Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-18
D. c. HEADS SEEK
TAXI FIGHT TRUCE
2O2 Public Stands Urged.
Company Denies Enmity
Toward Union Labor.

toward UnlO1 LdUOT.
Washington taxicab imbroglio de-
veloped along three distinct lines to-
day.
An unofficial statement at the Dis
trict Building indicated the authorities
there were giving consideration to
measures of temporary relief from
the situation created by the regulation
that taxicabs and public vehicles may
not stop or loiter at places other than
public hack stands, of which there are
but two to accommodate hundreds Of
cabs.
The Central Labor Union. joining in
the matter, dispatched a letter over
the signature OF Frank J. Coleman.
secretary Of the union. to President
William j. Brown Of the Black and
White TaXicab Co, announcing that
local organized labor PRESENTS" pur-
ported statements attributed to Mr..
Brown in which 1t is alleged he re-
ferred to organized labor" as Dol
sheviks and reds"
One Driver Arrested.
This quotation appeared recently in
connection with accounts of the or
SANITATION of a union of taXicab driv-
ers. Mr.. Brown announced he had
not received the letter.
The third development was the
move of independent operators last
night to crash the stand" Of hotel
0kcabs near local hotels by insert.
ing their cabs in spaces heretofore
used by the taxicabs utilized by the
hotels, on the grounds that they were
for accommodation OF guests OF the
respective establishments, and there
fore were not subject to the stop
ping and lettering" regulations. One
taxicab driver was arrested and the
case is expected to be test case.
At the District Building it was indi-
Gated today that although solution OF
the problem Of regulating taxicao
standing space on the streets of the
city would await the return to Wash.
ington Of Commissioner Proctor L.
Dougherty, officials, nevertheless, are
considering what temporary steps may
be taken meanwhile to remedy the sit.
uation pending his arrival.
Recommends 202 Stands.
The problem involves the number of
additional public hack stands needed
and the question az to whether the
stands be near hotels.
The Commissioners already have the
opinion Of Corporation Counsel w. w.
Bride to the effect that they have
power to act reasonably in the estab-
lishment Of public hack stands ada
cent to hotels despite the fact that
hotels have arrangements with com.
panies for the accommodation Of
guests desiring taxicabs. The police
department has recommended estab.
lishment Of 202 hack stands to accom-
MEDIATE the 1900 taxicabs Of Washing
ton and this recommendation is
awaiting approval or rejection.
Central Labor Unions letter to the
Black and White Taxicab Co., over
Secretary Coleman's signature said in
part:
II have been directed by the Wash
ington Central Labor Union to write
you as regards statements attributed
to you appearing in the daily press
of this city during the past week.
"You are quoted as referring to or
ganized labor as 'bolsheviks' and
reds and that you would discharge
from your organization ali men who
would join q labor organization.
Denies Making Statement.
"May I say to you that organized
labor in the District Of Columbia, rep.
resenting over $4,000 members. their
families and friends, resent your pur.
ported statements greatly, and wish
to inform you that Washington Cen
trail Labor Union, which il the duly
established organization Of the Amer.
lean Federation Of Labor in this city,
Is not composed Of reds nor 'bolshe.
viks,' but American citizens. contend
ing for conditions to maintain q stand
ard Of living necessary to the peace
and prosperity Of this Nation.
"Your reply to this letter Is
awaited with interest and receiving
no reply by August ~. will consider
your failure to answer an acknowl.
edgment of your attitude of hos
tility to organized labor"
Mr.. Brown denied he made the
statements.
Favors Union Labor.
II am amazed at the substance Of
this letter as quoted" he said. Il
cannot but believe there must be
some misquotation. It Is a well
known and generally recognized fact
that the Black and White Taxicab
Co. is now and always has been
particularly favorable to organized
labor and the relations between that
company and organized labor have
been especially cordial and mutually
satisfactory.
The other late development, coming
last night, resulted ultimately in the
arrest Of Charles Edward Leonberger,
Is years old, an independent driver.
in front Of the Willard Hotel on a
charge of lettering by Policeman J. L.
Kelly. This arrest was made when
Leonberger decided to test whether
the right to park in the space men.
toned could be deemed fixed in taxi
cab company under contract with the
hotel to care for its guests. When
the case came up in Police Court this
morning Attorneys E. Russell Kelly
and John Phelan asked for a continu-
ance until Saturday. which was
granted.
The courts thus far have upheld
the right of hotels to contract with
taxicab companies to provide facilities
OF transportation for their guests.
Meanwhile. organization OF the taxi
cab drivers of Washington into a
union proceeds under the direction
Of J. Ed Toone. American Federation
of Labor organizer. The goal Of the
organization was set at 1000 men,
bers by a conference Of union leaders
last night and a permanent organi'
zation with charter from the Interna
tional Association of Chauffeurs and
Transfers Is expected to be perfected
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