Evening star., 1925-02-03
PLAN INSPECTION
OF TAXI METERS
District Officials Seek Legal
Ruling on Closer Check
on Cab Charges.

Two agencies OF the District gov
ernment today are considering what
steps might be taken to bring about
systematic inspection of all taxical
meters.
George M. Roberts, superintendent
of weights and measures, has applied
to Corporation Counsel Stephens for
legal opinion as to whether he has
ample authority under existing law
to make such tests.
Earl V. Fisher, secretary to the
Public Utilities Commission, after
conference with Engineer Commits
sioner Bell, is having a report pre-
pared as to what the commission
should do with regard to taxi regis
ters.
Supervision Divided.
The reason both agencies are in
quiring into the question, II was ex-
planned, Is that Jurisdiction over taxi
cab operation is divided. The Utilities
Board. under court decision, con.
fines it's supervision to cabs operating
from Union Station and hotels
All other cabs come under the Po-
lice Department, and there is an old
regulation dealing with the functions
OF the superintendent of weights and
measures in testing such meters for
the Pollce Department.
A test made by The Star several
days ago showed that six of seven
cabs from different companies, driven
over a measured route of four miles
had meters overrunning or overchargina
in various degrees. One cab was un-
dercharging.
Capt. r. G. Klotz and Inspector H
v. Roystadt of the Engineering
Bureau of the Utilities Commission
stated today that if the commission
begins regular testing OF cab meters
some leeway from an exact reading
would have to be allowed
Allow for Variance.
They pointed out that the commits
sion allows for a variance of 2 per
cent fast or slow on meters for
Illuminating gas and per cent lee
way on electric current meters.
officials Of the commission say
there are two methods of checking
up on taxi meters-by a road test
and a bench test. road test. they
say. would require only a measured
course of roadway and the time OF
necessitate purchase of certain ap-
paratus at a cost of possibly $1,000
Secretary Fisher said that Capt
Klotz had suggested a road test OF
four miles out Sixteenth street
starting from Scott Circle. with each
mile marked in some manner on the
curbstone.
Would Need Additional inspectors.
Supt Roberts OF the weights and
measures Office declared that if the
corporation counsel advises him that
he has authority now to test cat
meters he would need an additional
corps of inspectors to carry on the
work.
At the present time. he said. he has
total force of Ave inspectors, with
5000 business establshme and ap-
proximately 1900 street hucksters and
other statesmen to supervise.
Mr.. Roberts said that while there
Is an old police regulation on the
testing of cab meters, Congress has
since enacted a weights and measures
law In which taxi meters were not
mentioned. 1t was that situation
which prompted Mr.. Roberts to ask
the corporation counsel for ruling
as to his present powers.
Secretary Fisher of the utilities
commission expressed the belief to-
day that it would be a better ar
rangement to have taxi-meter super
vision all in one place, whether 1t be
the utilities commission or some
other agency of the city government.