Evening star., 1933-08-14
Cab Concerns Seek to Get
Their Drivers Under
Blue Eagle.
NOW ARE CLASSIFIED
"OUTSIDE statesmen"
20 Organizations to Be Represented
at Meeting Tonight at Dis
trict Building.

A general revision upward In taxicab
fare rates in the District was believed
imminent today as cab concerns sought
to work out some scheme whereby they
might come under the blue eagle Of
the N. r. A.
At present many Of the taxi COM
panies are displaying the insignia of
the National Recovery Administration,
but it was explained that in most cases
it applies only to the clerical and me-
chanical forces Of the companies, the
drivers being exempted under the clas-
sif1cation of outside statesmen"
1t was explained by Peoples Counsel
Richmond B. Keech that practically
every cab driver in Washington could
be grouped under this heading, since
none of them, to his knowledge are
employed on a straight, fixed salary
basis.
Taxi Representatives Meet.
In an effort to bring about revision
in the zone" system here and agree
throughout the District, a meeting of
representatives of 20 taxicab organiza-
tions, both independent and company
operated, will be held In the board
room of the District Building Ct 8
o'clock tonight.
This meeting, called at the instance
Of T. w. Fowler of 800 Eighteenth
street, who describes himself as an
interested outsider" having no aff1l-
iation whatever with any taxicab in
terests, will be preliminary to a later
session to be held some time before
September l to agree on a uniform
plan.
Called on Own Initiative.
This meeting" Fowler state IN
circular communication to all interested
taxicab companies, is neither instigated
organization, but is called by the un-
dersigned on his own initiative in the
attempt to bring the local taxicab in
dustry together for the benefit OF all
owners and drivers OF cabs"
The meeting, Fowler said, will con-
fine itself to a discussion Of revising
the present zone system by substituting
therefor a uniform and improved zone
arrangement and zone fares and will
not discuss the adoption of a meter
system.
Mr.. Keech said today public hearing
would have to be held under auspices OF
the Public Utilities Commission before
any utility could put into effect any in
crease over an approved rate.
In the event of adoption of taxicab
code. the District Of Columbia, it was
explained by some leaders in the busi-
ness, would have to come under an
agreement of its own. The national
taxicab organization is at present work
ing on code, but it is predicated on
meter system.
Canvass Gets Under Way.
Meanwhile the citywide canvass by
the Capitals volunteer army of N. r. A.
workers formally got under way under
command Of Thomas P. Littlepage,
general In charge Of the organiza-
tion
With military precision every branch
of the Civic Committee went about its
duty of bringing employers and consum-
ers into line under. the Blue Eagle of
the National Recovery Administration,
which symbolizes shorter working hours
and increased employment.
Women workers, under leadership Of
Miss Eta L. Taggart, lieutenant gen.
eral," held q mass meeting in the Ar
lington Hotel at II am, at which de-
tails of their part in the campaign were
worked out.
Under Claude w. Owen, president OF
the Board of Trade and colonel Of
the Publicity Committee, word of the
objectives and advantages Of the Presi-
dents recovery program was being
carried out over the radio, newspapers,
advertising channels and through
theaterS.
Movie Trailer Proposed.
A special feature trailer" has been
prepared by the Theater Bureau, under
leadership of A. Julian Brylawski, for
showing in all Washington movies. The
Blue Eagles message also is going on
the air through courtesy Of radio sta
tions and advertisers, with J. D. Kauf-
man in charge Of this portion Of the
Is directed by Robert Dugan, while
Robert J. Cottrell is in charge Of news
paper publicity.
Mr. Littlepage said today that James
G. Yaden's unit-that charged with the
task of conducting house-to-house,
block by block canvass of the entire city
to put over" the drive-was commenc-
ing to function Immediately. Division
maj jors" under Yaden are Richard A.
Dickson, Arthur Clarendon Smith.
Charles I. Stengle, Mrs Charles A.
Blair and George Beasely, the Latter
representing the colored group.
With officers Of the campaign army in
charge, an information bureau has been
set up in the offices of the Board Of
Trade, as part of the Educational Com
mittee headed by James E. Colliflowc-.
Ford E. Young is immediate aide to COL
liflower, while Harold B. Maybee, Dewey
Zirkin and r. j. Walter are serving on
this committee. Speakers are being
lined up for appearance before clubs
and civic groups and also for radio adj
dresses ON the N r A.