Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-23
UTILITIES BOARD
STUDIES EVIDENCE
|. ON TAXI SITUATION
Decision on Proposed ReguIa-
ton Is Expected Some
Time Next Week.
KEECH is OPPOSED
TO METER FARE PLAN
Fears Increased Unemployment if
Number of Machines Is Cut
by Ruling.

The Public Utilities Commission today
began its consideration of the volumin-
Gus evidence submitted in its public
hearings on the city's taxicab problem,
with the expectation of taking some
action next week. 1t has yet to receive
briefs on the points raised at the hear
ing from Peoples Counsel Richmond B.
Keech and from s. r. Bowen, counsel
for the Washington Railway & Elec-
trio Co.
A brief summation of the testimony
given at the hearing is approximately
as follows
The Board of Trade. Merchants 81
Manufacturers Association and the
Chamber of Commerce want taxicab5
submitted TO stringent regulations. in
Guiding compulsory liability insurance,
or some similar device, in the interest
Of responsible operation by taxi opera
tors with large investments and also to
protect the street car companies from
inroads on their revenues by cheap
taxis.
Want Meter System.
The old line taxicab companies (Yel-
low. Black and White and Diamond
want a return to the meter system OF
operation with higher rates than are
now in effect.
The rental agencies (City Cab. Bell.
Broadmoor, etc. are satisfied with the
present system, except, perhaps, that
the rates might be increased cents per
zone. Drivers who rent their cabs from
these concerns appear divided. Some
consider the terms of the rental con-
tract unfair and claim it is impossible
to make a living out of the business.
Others appear satisfied.
The street car and bus companies
want the number of taXicabs (4,60o) in
operation materially reduced and their
fares increased SO as to put an end TO
their loss in revenue and also for the
purpose of speeding up their car sched-
ules, which they claim are delayed by
the large numbers of taxicabs on the
streets.
Favors Zone System.
People Counsel Keech is in favor
Of the zone system, and said so today in
no uncertain terms. He is also in favor
OF compulsory insurance for public pro-
lection. The Court of Appeals has de-
cided that the commission has no power
TO exact compulsory insurance on the
part OF the cabs. but It is regarded as
certain that the commission will ask
Congress for grant of this power at
the next session.
Mr.. Keech said he feels the taxi oper-
ations have demonstrated there is real
need for the type of service they are
giving. The unsatisfactory features of
zone operation are due to the fact that
there are no zones established by the
commission, and every concern sets up
its own zones. This could be cured by
commission order definitely estab-
fishing zones.
Meter operation is not satisfactory TO
the public, he said. Persons will ride
cab when they know in advance that
the fare will be 20 or 40 cents, but if
they have to depend on the ticking of
a meter they would rather not. This
is proved, in his opinion, by the failure
Of the Nickel Cabs to make a go of
meter operation. These cabs after an
effort. went over to the zone system.
1t stands to reason, he said, that if the
commission should establish meter
rates the rates would not be as low as
those which used to be charged by the
Nickel Cabs IS cents for each third of
a mile).
Unemployment Fear Cited.
Then if a regulation or set of regula-
tons should be established which would
materially cut down the number of
taxicabs it would throw out of work a.
great many men with no other oppor-
tunitieS of making a living. Even if
such regulations were proper at some
future time they would be disastrous
under present economic conditions.
Lastly. Mr.. Keech believes that the
street cars have nobody but themselves
to blame for their present predicament
They have never done anything to at
tract riders. he said. They have, he
said, on the contrary. increased fares so
as to repel them. and their loss in rev.
enue should be recouped. not by trying
to put taxicabs out of business, but by
intelligent management and lower fares.
which would attract back many of the
riders they have lost.