New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-10
CAB LAW ANTIQUATED.
81 he NOW, PRACTICALLY, AS
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION FILES COM
PLANTS AGAINST TWO MORE
OEERCHARGINGD DRIVERS.

The Tribune's battle for revolution in the
cab system OF the city continues to excite the
o+tantion and gain the support Of thousands of
believers in equity and fair play. The further
the investigation into the abuses and shame of
the methods of cabmen proceeds. the greater the
amount OF damaging evidence collected against
them.
The Merchants Association which has
committee on cabs and which is strongly sup
norting The Tribune the West End Association
and the City Improvement Society in their ef-
forts to obtain better cab regulations, yester-
day filed with George w. Brown, chief of the
Bureau OF Licenses, two more complaints
ogaiast cab drivers Thus far the association
has made five complaints One Of the protests
relates to cab No. Ga, the driver of which was
complained against day before yesterday. The
association learned that he charged William
Raider of No 81 Cumberland-st-. Brooklyn, 81
for transportation from Liberty-st TO Canal-st.
and Broadway. The distance is one mile ana
the legal charge is 30 cents. No stops We're
made
The second complaint fled yesterday at the
Bureau of Licenses against the driver OF
cab No 1876 The driver charged James b.
Deupsey of No 264 West Twenty-htth-st. 81
for transportation from Broadway ana ihii
tieth-st- to Eighth-ave. and Twenty-lIlh-s''
distance of three-ffths of a mile Inc lesal
rate is 80 cents. No stops We're made.
Both Mr. Dempsey and Mr.. Bader have Joined
hands with the Merchants Association TO secure
reform in the cab service. Many people know
that the rates charged in these instances were
modest in comparison with charges when nave
been imposed on themselves or members OF their
families; and modest indeed. compared with the
oppressive charges imposed last month on ON
GERS of the Hohenzollern, told in The Tribune.
Evidence gathered yesterday established more
clearly than hitherto the need for an entirely
new city ordinance relating TO cabs. one whose
words and purport admitted Of no doubt, a
Modern measure that would repeal dust covered
ordinances that have been part Of the munic-
ipal law for the last half a century
1t will be a surprise to some TO know that'
according to the chief OF the Bureau Of Licenses.
the spirit of the present cab law remains the
same as it was nearly fifty years ago. The
nrescut city charter provided that the ordl-
rances relating TO cab licenses previously In force
in the cities and towns incorporated should re-
main unchanged so long they should not con-
fict with the new ordinance. Practically all
that the new ordinance accomplished was the
classification Of existing laws on the subject;
the spirit OF local regulations was not changed.
In the old days the Mayor gave cab permits
and retracted them, and was, IN general the
head of the system. The same unsatisfactory
scheme Is in effect to-day. 1t is the old story
of giving the highest official Of the city SO many
duties that he cannot find time to attend to
them but must rely for their proper perform
snce on assistants with limited powers
Mt. Brown, chief of the Bureau of Ordinances.
ia. made an extended study Of the cab question
He said yesterday:
The issuance and revocation OF cab licenses
by the Mayor IS largely a matter OF FORM
Vie IS SO busy with other matters that ne
,aaS Chief
Of the bureau. and generally ratifies his recon-
r,endations IN this regard I think therefore,
that TO the CHEZ of this bureau should be given
complete Jurisdiction over this department. Inc
only way to overcome the present aggraFatioh
IS to enact a new ordinance which VIII oeai with
the subject from q modern standpoint Cut away
all the meaningless, intricate ana lahsieu
clauses which go TO make up the present law
Make il so plain that no controversy in court or
ont will be necessary. Provide that FORFEITURE
of a cabrnan's license will follow mis- secoH'
~ -r,r5 ra,or-ed offence of overcharging."
..vybat viii YOU do with the hacknen against
whom the Merchants Association mas coii-
plained?" Mr.. Brown was asked.
send for them at once" was the reply. 'They
will be given hearing.
Then you won't revoke their hcenses?
How can /? 1 am not the head OF the Du-
reau."
cessivs rates is that there exists between theih
a haired that splits them into two classes one
class is COMPOSED Of licensed hackmen who Sc
cure MESSENGERS along the streets or at puphc
haekstancg and the other Is made up OF those
who are specially licensed, and who are sup
posed TO carry passengers from special sldhus'
such as hotels. restaurants and theatres Inc
latter are subject TO the control OF the Mayor
and the goodwill Of the owner Of the premises
driv
= wear 70 the city for the special privilege and
are supposed TO take passengers only from tiie'e
stands With the energy that characterizes
their trade both classes disregard the letter Oh
their licenses The cruisers, as the public stand
men are called curse the specials" for tres
rassiner on their rights. Thus spoke a cruiser
yesterday: .
-.You see that blank blank there?" he said'
pointing TO a cabby in front Of a neighoorins
hotel He's thief He charges the big rates
YOU read about He gets the swells from The
hotel When the suckers don't come out often
enough he picks em up from them what pass
on the sidewalk That amt legal. linen ne
comes over here and takes away from US here
on the stand That amt legal either, ne Tba
We carry our numbers inside and OUTSIDE me
law says he must carry his inside only Now,
when he turns cruiser sometimes ne puts UP
outside number to fool the cops.
Does he own the cab he's driving! .r,.
He DOES not WAS the quick answer he
owned by a stable Some o the hkes Oh MN
owns their cab-owns three or TOUR OF en-
Ina telling YOU has only one license Tor the i"-
ahat amt legal. either. ,ia,
Inc public drivers. then, ols i,, nc IL Pe1-sd
motel drivers, do they?'' the cruiser WAS ASH
They DO. Well don't say WORD fHss
they rob US OF passengers linen M -
The sWells and the heavy tips and the cas-
money Then some one wants of his kll-d
TO come to a private house They telephone tiIe
private stand or stable. and ne goes a" thi6ss.