Evening star., 1942-07-10
PUC Studies
Rates Approved
ByCab Groups
Unified Proposal
Would Boost Fees,
Bon Free Zones
MAP on Page A-6.)

zone system laid before 1t yesterda,
afternoon by a committee repre-
senting all the big cab companie:
and the drivers union. The plar
had been adopted at a taxi meeting
Wednesday afternoon.
One of the first questions faced b,
the commission is whether to hole
another public hearing, or to re,
study" its previous taxicab order
with a view to amending it, without
such hearing.
The unified proposal now before
the commission would increase the
rates of fare from the present scale
of 30, 4O so and 80 cents, for the
four different zones. to 80. So 10 ano
90 cents. There would be no free
zones
Plans Differ Distinctly
Although the PUG system, pro.
mulgated June Is, which has beer
under fire from the taxi drivers, ano
the new plan both have four prin-
cipal zones and several subzones
there is a distinct difference between
the two, it was explained yesterday
to the, commission by the cab and
union representatives.
The PUG system Of subzones, criti-
cized by the drivers as too compli-
Gated. provides for increased fares
on crossing both zone and subzone
l.
promise plan provides that the "di-
visional lines" cutting zones 2,
and into smaller parts, shall be
used for increased fares only when g
trip begins and ends within one OF
these zones.
In the formal statement laid be-
fore the commission yesterday, the
point is expressed in this language
ANY trip confined to one zone
shall be 80 cents plus 20 cents addi-
tional for each divisional line crossed
within that zone"
New System Simpler.
While the net result of the new
map might bring smaller fares or
some trips, 1t was explained to the
commission that both the cab COM
panies and the drivers themselves
would rather have the new plan, in
the interests of "simplification." The
PUG system is too complicated for
both the drivers and the public, the
DRYERS complained.
The committee rresr..ing the pro-
posal was headed by Ringgold Hart
counsel for the Diamond Cab Co.
who had been chairman of the meet
ing of cab company and union rep
resentatives which agreed to the
plan Wednesday afternoon in ths
boardroom of the District Building
Others in the delegation included
Harry Davis, president of the Dia
mond Cab Co.: Edwin A. Glenn
head of the United Taxicab Drivers
Inc, and John H. Roger, jr.. presi
dent of the Combined Cab Service
which includes six companies. Drop
ping into the informal meeting late
in the afternoon was Representativ
Schultz of Indiana. member of tn
House District Committee, who EN-
phasized Washington's need for sub
ways
All three members of the PUG
headed by Gregory Hankin. chair
man, asked many questions abou
the new proposed map suggestin
some changes, but coming to n
conclusions. Mr.. Hankin insiste
his plan would bring in more revenu
to the drivers.
Unanimous Opinion.
Mr.. Hart reported that the pre-
posals represented the unanimou
opinion of the Wednesday meetin,
He believed the commission could re
study. its original order and amen
1t without public hearing, but +
felt the public should have rigf
to be heard and considered A "rt
study" could be justified, he though
because of the factors of increase
cost of living and increased cost I
operating cabs.
Chairman Hankin commented c
the orderly" conduct of Wedne
days meeting. after previous iii
tense feeling" He contrasted tt
session with previous hearings ov
taxicab matters and said Wedne
days session was even more order
than the recent hearing on Il
"crosstown bus"
THE cab drivers" said N
Hankin, "are orderly, law-abidil
citizens entitled to just compens
ton. They invest not only the
property, but their time and ener
trying to make living
"Stop" Provision Discussed.
Members of the commission cou
make no promises as to how so
they would be able to come to
decision on the case, saying tn
needed time for "deliberation." b
they insisted. this would not take
long time. The previous two sep
rate plans presented by the Coz
bined Cab Service, and by t
United Taxicab Drivers, Inc, h
been superseded by the new pl
presented Yesterday, the comm
sioners explained.
There was considerable diScussi
over a proposed stop" provision
the new plan, reading as follow
when two or more passengers {
gage a cab and at the point OF oriI
instruct the driver as to the po
OF destination and at that point
driver is instructed to proceed
with the remaining passenger
passengers, the continued trip sh
be considered a new trip from
point of the first stop to the CT
tinued destination" This was
clear up some previous trouble
the matter, Mr.. Glenn explain
But in view of the strongly orgt
lied taXicab situation now, he S
he would withdraw the item If
commission insisted. There W
indications, however, that the CO
mission would continue study of
controverted point.
Rate for Cabs by Hour.
Other recommendations in
plan provided that the business r
for cabs by the hour shall be S.
for the first hour or any tract
f-~ Oh