Evening star., 1925-11-04
PARKING CONTROL
BY HOTELS ENDED
Judge McMahon's Ruling May
Have Effect on New Traffic
Regulations.

The question OF the right OF various
taxicabs and public hacks to stand
in front OF hotels. which has been
brought to public attention again by
a decision yesterday in Police Court,
may be discussed at the hearing 10
be held by tine Public Utilities Com
mission on November 18 on mum
Der of new regulations to govern the
taxicab and hack service.
When this public hearing was ar
ranged a few days ago. the matter
OF taxicab rights in front OF hotels
was not a live topic, but District A,
officials indicated today that since II
is tied in with the general question
Of taxicab regulation the decision OF
Judge Mcmahon yesterday would
make 1t desirable to bring IT up for
discussion at the forthcoming hear
ing.
Commissioner Fenntng, who super
vises police affairs, stated today that
he could not discuss the effect of
Judge McMahon's decision until he
had learned more about the detailed
law.
Exclusive Rights Denied.
corporation iOunSei StepIeHS Sd III
that from what he had read OF the
decision, it meant that no one taxi
cab concern has exclusive use OF the
space in front OF a hotel.
Discussing previous decision
rendered some time ago by the Dis
trict Court of Appeals. Mr.. Stephens
said that he does not see any con-
iict between that decision and tho
one rendered yesterday by Judge
McMahon.
The Court of Appeals, Mr.. Steph-
ems said held that a hotel had a
right TO have taxicabs standing out
side for the convenience OF its pa
irons. The corporation counsel ex'
plained that from his recollection the
Court of Appeals did not at that time
pass on exactly the same question
. Interpreted yesterday by Judge Nc
Mahon. namely, that taxicabs have
equal privileges at such points.
Judge McMahon in Trafic Court
last night dismissed the charge Of
parking between two official signs
| that had been placed against Hugh
! Collins Of 3115 y street when he was
! arrested the night before.
The case against Collins was CON
| tinued for "a hours to permit the
| corporation counsel, through the as
! sistant corporation counsels ONCE, 70
! snow why the rulnE OIL IhS cOfIlIllS-
! soners was valid. This failed to be
| done, in the opinion OF Judge Nc
! Mahon.
Ruling Far Reaching.
Realizing that his decision was far
reaching. affecting concessions rant
ed by the hotels TO many taxi COM
panies throughout the city, Judge
McMahon declared:
Il have concluded that the District
Commissioners have no legal right TO
grant exclusive parking privileges to
any private concern on the street
front along the premises of any hotel.
I grant that hotel may freely
operate their own vehicles along their
property. but not TO the exclusion OF
all others. Public hack stands where
taxis OF various companies alike are
allowed TO park constitute very dif-
ferent matter"
Traffic Director NJ O. Ildridge.
present al the proceedings. refrained
! from comment except to remark that
| ina smuch as most hotels sell 10 pri-
vate taxi companies the right 10
| operate and park in front o[~leir
doors as we'll as they sell barber shop
| and CheCkroom privileges. the decision
| of Judge McMahon will prevent fur
ther contracts along the parking line.