Evening star., 1935-05-21
OkIahoman Declares Large
Companies Favored by
Insurance Measure.
MUTUAL ASSOCIATIONS
AND POOLS EXPECTED
Approval Given Legislation, How
ever, After Van Duzer Accords
Blanket Endorsement.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Charges that the Quinn bill to COM
pel Washington taXicab operators to
carry liability insurance is designed
in the interest of the large companies
were made today by Representative
Nichols, Democrat, of Oklahoma be-
fore the Streets and Traffic Subcom-
mittee of the House District Commit
tee.
Nichols declared the measure would
permit the larger taxi companies to
form insurance pools or mutual asso-
Citations, whereas the small independ-
ent operators would be compelled to
turn to the regular insurance COM
panies and pay much higher pre-
MUM or go out of business.
Nichols, however, approved the pro-
posed legislation in principle, after
Traffic Director William Van Duzer
had given a blanket Endorsement to
the Quinn bill.
Cut in Taxi Number Seen.
The Quinn measure, Van Duzer de-
clared, not only would offer protection
to the public, but would have the ef-
feet of reducing the number of taxi
cabs now in operation. These We
hicles, he said, constitute a problem
In the congested areas.
Both Nichols and Van DuZer were
questioned by Representatives Pat
man, Democrat, of Texas and Quinn,
Democrat, of Pennsylvania, author of
the taxicab liability bill. Van Duzer
was asked particularly about traffic
conditions in the District and the
steps that should be taken to bring
about an improvement.
The hearing on the Quinn bill was
expected to be the last before sub
committee action, but the desire Of
Patman, the chairman. for additional
data, caused an indefinite delay. Pat
man specifically requested detailed in
formation on the number OF accidents
in which taxicabS we're involved, the
total amount of damage claims paid
and figures showing the cost to the
taxi operators of the proposed insur-
ance.
Quinn said he would get the infor-
nation as to the insurance cost from
q reputable insurance company and
submit it at the next hearing.
Reduction in Numbers Seen.
Van Duzer in indorsing the Quinn
bill said it not only would offer
protection to the public, but would
have the effect of reducing the number
of taxicabs that cruise the streets OF
the District. The vehicles. he declared.
constitute a problem in the congested
areas.
Quinn and Patman both questioned
Van Duzer about the traffic condi-
tions and what steps should be taken
to improve them.
Van Duzer began his testimony by
introducing statistical report showing
the mileage per accident of passenger
cars. taxicabs and street cars.
Passenger cars, according to his rec
ord. were involved in IS fatal accidents
last year, trucks, IL; busses, l; street
cars, 6, and taxicabs, 10. The car-mile
per fatal accident for passenger We
hicles was 9,240,000; for taxicabs, 12-
$50 900, and street cars, 100000.
Quinn asked Van Duzer what would
lead to a solution of the traffic prob
lem.
"A number of things" he replied.
"a good many fatal accidents are
caused by too great speed. Another
thing Is that cars are parked too close
TO the intersections and do not allow
proper vision"
Quizzed on Racketeering.
Quinn also questioned Van Duzer
about alleged "racketeering" in the
sale Of cabs The traffic director said
he did not know anything about that
situation and Quinn remarked:
1T seems to me most cab companies
are interested In selling cabs and not
service. There are too many cabs in
Washington"
Patman then began the interroga-
tion of Van Duzer, asking him to out
line the reasons he favors the taxi
liability bill.
First" he answered, sit will make
taxicabs responsible, the same as
street cars or busses.
Second, it will reduce the number
OF taxicabs on the streets. They are
. problem in our congested areas"
Favors Bill in Principle.
Nichols followed Van Duzer and ex-
planned that, while he favored the
proposed legislation in principle, he
did not believe the Quinn bill would
adequately meet the situation.
The Quinn bill. in its present form,
Nichols declared, is designed to pro-
tect larger taxicab operators.
II would hate to see it come out in
such form as to punish the small
operators. I'm afraid this bill would
do that"
Nichols also pointed out that sew
eral sections of the bill would permit
the larger taxicab operators to form
mutual companies and force the small
operators to 60 to regular insurance
companies and pay a higher pre-
MUM.