Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
TAXI GROWTH LAID
TOPOOR CAR LINES
KeeCh Holds TroIIeys' Failure
to Modernize Hurt Their
Business.

existing low rates even assuming, a.
stated at the hearing, that one and two
thirds persons ride for each fare paid.
Travel by air is constantly growing
and with the increase in use there
have been decreases in charges. One
follows the other Is there any one who
would have the audacity to say that
tnasmuch as the airplane is making an
inroad into the business formerly con-
troled by steam train, that commercial
travel by air shall cease, or that prices
for travel by air shall ne made prohibi-
tive to persons in the ordinary walk of
life, in order that the steam railroad
may continue to prosper. To my mind,
tie answer must of necessity be no.
Especially is this true If we are to take
history into consideration. Had persons
living in the years past entertained
ideas such as seem to be possessed by
some today, we would still be travelling
BY stage coaches for the reason that
the change to another and more mod
ern medium would have been impairing
the existing stage coach business. The
fact of the matter is that steam rail-
roads realize the necessity for advance
mert and are endeavoring to compete
with the march of time by making their
medium of travel sufficiently attractive
to hold their patrons. Many ways
might be cited, but this writer. due to
his limited knowledge, will suggest only
a few of which have came under his
eve. The railroads are speeding up
their schedules. improving the types OF
cars-the ordinary day coach of today
is practically the equivalent of the par
Tor car of yesterday; they are installing
cooling systems Much Of this is being
done at a substantial but necessary cost.
Electric Engines Contracted,
One of the great lines has contracted
ut a cost of millions of dollars for cleo
trio engines with high speed which will
necessitate great cost in adjusting their
road beds. What are the street car
lines doing other than complaining and
asking, that competition be stifed?
Nothing They claim that the taXicao
is getting the short-haul riders, but 90
nothing to hold ,nem. while the old
line cab companies claim that the taxi
cabs are getting only the long haul
riders, the street car companies claim
the fiat-rate cabs are getting the short
haul riders. It is impossible for both
to be correct) And this. notwithstand-
ing the ever-growing school OF Thought
that the salvation Of the street car In
dustry lies in the merchandising OF It's
service. No less authority than John A.
Beeler. in a series of articles, one APP
pearing on the 21st of last month.
states that the way to retain their pa
irons and yet secure more revenue Is
through, the combination of scent fare
for short-haul riders and Decent rare
for the basic city-wide haul.
Even If the commission regulate TO
the Nth degree the low rate taXlcao
industry. practically to the point Of an
initiating that industry, the street car
companies will not substantially help
their condition as to revenue or good
will until they take affirmative steps,
such as the 3team railroad companies
are Doing to speed up their service,
modernize their equipment and mer-
chandise their service by putting into
effect the zone system with scent
charge for the short-haul rider, and II
need be or their best judgment dictate,
a continuation of the 10-cent fare fer
the basic city haul. The speeding up
of their system. the undermining OF
equipment and the making Of charge
more commensurate with the service
hitting the railway companies 10 re-
tain their present passengers and re-
claim lost ones than any regulation or
prohibition which may be attempted as
to any existing progressive agency ~
transportation by the Public Utilities
Commission Or any other body
The scent short haul and 10-cent
basic city haul were suggested by me
more than q year ago. I believe now,
as I expressed then, that If the com
panies are to r;tlrn to healthy basis,
such action Is necessary on their part.
It is my belief that scent and 10-cens
zone would meet with far greater pub
lie response than any pass system that
night be inaugurated. First. people do
not want the tryuble Of fooling with a
pass, with possible loss, nor are some
financially able to tie up the cost IF a
pass. Then, too. the price Of cents Is
a natural one, so far as street car riding
is concerned.
Effect Of Scent Fare.
1t Is further My belief that scent
fare for the short-haul rider would
eliminate from the congested district
many automobiles.
The increasing of rates, and especially
when followed by no improvement in
service or equipment, tends to destroy
good Will and likewise cause persons to
seek other mediums of transportation.
The companies claim that nothing
has been done to assist them. On the
other hand many persons claim that
through parking restrictions in certain
parts of the street the ban Of taxicabs
from F street were all done to assist
the street car companies and that they
in turn have done nothing to assist
themselves.
While the car companies complain
Of the encroachment in their field Of
low-rate taxicabs, the fact is that the
street railway compa nies, through their
entry into the bus business. are COM
peting with independent sightseeing
operators and. likewise, even with the
steam railways in the transportation OF
persons to the race track and the like
The answer to the situation is that
people are progressing and will always
make use, so far as their funds will
permit. of the mediums which show
progress, and unless the competing
agencies likewise progress. they will
fall by the wayside, notwithstanding
any attempted sitting of competition
born of progress.
If the Public Utilities Commission
substantially destroys the low-rate cab
industry, this in nowise will assure a
return to the street railways of pas
sengers who have made use of the low
rate cabs. for they will find some
medium of transportation which will
serve their purpose as to speed and
comfort. The companies must help
themselves by making their service
meet present-day requirements and at
o charge which is attractive.