The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-04
FIGHT FOR Law
y
Branaman Will Back Taxi Ordi-
nance to Finish.
Describes Incidents Which
Prompted City's Action.
RAILROAD EXPLAINS STAND
Granted Payne Contract to AS
sure Safe Seryice-BascOm.
Story of Country Banker Who
Weakened to Woman.

D. H. Branaman, city attorney. an
nounced today he would fight to the
utmostsattempts by the Independent
taxi drivers of Topeka to have the city
ordinance regulating taxis annuled.
He cited several alleged instances of
injustice to innocent patrons to sup
port his contentious. Similar ordi-
nances in other cities have proved con-
stitutional. he declared
The invariable impossibility of APP
pretending and convicting a driver
who chooses to deal dishonesty with
patrons was pointed out by Branaman
as one of the chief necessities for such
regulation. For visitors to Topeka to
be hooked" by INSCRIPTIONS taxi
drivers is a poor advertisement for the
city. the city attorney declared. and
expressed the belief that the majority
of the business men are In accord with
his view.
A Banker Weakened.
He related an instance of a banker
from a country town who came to To-
peka one night and desired to go from
the Santa Fe depot to the Rock Island.
He entered an independent taxi to-
gether with another man who wished
to go to an address in the west part
of town. according to the attorney.
In the taxi was woman who. un-
known TO the banker, was a PAL OL
the driver, said Branaman.
The driver first took the second
man to his address on the West side.
On the way back to the Rock Island
the woman made advances to the
banker, who was won by her charms.
Upon arriving at the depot the man
from the country paid the woman's
fare as we'll as his own After he had
entered the depot, it is related. he
discovered his pocketbook, containing
$500, was missing. He complained TO
the railroad company, but by that
time the driver had disappeared. Not
wishing to have the incident made
public he took no further steps to
recover his money.
1T was because Of such incidents
as these" said Branaman. that the
city ordinance was drafted. Can il
be possible that companies with an
investment of thousands of dollars
shall not say who and what shall
stand in front of their places of bust
ness. in the face of such conditions
as these? I have no axe to grind and
no prejudices, but I believe this ordi-
nance should stand
Rock Islands Side of 1T.
It was not with the idea of forcing
anv one out of business but rather to
secure a dependable taxicab service at
the Rock Island station that the con-
tract with Payne Taxi & Baggage com
passenger agent. stated this morning.
The Rock Island knew nothing of
the ordinance until it was passed and
proceeded to take advantage of it at
once Mr.. BascOm pointed out.
He stated that frequent contro-
versies had arisen between Rock Is
land passengers and Independent taxi
drivers. Complaints were made at the
ticket office about overcharges. dis
courteous and insulting treatment.
The road could do nothing. Bascom
stated that in some instances when po-
lice were appealed to, officers seemed
more inclined to take the side of the
taxi driver than to protect patrons.
Under the direction of the Rock Is
land, there can be no overcharge. 1t
holds authority over the Payne Taxi
company and Payne over the drivers.
Indifference to the provisions of the
contract and departure from regular
fees charged would result in Payne
losing the contract.
No Monopoly, Says Payne.
Roy Payne stated that he had no in
tention of attempting to create a
monopoly, but that ne was trying TO
give Topeka the highest type of metro
politan taxi service. Banking on the
record of dependability and absolute
safety of passengers that his company
had already made, he felt justified in
going into such a contract with the
rangements of the same kind are
found satisfactory in Chicago. st.
Louis. Kansas City and other places. it
should be good for Topeka.
TAXI law HEARING SATY-RDAY