The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-08

ride means from one point TO another within
that limit, without any stoppage on the way.
If passenger wishes to speak with friend
on the street, or goes into saloon or store
on business, the ten cent ride ends right
there; or should lady delay in front Of
store, the same rule applies. Prominent
amongst our chronic GROWERS are people
who invariably stand the driver of for the
fare, and others too lazy to walk, and too
mean to pay for ride. Then, again, there.
are others who live beyond their income,
and endeavOr to economic on their hack
bill, or in any way that docs not encroach
upon their pleasures. If all assertions were
true concerning the ilImitable wealth accu-
mulated by hack firms, how is it that there are
one hundred teams less upon the roads now
than year ago, and all Of those that are
| now running could be bought out for twenty
| five per cent less than costf
Tourists should remember that feed is
much more expensive when imported than
when supplied from home production. TheT
take the average driver as citizen, and he
| will compare faVorably with other working
men he pays his taxes and just debts. If
there is an occasional bad one it is not right
to condemn the whole outfit.
| The time has now arrived when drivers
must combine for their OWN protection, and
not allow their rights to be trampled under
foot. Recent disclosures in the Police
Court show that they have already COM
menced to keep track and give good ac-
count Of the enemy. HAcKMAS.
Having given "Hackman" the
benefit of our circulation in vindica-
ton of his class, he cannot be of
Tended at word of comment on our
part. 1t will be observed that no re-
ply is made to our charge that the
public are habitualIy subjected to
extortion. "Hackman" explains a
great many things we did not allude
TO, and says some things with which
we agree. For example, we did not
assume that any one could expect to
go shopping, or making calls, on a
10 cent fare; what we did say was
that there was practically no 10 cent
fare, hackdrivers having established
a Is cent rate, for any distance, how
ever short. "Hackmau" knows that
this Is true; he knows also that it is
extOrtiOH, subjecting those who prac.
tice It to fine, should their victims
prosecute.
Whether the 10 cent fare is suf
ficient is another matter. 1t Ger.
tainiy is open to question. Our own
opinion is that it is not; but it is the
legal rate for the present, and being
40, it is the duty of men who ply fol
fare under license which prescribes
fixed rates to loyalty obey the regu
lations. The law protects then
against competition; and they should
not evade the law and cheat the pub
lie. If the rate is insufficient. the
case should be presented to the Minis
ter of the Interior, in proper form
when due consideration would doubt
less be given to the matter. The AID
vERTIsER does not think the regula
lations perfect by any means, but i
does not therefore intend to condon'
wilful violation of the law. It viii
join in any measure OF even justice tt
hackmen and the public.
It is very possible that "Hack
mans" complaint is true regarding
the class of people who habitually
use hacks instead Of walking a few
blocks. But why should decent PEG
pie be cheated TO pay for these gentee
frauds ? If hack drivers cannot pro
tect themselves against extortion o
this kind practiced upon them
they should not endeavor to MAKE
their losses good by practicing extor
ton upon honest people.
We admit that feed is dear; bu
that concerns the stable owners whC
do not, as rule, profit by the extor
tions praeticed bytheir drivers. They
are at the mercy of the latter to I
great extent, while they must bea
the odium of extOrtion and the los
occasioned by accidents, wear anC
tear of vehicles and harnt So, and sick
ness In the stables. When livery sta
blemen are attacked we expect Il
hear from them; we said nothing re
garding them beyond expressing al
opinion that they draw only ;
junior partners share of the receipt
from the hack business.
We have not yet finished with thi
question of express or hack fares
Our desire is to do what is fair to al
concerned. We do not want to screw
down fares below living rate; but
on the other hand, hack drivers mus
not be permitted to set the law ant
the public at defiance. And tbs
sooner they understand that this viii
not be tolerated, the better it will b.
for themselves.