The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-26
THE HACK ORDINANCE.
Is Similar to Ordinances Enforced
by Other Cities.

by other Cities.
Alderman Dixon's ordinance to provide
redress for the hack drivers uponspersons
who endeavor to beat them out of their
fares has attracted considerable atten-
ton. The average citizen is inclined to be-
lieve that the public is more in need of
protection from the hack drivers than the
latter are for protection from the public.
At the same time 1t is admitted that the
hack drivers undoubtedly have just cause
for grievance in many instances.
Some doubt has been raised as to the
legality of such an ordinance on the
ground that no arrest can be made for
debt The ordinance, however. makes the
offense hinge upon the attempt to de-
fraud and presumes an intent to defraud
in hiring a hack without the intention of
paying for it. Alderman Dixon said yes
terday that such ordinances are enforced
in New York and other cities, and that
Atlanta has an ordinance to the same eff
feet as that which he has introduced in
Council. If these ordinances can be en-
forced elsewhere he sees no reason why
they cannot be enforced here.
The wording of the ordinance makes the
offense hinge upon the fraud. as will be
seen by the reading of the first section,
which is as follows: amy person or per-
sons, engaging or using a hack, not in
tending to pay for the same at the time
such hack is engaged, but with intent to
defraud the owner or driver of such hack
out of the value of the use thereof, (and
I,
held to be for cash unless time is con-
tracted for when the engagement is
made and shall fail or refuse to pay such
driver his lawful hire at the end of the
trip or time for which such employment
! was made, shall be arrested. or summoned
by any police officer, to appear before the
Recorders Court to answer to a charge
of violating this section"
The penalty provided is a fine not TO
exceed S25 or Imprisonment not to exceed
thirty days, either or both in the discre-
ton of the court The ordinance also pro-
hibits the issuing of hack licenses to per-
/ sons under is years of age or the entrust-
ing of hack to any person under that
age.
It will doubtless surprise many people to
know that there are 16S licensed hacks in
the city. The number has greatly in
creased during recent years, as not many
years ago hacks were few upon the streets
of Savannah. The license is only Sc, with
the 10 per cent. off for prompt payment,
so that it costs very little for the privi-
lege of running a hack. 1t has been sug-
gested thar Council would do well 10 pro-
vide for the protection of the pubic as
we'll as the hackmen by providing for an
inspection of both horses and vehicles by
the police. On an average the hacks Of
! Savannah will doubtless compare favor
| ably with those of any other city, but
| among the 1853 hacks there are many ram
shackle vehicles and old sore-backed horses
which should be ruled off the streets
| for the sake of public comfort and decency
! A higher license has been suggested as
one means of reducing the number OF
hacks, which are evidently too numerous
| at present. and securing a better grade OF
| horses and vehicles.
| The hackmen are required to carry
| posted in a conspicuous place, copy OF
the ordinance giving the rates which they
are allowed to charge, besides other regu-
/ lations pertaining to hacks. This is for
! the protection of the patrons from I'M
scrupulous hack drivers. The ordinance
| only allows a fare of "a cents for a straight
trip between any two points in the city
with the exception of the Ocean Steam
| snip Company's wharves, to which the
fare is 50 cents. Many of the hackmen
| however, decline to carry passengers south
| of Anderson street for less than 30 cents
! In fact there is frequent complaint of this
! violation of the ordinance.