Evening star., 1933-02-05

ton IN WGGbtn0toD. Ihe SecOnG
article tofll appear t0M0TToi0J
The disclosure yesterday that Repre-
sentative Blanton Of Texas intends to
revive his amendment to the District
appropriation bin preventing the Public
Utilities Commission from using any o4
the funds to enforce its taxicab meter
order threatens to eliminate any hope
Of settling at this time the muddle over
the relative merits OF the meter and
zone systems of taxi operation.
II Mr. Blanton carries out his inten-
ton. Washington will be left for an
other year In the confused position Of
having Public Utilities Commission
order. which has been upheld by the
court, rendered invalid for all practical
purposes by an act Of Congress.
The commission viii be on record -
requiring meters. but the taxicabs VIII
still operate under the zone system.
One Faces Failure.
One large cab company has said 1t
will be forced out Of business II the zone
panies favor 1t. The individual drivers
cannot agree, and both sides have many
arguments In support Of their positions
The public generally seems to favor
the cheap rates of the zone system,
but offlcials who have investigated the
situation say the drivers cannot make
decent living under existing condi-
tions.
The net return il hopeless confusion
to the average person. 1t had been
hoped that Congress, by eliminating
Mr.. Blanton's restrictive clause from
the appropriation bill, would help
clear up the middle. but apparently no
relief can be expected from that sollrce.
During recent hearings before the
subcommittee drafting the appropria-
tion bill, Mr.. Blanton asked Mason M.
Patrick. chairman Of the Public Utih-
ties Commission, If he intended to un-
dertake enforcement Of the meter regu-
laticn this year.
I'VE would like to know" Mr.. Blan-
ton said, because we would like to
find out whether it Is going TO be
necessary for US again to put . pro-
vision in this bill to stop it."
After pointing out that the meter
order had been upheld in the District
Supreme Court, Gen. Patrick said the
commission would be guided by the ac-
ton of the District Court of Appeals.
If the Court Of Appeals holds it to
be valid order" he said. I'VE would
have to state that any one who violated
that order would be liable to punish
ment."
Cites Texan City.
Mr. Blanton pointed out that in one
city in Texas cheap taxicabs had nut
street car companies out Of business.
Declaring that he was thinking Of the
people here. he said "if the street rail-
way companies cannot furnish what the
taxicabs furnish. let them get of the
streets"
Gen. Patrick said the service given
by taxicabs in Washington had been
very unsatisfactory. pointing out that
tramc conditions have been adversely
affected by the number Of cabs and
that the earnings Of the drivers have
been low.
HAS the service been unsatisfactory
to the taxicab companies or the con-
sumers?" he was asked.
The consumer" he replied. prob
ably is always willing to get something
for nothing, or to get service for less
than he ought to pay. SO I should
say the consumers are highly satisfied. Z"
Proponents Of the meter system
approved the amendment last year
heard only the advocates of the zone
system. They say the question Of the
amendment was scheduled to come up
for consideration at an executive ses-
sion. When the meeting was called to
order. they claim. Mr.. Blanton moved
that the session be thrown open to sew
eral delegations waiting outside. When
this had been done It developed that
the waiting delegations were representa-
tives OF groups opposed to the meter
system.
The proponents say they had no no.
tice and for that reason were not there.
Promise Many to Testify.
II an open hearing il held this year.
however, they promise to have q large
number Of cab drivers and owners on
hand who will speak for the meters Is
the best means Of enabling them to
earn an adequate livelihood for them.
selves and their families.