The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-15
TAXICARS START
NEXT THURSDAY
Transportation innovation
Promises Best Service at
Small Cost.

Robert A. Parke, general manager
of the Federal TaXicab Company, ar
rived in Washington last night TO COM
plete arrangements for the ta1lcaD
service In this city Thirty cars have
already arrived and viii be put into
operation Thursday. The company in
tends 10 conduct a service second 10
none in any city in the country, and
additional cars will be brought here as
the business increases.
Taxicabs have been in operation in
New York and other large cities for
some time, and have rapidly become
popular with the public. The Federal
Taxicab Company expects 10 operate
cars in Washington, Philadelphia, ana
Baltimore Z. II. Thomas. the Buffalo
automobile manufacturer, is at the head
of the concern, and machinery has beeE
Installed to manufacture several thou
sand cars during the coming year.
The company viii have it's headqunr-
ters in this city at the Central Garage,
1872 New York avenue, where a corps
of competent chauffeurs win be always
on hand to respond to calls at mo-
ment's notice
Cars Are the Finest.
The taxicabs represent the highest de-
velopment in automobile town cars.
One of the designers of the Thomas
company spent several months in Lon
don, Paris and Berlin studying the
foreign machines. and the cars which
will be used here embOdy the prtn-
ciplcs OF the best makes, and also have
many improvements worked out by the
company along new lines.
The cars are built with a view OF
safety and comfort and are constructed
along graceful lines. The body is Of
the landauIet type ana the steps are
only about a foot OF the ground. max
ing them easily accessible In warm
weather the top may be thrown back,
SO that tho car is open, and in the
winter and in stormy weather the car
can be closed so that 1t affords ample
protection to the occupants.
The taxicab is the solution of the pub
lie transportation problem OF large
city. and il is certain that Washing
tonians will soon appreciate the adgant-
age OF the service. The cars derive their
names from small registering 9par-
atus on the right of the driver. which
registers the distances and time. and
indicates the exact amount of the fare.
:Hus protecting patrons from over
charging on the part of tEa drivers.
The cars will be operated on two SEIZED
ules. one 10 be known as tariff ]. and
tie other tariff 3 The first viii apply
TO one and two passengers. and the
latter 10 three, four or hve persons.
Service the Best.
1--WE are going to conduct q service
that is as near perfection as it IS pos
sibIe to have It." said Fir. Parke last
night. 1--WE Will be prepared 10 send the
cars out as soon as the calls are re-
ceived at the garage.
1T will be a service that the people
can depend upon at all times. Polite
ness vlu he one of the essential quail
fications OF the drivers. shall probably
remain ia Washington until everything
Is running smoothly, after " ich d local
manager viii be in charge Of the ser
vice
The cabs win be equipped with red
flag, with the words FOR hire" and
when this is displayed the cars can be
hailed or the street. As soon as the
vehicle IS engaged. the rag. which is
on a lever. is tu8led down out OF eight
and the taSimeter begins registering.