong hope that something will hero
give the convenience of going from place to place
IN a reasonable time in comfortable manner and at
moderate charge, am prompted TO make the follow
ing remarks and suggestions
The two-wheoicr or Hanson Is tho favoritc In Lon
don. The iour-wheclcr is mostly used when more
than two are In the party and by travellers with
luggage Most OF the drivers hire from the proprie
tors OF tho cabs and pay much day. irrespective
Of receipts, and there are many licensed cabmcn who
make good ivin. AZ the rates charged The proprie
tors of course hire ut profit that there are
two classes who realize very fair margin AZ the low
charged Cab and driver have separate license.
The driver wears hts badge consplcuousy, and handa
the hirer ticket with his number thereon ut the time
OF hiring Each cab numbered inside aud outside in
plain figures The driver IS required carry BOOK,
issued by the authorities. which has distances calcu-
lated IRON aud TO all parts OF LONDON aud SO arranged
that almost a glance will show what the right faro
is. In OF dispute, whatever tho cause the
passenger compel Tho driver TO proceed u
the nearest police Office, and II measurement u
In question the officer has authority TO arbitratc
unable 10 decide the exact distance IA question gen.
orally OF few yardsl both parties can deposit 81 %
until distance u measured the party who Is wrong Tor
folding In serious OF INSTRUMENTATION, drunken
ness attempt 70 osercharsc last or slow driving, &c,
police magistrate and If convicted Endorsement Is
made his license, and three such black marks for
lett it
| suggest rates of fare in New York should DO US
ioows:--Fitty cents Tor miles and under, aud
TWENTY-FIVE cents each milo or fraction over II
engaged by the hour 81 per hour and proportionatey
Twenty-Five cents extra for whole distance Tor
each additional passenger and Tor trunk other
article ovor y weight or sixc In addition
reasonable tariff what want are, horse vehicles
two and tour wheels. They need not be nned with
extravagant material or extensively trimmed, but
should DO clean and comfortable cabs with drivers
licensed regular street stands appointed under
police supervision, and strict en- iorccmcnt VI
ruics and regulations 10 ensure hitting horses and
vehicles, civty, proper charges and preventive OF
drivers badgcring tho public tor a hiring. IL might
be found necessary to make rule that
cab shall be hired except from regulation stand and
that the first cab the stand only be hired. thus
forcing the drivers after being discharged TO proceed
TO any stand they eloc take last place there aud
turn Tor hiring There Is In London Waterman
employed on each stand, and We might adopt the same
pan here Let him be paid out of the license iecs
and appointed by the police, have supervisory powers
and keep record of the number Of every driver
hiring from tho stand and time OF such hiring. In
OF lost property other trouble the hrers In
this way would have additional OF identilca-
the blocking up Of thorougharcs by cabman seeking
passengers The regulation OF hiring from a stand
would prevent the annoyance and allow proper rest
Ing time TO the horses. Ny experience in London
that in the afternoon II pretty hard thing to get
q cab horse which not tired out 7. n.