The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-30
TAXI COMP N|ES
SEE HIGHER
RATE SOON
Hacking Regulations, They
Say, Force Return Figures
Too Low for Profit.


existing in Washington are due for
jump in the near future was the
opinion expressed today by man.
ayers of two of the largest COM
panies operating in the District,
Maryland and Virginia.
Both companies, it is said, are
being forced to this action as a
result of the recent hacking regula-
tons placed into effect by the Dis
trict Commissioners.
At the present time residents of
the District are enjoying lower
taxicab rates than any other city
in the United States. Keen competi-
ton between the two Companies
which are now making plans to
increase their rates, is given as
the reason for this cheap transpor-
tation.
Organizations to meet the needs
of taxi riders here were built up,
the managers said today, after
years of work. In order to bring
the efficiency of the services to the
present high standard it was neces.
sary to establish branch stations in
every section of the city. TeIe-
phone connections were installed
direct from the main offices.
When a cab was called from any
section of the city the main office
at once communicated by telephone
with the branch nearest the order,
and the car was dispatched in
comparatively short time. In this
way the people of Washington
were given service equal to that,
If not better, than any other city.
Under the new regulations the
contact points have been eliminated.
Taxicabs of the two companies
are now compelled to park at
designated hack stands The tele-
phone communications system which
has played such an important part
In the efficiency of the organiza-
tons is now worthless, officials of
the company say.
When the new regulations BECAME
effective both of the companies
which claim TO have suffered from
the change, attempted to obtain
concession from owners of build.
ings adjacent to the designated
hack stands SO that the telephone
SYSTEM could be renewed. This
was complete failure, the man.
ayers said.
rates now in existence, it was
pointed out, all the cabs operated
by the two companies must be con-
stantly in use. 1t is not possible
for the organizations to have a
number of its cars parked for
hours wal ing for passengers.
One of the hardships of the new
works on persons desir-
ing taxicabs in the downtown Sec
ton of the city was pointed out to-
day by John j. Boopar, manager of
the Yellow Tabicab. Company and
w. j. Brown owner of the Black
and White Taxicab Company. Be.
fore the new regulations were put
into effect, they said, a business
man could walk to the nearest
station, a matter of a block or two,
and obtain cab.
Now, they said, he must tele-
phone for a cab which, when it
arrives, because of the congested
condition of the parking spaces,
must be parked a block or more
from his office. The cab driver is
to go to his office and
conduct him to the wait
ing car. This, they contend, serious.
ly affects the efficiency of the or
ganizations.
Another point they make is that
when sixty taxicabs are dispatched
by the companies in the morning,
they are completely lost at the
main office. They return to the
it is not possible for the main
Both Boobar. and Brown have
taken the matter up with Com
missioner Oyster, who has charge
of the traffic regulations in the
District. They have asked that
the regulations be so changed that
their former branch offices may
again be used. This would, they
say, necessitate the revision of the
present plan to allow their cabs
to park in front of the branch
offices.
In making the request, they
state. that they do not wish to in
any way stifle competition and
even suggest that other public We
hicles be permitted to use the park
ing spaces allotted to them:
1t is understood that Commits
sioner Oyster has the revision un-
der adyisement.
Unless some action is taken by
Commissioner Oyster in the near
future, both Boobar and Brown
said today, the rate Of transporta-
ton for both companies will be
raised considerably. ut is the great
volume of business done by these
companies" they said, (which
makes possible the very low rate
existing in the District. We must
continue to keep our vehicles in
constant use or else. raise the rates.
I'm the interests Of the public we
hope that some satisfactory ar
rangement can be made so that we
NAV continue o,,r praca,,t .ohod