Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-29
COURAGEOUS RATE
| CHARGED BY METER
| CABS, SAYS RIVAL
35-Cent Service Operator
Declares Finish Fight on,
| Denying Union Antagonism.
CHARGES HOTELS GET
MONEY FROM STANDS
Blacklisting of 81 Drivers Report
ed by Local Chauffeurs'
Organizer.

Charges that meter cabs for years have
been charging outrageous" prices for
taxicab transportation in the Capital
in collision with hotels, were made
here today by the operator Of one of
the new 35-cent cab concerns, who
promised fight to the finish to MAIN
tain 35-cent city proper" cab service
in opposition to meter cabs.
Placed on the unfair list" of the
Central Labor Union along with oper-
atorS of other 35-cent cab companies
by reason of a mot interested" atti-
tude toward the enrolment of drivers
In the local chauffeurs' Union, this
operator, Leon Brill, jr, who inaugural
ed the cheaper service here, denied that
the 35-cent cab concerns are waging
fight against the union.
From drivers who have belonged to
the union" Brill said, I'VE learn that
they had nothing to gain from belong
ing to the union except job with one
concern"
He pointed out that the 35-cent cab
concerns are hiring union and non
union men, and leaving the matter of
union membership up to them.
Interest of Hotels,
Brill explained that for years the
hotels and meter cab operators have
been working together in the matter
OF hotel taxi stands. He said the
hotels collect as much as 10 per cent
of the earnings of cab companies to
which they let the taxi concessions
in front of their buildings.
Many Of U.s." Brill said today, have
never been able to understand why q
hotel should want to make a profit out
OF the accommodation of its guests.
They should be glad to provide that ac-
commodation for nothing
Meanwhile, E. c. Rayford. organizer
for the local chauffeurs' union. today
said that total of 81 union drivers
working for the 35-cent cab companies
have been put on the unions blacklist
and VIII have to pay a fine of around
SIS to be reinstated In addition. he
said, they will have to return to one of
the union recognized cab companies.
Seven Drivers Change.
Seven drivers of one of the 35-cent
cab companies which has not vet been
placed on the unfair list" Rayford
said, yesterday left the 35-cent cab
company and returned to work for
one of the firms which employ only
union drivers. Others are coming from
35-cept companies and getting meter
cab jobs again. Rayford said. He said
he heard from some of the union men
VINO nave Deen 0f1V1ng the 35-cent cabs
that they cannot make a living at the
80 per cent commission paid by the
35-cent cab companies against the 40
per cent commission paid by the meter
companies.
Brill denied this. He said:
I'VE also learned that our drivers
are able to earn more at 80 per cent
with us than at 40 per cent With the
meter cab companies, by reason of the
fact that they convey twice as many
passengers, and it is no secret that tips
comprise substantial amount of their
earnings"
Brill said he did not believe the as
cent cabs have cut deeply into the meter
cab business, however
I'VE have enabled people to avail
themselves of taxicab transportation
who could not afford it heretofore. We
are creating taxicab riders" he said.