The Washington times., 1919-09-14
'Cabby,' One-Time Car
Of City Streets at Night,
Soon to Be a Memory

"reminiscences Of twenty or more
years ago when there were hundreds
OF might liners" on the streets OF
Washington.
In those days the National Capital
was a financial heaven for the old
fashioned cabmen. There was busi-
ness at the Capitol; fares to be pick
ed up during the night hours around
the old Chamberlin Club: other fares
about the Riggs House and the Ar
Iiugton HOtel--bOth OF which hostel
ries have long since been razed to
make way for office buildings.
Certain Of these patrons rode in
style, preferring spick and span vic
torias or hanson cabs. Others were
satisfied with what they called slow
necked hacks" or "night-hawks," with
the seats comfortable, but a bit
ragged and skinny horse out front.
Sure Comfort and RePOse.
Whether a fellow was joviaI and
tolerant because of the wine, or
whether he was cold sober, but tired
and hot, there was comfort and re-
pose to be found in long ride along
the dimly-lighted streets Of the Capt.
tai City.
The going in winter time, Of course.
and snow might beat in a bit during
the more hurried ride home, but the
patron on the rear seat, with his leath-
er laprobe or moth-eaten blanket was
not inclined to kick when he consid-
cred the plight of the cabman on his
high box and the unprotected horse
between the two SCARED shafts of the
rumbling vehicle.
Although he lived until the days of
the Limousine and the finely-hnished
taxicab, the late Senator Ollie James
always preferred a cab when ne want
ed to ride through the streets Of
Washington and talk with his friend.
Representative Tom Helm Nearly
every afternoon for many years these
two would leave the Capitol building
and ride leisurely up Pennsylvania
avenue.
Tough on the Horse.
Senator James was a man of tre-
mendous bulk-and Hehin is no ban
tamweight-so when the two got into
one Of these old open hacks its body
sank low toward the ground and the
horse seemed to give a sigh as he
pulled away. The two would ride for
hours, talking politics, legislation,
party prospects and the glories OF af-
filiation with the Democratic party.
The late Senator Joe Blackburn of
Kentucky, who was here ahead OF
James, was another devotee of the
cab of pre-automobile days. Still an
other was Senator Leland Stanford Of
California, who used a certain cab
most Of the time and was disinclined
to ride in any other. His cabman
wore resplendsnt fur cap and was
proud Of his regular fare"
Other cab flares" of the past were
Senators William 3. Allison Of Iowa,
Eugene Hale OF Maine. Benton Nc
MILAN OF Michigan, and Morgan and
Pettus OF Alabama. Col. Dick Winter
smith OF Texas. Col. Charley Edwards
OF Texas. and numerous other Sen
ators. Representatives. and newspa-
per correspondenths have passed out
many a quarter. half dollar, and dol
lar to the men on the box.
But tsxicabs and seven-p passenger
cars, with their For Hire" signs, now
stand at the old cab stands. The
dozen or so horse-dTawn vehicles are
on the side streets. Sometimes their
owners drive disconsolately about the
thoroughfares. looking to the right
and left for an old-fashioned ran or
woman. who wants to ride in thu
style OF yesterday.
The passing or the cab is the price
of progress and prohibition. and
the automobile.