Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26
FROM THE RAILROAD STATION

Later in the day The STAR man walked over
to the Baltimore and Ohio station and looked
along the line Of vehicles that was standing out
in front Of the building. About half way down
the line was the very thing that was wanted. 1t
was hanson that had seen its best DAYS some
wears back. So bad the horse. The number
on that cab had been carefully painted over the
last time the cab had been rejuvenated. but n
thorough search developed the fact that it was
60 The driver had his metal badge neatly hid
den under his overcoa:. 1t should have been
openly displayed. but it wasn't. Altogether it
was just the sort OF an outfit that would arouse
ones suspicious. and visions of a conflict with
that driver at the end of the ride rose up be-
fore THE STAR mans eyes. A start was made
at l:l2 o clock and the trap was headed for the
city hall. Here stop was made for awhile as
the scribe had TO interview a number of law
yers whose Offices are situated in that neigh
berhood, and several times the cab was called
into requisition 70 cross the street or make the
journey around the corner. There was no
agreement made as to whether the cab was en-
gagged by the trip or by the hour, and when, at
PIP o'clock to the minute. an anchorage was
made in front of the Traders National Bank,
corner of 10th street and PENNSYLVANIA avenue
il was dollars to doughuuts that the cabby
would try to charge Is cents for each of the
various trips. This is what cabmeu usually do
when no agreement is made, but on this par
tcular occasion he simply charged IS cents,
which was the proper figure for the hour that
lie had been occupied.
Right here enters q matter on which the
public. rs a rule. is rather ignorant, and cabby
generally takes advantage of this ignorance
The tariff OF charges made out BY the District
Commissioners contains the provision that
when vehicle, are not engaged by the hour
trip rates shall be charged. But II also adds
that when charges for consecutive trips ex-
coed rates per hour. charges shall be by the
hour" The same publication has printed
upon il in large type the information that dis
putes may be settled at the nearest police sta
tion.
The next time that the reporter had occasion
TO leave the Office he summoned q one-horse
coupe from the stand near the site of the new
city post Office building. Again no agreement
was made with the driver. but he,was simply
told to drive to the University Club, which is
at the northwest corner of 18th and streets
There he was told to wait, aud this he did in
the rain that was falling at the time. Enough
time consumed so that the return trip
should be finished just within the hour. This
time the destination was q point on Pennsyl-
vania avenue between 10th and llth. For
obvious reasons The STAR Office did no. enter
into the matter in any way. The vehicle was q
fairly good one Of its sort, but in this case, rs
in No. 2. there was no number to be seen any,
where about il and the tariff Of charges was
carefully hidden under the cushion of the seat,
so that only a vigilant search developed its
hour. as planned. and that driver charged by
the hour and his bill was a just one.
Had the cab drivers all become suddenly
honest and considerate or did they know that
there was put-up job being played on them?
IL Is probable that no one else ever before took
three rides succession in three different
vehicles IN this city without contest or at least
the feeling on the part Of the rider that he had
been overcharged.
AN HONEST cABBY
The next time the cab racket was tried the re-
porter was advised to go in the guise of q
stranger who was green as to the customs of q
great city. So the next afternoon about the
time OF arrival of several of the trains on the
Pennsylvania railroad the writer entered the
Baltimore and Potomac station from the 9Th
street door SO as not to be seen from the front,
and after waiting awhile came out on C street
and hailed the first cabman in the line who m "
him. IL happened TO be the driver Of hanson
I cab No. 1872.
Drive me to the National HOTEL said the
reporter, ~ he thought Of possible ride all
around town ending up 20 near the point Of
starting.