The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-04
TELLS HOW TAXI LAW
HAS HELPED PUBLIC
j. G.. Wallace. Former Head of
License Bureau. Points
Out Changes.
RATES ARE MUCH CHEAPER
Inspection Of All Parts If
Car Has Safeguardcd
Passengers.

James O.. Wallace, Jr.. former chief OF
The Mayors Bureau of Licenses. wac in
etrumentai in making many changes in
ordinances for the publcs benefit during
his ncumbency. Most important was the
drafting aud the enforcement Of the new
taxicab ordinance, which became effective
last August I.
Mr.. Wallace has had six months IN
which to study the practical working of
the new ordinance He has studied the
situation in all its phases He has sat in
judgment at the trials of chaufeurs and
owners charged with violating sections of
the ordinance. So he is probably the
best posted man on taNicabs in the city.
For this reason he was asked to express
his opinion regarding the taNlcab situation
in the city.
Until six months ago there practically
was no restraining hand placed upon
owners ana chauffeurs OF taNicabs. eX-
planned Mr. Wallace. "They did pretty
near what they pleased and the public had
no redress.
"The primary motive for the adoption
of the new ordinance. OF course. WIS to
reduce the fare SO that thu middle class
could use taxis. At that time taxicabs
we're looked on as Il luxury. and only the
rich could afford to patronizc them to a
considerable extent.
so to place taNis within the reach OF
all the fare was reduced TO 80 cents for
the first half mile for not more than two
passengers. and 10 cents for each Sue
cceding quarter of n mile For more than
two passengers the ordinance fixed the
rate at 80 cents for the HRS; half mile
and 10 cents for each succeeding one
sixth OF a mile. Waiting time was fixed
At the rate of $3.50 an hour.
Meter Examination strict.
Realizing +, would be useless to adopt
q new rate of fare without safeguarding
the public against predatory chauffcurs
we made the examinations OF taxiGleters
very strict. Every meter was given u
time test OF six hours and mileage test
of nifty miles, Approved meters We're
sealed in such a manner that chauffeurs
were prevented from opening them with
out breaking the seal After the labors-
tory test "A seal was placed upon tbs face
OF the meter upon which was written the
date of inspection. Gear boxes We're in
Apected. taXimeter cables We're examined
and permission to remove meters had -
be obtained from the bureau.
Meters were not allowed TO he covered
in any manner while the vehicle was II.
use or for hire. Meters We're not permitted
on the same side Of the vehicle as tn.
drivers seat. We insisted that meters lie
affixed to the vehicle in such a manner
that II was possible for Passengers on the
the meters face. White flags were sug-
gested for single tariff meters. and rcd
nags for double tariff meters. No license
was issued until the meter was inspected
and found accurate. and no meter was
permitted to be placed on a taxi which
WAS per cent, incorrect. We fixed the
penalty for violation of these provisions
at $50.
Chauffeur Te.t Necessary.
In the matter Of drivers licenses We
required that each be able 10 read and
write the English Language. be clean In
dress and person. be able to produce testi-
monials of good character from his last
employer ana to produce two reputable
citizens To- give sworn testimony to tn.
good conduct and the lcngth Of their ac-
Quatntanceship. W" refused to license
those addicted 10 liquor. Before receive
Ing licenses applicants had 10 answer
questions concerning their knowledge OF
tho provisions of The ordinance. the police
regulations and the location OF railroad
stations, piers, hospitals, places OF amuse-
ment. public buildings 81.
when the ordinance was put into
enect last August a provision of 1t dis
Sncuy stated that On and after February
], 1914, mo license will bc issued for any
motor propelled hack intended to seat
four persons or less inside that has any
other than a single drivers seat, and such
seat Will be intold,d for one person only
1she owners have had six months time to
alter their rigs to conform 10 that provi-
sion and they can offer no plausible eX-
cuse for not doing 80.
THE idea III ordern. the owners TO
cut the seat that one man only can
md sitting room - principally for tho
purpose of accommodating passengers who
wish to carry a trunk with them The
ordinance states that provision must he
made for a reasonable amount of bag
gage It's very Significant that the large
taxi companies realized tho value OF tn, Z.
provision. for they Immediately complied
with IT by cutting the seats on their
vehicles in half The extra room thus
provided was sufficient for trunk.
Another Improvement that VIII benefit
the public will be made In every taxicsb
In a short while. Owners have been Or
dered to cut holes through the front win
dows of their vehicles through which
passengers can speak to drivers without
opening the doors of the taXis. In the
first place. persons who do not know the
number of house can direct the chauf-
feur through the streets through the hole
In the glass. on stormy nights passen-
gers can pay the chauffeur and get their
change without leaving the taxi.
when the last named changes are put
into operation | think New York will
have it, public hacks regulated as well
as IL Is possible to do under the circum-