Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-19
TEST CASE PROBABLE,
Right of Commissioner to Abolish
Hack Stands.

Hack Stands.
1t is probable that a test case will be
made to ascertain the right of the District
Commissioners to abolish the hack and cab
stands which until recently were permitted
in front of or Immediately adjacent to the
hotels Of the city. AS explained in The Star
several days ago, the Commissioners, acting
upon protest filed with them by Mr. D.
w. Baker, the attorney of the Hackmen' s
Association notified the proprietors of the
hotels that such stands would not there
after be permitted, the Commissioners being
of the opinion that they could not be con-
sidered public stands. 1t was intimated by
the Commissioners that if the hotel men de-
sired them to provide for public stands in
front of or Immediately adjacent to their
houses, such provision would be made But
the Commissioners were informed that the
hotel keepers do not desire such public
stands
The stands which the Commissioners abol-
ished were run, it is stated in connection
with the respective hotels, the vehicles oc-
cupylng the stands owned by livery eStab b.
lishments, and no public vehicles were per-
mitted to occupy the stands Mr.. Q. G..
Staples, prominent local hotel man, called
upon Commissioner Wight today in the mat
ter, and protested against The recent order
of the Commissioners. Mr.. Staples referred
to the fact that the stands heretofore per-
mitted We're a source of revenue to the re-
sIective houses, and also stated that they
added considerably to the convenience of
the guests of the hotels. He expressed great
dissatisfaction with the action of the Com
missioners in the matter, and intimated that
a case will be instituted to test the au-
thorty of the Commissioners.
Commissioner Wight explained that he
appreciates the fact that the stands abol-
iShed by them were sources of revenue to
the hotel men and added much to the con-
venience of their patrons, but he said the
Commissioners.
law, found that to continue them would be
to authorize the occupancy of public space
for private purposes and that, he said, is
clearly unlawful While the Commissioners
are authorized to establish public hack
and cab stands, they are not authorized to
establish stands for the exclusive use of
private persons. Mr. Wight said that so far
as he is concerned he would be glad to see
the matter tested in the courts, when, if it
should be held by the courts that the Com
mssioners have erred, they would no doubt
re-establish the hotel stands.
James Adams, a young man living in
South Brookland, met with an accident last
night while riding his bicycle near 10th and
Fort streets, not far from his home, and
was severely cut about the face and hands
He was coasting down 10th street and fell
when he lost control of his wheel. DR.. Will
liams rendered medical aid, and the young
man was able to go home.
Frank Hamilton, colored, twenty-six
years old. was painfully injured about the
face yesterday morning by falling against
the running board of car on 1th street
The accident was the result of his attempt
ing to board a moving car. The injured
man was removed to Freedman's Hospital
A colored boy named David Stephenson
was arrested yesterday by Policeman How
ard of the Sth precinct as a fugitive from
justice. He escaped from jail at Hampton,
Va. An officer from the Jail took charge of
him and returned to Hampton with him.
The dead body of an infant was found
yesterday afternoon about o'clock on a
lot near 18th and " streets. The body was
that of an infant only a few hours old and
had evidently been thrown away to save
funeral expenses.
Robert Slaughter admitted to Judge KIM
ball he was guilty of disorderly conduct
yesterday.
1T was crap" the officer who made the
arrest told the court.
twenty dollars or sixty days in tn.
workhouse," quietly observed the court.