Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
MOVE TO LOWER RATES
CHARGED BY TAX|CABS
Addresses at Meeting of Pen
Women by Miss Loeb and
w. P. Emo.

The advisability of launching in Wash
lngton campaign to lower the rates
charged by taxicabs. so that this mode
of conveyance may be brought within
the reach of the public generally, is be-
ing discussed at conference today be-
tween William p Emo. expert on munich
pal traffic conditions. and Miss Sophie
Irene Loeb of New York, who has been
engaged in a crusade to improve the pub
lie transportation situation in that city.
Largely through the efforts of Miss
Loeb, an ordinance has been introduced
In the board of aldermen Of New York
which provides for taxicab rate of 80
cents for the first mile and 10 cents for
each succeeding quarter of mile. 1t
Is proposed to appeal to Congress in tie
interest Of establishing a similar rate
in Washington
Addresses the Pen Won en-.
Miss Loeb and Mr. Emo were speakers
at a meeting at the Raleigh Hotel last
night under the. auspices of the League
Of American Pen Women. the former
having been invited to Washington to
explain her work in New York in the
interest Of the proper regulation of taxi
cabs. The meeting, which was attended
by the presidents of number Of wom-
ems clubs. members of Congress and
others prominent in the affairs of the
National Capital, was presided over by
Mrs. Edith kingman Kern.
Maj. Richard Sylvester, superintendent
OF police. explained the conditions OBJ
tanning here respecting the operation Of
taxicabs. The local police department
came in for considerable praise at the
hands Of Miss Loeb who declared that,
considering the small force at its COM
mand, the department is accomplishing
wonders in the enforcement of the laws
dealing with the various phases of the
public transportation problem.
Criticism of Conditions.
The principal criticism made by Miss
Loeb Of conditions existing in New York
and Washington with respect to the op-
GRAFTON OF taxicabs is, that private stands
for these conyeyances are permitted
The private stand, she declared, has
tended to build up monopoly and keep
prices high.
London's taX:cab regulations were COM
mended by the speaker. who has made an
extensive investigation OF the subject
abroad
Mr.. Emo. author of traffic regulations
now in force in France and of similar
rules proposed by him for the District of
Columbia which have been considered by
the District Commissioners. the Washing
ton Board of Trade and other local bod
les. commended the plan for the elimina-
ton of private taXicab stands. If this
feature of the transportation system of
municipalities could be abolished, he de-
clared, the result undoubtedly would be
in favor of cheaper rates.
Maj. Sylvester said that, under a deci-
sion by the District Court of Appeals.
hotels are permitted to maintain private
taXicab stands. Transportation conditions
in Washington generally are much better
than they were q few years ago, he de-
clared, and improvement is being noted
constantly.
Preceding the addresses there was a re-
ception for Miss Loeb. In the receiving
line We're Mrs. Edith Kingman Kern, pres
ident of the league; Mrs. Leonard Wilder,
chairman of the social committee: Mrs
John Miller Horton Of Buffalo, \. Y; Mrs
L. u. Swarmsted. Mrs. Stephen Is. Ayres.
Mrs. w. Il. Andrews, Miss Mabel White
Mrs. +. o. Estherbrook, Mrs. Bertha Lin
coin Huestis, Mrs. John II. Capstick of
New Jersey, Mrs. John 3. ID. ". Gardiner
Mrs. Falcon Josslyn. Miss Bertha Wolfe,
Mrs. John Arnold Rich. Mrs. Chalmers,
Mrs. Blanche Tyler Beacon and others.
The ushers were Miss Anna Huestis,
Miss Jessie Griswold, Miss Bertha Frances
Wolfe and Miss Elizabeth V. Brown. Mrs
Bertha Lincoln Huestis won applause
with several vocal solos.