The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-02
The NIGHT HAWKS CRUSADE.
WHATTHE hattie or fHE HACK.
MEN rs ALL ABOIT.
Their First Victory In . Campaign Against
the Prosperous Restaurant and Hotel
keepers-And IT'S . Moral Move.
ment, TOO-NOw, Isn't That Queer:

Keepers-And IT'S . Moral Move
ment, Too-Now. Isn't That Queer:
Those who 20 down to the city in cabs
have noted with surprise frequent refer
ences in the recent public prints to cam
paign which the licensed hackmen are
carrying on for what they regard as their
rights 1t had been the custom Of New
Workers. for 30 long time to think Of the
night hawk cabman as species of bucca-
neer cruising under black flag in the
dark places of the city that there was not
little wonder expressed when a week or
two ago Justice Steckler OF the Supreme
Court declared that they were no pirates
but lawful navigators.and entitled to certain
anchorages which the shippers Of han
SONS and couI6s belonging to rich and
arrogant livery stable keepers had seized
and held in violation OF their ancient
privileges.
The story Of the cabmen's wrongs Is
a long one. and the full understanding of
IL resides in single mind-that of Lyman
A. Spaldn9, lawyer who is fighting the
legal battle of the New York Hackmen's
Protective League.
Mr.. Spalding may justly be regarded as
the founder and expounder Of a branch Of
law which is to the cruisers OF the high
way what Admiralty il to the cruisers
OF the sea. The rule Of the road, the legal
rate of speed. the computation Of the hack
mans mile the intricacies of the question
OF fare and all the other statutory pro-
visions which govern the conduct OF the
man in the plug hat and the green over
coat in his relations with the riding and
walking public are no mysteries TO him.
1t follows naturally that the name Of
Spalding is terror 10 the evildoer hack
man. 1t is related Of him that on one oc-
casion when he had ridden incognto in
the cab of one of the most piratical night
hawks in town for a number of blocks
uptown and crosstown which he well knew
to be within the two miles, he gave the
driver a two-dollar bill and stood waiting
for his change
There amt no change" said the cab
man. assuming a menacing attitude.
But I'm Spalding, the lawyer was
the reply, whereupon cabby dropped the
two-dollar bill and fed in white and speech
less CONSERVATION, not daring 10 show
himself IN his accustomed places for the
next three days.
Spading came into the movement for
improving the condition of the hackmen
after the league had been laundering
along in a bad way for two or three years
In the beginning II was nm association
formed for the elevation Of the moral char
acter and reputation of its members. and
the profession generally. and that purpose
still remains. though other objects have
been added to il.
minded cabmen had long observed the
degenerate tendency Of large proportion
Of their associates in and about the Ten
derloin They viewed with alarm the
alliances which their brethren were forming
with the fossv denizens OF the under world
and heard with di,may Of the piracies and
other outfages practised with growing
frequency upon the bibulous and the un-
sophisticated
So one cold and stormy night about five
years ago n little band of pioneers Of faith
met together and formed the New York
Hackmens Protective League. resolving
that they would not only set their own
faces against all manner Of unrigh'eous-
ness, but also exert a missionary influence
In trying 10 induce others TO lead a better
and nobler life.
Their efforts have prospered TO such an
extent that. according 10 Mr.. Spa ding.
about one sixth Of the 1900 licensed hack
men hav" seen the error Of their ways,
and by Joining the league have made pub
III profession f an intention to mend them,
while an indefinite number who have not
actually come into the fold are silent be-
levers and are showing evidence of reform
In their daily walk and conversation
II is not to be denied, however. that
though the basic purpose OF tho league IL
moral and spiritual il has certain material
aim not wholly disconnected with the
commercial advancement Of the haokmcn
The argument that shapes itself in the mind
OF the thoughtful and pious nighthawk
probably is something like this
1t is right TO be good Therefore. let us
he good And II 1t be'omes known that
some Of us are good. business will come
our way, Therefore, lot us strive earnestly
to be good.
When the members of the league had been
good for certain length Of time hey cast
longing eyes upon rich pastures in which
the grazing was reserved exclusively for
special cabmen. They began to ask why
when they had paid liC"nsn fec 20 IN" city
they should be excluded from the business
proceeding from many of the hotels and
restaurants in which the gay night life Of
the city l. AZ III food tiie.
The Law on the subj ect 50 far IA IL Is
possible for any person loss learned than
Mr.. Lyman A Spalding 10 compre-
bend II is that there are certain places in
the city which are designated az public
hack stands, and in these places and no
others, licensed hackmen may show them
selves and solicit business up TO the hour
OF Top NJ
public hacksiands, and it j. the prerogative
Of the Mayors marshal to say how far
from each corner the stand shall extend.
but he has never done it.
The law also recognized the fact that
hotels have a right to a reasonable use of
the streets. There is an ordinance which
permits the Mayors marshalto license cabs
to stand in front Of hotels for the accommo-
dation Of the hotels guests
This privilege came to he extended to
many restaurants which were not hotels
In any sense, but simply eating houses.
so that persons who wished to ride home
after their late suppers were obliged TO
ride in the restaurant mems cabs or else
60 out in search of the regularly licensed
hackmen at considerable Inconvenience to
themselves
These special cabmen are not limited by
law IN their charges a. the night hawks are
ana IN" latter lay that their prices are at
least twice as high a. the regular legal rates.
be that a. II may, the best business in the
town Is that which thus fell into the hands
OF the special cahmen. II liz well known
Una, the larg" rest aurants and hotels lease
th'lr cab stand privle ges to livery stable
Keepers for considerable sums Tho price
paid by the man who does the Waldorf
Astoria'S business is said to he $50 900 n
year.
The members of the hackmon's league
made up their minds that they must get
share OF tho lucrative trade of the res-
taurants and hotels and tina, has been the
4 ~ "A I.a L..