New-York tribune., 1902-04-17
AGAIN CONFER ABOUT CABS
HACKNEN TALK TO MERCHANTS ASSO-
CITATION COMMITTEE.
THEY AGREE ON MANY POINTS, AND WILL
WORK IN HARMONY TO HAVE LAW
REMODEI,LED.

The cab committee of the Merchants Asso-
ciation In a conference with a committee OF cao
drivers at No 32O Broadway yesterday indorsed
many of the suggestions offered by the latter
looking to a complete renovation of the present
cab system Those at the meeting were VIII
lam Edmund Curtis. John c. Eames W. A
Marble and Frederick B. de Berard, represent
ing the Merchants Association, and John FiEhh'
chairman of the Hackmen's Protective League
Joseph F. Smith, corresponding secretary anu
John T. Lawless. president Of the Hack owners
Union. The Merchants Association invited the
cabmen to it's offices, to hear from lheHi
what was in their opinion the most practcal
method of putting a stop to present ABUSES
The cabmen made an excellent impression Oh
the committee At the end of the conference 1t
was announced that the two committees agreeo
on a majority of points. and that they would
work in harmony TO bring about a happier
state of affairs in this important department
Of municipal life.
John Flvnn of the HaCkmens Protective
League acted spokesman for the drivers
His arguments were substantially the same as
those he advanced at the meeting last Aoh-
day with the City Improvement Society Ihese
arguments together with those prepared by the
Merchants Association. will be sent TO the
Mayor. the Board of Aldermen. the presldents
of the five boroughs of greater New-fork, ana
to all the persons interested in the solution of
the problem. AS criticisms and sus-
gestions from these interests are received. the
association will draft resolutions. which, If acted
on its members believe will practically abolish
existing evils.
Mr. Flvnn told of the desire the organiza-
ton he represented had for reform. He ad-
vocated strict official inspection of cabs. the
placing of rate cards within hacks. and, most
important of all, the abolition of special prl'l-
leges to stable owners and others who used
private stands about hotels. restaurants ana
theatres.
THE first step to be taken" he said. is TO
place all cabs on equal footing. Nuliloei
each vehicle so that strangers coming mere may
know who is driving them Take away special
licenses altogether. As 1t now is, the owner
Of anv hack not intending to use the public
stands. and having the written consent OF the
owner or lessee of the premises. in the dis
cretion of the Mayor. the Chief of Police, the
Bureau of Licenses. may be specially licensed
and permitted 20 use temporarily a portion
of the street in front of these premises as a
stand and shall be confined to carrying pas
seneers from these premises. 1t Is now pretty
generally known that many of these rigs nave
no licenses OF any kind. 1t is also known now
they obstruct the streets about notes anu
how proprietors OF large houses would give
thousands Of dollars to get rid OF tnerl- lhes
also steal passengers from us IN the strett-
Tbese drivers nut into business by stab BILE
keepers who squeeze them, and expect thern
in turn to squeeze the public. should be placed
on an equal footing with public licensed drivers
who occupy public stands.
Mr. Flynn asked that the police be made re-
sponsibIe for the proper enforcement or CAP
ordinances and that cab licensing be taken
from the Jurisdiction of the Bureau OF LII
censes He said that all honest hackmen would
be very much pleased If the present ordinance
hat should charge
legal rate of 30 cents mile were generally en-
forced