Evening star., 1941-11-13

insisted the commission would need
evidence as TO revenues now re-
ceived by drivers under present
rates. Industry spOkesmen said they
could not supply the informal ton.
that cab drivers do not keep mani
tests.
At this juncture. Mr. Hankin said
the commission was proposing for
temporary period an increase of
from 30 to 25 cents for a one-zone
trip, and before he could finish
whatever else he was proposing for
the time being. a chorus of obiec-
tlons came from the half hundred
drivers in attendance.
When the crowd quieted Chair
man Hankin announced the hearing
was adjourned until pm Mean
while. the commission would con-
suit and resume the hearing after
the recess
William f. AndruSS. vice president
OF the cab drivers union. warned the
commission that industry leaders
had been fighting to prevent A taxi
strike in recent months. Others
declared cabs would be pulled of
the street" if the temporary rate
plan were ordered.
Jerry Faust. editor of the Taxi
Go-Round. taXicab trade paper. as
serted the publication had been in
fiuentiaI in holding the drivers in
line to await a time when the
Utilities Commission could act on
their rate increase plea. but that the
publication could not be an apollo
gist for the commission after today.
Rejects Hankin Plan.
f. E Dollar protested that cab
drivers already get 25 cents for a
one-zone trip. including a nickel tip
and referred to the Hankin tempo
rary plan as providing only an ad-
ditional ''measly" nickel
Before the adjournment was Or
dered Mr.. AndrusS said that since
the temporary rate plan was "arbi-
trary and not based on evidence in
the record" that the commission
should go all the way to ordering a
temporary l0-cent boost in the fare
for one zone. He reminded the
commission of the belief of MANY
drivers that no zone fare system was
fair, that he didn't think the courts
believed some zone rates were fair
and argued that meters would give
the only fair system of taxi charges.
Harry Davis. representing Dia-
mond cabs, told the commission
there had been more unrest among
drivers in the past two months than
he had ever known over a period of
years and he pleaded for a tenn
porary 30-cent charge for a one
zone trip.
Chairman Hankin replied that he
was entirely sympathic" to the case
OF the drivers, but that the author
lty OF the commission was limited
He referred to an understanding pre-
vlouSly reached with the drivers that
they dld not have and could not sup
ply eVlednce as to what revenues
the men were receiving. 1t was Tor
this reason he suggested temporary
rate plan to permit time for collec-
ton of data on what receipts the
drivers now are getting.
Chairman Hankln said the COM
mission had received petitions from
some parties for different schedule
of rates and even from some who
pleaded that there should be no
| change in rates. He added that if
a new uniform rate we're ordered
it would be forced upon those in
disagreement with the majority pc
| titioners. He said the commission
could not force these others to COM
ply with a rate schedule unless the
commission had the facts to support
its decision.
The case was opened by Jack
Royer. president of the Taxicab
Owners Association, representing 10
taxi associations or companies seek
ing the 20 to 80 cent increases.
Shortly before noon a 10-minute
recess was called by Chairman
Hankin and thereafter Mr.. Rover
was permitted to continue reading
q 'N'ASNiis pANRnl GU SllON
ing how the majority of the industry
had agreed upon the new rate
schedule and arguing it was justified
by increased costs of operation and
living.
Compromise Agreement.
Mr.. Royer explained there was a
diversity of opinion among taxi
owners and drivers as to what
change should be made and that q
compromise plan finally had been
agreed upon. with the idea that the
various elements in the industry
would give little and take lit
tie for the good of all operators
He argued that less than % per
| cent Of the public would be affected
by the change from 20 to 30 cents
See TAXI RATES - h-4D