New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-04
NEW CAB LAW LIKELY
ALDERMAN PARSONS ASKS MARSHAL
FOR INTERPRETATIONS.
UNQUALIFIED APPROVAL OF THE TRIB-
UNE'S CRUSADE AGAINST IN
list Cables

Unqualified approval of The Tribune's attack
upon the abuses and evils of the cab system in
this city has been manifested all sides
Among the most enthusiastic supporters or the
effort for better conditions is Josiah Z. Pun
pelly of the City Improvement Society
For years my society has been fighting this
evil" said Mr. Pumpelly, to a Tribune reporter
Yesterday IF The Tribune has entered the
fight it may be sure of our support and our CO.
operation. For years the cab system has Deen
bad Only two days ago cabman charged
me 81 for the trip from the Waldorf to Forty-
second-st, a distance of less than ten blocks.
The agitation for proper cab service is one
that covers many years and should receive
hearty support The points that The Tribune
makes the ability of the cabmau to decline TO
take d passenger if he chooses and his right to
decide whether he will charge by distance or by
mile are the salient weaknesses of the present
ordinances. 1 am with The Tribune in this
agitation heart and soul"
Alderman Herbert Parsons also declared him
self in sympathy with The Tribune's effort to
throw light the dark places OF the present
regulations governing cabs
i have myself made inquiries in the matter
recently" said Mr.. Parsons, and l have re-
quested the Mayors Marshal to inform me of
the INTERPRETATION he puts on certain provisions
of the ordinances. AT the present time / do not
care to say what steps may take in the matter
[ think however, that the investigation of the
city ordinances and their proper Interpretation
is step in the right direction.
From other sources The Tribune has received
commentator for its stand, and the public in
terest manifested makes IL appear likely that
If public sentiment can be sufficiently stirred
a measure will be introduced in the Board Of
Aldermen providing for a proper regulation of
the cab business
Figures have been obtained which support the
statement made in The Tribune yesterday that
some power vested in either the Mayors Mar
shall or some other official is necessary to check
the ~wIessness among cabmen The official
records of 1901 show that the number OF We
hiCles operated under special licenses was .2o3
BY special license is meant the license issued TO
livery stables and TO those supplying holei
stands. These special licenses represent st
owners. about four vehicles TO edch owner
The number of public licenses. that is. licenses
for the ordinary cab business. was l,J92, of
which o1n we're. carriage licenses and 800 h
licenses. These distributed among 1l43
owners 11S for carriages and 1O25 for cabs.
Thus il will be seen that the majority of cab
men upon whom the public must depend. own
their own cabs. and are wholly unintiuenced by
any restraint imposed either by a desire to re-
tain trade. such as the livery men are bound TO
consider or on the other hand, by any RESPONSE
bilitv to authorities. Their own masters and
comparative safe from punishment, these cab
men furnish the main source OF trouble:
To complain of these individual caDrnen 10
the Mayors marshal is practically useless. as
he admits himself that the condition OF the
city ordinances gives him little opportunity 10
deal with offenders
The remedy for the present situation. said
a prominent city official who declined TO nave
his name used. lis to amend the present city
ordinances so that there shall be a clear and
definite ordinance governing the situation. Per-
sonally | believe that since the cabman is o
public servant using the public highway under
a license his refusal to carry passengers cannot
be legally sustained. IT, however. that inter
probation is made of existing city ordinances. a
change should be made at once.
Another prominent man who has been identi-
fled with the attempt to improve the cab regu
lations for many years had still different ex-
PLANTATION to offer
THE real trouble said he, lies in the fact
that the people who cabs are always In a
hurry They cannot afford the time to quarrel
with the cabman much less To carry the matter
to the City Hall Many times have secured
splendid case against ca6Oan only 10 abandon
II because my witnesses could not appear. The
pubIc can less afford to lose the time II
would take to press the matter than the COM
nara lively small amount involved. The cabman
is perfectly we'll aware of this also. Not until
a hard and fast rule is laid down VIII there be
any real protection for the public