The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-08-12
D. c. TAXI WAR
IS LOOMING

A taxlcab war between the Black
and White organization and the Dia-
mond system, operated by independ.
ent drivers, doomed today as the for
mer moved to prevent the formation
Of union of its drivers.
William j. Brown, president of
the Black and White system, admit
ted he had discharged 18 drivers ''for
the good of the service and the com
pany" and further conceded that
they probably were leaders in the
union movement"
I'VE were bound to get some reds
and bolsheviks In our organization,
but we weed them out as often as
they appear" Mr.. Brown said.
Brown denied that the drivers
have approached him with demands
for an organization to represent.
them. I'VE have heard grievances
Of the individual members, but have
not treated with committee or o.
representative Of the group"
$50 Sign, Claim
I'VE have signed up more than $50
OF the $50 drivers In the organiza-
tion," say leaders in the proposed
union movement.
Our primary object IL to raise a
defense fund-a fund for employing
lawyers to represent US in the courts
when we are arrested and to pay
fines for infractions of the traffic
regulations, the union leaders ex-
plain.
The proposed union would seek
to abolish the present per cent
bonus syst m now effective with
the Black and White Company.
IF we have q minor accident and
break q window or scratch q fender
and the damage Is only a dollar or
two we lose the 5 per cent bonus,
even though we have the damage
repaired out Of our own pockets.
The bonus may be many times the
amount Of the damage to the car"
IS Discharged, Claim
The drivers several OF them in
terviewed-claiEn the company has
dismissed at least Is Of their num-
Der for expressing a view favorable
to the formation Of union or for
signing one Of the rolls being cir.
culated.
Gas fast as we can get in service,
those who get discharged by the
Black and White system go with
the independents. Most of the
best men in the independent organi-
zation spent several years with
either the Black and White or the
Yellow Cab system, which the
former now owns, the union sym.
pathizers say.
President Brown declared that the
company has counsel to defend the
driver il an investigation shows the
driver Ii in the right. II he is
wrong, then he should be prose.
cuted and we don't want him an
driver" Brown says, because we
owe protection and good men to ad.
minister it to the 10000 persons who
daily use our cars. =
We are not trying to start
trouble for the cab company or the
public are merely taking steps
to protect ourselves" say the driy-
ers.
Certain drivers are paid $40 q
month bonus for squealing on other
drivers. II the company hears a
driver is trying to save money to
buy his own cab, they cali him in
and discharge him, saying better
uOH ~ HOW---WIlY Waltz
Cites Regulations
President Brown today called at
tentien to a comprehensive set of
rules and regulations governing the
company's relations to the drivers.
The first rule points that mo driver
need have any fear Of losing his job
as long as he obeys the rules and
regulations OF this company
Mr. Brown further said that he
would not permit "a few red drivers
TO run my business
III am not opposed to unions nor
to union men," Mr.. Brown said.
Many Of our drivers are members
OF the different union crafts. We
are giving them good Jobs when they
cannot get work at their trades.
"But-we do not need q union 81
taxicab drivers. We will not have