Evening star., 1933-04-10
Petition Is Filed With Public
Utilities Commission
by Taxi Firm.
APPEAL TO CONGRESS.
ACCOMPANIES REQUEST
Patrick Declares Metering OF
Cabs Will Be Proposed Again
to Legislature.

Petition for establishment OF mini
mum rate of fare for taxicabs in the
District and uniform zones for fiat
rate charges was filed today with the
Public Utilities Commission by one large
cab company as move to provide
"emergency relief" for drivers now said
to be suffering from existing competi-
tive low rates.
Commission officials, who oppose the
lat-rate system Of charges and have
sought a return to the meter system,
said consideration Of the taMcab prob
lem must await decisions on pending
litigation and legislative proposals.
The request for hearing on proposed
minimum rate and uniform zones came
from the Independent Taxi Owners
Association, through its president, Harry
c. Davis. The petition was accom-
panied by q printed document contain
ing an appeal that Congress adopt suit
able legislation directing and empower
ing the Utilities Commission to estab-
lish an equitable cab rate and reason
able insurance requirements.
Has $40 Members.
The Independent Taxi Owners Asso-
ciation has $40 members, who own and
operate more than 1,100 cabs and en-
ploy about 1900 drivers, the statement
said.
Maj. Gen. Mason M Patrick, chair
man of the Utilities Commission, said
TODAY the commission plans to propose
again the metering Of taxicabs and to
suggest rates for the approval Of Con-
gresS, unless there is change IN the
restriction on the powers OF the COM
mission contained in District legisla-
tion.
The commission, he said, could not
establish minimum fiat rate charges,
since District Supreme Court, in de-
cision upholding an order of the COM
mission requiring the metering OF
cabs, found system Of fiat rate
charges to be discriminatory and un-
just.
This District Supreme Court decision,
however, has been taken to the Court
Of Appeals, where decision is pending.
Since the lower court declared fat
rate charges to be discriminatory, Gen.
Patrick said, the commission could not.
If 1t desired to, order establishment OF
minimum fat rates.
Congress Attaches Rider.
A rider was attached by Congress to
the appropriation act for the current
year, forbidding enforcement OF the
commission order requiring installation
of meters on the cabs. The pending
measure for the next fiscal year be-
ginning July provides an order for
meters cannot be enforced until and II
Congress approves them.
If Congress decides to retain TINS
control of the cabs, instead Of leaving
regulation Of this utility IN the hands
Of the commission, Gen. Patrick said.
the commission viii suggest at the
present session approval Of a rate OF
fare for metered cab operation. At
hearings on the subject at the past
session the commission proposed
meter rate Of IS cents for the first
two miles and S cents for each ad-
ditional third of a mile.
Richmond B. Keech, peoples counsel,
who topposes the commission order Tor
universal metering Of cabs. said today
he believed the commission has author
ity, despite the case at court and the
force both uniform zones and the pro-
posed minimum fiat rate charge.
Keech said he would favor a system
where taxi operators could elect to use
the zone rate of charge or the meter
system as ordered by the commission.
Asks Temporary Relief.
The Independent Taxi Owners Asso-
citation stated It was in sympathy with
the commission order for metering OF
the cabs, but since Congress has re-
stricted this power 1t asks the setting
of minimum rates to provide temporary
relief until Congress lifts the ban on
meters.
I'VE have patiently waited since jan
uary. 1890, for proper regulation by the
Public Utilities Commission" the state
ment declares 1.-THE hamstringing of
the Public Utilities Commission by Con-
gress on the meter question has caused
a terrific hardship on the part of these
drivers and owners dependents. These
men allege many pitifuls stories, such
as not being able to properly clothe
and feed their little ones, which fire.
quently keeps these youngsters from at
tending school,"