Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-12
TAXI OPERATORS
. DIVIDE ON CLAIM
. SURETY PROPOSAL
Independents Leader Raps
Move as Unreasonable
and Discriminatory.
COMPANY" CAB CHIEF
APPROVES SUGGESTION
Utilities Commission Awaits Brides
Opinion Before Taking
Action.

The proposal of Earl v. Fisher. exec
utive secretary OF the Public Utilities
Commission, of a solution for the ques-
ton Of financial responsibility for taxi
cab operators was denounced as "un-
reasonable" and approved as 1.-THE
proper thing to do" by rival taxi men
today
Harry C. Davis, manager of the In
dependent Taxi Owners Association
which operates Diamond Cabs, voiced
the opposition. and w. j. Brown, preSi-
dent of the Black and White Co. and
the Yellow Cab Co., the approval.
Mr.. Fishers suggestion to the Public
Utilities Commission was that it ask
the District Commissioners to promul-
gate a regul ion compelling applicants
for licenses to operate taxicabS prove
their financial responsibility before OBJ
tanning their licenses. The Public Utili-
ties Commission would be the judge OF
the financial status of he applicants.
Davis Sees Blow at Independents.
MIR. Davis said that this was clearly
aimed as a blow at the independent
cabs. Mr.. Brown said that his COM
panies always carried reserve to meet
claims for injuries and damages and
paid their claims promptly. Mr.. Davis
said that the Independent Taxi own
ers' Association carries a reserve and
settles claims promptly, far more
promptly, in fact, than If they were re-
ouired to take out insurance, which
would probably be the net result OF the
order proposed by Mr.. Fisher. Mr.
Brown said that passage OF the order
would not compel his companies to dc
anything that they do not do now.
Mr.. Davis said that there was far
more danger to persons on the street OIL
being run over by vehicles of the Fire
Department than by taxicabS. but thal
nobody ever heard of move to COM
pei the Fire Department to take OUT
liability insurance. He said that the
District government was picking on
the independent cabs.
when the Knickerbocker Theater
fell and injured hundreds OF people
moving picture theater take out IA
bility and indemnity insurance." ne
asked. This is a move in favor OF the
company cabs and against the lnoe-
pendentS 1t is unreasonable, aDso-
lutely unnecessary and discriminatory;
I hope that the order is never passed.
Cab Quarrel is Old.
The quarrel between the company
cabs'' and the independents IS an olo
one. and the problem Of putting some
regulation into effect that Will assure
financial protection to persons hurt by
either is difficult. L.t
} After long agitation on the subject;
the public Utilities Commission passed
an order May 25. 1926. compelling all
taxicab operators to take out insurance
for indemnity against accidents unless
thew had certain net clear assets. the
required assets were $4,000 for the nrst
cab. $1,000 for the first two cabs ana
ST 900 additional for each addltlonal
cab up to 43.
Shortly after the order was passed
an independent driver. Robert Harlan,
took it to court and the District Su-
preme Court declared the order dis
criminatory and illegal. No effort has
been made to enforce this order or 10
pass any other on the subject until Mr..
Fisher made his suggestion at an execu-
tive meeting of the commission Satur-
day. The commission postponed action
on the order to await written opinion
from Corporation Counsel William w.
Bride.
Mr.. Bride is known to favor the pres
ent plan, and his report, which Will be
made in few days, is expected to put
his seal of approval on its legal aspects.
The commission has let it be known,
however, that it will be thoroughly
studied before being acted upon.