The evening world., 1909-01-28
HOW TAX|METERS
CAN Be MADE TO
DEFRAUD RIDERS
Expert Shows Methods by
Which Dishonest Chautfeurs
Get Exorbitant Fares.
NEED FOR INSPECTION.
London and Paris Have Ordi-
nances Like Evening Worlds
Proposed Law.

The taXimeter on public conveyances,
to place which under official inspection
and regulation is the purpose Of the
ordinance proposed by The Evening
, World. which Is expected to be passed
by the Board Of Aldermen Is made the
subject Of an interesting paper by Roger
S. Whitman In the current number OF
the Scientific American
Mr.. Whitman tells intimately OF taxi
meter frauds and how they are accom-
plished to the detriment Of the public's
pocketbook. He reveals the foundation
OF the numerous overcharges reported
by users of taXlcabs. These he attributes
10 two reasons. viz, the ignorance of
the riding public in reading the instru-
ment and the manipulation OF the in
strument Or Its attachments By chauf-
feur seeking to raise the daily earnings
Of his cab. This latter practice was
8ShSl any III Nbbtt WV sNu1 q oSN' say
Mr.. Whitman, when the taxicab was
introduced, but to-day none but the
boldest chauifeurs attempt such swim
ding methods.
Many Methods Of Fraud.
Manufacturers OF taximeters have
provided safeguards until to-day 1t is
difficult to disarrange one without de-
lection. However, James Brown,
president OF the Independent Taxicab
Owners Association, who is backed By
his organization in supporting The
Evening Worlds ordinance, declares
that there are other ways OF deceiving
the fare through the taximeter, and he
wants this prevented, so that the pub
lie will be fully protected.
Mr.. whitman says In his article:
The Inscriptions chauffeur can
profit by the ignorance or inattention
of the passenger. One passenger haV'
Ing been discharged, and another i'm
mediately haling the cab, the chauf-
feur may not throw the flag from the
'non-recordng' position to the vacant
and then to the tariff position. as he
should, but on some makes OF taxi
meters can move 1t from 'non-record-
ing backward to tariff II the pas
senger does not notice this, Al the end
of his trip he will be required to pay
the sum shown on the taxmeter,
which Includes the charge OF the pre-
vlous passenger as well as his own
This is particularly likely 10 be the
case where the first passenger had only
. short ride, the chauffeur being rea-
sonably certain that the second passen-
,yer will not bubble over mattre OF
% TO 90 cents. Again, with any make
At the end Of the trip the chauffeur
may move the flag from the tariff posi-
ton through the 'non.recording to the
vacant without stopping. The figures
will thus disappear from the face OF
the instrument before the passenger has
had time to read them, and must take
the chauffeur's word as TO the change.
The taximeter Is actuated by means
OF flexible cable driven by star
wheel that is operated by the rotation
Of one OF the vehicle wheels. The con-
nection between the star wheel and the
vehicle WHEEL may be by spur gears, or
by spiral of lis turns attached TO the
spokes OF the driving wheel With taxi
meters operating by spiral /, e -.
sible in some cases to bend this In
such a manner that Is engages two
teeth OF the star wheel where should
engage but one, the taximeter then roy
istering double.
Tire slip Speeds Meter
'An accurate operation of the taxi
meter cannot be secured when 1t Is
driven BY one OF the driving wheels OF
the car. The driving wheels are con-
trolled by the engine, and II running
on slippery pavement they may re-
volv more than once, where the front
wheels, which are actuated by the for
ward movement OF the car. would make
but one revolution. II a chauffeur runs
his car with the taXImeter controlling
wheel on a slippery portion OF the pavei
ment while the other driving wheel has
good traction, far greater mileage
will be recorded by the instrument than
should Justly DO the case.
In certain European cities 1t is
against the law TO operate taXimeters
By one OF the driving wheels Of the
vehicle, and this is undoubtedly a great
protection to the travelling public
THE taximeter Is protected by lead
seals, which must be broken In order
that access may be gained to any par;
OF the mechanism, Because OF this, the
chauffeur does not attempt to dismount
any OF the mechanism: and even should
he dismount the star wheel, so that the
instrument will not register az oil, the
discrepancy between the normal mileage
Of his car and the reduced mileage
shown by the instrument az a result OF
IA at An y. tNt
lection.
London Police Test Meters.
IN London all taximeters are under
the strict supervision Of the police de-
partment. and not on,y must each make
must be tested and stamped before 1t
can be put into service.
Tn Paris, as we'll as In London. tie
police have the authority to stop any
taxlcab for the purpose % inspecting
the instrument and receiving assurance
Of Its correct operation. and can also
arrest any chauffeur whose flag Is not
In the proper position for the number
OF passengers he Is carrying
THE large transport ntion companies
operating taxlcahs In New York city
are sincere In their enhea vors to protect
their patrons, from overcharses, and in.
qu!re into all complaints They state
that a considerable proportion Of the
complaints made to them are due TO the
carelessness of the passenger in not
noticing the position Of the flag or In
neglecting to read the instrument and
In unfamillarty with Its operation.
In going 70 a point exactly one mile
distan. from the starting point, for ex.
ample, the direct run would record n
charge OF 80 cents, but II traffic condl-
lions required the driver to 90 even
slightly out Of the way, the instrument
would record 90 cents The .aSlrneter
measudes the distance In units OF one.