Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-14
HEARING IS LIVELY.
The Commissioners Consider
Rates for Taxicabs.
Mr.. WEST HAS A SCHEDULE
Makes Suggestions Which Call Forth
Protests.
COMPANIES ENTER OBJECTION

Maj. Judson Calls for Books Of the
Operating Concerns-Reason-
able Charges Certain.
Taxicabs were the subject Of q lively
hearing before the District Commission
ers in the boardroom Of the municipal
building today. A schedule Of proposed
rates, drafted by Commissioner West,
which are practically the same as In ef-
feet until recently. but which are lower
than requested by the companies. was
announced at the hearing. When the rep
resentatives OF the taxicab companies
grasped the scope Of the new rates they
began, fguratively, to beat the air and
stamp their feet and wall. When the
bearing began. one Of the protestants
spoke in Q low tone and without gestures;
when It ended, there were six men wav-
ing their arms at the board Of Commits
sioners and talking In loud and excited
tones
Mr.. Vests Proposed Rates.
The rates which Commissioner West
proposed to his colleagues for adoption
follow:
For the first half mile or fraction
thereof. 50 cents
Each quarter mile thereafter 10 cents.
Each six minutes of waiting. 10 cents.
This tariff applies to both day and
Zone. two. three or four persons. same
price.
For carrying one trunk or travelling
bag or suit case. 40 cents.
Each additional trunk. 20 cents.
For one trunk and one travelling bag
or suit case. 80 cents.
For each additional travelling bag or
suit case, 10 cents.
''Cabs going to or from the Union sta
tion or from any garage to any point
within q radius of two miles of such sta
ton or garage. shall charge for the dis
lance covered in transit to such pein,
when carrying passenger or passengers
but shall not impose additional charge for
distance covered when travelling empty
CThe radius Of two miles extends to Michi-
gan avenue on the north. 14th street and
Florida avenue and Dupont Circle on the
northwest, 10th street and Pennsylvania
avenue on the west, the wharves and the
war college on the south. the navy yard
the southeast. Congressional cemetery or
the east and Mount Olivet cemetery or
the northeast.) Distances beyond the
two-mile limit shall be charged for 81
the rate of cents for each quarter OF
a mile going and returning for such dis
lance az lies beyond the radius.
To Theater and Return.
"Taxicab service from any point within
three miles Of any garage to any theatel
and return shall be not more than 50 for
one or two persons, nor more than 81 for
three, four or five persons: and there shall
be no other charge, provided that the
journey between the point of call and the
theater or return shall be made without
delay. ANY delay en- route while going
or returning shall be charged for at the
rate Of 81 per hour Distances beyond
the three-mile limit shall be charged for
at the rate of cents for each quarter OF
a mile. going and returning, for such
distance as lies beyond the radius.
Of call within three miles OF any garage
TO the White House and return shall be
subject to q nat rate Of not more than u
for any number of passengers; and any
delay en- route e. going or returning y shall
and distances beyond the three-mile limit
shall be charged for at the ratio of cents
for each quarter of mile. going and re-
turning. for such distance as lies beyond
the radius"
What the Companies Want.
The schedule which the taxicab official.
desire 10. in brief, as follows:
Forty cents for carrying two persons
sixty cents for three or more persons
per mile. This 10 the same rate rs chars
ed ut present.
Standing rate Of $3.50 per hour. Thu
present rate is 81 per hour.
For going and returning from the place
where taxicab ia used to the central sta
ton. twenty cents per mile. There i
no charge for this at present.
Initial charge of fifty cents for the flfst
half mile. The initial charge at present
is thirty cents for the first half mile.
At the beginning of the hearing Com
missioner lLacfarland, as chairman. read
the proposed rates drafted by Commits.
sioner West; and the latter then explained
that he had framed them on the basis OF
rates in other cities and that the charges
proposed for Washington are practically
the same as those now In force In New
York city.
H. Cornell Wilson Of the Terminal Taxi.
cab Company and A. c. Cline of the Fed
erai Taxicab Company spoke In opposition
V %.. sss 'aFia proposed by Commissioner
1t was argued that Washington. under
the rates proposed by the taxicab ofhcials
would have rates as cheap as those In
any city except Boston and Philadelphia,
creases are contemplated.
Asks Increase In Rates.
Mr.. Wilson declared that the taxicab
companies could not make money II the
proposed rates are put into effect. and
he presented many arguments OF gen
eral nature to show that the expenses OF
operating the taxicabs are large. He
argued for increased rates.
81 know that everything coming in and
nothing going out would be an ideal way
of operating q taxicab company" Com
missioner West remarked. but the Com
misioners are directed under the law to
prescribe reasonable rates. and that IL
what they are trying to do
Engineer Commissioner Judson suggest
ed that the Commissioners would be better
able to decide what are reasonable rates
for both the public and the taxicab COM
panies II they could see the books of the
companies and thus be able to gauge the
revenues and expenses. Mr.. Wilson said
that he would give the Commissioners the
necessary figures II the matter was to
be confidential, and that arrangement was
made.
Declines to Shows Books.
When Mr.. Cline presented his argument
that the proposed rates would mean oper-
alton at a loss by the taxicab companies
he was asked II he would show his books
to the Commissioners.
mo, / wouldn't show my books" he re-.
| sponded.
Later, he explained that he did not think
the books would show what the Commits.