New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-01
4 VICIOUS CAB SYSTEM.
ovERcHARGING FARES THE RULE IN
THIS CITY.
POLICE IN LEAGUE WITH EXTORTIoNAIE
cABBrES-oFFICIALS SEEM TO BE
IMPOTENT.

IMPoTENT.
Municipal abuses have been IN the past SUD-
.ec,e of fruitful discussion. But in the presence
OF many attempted reforms one abuse has re-
raained unchanged. the cause not merely OF
shame but also Of serious commercial loss to the
city OF Nsw-Tork There is scarcely any person
in the city who. If asked about the cab system.
would not say with an expressive shrug of his
shoulders:
.'oh, the cab system of New York? That is
VIGOROUSLY bad."
When the officers of the HohenZoern were
here a good illustration of the outrageous condi-
tons existing among cabbies was furnished
These officers. who were unacquainted with the
city and had only limited amount of time to
s7end In seeing e. had TO pay s. and 81 to cab
men for being carried from Herald Square TO the
Christcyher-st ferry. The result was that the
officers remained on shipboard rather than run
the risk of such treatment. Such outrageous
and disgraceful scandal this might have been
expected to arouse some outburst of public senti-
rnent But NEWCOMERS proved too hardened
and too resigned TO the situation. and the same
condition continued TO prevail
There are two salient points which the in
spection OF the cab system may dwell First, the
legal tariff which the city ordinance permts
the oabuan TO charge; second, the amount in
addition
tract from hls -ictim. That the legal charge is
exorbitant in comparison with the charge OF
other cities is beyond question. The rates In
PHILADELPHIA Chicago or Boston do not approach
those charged here The result is that business
men who are able to choose between New-forK
and other cities as places TO buy in naturally
avoid a city in which they so abominaoly
pisfered here.
TIC compare New-York cab rates with those
OF European cities is manifestly absurd FOR
shilling one can cover wide area in LONDON
In Paris Berlin. where the closest sort OF
scrutiny is kept on the cabs, it is possible TO
secure q carriage for entire day for what is
charged 10 take two more passengers In
carriage with their baggage to the American
or Cunard pier from any street north of FIFTY
rinth-st Moreover in London if one has any
dispute with the ''cabby" reference OF the
matter TO a policeman insures proper settle
r1ent Then the cabmen may, in addition, lose
his license for he will certainly he reporter
70 the authorities by the officer. Here the ponce
arc thoroughly in sympathy with the cahmen
and can depend a ''rake-on Tor any oEei-
charge that may be permitted by them
This raises the second questionable matter o.
overeharge This is the phase Of the question
that most deeply touches the resident CT the
ci+v New-Yorx cabs and hacks are accustomed
10 charge by the mile. Fifty cents a mile is the
lawful charge, and twenty avenue or seven
street blocks 10 she legal mile Notwithstanding
this provision Il is next to impossible 10 get
cab for less than a dollar To go from the
Waldorf TO the University Club. for example,
distance of exactly one mile one is always COM
PEELED to pay a dollar 4 dispute over fares
means that the matter viii be referred TO the
nearest policeman, and his decision can pe reck-
oned on as supporting the cabby
The attitude OF the officials in this matter Is
characterized az least by impotence.
what can i DO about it?" asked Marshai
Brown Of the Bureau Of Licenses, when the
xubject was referred TO him. People never
come here TO complain don't get a complaint
once a month The trouble is that the capnen
in this city have been spoiled. The tips named
out 10 them at the various uptown resorts by
the high rollers are responsible for the situa-
ton When a case comes TO me ] try to make
an example of il. But City Hail is a long way
of and it's too much trouble for people TO come
down here. Then the police assist lie cabmen
rather than the passenger. There's 100 nlucn
money In this city. You don't find the same SIT
and never met such extortion as is practised
here. If the public viii only take me at my
word and bring cabmen who overcharge them
down here promise that VIII SET them an
example that win put stop to this thing quite
In strong contrast 20 the abuses Of the private
hacks is the system IN operation at the stations
of the Pennsylvarfia and Neyv-York Central rail-
roads. There sanable rates passengers are
carried IN n3ckN l''-i pH me NoilihS1Ai'e0-
cabs are marked with the railroads name the
drivers are regular employees of the company,
and realizing thai they run the chance Of losing
their Jobs IL they oercharge, this difficulty sell
dom occurs. Again. there is placed in the train
shed Of the Central. where the incoming trains
are large sign showing the map Of the city
divided into districts, and these districts are
colored according to the price of fare.
Perhaps the worst feature of the cab system
is that which compels the cabbies to oyercharge
in order to make a living. In a few weeks a
large number of ca bbies win be turned loose to
shift for themselves. The time when the great
demand for ca bbies is experienced is past. Then.
2 large number Of ca hrnen hire their cabs for
so much night. The result is that they must
make all they on each fare in order not to
lose IL they get no other. That presents phase
OF the situation responsible for much Of the
r,resent notoriouslv bad condition.