Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-11
Injunction May Be Sought to
Halt Service Planned
by Independents.
OFFICIALS STAND FIRM
ON RIGHT TO SUPERVISE
Cab Line Manager Asserts Free
dom of Action-0peration to
Begin at s AM.

The greatest conflict in Washingtons
history of public transportation ap-
peared imminent today as the Public
Utilities Commission, the three major
transit companies and Peoples Counsel
Ralph B. Fleharty joined in a united
effort to prevent the Diamond cabs of
the Independent Taxi Owners Associa-
ticn from establishing an unauthorized
10-cent fiat rate rush hour service for
Government workers.
Unmoved by the strength of the op-
position, and an obviously inescapable
clash in the courts, the taxi operators
went ahead with their plans, and
shortly before noon Harry C. Davis,
their general manager. announced posi-
lively that the cabs would start the
proposed service promptly at O'Clock
tomorrow morning. Approximately 100
of the 800 cabs available for this service,
Davis said, would be used on the first
day, and he expected them to carry at
least 1000 passengers.
Conference Is Called.
The seriousness with which officials
of the District Government and the
Public Utilities Commission regard the
situation was in evidence throughout
the District Building. The Utilities
Commission, at the request OF the trans
portation companies. arranged a special
beginning at 2 O'Clock this
afternoon, to finally determine what
action to take against the taxi opera
tors.
Oficials and the legal representatives
of the Capital Traction, Washington
Railway & Electric and the Washington
Rapid Transit Cos. ere to attend this
session, in addition TO Mr. Fleharty and
CORPORATION Counsel William w. Bride.
who also is the commissions general
counsel.
Earlier in the day Mr. Bride con-
ferred with the peoples counsel, dis
cussing various legal steps that may be
resorted to should the taxis defy the
notice of the commission and inaugu-
rate the service without its sanction.
Injunction May Be Asked.
While a definite decision as to what
action to take against the cabs viii not
be reached until the special meeting OF
the utilities commission, indications are
that injunction proceedings will be IN
stituted Just as soon as the taxis begin
the service The important question TO
be determined is whether the commits
sion or the transit companies should
take this step.
The commission never before has
sought to enjoin carrier from engag-
ing in a public transportation. and II
is not anxious now, 1t was said. 10 eS-
tablish a precedent in this respect
Moreover. Mr.. Bride has expressed the
opinion that it would be more advan-
tageous for the companies than tne
commission to make this move. ana ms
advice likely will be followed.
Whatever action the combined oppo-
Sition forces decide upon, they intend
TO fortifv themselves behind formal
opinion of Mr.. Bride that the commits
sion has complete jurisdiction over the
cabs Just as soon as they began operat-
inc over definite routes on nat rate
basis and that they automatically oe-
come common carriers. The Independent
operators nave SteadfaStly contehoeu
that the commission lacks 1uriSolctloh
over them and II is on this point tnat
the fight likely will be carried INTO OhS
courts for settlement.
Reply to Davis Letter.
People's Counsel Fleharty also gave
support to Mr.. Brides opinion III re-
Div today to Davis letter yesterday III
which he appealed for his support IN
The new l0-cent taxi service venture.
MIR. Fleharty's letter follows:
IN reply to your letter or July
can only state that have heretofore
told the representatives Of the press
that I had an open mind as 70 the
merits of YOUR announced intention 10
give certain passenger service during
the so-called rush hours of the morn
ING and evening. but. on the other
hand. have a very decided opinion
that the giving of the service coiteIr-
plated would make you subject 70 the
of the Public Utilities Com
mission OF the District OF Columbia or
you are not already subject TO such
and that before YOU
should be allowed 10 give that service
YOU should through public hearing
or otherwise satisfy the commission
tlrst as to your ability and responsible
lty with respect TO such service; see
ond, that the service is reasonably
needed and will inure to the benefit OF
The public and. third. that you are WILL
ING and able 10 comply with anv orders
passed by the Public Utilities Commits
sion."
Rumors were current today thai the
police had been instructed TO arrest
Davis or any of the independent oper-
stors II they attempt to give the cheap
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