Evening star., 1933-02-08

Those who favor the use of meters
on taxicabs in Washington contend a
reduction in the number of cabs on the
streets does not necessarily mean there
will be fewer positions for the drivers.
The Public Utilities Commission has
issued an order, which was upheld by
the District Supreme Court requiring
the installation of meters, but Repre-
sentative Blanton. Democrat, of Texas,
through an amendment to the last
District appropriation bill, was able to
prevent the enforcement of this order.
One of the principal arguments of
the proponents of the zone system of
taxieab operation has been that the
compulsory use of meters would throw
men out of work This is disputed by
those on the other side of the question.
At present, they say, great many
cabs are being driven from IA to 16
hours a day, and in rare case even
longer, by a single driver This, they
contend, is too long for a man to drive.
Not only does he become menace to
traffic, but his passengers are en-
dangered, for a drivers efficiency rating
begins to drop after he has been behind
the wheel for 16 hours or more.
$50 Drivers Employed.
There are approximately $3.50 taxicabs
now operating in Washington and they
are handled by about $40 drivers, the
majority of whom work 12-hour shifts.
1t has been estimated that approx
imately 750 cabs will go out OF business
if meters should be required. Some of
these would be private cabs now driven
!, olyc Ilyf yuE O
late with one of the companies rather
than spend their own money for meter.
1t is also believed some of the small
fleet concerns. now using very old cabs,
would go out of business rather than
meet the expense Of meters.
1t is believed, however, that the re-
duction in driving petitions would be
less than 100-providing the Public
Utilities Commissions order forbidding
taxicab men to drive more than IL
hours day is enforced. In other
words, although the meters might drive
$50 cabs from the streets-and many
authorities on the subject believe the
total would not be this high-only about
95 men at most would be thrown out
of work. Some would find driving posi-
tions with new cabs which the larger
companies expect to put on the street
If the use of meters is made possible
The enforcement of the 12-hour day
would take care of the others.
Another argument made in favor of
the meter is that taxicab companies
could provide liability insurance If able
to charge 25 cents for the first mile and
5 cents for each additional one-third
mile on every trip. Under the present
20-cent zone rate insurance is too ex-
pcnsive.
No Longer Pays Claims.
One of the largest of the companies
in the city formerly had substantial
sum, something in the nature of an in
surance fund, out of which accident
costs were paid. When the 1ow-zone
rates came into existence, however, this
fund could not be kept up. The fund
is now so seriously depleted that the
company will no longer pay damage
claims
Other companies have had similar ex-
periences and, as result, the number
Of damage suits is increasing at an
alarming rate. The most discouraging
aspect of this situation Is, however,
that the plaintiff has very little chance
of collecting his damages in many in
stances even though he may go into
court and win his case.
If Congress should require compulsory
liability insurance, as suggested yester-
day, many drivers say they will be
forced to give up their cabs unless the
zone rates are substantially increased