The New York herald., 1876-09-23
CHEAP CABS.

THE rRoBLEM soLyED-AN INTERESTING Ex-
PERTINENT IN TIE CENTENNIAL cIrY.-THH
NATIONAL CAB coMpANY-A HANDSOME COUPE
AND A LIvERIED DRIVER FOR TWENTY-FIVE
CENTS QUARTER HouR-AN INGENIOUS IN
vRNTIoN.
PHILADELPHIA Sept 81. 1870
There is at last probability almost amounting to a
certainty tha, the problem OF cheap cab system has
been solved and that pubic want which is even more
keenly iet in this city OF magnificent distances par
tcuiarly during the Exhibition than in New York, is
about to be supplied The community in the metropo-
lis especially has often been deludod by the iair
promises of sangulne unscrupulous projectors OF
socalled "cheap cabs" only to be grevously disap
pointed IN the performance that every effort in this
direction has naturally come TO be regarded with
doubt. But system is Just being tested
in this city which certainly destined TO Ultimate sue
cess, whatever i'm mediate results may be, and which
in the near future promises supply New York with
what her citizens have long and patiently waited for
an adequate supply Of handsome public carriages, al
ways procurabo at the lowest possible rates OF fire and
without any dsasrecabe misunderstanding as to
terms.
AN INGENIOUS GERMAN.
little over year ago there came TO this city
German gentleman, just from Vienna-Mr. Louis Won
Hoven. He tho need, in the larger American
cities OF a deiverance from the extortons OF the hack
men, and himself about the difficult task Of plan
ming the means Being an intelligent observer in
his travels, he knew that in the Old World
the cab systems not what they ought TO
be, and although wo Americans envy London
and Paris their hansoms and coupes Mr. Won
Hoven aimed at something siin better He knew
that the key to tho puzzle to devise perfect
check upon tho driver. This had long been sought
but never found, so that in London the company
owning the carriages compelled to charge so much
day to the drivers for the use OF the turnouis, be-
cause of cabby Is disposition to embezzle his fares or
to hagge for more than he is entitled to- To enable
cab company TO furnish carriages AT low tariff fixed
and unvarying and TO make reasonable profit. tho
first requisite Mr.. Van Hoven know 10 make the
driver honest that he could Charge than
his proper fare and would always be Obliged turn in
every cent Of bis earnings. once prevent knocking
down. and the rest would be easy.
Mr.. Van Hoycu set himself TO work, spurred on by
the interesting and vigorous articles the HERALD Of
last year, and alter much time and trouble he has IN
vented control clock, an ingenious but simple con-
trivancc which can be attached to any carriage and
which acts as far moro perfect guard upon the
driver than any "bell punch ever devised.
THE NATIONAL CAB COMPANY.
The use OF this invention has been granted to the
National Cab Company, OF which Mr. Van Hoven Is
an assoc Of Philadelphia bankers
and business men, with a large amount OF paid.up
capital number of four wheeled one horse coupes
have been constructed aud some of them now rum
ng, aud in lew days many will be- The popularity
about them, apart from the new attachment II their
handsome appearance, being constructed exactly like
the finest private carriages and us handsomely up
holstercd in silk BY special ordinance OF the munich
pal government they are allowed the unusual privilege
OF conccaling their license numbers when engaged.
This with tidy looking drivers dressed In neat livery
and well groomed horses takes away all the ordinary
marks OF pubic vehicle and makes them as nnely ap-
pointed turnouls as any private coupes in town
CHEAP RATES.
The new carriages will be procurable at all hours OF
the day or night at the rate OF twenty-five cents
quarter of hour or 81 for one passenger
two Connections Will be made with the American Dis
rIc Telegraph Company SO that they can be summoned
anywhere, and they will patrol the streets when dis
engaged In any part OF the town whore there is de-
mand for them. besides having stands at tho Exhti
tion and other convonisnt points. The patent con-
rivance OF Mr. Van Hoven 10 an absolutely certain Indi
cation Of the time passenger the carriage, reg
istsrcd on watch dial Immediately in front OF HIM,
and avoids ali disputes with the driver
Mr.. Van Hovons attachments Is contained In very
small space, and all that ID visible oil from the out
side is small, colored glass disk above the carriage
roof when tho carriage Is dsengaged containing the
words 'rro hire and the license number, arranged
10 be lighted up at night As you step into the veh-
Gle this sign Is turned down out OF sight by
the driver and directly In front OF you in the middle
of the clarence front OF the coupe little upright box
Is seen, through circular hole In which watch face
hour and minute at which you enter leave the
riage. No license number is visible, and the only
reminder that you not in your private convey
ance is the following card, neatly printed
RATES.
The charges for the use this conpb will be as FOL
$For than 10 minutes and not over 40
sFor more than 80 minutes and not over As
SFer more than as minutes and not over 60
! or 81 pcr hour