New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-28
LOWERS TAXI TARIFF:
BARS PRIVATE STANDS
Reform Ordinance Passed by
Aldermen with MCCann'S
Lone Vote in Opposition.
"COWARDICE" PLEA FAILS
Newspaper Coercion Backed by
a Hypocritical Mayor, Asserts
Mulligan-Constitutional-
ity Would Be Tested.

The Board OF Aldermen rushed the new
taxicab ordinance through yesterday py
a vote Of Is to I. Alderman Mccain. OF
the taxicab committee. cast the negative
vote without explanation.
on the first rolcall there were forty
nine votes for the ordinance and one
against il. Sixteen Of the aldermen pres
ent attempted 70 dodge the vote. but the
call for absentees brought them ell into
the light. and once there none but Nc
Cam wanted 10 be recorded in opposi-
ton.
The new ordinance, which. IL the Mayor
approves. will become operative sixty
days after il Is signed. abolishes the prl-
vate taxicab stand business in front OF
hotels, clubs and other places and pro-
yides that the maximum rate shall not
be in excess Of 30 cents for the first mile
and 90 cents for each additional mile for
one and two passengers, and 70 cents for
the first mile and 50 cents for each addi-
tional mile for three or more passengers.
The initial charge is to be 30 cents for
one or two passengers and 10 cents iot
three or more.
one last attempt. and that half
hearted one. was made TO delay the
passage OF the new ordinance by Alder
man Thomas Muligan. Of The Bronx.
lie presented a resolution which recited
that in view OF the uncompleted grand
jury investigation Of the taxicab matter
II would be moral cowardice on the part
81 the aldermen 10 take up the proposed
ord nance before the inquiry was com
p,rted Mulligans resolution proposed TO
Law over the consideration OF the ordi-
nance.
In defence Of his resolution. after Alder
man Nicoll had attacked II. Mulligan de-
clared the newspapers were trying TO
coerce the Board Of Aldermen and that
they had received the backing OF hypo-
critical Mayor" lie thought IT would be
taking resolutions from the grand jury
room instead OF from the Board Of Al
deimcn.
Alderman Bolles said the question was
one on which the aldermen should stand
up and be- counted" Alderman lgstaeder
thought Muligan's resolution was the
most ridiculous ever presented 10 the
board" and that is going some he
added
Mulligans resolution was hopclessly lost
on a viva voce vote. and Alderman Grimm
moved for the adoption OF the taxicab
committees report embodying the new
ordinance. Mulligan recorded himself In
favor OF the ordinance. In spite OF his
previous declarations that he wouldn't
be cocrced into voting FOR the ordinance
al the demand OF "A hypocritical Mayor.
Assistant Distric, Attorney Joseph Du
Viyler. who has had charge OF the taxi
cab matter before the grand jury. thought
the ordinance would go long way
toward improving conditions.
The abolition OF the private stands is
the best feature OF the ordinance he
said. and that alone will bring about
general reduction I'm rates. even II they
had not been specifically reduced by the
law. with private stands wiped out the
independent taXicab operator will be able
10 compete on a fair basis with the big
companies. which previously have been
able 20 shut him out from the best stands
That Kind Of competition will eventually
bring rates down 10 a proper basis.
Mr.. Du Vivier il going over the books
OF the Yellow Taxicab Company with an
expert accountant and the results OF
their work will be presented to the grand
jury on THURSDAY
II is expected that the big taxicab COM
panies will test the constitutionality Of
the ordinance on the ground that the city
has no power 20 fix rates for private
CORPORATION. but announcement OF their
plans is withheld until the ordinance be-
comes law.