Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-10
TAXIMETER
CASES DROPPED
BY PRITCHARD
Failure of City Ordinance to
Provide Penalty Causes
Dismissal.
DRIVERS NOW LEFT FREE

Pointing out that the city ordinance
requiring taxi drivers to have taximeters
On their cars failed to state the penalty
In the publication OF the ordinance for
failure to obey, Ira Holmes, attorney and
head Of the Green Line Taxicab Company,
today made a motion that charges against
Eve of the compsny's drivers be dis
missed. The motion was granted by
Judge Pritchard in city court
The ruling OF the court leaves the loop
hole open for all taxi drivers to operate
their cars without a taximeter. The
ruling is important inasmuch, as there
has been a large number of arrests on
this charge aud many Of them are pend
ing in city court.
9fr Holmes. in city court yesterday
afternoon, pointed out to Judge
Pritebsrd that it is practically
impossible to buy taxi-meter
necessary to comply with the city taxi
ordinance. Mr. Holmes was appearing
for a number Of taxi drivers wbb had
been arrested for failure to have taxi
meters on their automobiles.
While speaking one word for his clients
the attorney was also speaking two words
Cor himself. Mr.. Holmes said he was
the head OF the Green Line Taxi Com
pany, operating in this city. He said
he impossible for them to aPpl ytaxl-
meters for several months.
is CENTS PRICE
OF GREEN LINE
Mr. Holmes stated. a 5 head and attorney
for the taxi company. he has had several
cards printed for the taTis Of the Green
Line setting forth that the fare is II
cents a passenger from the point the pas
seHger or passengers boarded the taxi
n hef-
within the city limits.
Mr. Holmes attacked larger taxi lines
He said be knew Of s line, larger than
the Green Line. that has more than
score OF taxfcabs operating and that only
nine Of them are equipped with meters.
He said FIVE of the Green Line drivers
have been arrested for not having meters.
TERMS OF
ORDINANCE
According 20 general ordinance No 81.
passed by the common council this year.
it is unlawful for any person. firm or
corporation to operate a taXicab or other
motor vehicle eugs ged IN carrying pas
sengers for hire between points within
the city limits, or for the cabs to stand
n puLuc places for purposes Of solicit
ing. unless they are equipped with
practicable, standard registering de
vice. The ordinance further provides
that the provisions in the ordinance shall
not apply TO vehicles. carrying passen-
gers for hire. for less than 10 cents each
or less
TEUCKS SHY
OF MIRRORS.
twenty-five men were arrested yester
day for not having a mirror on their
truck. An act was passed By the last
General Assembly that all commercial
vehicles shall he equipped with q mirror
or reflector ats he'd to and so located
as TO give the operator on such vehicle
4 clear reflected vlew Of the highway TO
the rear. so as 10 enable the operator TO
see and observe machines approaching
from the rear and intending 10 PISS The
act also sets forth that it shall be I'M
lawful for any person, firm OF corpora
ton 70 dispose Of any commercial vehicle
unless IL is equipped with mirror or
reflector
The mirror law arrests are the first that
have t4eu made in this state. hose
cases viii be heard in court to1ay.
SlOre than 200 cases where automobile
truck owners are charged with having
failed 70 obtain State licenses are. scbed-
uled 70 he heard in city court today,
Other mirror and tazimeter law ar
rests viii be made, according 10 the
traffic police unless a restraining order
is issued, which was limited as possible.