Evening star., 1942-10-13
Police Probe Reports
OF Taxicab Service 10
Nearby Gaming House
Proof Could Bring Loss
Of Drivers Cos Cards,
Operating Licenses

Washington police today were in
vestigating reports of an alleged
taxicab ferry service" to q gam
bling house in Prince Georges
County to determine whether there
is any basis for police action against
the drivers.
The Public Utilities Commission
made a preliminary examination of
the facts and allegations yesterday.
1t then authorized its chairman,
James H. Flanagan, to announce
that no PUG investigation would be
made, after Corporation Counsel
Richmond B. Keech advised that
the commission lacked Jurisdiction.
Maj. Edward ]. Kelly, Superintend-
ent Of police, announced last night
that 'Sergt. Joseph Harrington of
the hack inspectors ONCE already
had begun to inquire into reports
Of the ferry service" and was in
terviewing cab drivers said to be
involved.
Took Party to Tavern.
Sergt. Harrington has talked with
one driver who took passengers from
the District to a Prince Georges
County tavern, Maj. Kelly said, but
was told by the hacker that he
was not in the employ of the tavern
and had been paid by his passengers.
Sergt. Harrington said he was
told by the driver that he had
taken three men to the roadhouse,
had waited for them and had
brought them back to Washington
On the return trip, he said, he heard
his passengers discussing a crap
game
The driver, however. said he had
never heard Of the alleged gambling
establishment to and from which
the ferry service" has reportedly
been operating.
The hackers manifest, Sergt.
Harrington added, proved that he
had been paid for the trip by his
passengers.
Driver Volunteers to Talk.
Another driver, who has been op-
Grating from stand at North
Carolina avenue and Eleventh street
Sc, allegedly the District terminal
of the taxicab service to the gaming
house, has called the hack inspec-
tors office and volunteered to tes-
tify whenever he is called.
Action against drivers found gull
ty of participating in anything of
an illegal nature could come. Sergt.
Harrington said, in revocation of
hackers permits on character
grounds.
The Office of Defense Transpor-
tation and the Office of Price Ad-
ministration were watching the in
vestigation, it was learned, and it
Is possible that some action might
be taken by either or both agencies.
If the ODT found that any of its
orders on taxicab operation had
been violated, it could ask the OPA
to revoke gasoline privileges of the
drivers involved.
Might Revoke Licenses.
Mr.. Keech said it might be possible
to revoke hackers permit If it was
proved that he had been taking pas
sengers to gambling establishment
on charter basis and thus had
been actively involved in the illegal
operation. Questions of revocation
or suspension Of hackers permit
60 to the Board Of Revocation and
Review, from which there Is an ap-
peal to the Commissioners.
Applicants for cab licenses must
agree to abide by uniform zone and
rate rulings Of the PUG, but their
licenses are issued by the superin-
tendent of licenses and their char
acter permits by the Police Depart
ment. A license could be revoked
on character grounds, If co-opera-
tion with any illegal project was
proved.