The evening world., 1909-01-12
EVENING WORLDS
PLAN T0REGULATE
METERS IN TAX|S
Frank l. Bowling Presents 1t
to the Board of Alder.
men To-Day.
WANTS, QUICK ACTION.
Users of the New Vehicles
Should Be Protected Against
Accident or Extortion.
WANTS, QUICK ACTION.

The Evening Worlds proposed ordl.
nance requiring an Official inspection
and test Of taximetcrs, that the public
may be protected from the numerous
oyerchargcs complained Of by users OF
taxicabs, was presented to the members
OF the Board Of Aldermen to-day by
Alderman Frank l.. bowling. and it was
referred to the Committee on Laws and
Legislation with the request that ex-
petition he observed in acting on il.
Here is the ordinance as drawn by
Clerk Martin and submitted to the
Board.
An ordinance providing for the accuracy
ana elilcicn.y N cAJS, CoupoS, hacks,
automobiles and other public convey
ances Of machine or device for the
regulation .! the fare Of passengers In
the city oi New York.
Be 1t ordained by the Board OF Alder
men Of the CITY Of New Yorl. as fol-
lows:
Section 1.-The Board OF Aldermen of
the city OF New York approves and
recommends the installation Of some
machine or device in tie cab service Of
the city looking TO the bet.erment of
said cab serNlc ice ana for the protec-
ton and safety NJ the public.
Bee. The Chief of the Bureau o. Ii
censes is hereby authorized and d.
rectei to investigate and test the ac-
curaCy and Ell '!ency Of any machine.
device or register to be used In cabs,
coupes. hacks, automobiles or vehicles
used for public hire purporting 10 show
the fare OF the passenger or paSsen-
81. ,.....
the distance ridden by said passenger
or passengers IN numerical figures, the
number Of miles covered by said We
htcle. the number OF trips for which
the vehicle or cab may have been en-
ployed or engaged by any passenger.
the amount OF money collected by the
owner, lessee or driver OF vehicle or
conveyance herein mentioned, the
amount recorded and charged for the
transportation OF extra baggage or
luggage.
Sec 3--The Chief o. the Bureau OF Id
censes shall make a report in writing
20 the Board Of Aldermen OF the re-
suit OF each test Will all convenient
speed and az such times hereafter as
may be demanded
Sec This ordinance shall take effect
Immediately
Aorse.Driven Cabs Disappearing.
This ordinance" said Alderman
bowling, is worthy OF adoption. So
numerous have taXicabs become IN our
city that the horse drawn cab is rap
Idly being driven out Of business, CIV
Ing way to the vehicle with meter at
tached. These meters, or measurers
of distance. are not under official SUI
peryision. TaXicabs and public con-
veyances and users OF them are at the
mercy of the drivers Too many COM
plants are already registered against
overcharging, but the public has no
recourse Forfeiture Of license should
be the penalty where wilful and
criminal tampering with taXimetcrs
IL discovered.
by bringing about official inspec-
tlOn the city can protect the public.
and that is just what is purposed by
this ordinance. | trust the committee
Will hasten Its report SO that positive
action can be taken by the entire
board"
Alderman Browns Plan.
Alderman b. W. B. Brown. one Of the
Republican members. also presented an
ordinance calculated TO regulate taxi
meters. He recommends that the mat
ter of Inspection he reposed in the
present Bureau Of Weights and Meas
ures and dnes not call for the employ
ment of inspectors.
I'm nv opinion" said Alderman Dow
ling, there can be no proper super
vision OF taXimeters except under the
method suggested In The Evening
World ordinance. II cannot be cffec-
lively done unless by an Independent
inspection under the supervision of the
Bureau Of Licenses"