Evening star., 1939-03-28
Continued From First Page)

OF the finance company was backed
by Mr.. Keech He supported an
amendment to the Randolph bill Of
fered by Mr.. Wender which would
keep the taxicab license in the pos
session of the cab purchaser, even
II the cab were reclaimed by the
finance company. The reclaimed
cab can't be put back into service
as cab.
Mrs Bessie Cahill reported that
her husband lost his cab to finance
company when an eight-week's ILL
ness caused him to fall behind in
his payments.
Mrs. Lillian Botkin, one of the
city's woman drivers. complained
that women are not permitted in
the associations.
The hearing was concluded after
today's testimony was received. The
subcommittee plans to revise the
bill and report it to the full COM
mittee.
AndreW Lennox, owner-driver OF a
cab, told the subcommittee that un-
der present conditions a cabdrlver
can expect to make only $20.77 a
week at his job of hacking.
Mr.. Lennox was In a parade Of
drivers, members of a notably ar
ticulate industrial group, appearing
before the Public Utilities Subcom-
mittee to testify on the Randolph
bill for limiting the number of cabs
in Washington. The bill in its pres
ent form authorizes the Public
Utilities Commission to limit the
number as it sees fit.
Mr.. Lennox suggested also limi-
tation on drivers as well as on cabs,
in ratio to three drivers to every
two cabs The number of drivers
could be regulated through control
of the issuance of identification
cards.
The chief desires of most of the
drivers as expressed today are:
l. A change in the cab liability
insurance law.
2. Release of the cab industry
from domination by the automobile
finance companies.
Finance Companies Hit.
This city is "a dumping ground"
for finance companies, Mr.. Lennox
said He pointed out that a cab
can be taken over by a driver for
no down-payment-a fact which
contributes to the great number of
cabs operating in the city.
George A. Martin, an owner
driver. and Harry Wender. speaking
for the Federation of Citizens Asso-
ciaitions, offered amendments de-
signed to curb the finance COM
panies.
Mr.. Martin said he had paid
finance companies as much as IS per
cent interest for cabs he was pur-
chasing.
There was considerable applause
and murmuring from the hearing
room audience Of cab drivers-two
of them women-in the hearing
room. Displaying sympathy with
the drivers cause, Representative
Seccombe, Republican, of Ohio,
member of the subcommittee. said:
IF there are any drivers who feel
they might be handicapped, jeop-
ardized or kicked around by cab
owners or officials for testifying here,
l wish they would come around and
let us know it. There's still some
free speech left"
The drivers applauded.
The insurance rates should be
lowered from IS week cab to
$3.75, j. w. Buckley, an owner
driver said. He said that the own
ers of the 1882 cars in the city
have paid $601, 700 in insurance since
last August 20.
Chaotic Conditions Predicted.
Washington soon will possess the
Nations most chaotic cab indus
try" Thomas Evans, a driver, said
He said he drives IL hours day
and spends 80 per cent of his time
looking for fares He said:
''At the present time any number
of drivers can be seen at the relief
station procuring food and clothing
for their children"
n