The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-23
The REGULATION OF
J|TNEYS IS FAVORED
BY MANY CITIZENS
Protection of the Public Neces-
Sary, 1t Is Stated-FeW
Want Jitneys EIimi-
mated Entirely

Regulation of jitneys and operation
OF this class of carrier on streets not
served by the street railway company
is favored by many citizens inter
viewed on the streets of the city. But
few would have the jitneys legislated
out of business, but the majority of
those interviewed yesterday declare
protection of the public is necessary.
One man suggests that the 5itneys can
find many streets on which to operate
Where the paving is much better than
on streets carrying street car tracks.
Raising of the jitney license to $50 or
$40, with revocation the penalty for any
violation of the traffic law, is the solu-
ton presented by another man. who de-
clares public safety is to be placed be-
fore service. Expressions obtained yes
terday are
II. p Mcdonald. S24 Twentieth street,
south Without question regulation is
necessary for proper and satisfactory
solution of the present jtney problem
The protection of the public is to be rank
ed above service. Liability insurance
should be carried by the jitney operator,
not only as a protection to the public,
but to safeguard himself against loss"
KEEN COMPETITION
W. B. Lohman, North Birmingham:
Continued operation of the jitneys in
keen competition with the street railway
company, with the odds not at all even,
means only one thing to me. The SUBURBS
will have TO suffer for the transgressions
of the jitneys in the long run. Short
hauls only are profitable to the iitney.
Naturally, suburban service win be re-
duced to meet the losses of the short haul
downtown lines. 1t seems to me that tho
iitneys could run on streets not served
by the railway company, and render
greater service to the public.
las to insurance, increasing the jtney
operators license to $50 or SIS, with the
penalty of revocation whenever the traf
fic law is violated, would be sufficient
to keep them from running as recklessly
as they do now"
FIvE-CENT FARE
Ward Brooks, 12ll Cotton avenue, says:
IF the street car company wants to
compete with the jitneys it should have
a five cent fare. If it increases the fare
it would only be aiding the jitneys for
then most of the people would prefer
the convenient jitneys at the lower rate.
'Jitneys should be placed under suf-
ficient bond to assure the safety of the
passengers but the bond should not be
made so high that it will put them out
of business. The jitney has been one Of
the solutions of the questions of non
employment for a good many men who
were out of work are driving the jitneys
If they are put out of business it will
add to the jobless list"
Ira G. Bond, Dian apartments. said
"Jitneys should be regulated and have
an indemnity bond that they could
pay for damage to cars they might
strike, or passengers or pedestrians they
may injure. They should not run over
the same routes as the street cars There
are plenty of streets where there are
no street cars and the jitneys really are
needed there.
"Of course, everybody is in favor of
five cent fare, not only on the street cars
but also on the jitneys. Jitneys are a
necessary part of the transportation of
today and should be encouraged