New-York tribune., 1909-07-18
AGAINST PRIVATE CABS
Mr. Moran Would Confirm Hotel
Rights IN Tari Stands.

William J. Moran who represented tn. operators
of private taxicabs at the Mayors hearing. thinks
the distinction between public and private cabs
enacted in the new ordinance should be abolished
Instead, he would have city formally acknowl-
edge the right Of hotel men maintain what cabs
they please their own curbs
THE strife between the public and private cab
men should not continue" said Mr.. Moran yester-
day. 'and the law should prevent it As long as
that distinction exists in the ordinances the op-
portunity for conflicting interests to become nui-
sances in the neighborhood OF certain large hotels
will continue I think you will find that the efh-
cient traffic bureau OF our Police Department Will
agree with In the statement that the distinction
between public and private hack stands is the cause
of the congestion OF traffic in front of our great
hotels, railway terminals theatres and other places
OF like nature
Our present ordinances prescribe that public
cabnan shall not come upon private stand, put
they allow him to cruise in the neighborhood Is
II not familiar sight before ali the big hotels 70
see row of we'll kept cabs lined up in front OF q
hotel in readiness TO transport its guests and out
in the centre of the stroet a number Of whirlins
dervishes mounted upon public cabs, yelling for
fares congesting the streets and frequently para
lying crosstown trafic?
Again. take the conditions that exist before the
popular Broadway theatres at the conclusion OF
performances The ordinances prescribe that the
street in front OF theatres for fifteen minutes be
foro the conclusion of performances shall be a
public hack stand OF course, everybody knows II
cannot become a public hack stand at that time
Patrons OF the theatres opera houses having
private vehicles require the use Of that space at
that time in order that they may get away Yet
the public hackmsn has the warrant o. the ordi-
nances in croWding IN upon such spaces. 30 the
utter confusion OF orderly citizens and 70 the
serious impeding Of general street traffic
This foolish distinction made by the ordinances
between public and private hack stands is respon-
sible for the confusion Of mind that leads TO the
criticism Of the hotel man II you viii only stop
long enough TO think you will that hotel man
has clear right select such carriage service as
IN his Judgment will best serve the safety and In
terests OF his guests What reasonable objection
can there be against the hotel proprietor making
proht out OF this branch Of the service he provides
for his guests7
The public hackuen once tried to compel the
city authorities TO remove the carriages that were
needed by Mr. Boldt to transport his guests They
wanted to have these carriages regarded as incum-
brsuces upon the city streets. snd removed TO the
dlIr1ps as so much junk. The Supreme Court, now
ever held that Mr. Boldt and every other ho;ei
man had right 10 maintain as part o. the hoteI
service g reasonable number ot cabs az the cnro
abutting the premises
These hotel rights are in no sense mack S'si''s
,r the meaning OF the ordinances They are spaces
in front OF private premises IN which the aout''he
onA- has propertv rights that the ordinances can
NOT sYect The ordinances should be redrawn SO
as n acknowledge these rights. These rights
sbo,,i1 not be involved IN the discussion between
r,,huc and prlyate hacknen. The owner of these
atr,ti,g rights should bs allowed 20 exercise MS
,,l rights 10 select any carriage service he desires
!. he wants the services public vehicles or pri
,,a+. vehicles or both that right should not be de
r{Nd him