New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-21
Ordinance AboIiShing Private
Stands and Reducing Rates
Made Special Order.
TITUS EXPLAINS ACCOUNT
Inspector Says He Didn't Bother
to Pay Until Bill Was $50
License Bureau Men
Will Not Resign.

with the result ludl an ordnance
aboiishue private stands for taxicabs
and reducing rates was introduced and
made special order Of business for
,be next meeting.
There seems 10 hc little doubt but
that the ordinance will he passed next
Tuesday. II provides for public hack
stands at any place designated by the
uavor and wipes out Immediately the
rrivatc stands in front Of hotels. the
aires and other public places. which
arc credited with bringing about $500
200 year to the owners Of those
places.
The rates specified in the new ordi-
nance arc as follows: An initial charge
Of 30 cents covering the first half mile
and 10 cents for each succeeding quar-
fer mile for one or two passengers. and
an initial charge of 80 cents and 10
cents for each additional one-sixth
mile for three or more passengers.
Alderman Mccain Balks.
Alderman Mccain. Of the taxicab
committee. refused TO sign tho report
n the committee which brought the
new ordinance before the board on the
ground that he was in favor of keeping
the private taxicab stands now in OK
istence. but making the companies pay
the city instead of the property own
ers for the privilege.
Alderman Marks. though Joining ail
the other members OF the committee IN
signing the report, announced his OBJ
lection 10 the proposed ordinance on
the ground that he favored the initial
charge Of 80 cents and the 10 cents for
each additional quarter mile. whether
for one. two. three or more passengers.
Marks introduced an ordinance OF his
own embracing this point, which was
referred to committee. He OK
planned he signed the majority report
because that seemed 10 he the quickest
may NJ getting some kind Of immedi-
ate action.
Alderman Grimm, the chairman Of
the committee. who has been repeat
Ing grand jury witness recently, pre-
sented the report and moved that it
be put i'm position for final action next
Tuesday.
With the ordinance Chairman
Grimm. FOR the committee reported
briefly as follows. The committee
believes that a condition has arisen
through the operation Of private stands
which calls for immediate remedy.
These private companies pay the OWL
ers Of property abutting on the street
where the private stand is located
usually 10 per cent Of their gross in
come from the stand. which amounts
10 a sum variously estimated at 500
oD upward.
The committee believes that this
monopoly IS responsible for the fact
that there has not been a gradual in
crease in the number Of cabs used IN
service in the city. and is responsible
TO a large degree for the present high
rates charged"
The grand jury heard five witnesses
YESTERDAY. but got little in the way Of
new evidence. Inspector Titus. called
10 explain about his account with the
Yellow Taxicab Company. declared he
paid his bills for taXicabs regularly,
but did not bother with the account
until II reached something in the
neighborhood Of $50 The inspector
told IRE same story he told TO Com
missioner Waldo a few days ago.
?. J. Holdsworth. secretary and gen.
tral manager Of the "Yellows," was
ouzzed along the line Of certain in
formation that has come to the Dis
trct Attorneys office. but wanted 10
look things up IN his books before
giving an answer. He will be called
before the grand jury again to-day.
All Legitimate Accounts.
Joe" vendig. who is getting TO be q
regular daily witness. took the stand
again yesterday only 10 persist in his
statements that all the charge" &C
counts on the books FOR the "Yellows."
Tor which nc. as confidential agent.
vas responsible, were legitimate &C
counts and were always paid up event
ually.
Aldermen Coleman and Cunningham.
OF the majority side Of the special al
osrmanic committee appeared as wit
aesses. and beyond corroborating
Orimm and Mccain on the "taXi-joy
f'oe' Incidents. offered nothing mora
startling than that they were wholly
unable TO draw up taXicab ordi-
nance. and for that reason were willing
% take the advice" Of the representa-
ives OF the company.
e ?. Mcdowell. president OF the
"snault Taxi Service. and Vice-Presl-
uent Hayes OF the Mason-Seamen
'Vmpany, called on Mr.. Du Vivier AS
sN'ant District Attorney. with their
'ree riding" list. There were no puo-
nc ohicials on the list OF either com
pany with the single exception OF Po-
s Captain Henry, on the Renauit.
"snry's name appeared as a 30 per
0eht rebate" customer, and his bills,
oil Tor very small amounts. were al
Ways paid the first Of every month.
Inspector Titus. Captain william F..
DaN Benedict Holden and Francis
hamilton. Of counsel TO the COMPANIES.