The Washington times., 1931-10-20
EDITOR
ASKSMETER
CABS
CoIpoys Wants Public to Pay
For "Luxury" SO That Tram
Service Will Not Suffer

wv WV W."
Union labor today urged the
Public Utilities Commission to fix
rates so that taxicabs could not
enter into direct competition with
traction transportation.
John B. Colpoys, editor of the
Trade Uniohist, appearing at the
commissions hearing on taxicao
operations, said:
I'VE ian do without taxicabS
but nc city in the world can do
without its street car system.
Taxicabs cannot take the place
of street cars and should not be
allowed to compete.
Zones Inadequate
"The zone system is not ade.
quate for a city like Washing
ton. We who live in Washing.
ton know the zones but the
strangers do not. We cater to
people from all over the world
and those people should be pro-
tected when they ride in our
taxicabS and the only way to
protect them is through the
meter system"
Mr.. Colpoys said that by per-
mitting taXicabs to operate at a
rate which made them competi-
tors Of the established modes Of
transportation, the ability Of
these established utilities to pay
wages is being jeopardiZed.
He also urged that taXicabS be
required to pay a fee for the use
of the streets; that they be regu-
lated as to rates and the type Of
vehicle used, and stressed the
need of regulating the type Of
men who drive them.
$1,8OO Living Wage
Asked by Assistant Corporation
Council William A. Roberts what
he considered a living wage for
taXicab drivers, Mr.. Colpoys said:
"My personal opinion is that
it should be $1,SOO q year."
Mr.. COlpoyS said he did not be-
lieve any man should have to
work IL hours a day to make q
living, and declared that even a
taxi driver should have at least
one day off in seven. In this con-
nection, he brought out that the
American Federation of Labor is
advocating a five-day week, and
added:
"And one prominent news
paper man, william Randolph
Hearst, has gone us one better,
and is advocating a five-day
week of six hours day."
o. H. Steger, representing 40
independent taxicabs, went on
record as opposing abolition of
his own system. He urged the
commission to force all taxis to
establish centralized call.box sys.
TENS. He said If this is done,
cruising, to great extent, will
be eliminated.
Claude w. Owen, second vice
president Of the Washington Board
of Trade, presented a resolution
of the executive committee urg-
ing regulation of taxicabs and re-
quiring them to have indemnity
insurance.
Hanna Cites Losses
Tohn TT Hanna nreSident of
the Capital Traction Company,
testified that losses Of revenue by
his company is entirely due to
operation of 20-cent taxicabs.
Following a reduction Of taxi
fares in July, he said, his COM
pany lost $47,8O0 in August and
$4,000 in September.
Mr.. Hanna said the large num-
ber of taxicabs on the streets also
had resulted in poor service by
his organization.
william j. Brown, president Of
the Black and White Taxicab
Company, testified that he
favored the meter system and de.
clared that the more zones estab'
liShed by the commission the
more complaints would be had.
He urged the commission to re-
quire a certificate Of convenience
and necessity before permitting
any taxicab to operate.