Evening star., 1942-07-18
Union Leaders Custer
Asked in SquabbIe
Over Taxi Rates
10-Cent Fore Increase
Ordered by PUG,
Effective Monday
By DON S. WARREN.

PUBIC UClllleS CUiiifIiiooioii, was
pending before the District Commis-
sioners today as action was awaited
on new issues over the disputed taxi
zone-rate problem.
Possibilities of another taxi strike.
it was reported, were being with
held, pending an answer from the
House District Committee to a new
statement from the union group.
This situation developed after the
PUG had issued an order calling for
a 10-cent boost In basic taxi rates,
effective at 1901 am. Monday, to
be applied to the commissions sub
zone plan, which had been fought by
union leaders.
Two Orders Issued.
After a day'of closed door confer
ences and PUG meetings. the regula-
tory body, shortly after 6 o'clock
last night, issued two orders:
One ordering the compromise 10
cent boost in the basic taxi rates, to
be effective at 1901 am. Monday,
these to be applied to the debated
new subzone system under threat
of prosecution; and another asking
the District Commissioners to call
on the Board of Revocation and Re-
view to consider revocation of the
license of Mr.. Glenn.
The PUG found that Mr.. Glenn
sis not fit and proper person to
be licensed taxicab driver in the
District The Glenn matter caused
a schism in the commission. Brig
Gen. Charles w. Kutz dissenteo
from the finding of PUG Commits
sioners Gregory Hankin, chairman
and James H. Flanagan
Preceding these PUG actions, there
were charges made that Mr.. Glenn
had said he would refuse to obey
lawful orders" of the PUG, ir
reference to the new zone order ano
that this was contrary to an "agree-
ment" he had made with the PUG
and a negotiation committee fol
settlement of the old zone issue. Mr.
Glenn last night denied the com.
missions complaint and revealed HI
| had sent statement to 13 member!
of the House District Committee
which recently brought an end to {
taxi driver strike, protesting tn
PUG new zone plan, pending PUG
review.
"Overt Act" Questioned.
Some official observers at the Dis.
trict Building questioned last nigh
whether Mr.. Glenn in his reported
statements yesterday to the PUG
had committed ANY overt act,
regardless of whatever was hi
action in the negotiations.
1t developed there were som
differences as to exactly what ques
tions the PUG had asked Mr.. Glen
about his willingness to comply witt
commission orders, and as to jus
what his answers were. Further,
was disclosed, no transcript wa
taken of this conference and it wa
brought out also that at the tim
of the debates the commission ha,
not yet issued its new zone-rat,
order.
Asked whether a new strike wa
impending, in view of the break il
the supposedly unanimous agree
ment on the compromise plan, MI
Glenn early last night said mo,
that he had strike vote "alread.
in hand" and could call a strike
but that he did not propose to tax
any action at least until after tn
House District Committee had hat
a new chance to take cognizanc
of the situation.
Controversy Develops.
Intermixed with these situations
there was a controversy between
Chairman Hankin and Ringgol
Hart, counsel to the Diamond Taxi
cab Association, who had acted a
moderator" in the zone issue, an
who had brought about what wa
thought to be an agreement tn
issue over the subzone plan woult
be deferred to hearing, to b
called not later than August Is, wit
an immediate grant of a 10-cen
rates 30-50-70-90 cents. This wa
said to have revolved about a CLAIM
by Mr. Hankin that neither he no
other PUG members had agreed t.
any bargain" or a compromise
or even had entered into an "agree
ment" for a boost in rates in return
for a real trial of the subzone sys
tenn. This claim Mr.. Hart an
others fatty denied.
Last Tuesday the PUG held al
open conference on procedure t
be followed at the then scheduled
July "a hearing on the taxi zone
rate issues. That wound up will
the understanding the commission
would boost rates to 30-50-7O-9
cents and agree to consider. begin
ming not later than August Is, pro
posals for zone changes.
Several minor matters were lef
for negotiation, as to definition
of what constitutes personal serv
ice" and the size of trunk
The new issues came to a heat
over casual discussion of thes'
minor matters yesterday in a con
ference between Mr.. Hart, John H
Roger, jr., representing taxi owner
and operators; Mr.. Glenn, repre-
.senting taxi drivers, and v. A. NC
Rlfresh, chief accountant of th'
PUG. When the minor matters
were disposed of, Mr.. Hart remarked
the whole issue apparently wa
settled, but Mr.. Glenn is said tt
have questioned whether a com
mission order was needed, since h,
felt the drivers still could use eithe
the new or the old rates and appl,
them to either the new or old zon,
systems, pending final decision b.
the PUG on the whole" question
involved.
Mr.. Hart and Mr.. Roger wer.
Shocked in view of the "compro
mise agreement" of last Tuesda.
and Immediately sought an audi
ence with the PUG, where the whole
story was recited again. AS result
of this the commission not only
issued the new rate order, but alsc
issued an order attacking Mr.
Glenn's right to operate cab, witt
Gen. Kutz recording his dissent or
! 1otf