Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-05
PUBLIC HACKERS
STATE GRIEVANCE
W. C. Price and W. D. Taylor
AIIege Discrimination by
Commissioners.

| Alleging unfair determination
against public hackers by the District
Commissioners. by allowing taxicab
companies to occupy hotel curb space.
w. c. Price and w. D. Taylor, pub
| lie hackers. have written to The Star.
following the recent protests against
the public hacking stand on Pennsyl-
vanja avenue and 14th street. Mr..
Price states that the traffic conditions
at this point are dangerous at times.
but says that the remedy lies in al
lowing public hackers to have curb
space, so that they will not have to
dart out from the middle Of the street
to pick up fares.
His letter follows:
Mr.. Prices Letter.
Pullman in Fridays Star, ! wish to
say that all the trouble on the pub
lie hack stands would be at an end
IL the public hackers were treated
with some consideration.
"On the hack stand in front of the
New Willard about 100000 is rep
resented in cars for hire. The Dis
trict has issued about 1000 licenses
and yet will continually kick about
there being too many hacks on a
stand. OF course I admit myself
that 1t is dangerous at times, but II
the hacks were allowed the privilege
that rightfully belongs to them-that
which is given them in every other
city but Washington-the trouble
would end. The privilege I speak of,
l understand. is now before Congress
to allow public hacks to occupy space
the same as hotel cabs.
we pay over 800 per year in
taxes and yet we are bounded and
treated like dogs by the police de-
partment, and for a single offense,
like lettering, we are subject to a fine
of $40. Many of the boys on the
stand fought over there, and most, I
say, are orderly and honest, but I'M
der the circumstances and the money
we have invested, we don't propose
to sit there like dummies and starve
to death. We don't propose to let q
corporation of taxi companies make
1t all. and take advantage of our
rights. If Maj. Pullman could see the
situation In the proper light he would
have no more trouble at 14th street
and Pennsylvania avenue"
Mr.. Taylor Wants Fair Chance.
Mr.. Taylor. IN his letter says that
the public hacker Is not given fair
chance to make his living.
cSOI OOoy Will IndL IhS
stand at the Willard Hotel, being To-
Gated on Pennsylvania avenue as it is,
necessarily makes it extremely dan
gerous for both the hacker and also
the private cars passing there, but
the hacker Is not to blame" he says
THE blame rightfully rests upon the
system governing the taxicab BUSH
ness in this city.
IF Maj. Pullman wanted to be fair
to everybody concerned he would put
the hack stand where it should be.
on the east side of 14th street. from
Pennsylvania avenue to street and
give every hacker an equal chance
with the taxicab companies, who are
receiving special favors.
''Is it fair and honest that any hotel
should be permitted to carry on a
business on the street, as well as. In
the hotel, by monopolizing public
space on the street that rightfully
belongs to every one alike? Why
should the Federal or Terminal taxi
cab companies be given any special
privileges any more than any public
hacker, who pays for a license
Mr.. Taylor also comments on the
system now in vogue at the Union
station, and says that it is not for
the benefit of the public, but for the
taxicab companies.