The evening world., 1912-12-28
ate. should be ier, to keep their present.

rates should be left to keep their present
business.
They state that one company after
another has gone into bankruptcy and
that lower rates wouia ~ them into
similar condition.
They hold that II costs them - cents
. mile to operate.
They claim that the cost OF operation
10 too great TO reduce the rates.
The companies say that they have q
perfect right to make contracts with
the hotels 10 keep their cabs In frony
OF the hotels to the exclusion Of the
public hackmen. They claim . legot
right 10 do this. the consent Of the
property-owner being the basis Of ar
gumen.
THE INDEPENDENT HAcKMAN
At DISADVANTAGES.
The public hackman who has been ex-
cluded from taking any trade from the
hotels on account of the companies
monopoly Of this business have been
under considerable dificuity In giving
popular service.
The I. T. o. A. run At the lowest rates
In the city. known as the 30-cent drop,
and have passed resolutions that II
the private hack stands are abolished
and they can get their share of the
hotel business they would be willing
to run at q straight 30-cent mile rate
and claim Q resulting proft.
They say II costs 10 cents a mile
to operate cab. The Hoyt 4 De Mallie
street, are doing a good business and
give next to the cheapest rates In the
city, theirs being the l0-cent drop.
They stated that they are satisfied
with their trade and are not particu-
farly concerned as to the abolishlns OF
the private hack STANDS, since they are
doing a good business as II Is. But
II the private hack stands were abol-
ished they think the city could be
served with a profit by all hackmen
at 80 cents a mile.
Public 11ackmen testified as to their
business that they could run profit
ably. even under these chaotic con-
ditions. at a lower rate than il now
charged by the cab companies. They
were cross examined by the attorneys
OF the cab companies.
They want strict regulations for all
drivers and are willing to put up Q
bond II necessary in this direction.
They have continual contention as to
what rights they have as public hack
men since the companies are granted
the same license. yet they are privi-
legged to operate Q more private busi-
ness than a public business.
They claim the granting Of private
privileges for the use Of the city streets
IL unconstitutional. and ask for the
abolishing Of these private hack stands
so that they may. with increa'sed busi-
ness. give q cheaper rate to the city.
They have filed briefs showing that
the courts have upheld this contention.
They plead for equality OF privileges
Of the city streets and promise better
service and lower rates accordingly.
THE DRIVERS CASE As IT
STANDS At PRESENT.
The public hearings developed the fact
that the drivers Of taxicab companies
are paid $3.50 per day.
The drivers Of the !. T. o. A. are paid
- per day.
The Drivers Association fears that II
the private hackstands are abolished
the companies are likely to put them
on Q commission basis, which they do
not want. No definite knowledge could
he ascertained as to the average tips q
driver makes per day.
According to the present ordinance,
driver without q taxfmeter may charge
as much az a dollar q mile on account
Of the old hack rates made many years
ago.
Drivers filed reports with the COM
| mlttee showing the average taktngs per
day approximate about ia.
Drivers do not want the wage system
| changed.
Owner-dr1vers have shown the taxi
cab business a profitable means OF In
vest.ng their earnings. and in some
cases have paid for their cars. and &C.
cording to them are now operating on
| velvet"
There f. no reason why the drivers
wages should not be increased to - per
day by the companies. even II the pr'-
vate hack stands are abolished. as Is
paid public hackmen. In London the
commission basis works satisfactorily
for all concerned. and might be advan-
| tageous here at some future time when
there are more cabs operating.
| II the private hack stands were abol-
ished Il Is reasonable to suppose that
the 10 per cent. OF earnings paid to
hotels might automatically reduce the
rates 10 per cent.
The companies cannot possibly give =
popular service with private clientele
| OF accounts.
They should be made to give a more
public service. since they are licensed
as public hackmen.
with the abolishing OF the private
hackstands and lowering the rates to n
considerable degree the public would
use cabs as q necessity rather than a
luxury.
More men would 20 into the taxicab
business. invest their earnings In thc
purchase of cabs. and the man who
owns his own car gives less complaints.
according to Commissioner Waldo.
There IL no reason why the New York
public, which generally spends more
money than the London public. should
not have In the future 5000 cabs at low
rate as the latter city enjoys.
Unless the present system IL broken
up, which will at least give a founda-
ton for a future popular and eincieni
service II can never be hoped for.
EMINENT AUTHORITY ON THE
SUBJECT.
Mayor Gaynor-Abolish the private
hackstands and make them public hack
stands.
| Chief MAGISTRATE McAdoo-I popAat a.,