Evening star., 1941-11-14
Temporary 0ne-zone
Taxi Fare Hike Granted
Pending Cost Data
Utilities Body Follows
Up 10-Cent Increase
With Revenue Inquiry
BY DON S. WARREN.


at midnight Sunday.
Chairman Gregory Harkin ex-
planned the temporary fare hike
was warranted by obvious increases
In costs of operation and general
living expenses, but he had in
sistently impressed on the deter
mined and vocal so or so representa-
tives of taxi operators that a final
ruling, or a permanent increase in
rates, could not be ordered until
data had been gathered as to costs
and revenues. Complete informa-
ton Of this character has been lack
ing for years.
Shout Down Compromise.
The boost was won only after
hours of tumultuous argument, dur
ing which, at one time, the assem-
bled taxi operators shouted down a
compromise plan offered by Chair
man Hankin for temporary in
crease from 20 to 25 cents for a
trip confined to any one zone. There
were threats of a taxi strike if this
was the best answer" that could be
given now.
In the Windup it was revealed Mr..
Hankln, new member of the regula-
tory body, had held the facts ad-
duced at the hearing warranted a
temporary l0-cent increase for a
one-zone trip, but that Brig. Gen.
Charles w. Kutz, District Engineer
Commissioner. now the only other
utility Commissioner, had disap-
proved a temporary fare increase.
This provoked the most dramatic
session a utilities commission has
witnessed in years. A half dozen
spokesmen for taxi drivers took
turns pleading with Gen. Kutz to
reconsider and to go along" with
Chairman Hankin on a temporary
fare boost, pending collecting of
the data Mr.. Hankin had required.
Emotions rose to a high pitch
when Mrs B. M. Cahill, taxi owner
and driver, demanded: IF We have
to wait 80 or go days for final rul-
ing-do you realize We are going into
debt? We can't make as many trips
now as We could three months ago
because of traffic congestion. Within
three months we will have to pay $25
for next years licenses. How are we
going to do it?"
Told of Five Month Wait.
e. E. Dollar, pleading for Gen.
Kutz to change his vote, said he was
speaking for the wives and children
of drivers who are facing a Christ
mas season which they would like to
enjoy but ARE going into debt be-
cause of the present dastardly low
rates"
Jack Royer, president of the
Washington TaXicab Owners Asso-
citation, sponsor of the formal petit
ton, protested that restless" driv-
ers had waited five months through
no fault of their own for a COM
mission decision. and now were
faced with delay of another month
or two.
Gen. Kutz. who had listened to
the many pleas with poker face,
suddenly said: Il will join you, Mr..
Hankin." Wild cheers and applause
greeted his change of vote.
In the background of the hearing
were repeated warnings by taxi
spokesmen that unless a temporary
boost of 10 cents for a one-zone trip
were granted, the drivers would pull
their cabs off the streets" Chair
man Hankin had countered these
warnings with declarations that the
commission would not be Influenced
by strike threats"
AS the story of the positions OF
the two Commissioners developed
after noon recess yesterday, Gen.
Kutz won share of applause.
Kutz Makes Statement.
Chairman Hankin opened the
tense afternoon session with an an
nouncement that apparently" the
taxi spokesmen had rejected the
compromise offer of a temporary 25-
cent charge for a one-zone trip He
then called for a statement by Gen.
Kutz.
The Engineer Commissioner re-
vealed there was disagreement on
the commission as to temporary
fare boost. that therefore additional
evidence would have to be gathered.
He said: II feel an increase in
Zone l rates is clearly indicated and
also that it is evident the size of
Zone l is too large" Hearty ap-
plause greeted his declarations.
Chairman Hankin then said collec-
ton of necessary information would
take one or possible two months and
protested the taxi fare increase petit
ton had been filed August 5. The
commissions staff, he added. could
have collected data to serve as basis
for final commission rule, but had
not done so. 1T is now November
13," he said. Under the circum-
stances, he said he felt a temporary
grant of 30-cent one-zone charge
was warranted. When applause
greeted this remark, he slapped
his hand on the table and said:
This Is not the theater. Please re-
frain from demonstrations"
why taxi spokesmen had not asked
for rates that would give them bet
ter living conditions than they had
two years ago, considering the in
creased cost of living, and assured
the gathering he was most SYM
pathetic" But the taxi drivers ex-
pressed dismay when he persistently
declared the commission would be
unable to render a final" decision
until 1t had before it evidence" as
to costs of living, costs of taxi opera
ton and actual revenues from
Wakhington's 5,0O0-odd tax drivers.