Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
TAXI DRIVERS FILL
GREAT NEED!|N us.
ColorfuI Cables Replaced by
Chauffeurs Who Are Just
as Striking.
BY II. CLIFFORD BROKAW.
Automobile Technical Adviser.

Automobile Technical Adviser
Wnile the automobile industry has
oaniShed from the scene the picturesque
caboy, with his high hat and low boots,
1t has replaced him with the modern
taxi driver. This modern fellow is quite
different type of individual from the
ancient cab driver He represents an
essential factor In life as it is being
Hfeo tooay. folks could not get on with
out him.
With business conducted at a rand
rate OF speed. compared to former eras,
those who have matters of commerce
10 attend to cannot take the time to
walk from one place to another to
which their duties call them. Nor can
they afford to use the slower trans
portation which street car service usu-
ally involves. Often it is impractical
Tor them to use their own personal
cars. The taxicab. with its rapid trans
portation and low rates, is the vehicle
which exactly meets his needs, and he
uses 1t.
Social Engagements, Too.
The same sort of situation obtains
Tor many social engagements. especially
Tor the benefit of women. These ladies
md the taxi a necessity. Some of them
do not own cars. Others prefer not to
drive their own machines when dressed
Tor a party or reception. The cost of
using cab in the old days was quite
some cost. Now the expense is incon-
sequential. The taxi transports the wom-
en- with dispatch to their social events.
And the women. in this age, desire to
make speed en- route as well as their
male contemDorarieS
While one is often inclined to curse
taxicabS (they are forever getting in
the way, at the same time 1t would be
an inconceivable hardship to many
people if law should be passed sud-
denly eliminating all of them from the
city streets. AS a matter of fact. in
New York City. where probably there
are three times as many taxiS as in
any other city in the United States.
there is an average of only one of these
vehicles for about every 500 people,
which. when one comes to think of it,
does not appear to be excessive
When 1t comes to matter of safety
in automobile traffic. 1t probably is true
that the taxicab drivers set better
example in what might be called sensi-
BILE driving than any other class of au-
tomobile operators. They seem to have
unconsciously adopted a standard of
| ethics and efficiency which might well
! be made the ideal of all drivers of au-
| tomobiles.
Considerate of Pedestrians.
One point on which they are espe-
| cially to be commended as a group
| tthere may be now and then an excep-
tom is the consideration which they
give to pedestrians and to other motor
vehicle operators. Another point on
which they may be given high rating
| Is the lack of recklessnesS with which
| they drive their cars. It may seem to
some that this is not the case. The
truth is that most of these drivers are
so skilled in manipulating their ma
chimes that they negotiate with perfect
safety tight places which would cause
trouble if the cars were being operated
by amateurs. While their motto seems
to be Beat the other fellow to it, il
possible" they seem to know instinc-
lively when 1t can't be done, which is
not so often true of other drivers.
When it comes to giving signals when
stopping and turning taXicab drivers
are almost universally on the job
When it comes to turning corners. these
drivers are found taking ample precau-
tons, slowing down and giving proper
signals. On approaching street inter-
SeCtlOIS IIley are more cautious LI1aI
most drivers, and. as far as keeping the
car under full control is concerned, are
much more adept than many non-pro-
fessional operators. This matter Of
having sufficient control of the auto.
mobile comes about largely because Of
the splendid condition In which they
usually keep the brakes of their cars.
Use Chains When Going Is Slippery
1t often happens that ordinary mo.
florists will take chances in driving or
slippery streets when there is rain OF
snow or ice. which increases the pos
sibility of skidding and skidding trou'
bles. AS rule, the taxi drivers arr
willing to take time and trouble to pu
chains on their tires when there Is
practical necessity for them.
These drivers have had enough eX
perience to know the value of observ
. ing traffic rules and signals, especial,
to pay attention to the directions O.
. traffic officers. They usually are cour
, teous to their customers, not merel.
because it probably pays financially, blu
because they have pride in keepini
up the standards of their profession.
5 ,(copyright, 1922