South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-23
SOUTH BEND HAS
BEST CAB SERVICE
Yellow Taxicab and Transfer
Company Placed Business
on New Plane.

There are two features that stand
out prominently in the operation OF
a successful taxicab company, ac-
cOrding 20 John A. Grief. manager
OF the Yellow Taxicab company OF
South Bend. The first and most i'm
pOrtant OF these is to secure stand
ard equipment, and the second is 70
keep that equipment in proper shape.
"A great many people use taxicabs
because they are in a hurry" said
Mr. Greif, I'm speaking Of the bust
ness as il has been built up in South
Bend. Therefore il is absolutely
essential that they get service. That
they make their contemplated trip
without mishap and in the shortest
possible time.
For that reason. after a careful
survey Of the situation, we decided
10 place in service Shaw cabs. There
was a twofold reason for this deter
ninatiOn. In the first place the Shaw
Taxicab company has made a study
Of the business for some time, and
their cars are the result of expert
ence. II stands 70 reason, then. that
they will utilize the best cars that
can be procured. The present Shaw
cabs are modelled to a certain extent
after French cars, with a touch Of
the American thrown in where the
foreign cars have shown weakness.
The result is a car that can be Oper-
ated at the lowest cost and yet give
"a maximum Of comfort and conven-
fence The next reason for adopt
ing one standard car is the fact that
all parts are interchangeable. Just
what that means can be better
understood when you take into con-
sideration the fact that about so
drivers are now employed by the
South Bend company. Suppose one
Of the drivers takes a car out one
night and some trouble develops. The
next day ne takes a different car and
more trouble OF a different nature
develops. The net result is that IN
time that driver understands the
particular make Of car with which
ne is dealing and in case of minor
trouble knows exactly how to make
the proper adjustment
Parts interchangeable.
Parts for Shaw cabs are inter-
times four extra tenders at the place
in order that when one Is denied or
disabled. it can be replaced without
the necessity OF having the car stand
idle while IL is being repaired. The
same thing holds true of other parts.
Standardization in parts and cars
makes for the only real efficiency in
the operation of a successful taxicab
line.
"Our repair department is COM
plete I'm order that we can give serv-
ice promptly and also for the selfish
reason that we do not want cars
standing idle while some adjustment
is being made. With our own repair
department. it is possible for Us 10
make any repairs or adjustments in
the shortest possible time. That is
why we have our own tire depart
ment. and also ample facilities for
thoroughly cleaning. washing and
generally Overhauling the cars each
day"
South Bend occupies a peculiar
position in respect to taxicab serv-
ice To is the only city in the state
outside of Indianapolis which has a
company represented in the National
Association OF Taxicab Owners. Just
what this means is better understood
when It is explained that only con-
Germs owning and operating - or
more cabs are eligible TO member
ship in the organization.
The Yellow TaNicab and Transfer
company was founded two years ago
hv Mr. Greif During the develop
ment OF the company, he has made
"a close study CT the business. and
the result Of his attention is shown
by the development and progress
that has been made. The present
concern represents an investment of
nearly $4,000, and the service given
south Bend and vicinity is the best
or any city Of the size i'm the entire
country. But as virtue is It's own
reward. so the fact that "a Yellow
cab can be seen on any street at al
most any hour OF the day or night is
best evidence OF the appreciation
with which south Bend holds and
welcomes the ever growing business.