The Washington times., 1909-02-21
TAKICAB COMPANY
FACES LEGAL FIGHT
Clash With the Strikers Is
But One of Its
Troubles.
ROW WITH POLICE
is NOW IMMINENT
Major Sylvester Takes Steps to
Subject Cabs to Hack
Regulations.

The man who invented the saying
about a peck OF trouble would have
made the measure bUshel, if he could
have conceived all OF the difficulties
that today confront the operation Of
motor vehicles by the Terminal Taxi
cab Company.
While the taXicab drivers have been
on strike for several days and the
strike breakers have had to overcome
such obstacles as having bricks and
stones hurled at them as they drive the
cars and have to get used to having
their tires sIashed while the cab waits
in front of a hotel. il became known
today that the taXicab company is at
outs with the Police Depa rtment, and
legal proceedings have been started to
make the company conduct its business
along different lines.
Running Behind.
An official Of the company also gave
out the statement today that the bust
ness had not been paying venture
from the start. and last month. accord
ing TO his statement, the receipts were
nearly 5000 short of the running ex-
penses.
The Police Department contends that
the taxicab company is conducting a
public vehicle business in every sense
of the word: that it enjoys all of the
privileges OF the public hack stands,
and that the cabs should be operated
and the business conducted in accord
ance with what is known as the mack
regulations" under supervision OF the
District hack Inspector.
After a hearing in the Police Court
and several conferences between Of
ficials OF the company and Hack Inspec-
tor Dawson il has been decided to sub
NIT the facts in the case for decision
by Judge Ivory G. kimball. Judge Kim
bah says he Will render a decision Tues
day.
Collecting Evidence.
Major Sylvester has taken an active
interest in the operation Of taXicabs by
the Terminal TaxicaO Company. and
Hack Inspector Dawson has been col
lecting evidence and obtaining infoTma-
ton under the personal direction Of the
head of the department
Major Sylvester believe that the com
pany should pay a public vehicle
license for every car Il operates The
place, anyone can hire a taXicab from
the company, and the cars and drivers
should be licensed. He is especially
anxious to have the matter finally set
tied before the crowds arrive for inau-
gUratiOn week, 50 that rates can be
posted in the cabs. and strangers be
rates, thus preventing any possibility Of
overchargiEg.
COmpany's Contention.
On the other hand, the taxicab com
Psny contends that it is doing a public
vehicle business. The Union Station, q
Is claimed, is private and not a public
place, and the cabs are operated for the
benefit Of the patrons OF the different
roads
Inspector Dawson said this morning
that II Judge kimball renders q de-
cision in accordance with the contention
OF the department, ne Will Immediately
nave warrants sworn out for every
chauffeur employed by the company.
An appeal will be taken ia an uufa-
Terminal TaXicab Company will find
itself In the midst OF a legal tanEle that
VIII take several weeks 10 Unravel,
Major Sylvester says that he Is going
10 exercise all Of the power vested ia
the police force 10 see that inaugural
visitors are not Overcharged by pro-
priet0rs and drivers OF public vehicles
lie believes that the persons who are
attracted TO the Capital Of the Nation
every four years to witness the inauCu-
ration OF q new President should be
given the rights and privileges that are
aHorded the regular residents, and not
used as means o. fattening the pock-
etoooks Of a few GO drivers and chauf-
GsSTs
Officials Firm.
Meanwhile the officials Of :he taxi
cab COMPANY are pushing their night
Finn In their uitimatum that drivers
must return 70 work on terms laid down,
by the company. they declared this
morning that by tonight enough new,
esivers would Joe on hand 20 pilot every
ta1dcah iu their garage
No embarrassment will be exDerirncrg
they claim "A a result OF She strike Of
the cnauffeurs. who object 20 the new
system Of payment on commission
oasis ana the added cOmpulsion of fur
nlshing their own gasCIcue.
The attitude OF the drivers IS equally
firm As au evidence of good faith fhc--
declare that offers have been made 10
officials Of the company 20 returu to
work cor a nominal salary, 80 per
week but they declare. they can not
earn living by working on the new
basis Of payment.
On Good Behavior.
Following depredatious such as pune
tUred tires and bricks hurled at new
drivers, attributed 10 the strikers OF
their sympa thizers, William J. NeaIe.
counsel for the Association OF Taxfca b
Drivers. has written a letter u Major
sylvester declaring that TO violence
need be feared on the part OF the slrik-
CTr
This association was formed for to
sole purpose Of protecting the legal
rights Of its members and promoting
their financial welfare" He said, "ahd
in so doing they viii act only within the
bounds Of the law.
i assure You that the association will
use every EFFORT TO maintain order. and
w.il lend all possible AID 20 yOur de-
DaTtmeut IN bringing 10 Justice any
members VINO Hay resort 10 unlgv iul
acts ln an attempt 10 adjust heir eTIev-
anceS."
Strike Leaders View.
n leader or the strike attributes the
attempt 10 curtail expenses 30 tie high
salaries paid 10 officials Of the COM
pany-
The compauy" he said. "has so
mnnv bic snLalins On ~. ~. lnn H..