New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-10
CAB RATES.

Tho nrospects are bright for a reform OF the
| abominable cab service OF this city. Even 'ne
cab drivers themselves, as told III yesterday
Tribune realize that the present eAtortlo''e
charges seriously hurt their business. Ihlor-
.,,otolr- those who see this and are disposed TO
he reasonable are unable to accomplish Hiuch'
| IF they could by fair treatment or patrons Popu
Iarize cabs and greatly increase their business
there would be a reward of virtue But as II To-
the pirates of the street are abe 10 ulScleui' ''
whole system These latter may by a le" over
charges get as much as they could iliahe ~
ho,nty moro constantly employed at reasonable
rates but they so discourage the use u GAYS
tba+ tbe whole business suffers. Hence In the
interests of honest cabmen themselves 1t l.
necessary 70 have some strict and easily en-
forced regulations
The power to revoke licenses now reposeo
:, tho Navor should be given to the Mayor
Marshal or some other official who can pay at
+,+ion IN the matter Then reasonable
sobeduIe of charges should be prescribed, 10
which all licensed cabmen should be compelled
70 conform and all private contracts Tor ser
vice proyided for in the schedule shouio De LOT
hidden. as 1t is in cities where the best eau
systems are found. No cab driver shoulu NC
permitted to refuse fare at the legai ra'e'
the option of taking cabs by time OF oiS'ah'e
should be confirmed to the patron no'ces
sbould no posted In all cabs telling passengers
exactly what their rights are, and the ruies
sboud he so plain and so strict that no ponce
officer would ever find excuse for backing
cabman in extorton on any plea that no ies''i
tariff was at hand TO appeal TO. that no bargain
was made beforehand. or that private hsiee
ment was made TO suspend the farlii' iu"'i'
cohrnan assume the duties of common carriers,
rntl
| he comnelled TO take all corners at fixed rate
ond forbidden TO contract for anything more
A feature of the matter which has not yet
-ooo,vad sufficient attention is the part played
br unlicensed cabs 4 hackman quoted IN
| vastardav's Tribune declared that some or the
worst extort,on In the city was practlsed by
the drivers of those cabs belonging TO private
companies which leased the right or approach
TO certain piers and other public places ana
forced passengers TO take them on their own
terms or go wandering at large In search Oh
licensed hackmen. 1t is serious question
whether a railroad steamship company can
locally Tins create q monopoly by denying any
class of cabmen access to their terminals OH
eoual terms with others We think that ques-
ton has been litigated in some other cities ana
| decided in favor of independent drivers. How
oror that may he even if private companies
mOnOpOIlZp certain lIdili'- tii'Ac N''ii " ~
doult of the propriety OF subjecting them 10
regulations and forbidding any carriage FOR
hire without a license. If cab stand keeper
can disregard the law and practise extortion
freely by merely refusing to take out licenses
for his cabs any attempt at regulation can he
brought to naught.
With a requirement that all carriages let Tor
| hire should be licensed and abide by the legal
tariff another great obstacle to the use OF abs
| would be done away with Anywhere in London.
Paris Rome or other large European cities it
Is almost always possible to get cab at ones
door for the~legal rate. New-York is so stu
ated that cabs are not going through every
street or standing within whistling distance OF
every house Consequently people have 10 send
| out or telephone for carriages. Under such cir
| cumstances il is lust that q charge should be
made for the distance a carriage is sent to pick
m a passenger: but beyond that carriages sent
| from stands and stables should be compelled to
| operate at the legal rate which they seldom
do 1t should be made possible to get a cab
| anywhere in New-York at a reasonable price,
| and If il were the business would increase
| as TO give ample profits to those engaging in
| ii. and rates might still further be reduced in
| time The ear lines of this city crowded.
! and even with rapid transit they will probably
remain So There are thousands of people
| ready to pay fair price for more comfortable
| transportation, and everybody would benefit if
| they could secure the desired service.