Evening star., 1933-01-12
TRANSPORT GROUP
BEGINS STUDY Of
TAX!CAB PROBLEM
w. A Roberts Tells Committee
Hacks Here Have Added
to Traffic Hazards.
HEARING TO BE ASKED
OF HOUSE MEMBERS
Assistant Corporation Counsel Says
Capital Is Only City Still
Using Zone System.

With merger of the street railways
IN sight, the Citizens Joint Transpor-
tation Committee of the District, which
was instrumental in bringing about
legislation authorizing the consolida-
ton, yesterday tackled the taXicab
problem as the second feature of its
comprehensive program for the better
ment of the transportation situation
here.
The committee, of which Thomas P.
1Iittlepage, president of the Washington
Chamber of Commerce, is head, met
yesterday in the chamber headquarters
and went over the entire problem Of
the Capitals complex taxi situation,
and adopted resolutions designed to
stimulate action looking to its solution.
VIII Ask Hearing
The group. which includes represent
atives of leading trade and civic Or
ganizations, voted to request the House
Appropriations Subcommittee, n charge
of District finances to grant i hear
ing at which facts may be presented
favoring modification of existing legis-
lative provisions so proper regulatory
powers may be exercised by the Public
Utilities Commission.
Emphasizing the need for legislation
requiring financial responsibility for in
Identification. the committee authorized
its chairman to appoint subcommittee
to take this matter up at once with
the proper authorities
An alarming increase in the percent
age of injuries and deaths resulting
from unregulated taxicab operation
was outlined to the committee by As
sistant Corporation Counsel William A.
Roberts. counsel for the Public Utilities
Commission, who appeared before the
committee at its request.
81 Injuries in November.
During November alone, Roberts said,
there were 81 personal injuries reported
due to local taxcab operation, involv-
ing ITS cabs. He said taxicab accidents
had increased from sos in 1929 to 2,024
in 1892. There were 1205 accidents
reported In 1880 and 1,750 in 1881, he
said.
Col. A. B. Barber, representing the
1nterfederation Conference. pointed out
Washington was now rated as among
the five American cities having the
highest percentage Of fatalities from
automobile accidents. The percentage
has grown from 16 or 18 persons per
100000 of population in 1880 to 25.7
per 100000 in 1882, he declared
So-called evils of the present system
of taxicab operation were outlined to
the committee by Mr. Roberts. He
said Washington was the only city in
the United States of over 5000 popu-
lation which still clings to the zone
system, and that there are now about
$500 cabs registered in the District and
only about 1000 in Chicago. At one
time, he said. there were about 5000
texicabS here.
"Rent" Problem Cited.
The commissions counsel recited the
difficulty being experienced by the COM
mission in attempting to break up the
''rent" system of taxi operation, under
which drivers rent cabs from the COM
panies at daily rates Roberts said the
Public Utilities Commission is con-
vinced there is violent and unreason-
able discrimination" in zone cab opera
ton: that the cabs have contributed to
an increase in the accident rate; that
the system is Illegal and that the fees
cannot pay for the cost OF operation.
The number Of policemen required on
duty {since the Public Utilities Com
mlSSlCHl put al cIlu W IAC NOA4OSooAoAA
stand, method, Roberts told the COM
mittee has been increased to 100, due
to cu7lstant wrapglipg over parking
rights between rival cab operators. The
force at the hack inspectors office has
been increased from to 10, he said.
At the outset of the meeting, the
committee adopted a resolution request
ing the Washington Railway & Electric
Co and the Capital Traction Co. TO
do everything in their power to facili-
tate early consolidation in order that
the public may soon reap benefits from
the merger.
Urges Proper" Appropriation.
The committee voted also to urge the
Congressional Fiscal Committee to ap-
propriate a proper amount to enable
the Public Utilities Commission eff
GENTLY to discharge its duties in con-
nection with the working out Of the
final steps Of the merger plan.
others attending the meeting in
cluded Henry A. Willard Of the Opt
mists' Club, Ben T, Webster, president
of the Washington Board of Trade;
Col William o. Tufts, president OF the
Federation of Churches; George E.
Keneipp. chairman of the Chamber of
Commerce Transportation Committee;
George w. Beasley, president OF the
Federation of Civic Clubs, and W. II.
McCarty Of the Cosmopolitan Club.