Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-13
A Progressive Step.

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B In making tentative rules for the
strict regulation of taxicabs, motor
trucks and motor vans to become effec-
tive on January /, the Public Utilities
Commission is merely taking a progress
sive step that has already been taken
by practically every other large city in
the country and that should have been
taken here many years ago. 1t has been
q notorious and growing trafhc evil
in the National Capital that many
financially insolvent taxicab operators
were menacing the lives Of residents
with no possibility of damages being
collected by luckless victims. Many Of
these operators combined their financial
responsibility with recklessness in
driving. With more cabs appearing on
the streets almost daily the situation
has reached the acute stage and the
commission has acted none too soon in
making public its set of regulations
which are designed to bring every OPP
orator of q vehicle for hire under the
strict scrutiny of the utilities body.
OF course one of the difficulties in
the past In promoting this desirable
regulation was the fact that the COM
mission was in doubt of its power 70 do
SO. The present commission, however,
was not to be baked. An opinion was
asked Of the corporation counsel and
after studying the situation he ruled
that ample authority existed. Accord
tngly plans we're pushed to completion
Regulations in other cities were studied
and the rules now tentatively decided
upon for washington embody the best
features of all.
After January /, If the regulations are
adopted as they are at present written,
no taxicab will be permitted on the
street unless it has met with the me-
chanical requirements of the commits
sion and unless it Is driven by an op-
orator who is mentally and morally ut
and thoroughly capable of handling it
In the heavy trafic of today, besides
being amply backed by his own insur-
ance or BY his company, which must
have shown adequate financial resources.
The penalty for operating cab unless
driver and vehicle have met with these
requirements is two hundred dollars
day.
There should be no controversy over
the adoption OF these regulations except
by financially insolvent individuals or
companies which should not be allowed
to carry passengers for hire anyway.
The independent operator, in taking out
insurance or posting a bond or in some
way giving proof of his ability to re-
spond to damages, is merely protecting
himself, and the same thought applies
to the small companies.
Character tests and driving tests Of
operators Of public vehicles are not only
essential to the welfare Of the public,
but should put the operators themselves
In selected class of safety-promoters
that carries no mean distinction. And,
Of course, there can be no logical argu-
ment against assuring satisfactory me-
chanical condition of every cab that
uses the streets Of the city.
All in all, the proposed measure Of
the Public Utilities Commission appears
70 be thoroughly in line with the needs
of the National Capital Some modifi-
cations or additions may be found de-
sirable, and If so they should be made,
but January / should mark new era
In regulation of public vehicles in WASH
tngton.