The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-02
Claim 1t Gives Large Com.
panies a Monopoly.
Payne Contract With Rock
Island Specific Grievance.
CARRY WOES TO COMMISSION
Follows Arrest of Jack Huma'
son for Refusing TO Move.
Hancock Advises a Test Suit
Commission Meeting Hot

Nine men, claiming to represent the
independent taxi drivers and COM
panies Of Topeka, called on the city
commissioners this morning with COM
plants that the Rog Payne company
has monopolized the business at the
Rock Island depot; that they have
been driven from their old stands by
tho police and that the recent ordi-
nance passed by the commissioners
regulating taxi driving is to blame for
the condition.
The men declared that under the
provisions of the ordinance the Rock
Island had given Payne exclusive
rights 70 make" the trains at its
depot and that Payne intends to make
similar contracts with the Santa Fe
and Union Pacific. They declared
they are being robbed of their liveli-
hood and that it is up to the city to
protect them.
Mayor H. J. Corwine recommended
that the independent drivers consult
with Rock Island officials. Commis-
sioner W. S. Hancock advised them to
take the matter into the courts and
test the city ordinance.
Charge a Monopoly.
: The commissioners practically had
Niin!shed their regular meeting when
the nine men filed into the room w.
II. (Jack) Humason stated the case
for the taxi men. He declared they
lldN bteI lOIEtu 10 pay a incense "
the city and had been assured their
business would 20 on as heretofore
Now. he said the Rock Island. acting
under the provisions of the ordinance,
had granted Payne the exclusive right
not only to the business on the rail-
road property, but also to that on
Kansas avenue and jackson street in
front of the station. He had been
arrested. he said, when he acted upon
the advice of D. H. Branaman, city
a fod ret ff1zp1 IN yU1Pn
told TO. do so by policemen.
The taxi men-among them Lee
COherly, l.. x. Schrivler, Oscar Hen
Tickson and Humason-related a long
list of grievances to the officials. They
complained that in a short time Payne
VIII have such monopoly on the taxi
business in Topeka that they will be
forced out of business and that their
nompetitor can then fix rates and
charges to suit himself. They branded
the taxi ordinance as unfair and dis
Crimina- Ory and insisted that the
comm .ssioners take immediate action
TO give them relief. Payne's adver-
tisements. they declared. had the ef-
feet of branding independent drivers
'as crooks. especially that part declar-
ing that "a lady may now travel alone
TO her destination in safety"
Cite Supreme Court Decisions.
Because we can't dress quite as
EOOQ OF QIlNe DIS lllCe 0dL - NAPOobu-
lated Schrivler. "is no reason why we
shouldn't be allowed a share of the
business on the public streets. This
ordinance is discriminatory and will
result in running US poor fellows. Hou
men made this ordinance and now It S
up TO YOU to correct the mistake"
The men declared the supreme court
had held similar proceeding in other
cities unconstitutional and that they
could have the local ordinance an
uulled by roing into court, but that
1t would mean great expense and they
were too poor to shoulder it.
Hot Time at Meeting.
Diplomatic relations" between the
commissioners and the taxi drivers ap-
reared to be at the breaking point
several times during the discussion.
Several suggestions on the part of
Nfayor Corwine that the men take the
matter UP with Rock Island officials
were tossed aside by the drivers.
I'VE cant wait. We've got to make
a living. We want action now" was
their refrain.
Commissioner Hancock was almost
belliEerent. Commissioners Wilbur
Staufield remained silent. Commis-
sioner w Fl. Wasson appeared willing
TO hear both sides of the case. Mayor
Corwine at last assured the men that
il was not the commissioners inten-
tions to be discriminatory and that If
tnEX ldltd III AtbOLAiAAQllS WIN NiN
Rock Island their case might be
looked into further" Whereupon. in
the midst of demands and eXpOstula-
Attons hy the drivers the meeting ad-
tourned and the officials filed off tC
their various offices, and the taxi men
to the elevator still loudly proclaiming
their troubles.
The particular section of ordinance
No. 4937 to which the taxi drivers OBJ
ject and under which they claim Payne
has monopolized the Rock Island
business reads:
1t shall be unlawful for any hack
ney-carriage, taxi cab. truck. auto
bus. baggage wagon, or any other
passenger vehicle. to stand or solicit
business on any public street, alley, OIL
sidewalk in the city of Topeka. if such
standing or soliciting shall be objected
to by the abutting property owners
business houses or railroad com.
panies.'
Following the posting of an ordi
nance at police headquarters Monday
afternoon. instructing officers to cIeal
the parking of all excepting the Payne
drivers, Humason was arrested on q
charge of trespassing. Chief of Police
George G. Hannah stated that Huma
son had parked his car in the forbid
den zone.
Case VIII Go to Court-Hannan.
THE rights of the taxi drivers viii
be taken to court" said Chief Hannah
The police are obliged to act under
an ordinance passed recently Eivinc
corporations AMI other property own,
ers the right to select the person.
who shall use their parking for cars
since then. I understand. Payn,
krd the Rock Island have entered int,
C utract in which + ne is given ex
elusive riEht to use the railroad prom
prtN for marking his cars