New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-23
Must Receipt for Fares.


In case of hacks which have no taxi
meters, it is provided that twenty blocks
north and south and seven blocks be-
tween the numbered and lettered avenues
shall constitute mile. A charge of 81 30
an hour may be made for waiting time.
No charge shall be made for hand bags,
but twenty cents may be charged for
each piece Of luggage carried outside.
The Bureau of Licenses shall furnish TO
the taxicab drivers official receipt blanks,
and they shall be required to give re-
ceipt for fare paid whenever it may be
demanded.
The ordinance was sent to the COM
mittee on laws and legislation. Although
several committees Of the board have
been at work on the taxicab problem
for more than year, the best ma
jority Of the committee evolved in the
way OF new ordinance was one that
actually increased the rates in some cases
and did nothing whatever toward abol-
ishing the private hack stand nuisance.
As the hotelkeepers are aroused against
such abolition and have appealed to
many members of the board individually,
II is a question as TO what the fate OF
the ordinance introduced yesterday will
be. The public has for some time been
demanding better regulation of taxicab
rates. and the aldermen may be whipped
into line TO pass the measure.
Discussing the objection Of hotel own
ers TO the elimination of private stands
that with public cabs they would not be
able TO safeguard the interests Of their
4l,1 n~f Cf he rrVfc
committee says:
Their objections would be we'll found
cd If ii were proposed merely 10 abolish
the private stands without providing for
much more thorough regulation than we
have at present. We fully appreciate the
fact that II the private stands be abol-
ished the city must assume a much
heavier burden of regulation, inspection
and oversight Of the general hack service
than is imposed upon il at present. In
other words. II will be necessary that the
city administration shall so control and
regulate public hackmen that the pro-
posed public hack service shall be at least
equal in efficiency TO the present private
service. Such control is essential TO the
success Of the change We recommend"
Close Watch on Chauffeurs.
Three bills introduced in Albany at the
request of the Mayor, which will give the
Bureau of Licenses greater power as to
the regulation of chauffeurs, are already
well advanced.
The ordinance provides that each ap-
plicant for chauffeur's license must give
the most minute details Of his own his
tory, character and qualifications, also
present recommendations from two citi-
zens who have been in a position TO watch
The movements Of the applicant for the
preceding year.
In regard 10 the reduction in rates the
committee states IL believes they are JUS
tifed, and that the increase in business
will more than compensate for the loss
in individual hauls
The committee recommends that the
directing head Of the public hack service,
whether he be the chief of the Bureau
OF Licenses or a separate officer. shall
be equal in rank with any Of the commits
sioners and shall receive the same salary.
I'VE strongly feel" the report states.
that the proper handling of this depart
ment requires a man of administrative
ability equal TO the head of the Police or
Fire department"
This would require a change in the
charter.