Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-02-27
TAXI DRIVERS
CARRY WORRIES
BEFOREC0UNC|L
PETITION SIGNED BY TWENTY
FOUR BUSINESS MEN PRESENT.
ED AT MEETING HELD LAST
NIGHT.

A petition presented to city coun-
Gil last night indicates there is lively
taxi-cab controversy ahead for Amerl-
Gus, and that out of he situation pre-
sented the public will likely derive
substantial benefit The petition re
ferred to is signed by "a busi-
ness men of Americus, and was laid
before council by Stephen Pace, VINO
is attorney for L. L. Compton, one OF
the proprietors of the Americus Taxl-
Cab Company. 1t was circulated Dy
Mr. Compton. The petition requests
council to pass an ordinance prohibit
taxis parking in front Of buildings IN
the business district without the con-
sent of the owner, and was referred
to the Ordinance Committee with the
city attorney added.
r. A. Shy, who operates another
taxi line in Americus, appeared before
council in opposition to the petition
and stated that not more than three
merchants whose names appear upon
the petition are bothered with taxis
marking before their places of husl-
ness, and that the real reason for
present the petition lies in the
fact that l. L. Compton has secured
permission of certain property own
ers to park his cars in front of their
nIacas of business. and is now en-
deavoring to force other taxi opera
tors out of the desirable Stands" IN
the vicinity of the Hotel Windsor.
To grant the petition, Mr. Shy stated,
would be an injustice and work
hardship upon him and others not
connected with the Compton line.
Mr. r. A. Shy, who opposed the
petition in council, in conversation
with a Times-Recorder man today
said: 81 have a stand and have per
mission from Mr.. E. L. Carswell at
the 6AITdntG W IlC w AANcNA u AV~
macy, and l do not care to change
It seems that every taxi cab driver
wants nv stand to which l have no
objection, but when I am forced out
OF nv stand only wish another near
bv place to park my car, and occa-
sjonally have to park somewhere else.
AS Mr.. Compton's stand is nearby, l
am sometimes forced to use that side
CT the street 1t isn't my disposition to
want business that is intended for
some one else, and 1 merely wish to
park my cars where they can be-
seen"
Stephen Pace, attorney for Comp
ten, does not agree with the view OF
Shy, and tells a different story re-
garding the petition and the reasons
behind it. According to Mr.. Pace,
his client has, at great expense to-
himself. established headquarters at
4 certain location on Lamar street,
installing a private telephone and Sc
curing valuable concessions, of which
opposition taxi operators now seek to
deprive him. 1t has, and does, fire.
ouentIv occur, according to Mr.. Pace.
that when of Compton's cars leaves
its stand" for any reason upon its
return some other vehicle has taken
its place, and by reason Of this Comp
toms car is forced away from stand
that by right is it's own, while the
opposing driver remains there, and
probably, secures patronage intended
to be given to Compton. 1t is also
charged by the petitioner that another
taxi operator has recently enlarged
his business considerably, and now
seeks to monopolize the desirable
stands, in effect forcing Compton and
the smaller operators out of business
entirely.
Considerable interest centers in the
outcome of the petition, which will
he reported upon at the next regular
meeting of council, and an ordinance
covering the subject is expected to be
reported at that time.
,,.vI-o and Rrvau tn Sneak for Bonds.