The sun., 1918-08-22
NEW YoRK'S TAxIcABS.
Safe, Reasonable In Price and Gener-
ally Under Good Control.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sr: 1t
is Just I'VE years ago this month that
the present taxicab ordinance went into
effect abolishing private hack stands
and reducing rates of fare. The ami
versary was recalled to my mind by the
remarks OF friend who had just come
from Boston. where all Is supposed to
be serene and tranquil. He said:
-One of the things that have impressed
me since coming to New York Is the
manner in which the taxicabs here are
regulated. The drivers seem to be under
control and the fares are lower than
they arc in Boston. Up there the driv-
ers do Just as they please. they charge
you any amount they please and get
away with It."
Perhaps there are many New York
ers who agree with the sentiments or
the man from Boston as they apply to
the taxica6 conditions in this city. Per.
haps there are many who do not. but
It must be admitted that since the pres
ent ordinance has been In effect the
taxicabs here have been we'll controlled
by the authorities appointed to look
after them.
1t is no small task to control the taxi
cabs in a city with the population OF
New York. There have been cases OF
overcharging, but In tho main predatory
chauffeurs have been held to honesty.
Furthermore, those who have been VIC
Tins have themselves to blame IL they
did not recover the amounts Of the over
charges, because all It would have teen
necessary for them to do was to make
note of the chauffeurs and taxicabS
numbers and report the circumstances
to the taxicab bureau In West Fifty-sev-
enth street. There all cases Of over
charges are Investigated, and II the
chauffeur Is found to have collected
more than was legally due to him he
Ia required TO refund by money order.
Moreover. the complaint is entered In
the little book which all chauffeurs are
required to carry at all times. and the
chauffeurs are not DESTROYS OF having
too many complaints entered in their
little books.
Before the present ordinance became
effective 1t was not unusual to SEQ two
men on the drivers seat. The super
fiuous rider was not there for any good
reason. He was the strong arm mem
Der of the complement. and woe to the
unsuspecting passenger IL he was short
sighted enough to hire such a taxicao.
Instead Of being taken to his destination
he was run into some dark street or
into the lonesome paths Of Central Park.
There 1t was an easy matter to hold him
up and relieve him Of his valuables,
thus giving him the wrong impression
OF this great city.
All this has been obviated by the
taxicab authorities In the first place
there Is no room for two men on the
seat because the seat itself has been
cut down to a size which permits only
one man to And accommodation on 1t.
The room made by the cutting Of the
seat affords space for a trunk, a great
convenience for those going out Of town
or incoming. Even II two men had
the temerity to ride on the seat. that is.
without the passengers consent. the
taxicab inspectors would Hand them
summons requiring their appearance be-
fore the authorities for an explanation
the next morning. So this old time
practice has been pretty well done away
with.
Just one point more to illustrate how
thoroughly the taxicab authorities have
the situation in hand. When Raymond
Fosdick head OF the Commission OF
Training Camp Activities, came to
New York to investigate and eliminate
those chauffeurs who had been using
their cabs for immoral purposes he
Immediately sought the aid Of the taxi
cab authorities. With the cooperation
Of the latter Mr. Fosdlck was able to
round up a number OF drivers practis-
ing Illicit trades. In this way he was
able to break up the gang and make
New York a better place morally for
the men in the service.
Many other facts might be cited
10 show that New Workers should be
thankful that five years ago the city
government was far sighted enough to
put the present taxicab ordinance into
effect But there is no need to elabo-
rate: the aforementioned are enough to
illustrate the point. T. O.
NEW YORK. August 81.