Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-10
1O-CENT TAXI LINE
ANNOUNCES PLANS
Probably viii Start Service
Thursday Despite P. U. c.
Stand, Says Davis.

Despite information from the Public
Utilities Commission that legal action
may be taken to thwart its plans, the
Independent Taxi Owners Association
announced today that on Thursday
morning 1t probably will start its pro-
posed i0-cent rush hour service from
congeSted traffic points to downtown
Offices and Government buildings.
About the same time the commission
received from Harry c. Davis, general
manager of the independent taxi group.
a letter containing fiat refusal TO
comply with the commissions notice 20
file a formal application for authority
to establish the service.
I'm reply to your letter of July 3.
requesting us to make formal applica-
ton to carry passengers from a desig-
mated hack stand to various points in
the city" Davis told the commission,
we do not think formal application Is
necessary 10 operate cabs as planned A.
a reduced rate, and we have written MIR.
Fleharty, peoples counsel, for his views
i'm the premises We merely wrote you
asking IL there we're any objections to
our inaugurating this service. for II
there were We would like to consider the
same before inaugurating this service. "
Appeals for Assistance.
The letter Davis wrote to the peo-
pies counsel appealed to him TO assist
the public In getting cheap nat rate
taxi service In the morning rush hour.
why should the street car companies
be protected when they are making
an effort to increase the cost of trans
portation TO the public while on the
other hand we are trying to do every
thing to reduce transportation costs
to the public?" Davis asked Fleharty.
Were the street car companies pro-
tected when permission was given the
bus companies to operate? Are the bus
companies operating IN opposition to
the street car companies? II so, they
should not have been allowed TO operate
on the ground of unfair competition.
II they are not operating In opposition
to street car companies, then why Is
there apparently such strong oppoSi-
ton by all but the public to the taxi
cabs operating for 10 cents as hereto
fore outlined?"
In the meantime the commission has
fortified itself for the apparent ines
capable battle with the independent taxi
operators with a ruling by Corporation
stance holds that the commission has
jurisdiction over the cabs as well as
the rates they charge. This question
heretofore had been mooted one.
Common Carrier Defined.
"A common carrier" Brides opinion
read. lis defined by the public utilities
law to be an agency or agencies for
public use for the conveyance Of persons
or property within the District of CO.
lumbia,' The company falls within this
definition.
II am OF the opinion that the COM
mission has such power and that the
power follows as necessary corollary
to the question of jurisdiction. Having
Jurisdiction. the commission may grant
or refuse. and may also. as part OF their
statutory powers. regulate the rates and
schedules OF the company. and may
impose such reasonable conditions as
they may deem essential 10 public safe
ty, comfort or convenience"
Davis has insisted from the outset
that the commission does not have
jurisdiction over his company and on
this belief he rested his declination to
make formal request for permission
to operate fiat rate Seryice,