Evening star., 1942-07-21
New Taxi Rates
Put In Effect
By Drivers
Glenn Claims Men
Still Have Choice
On Zone Systems

The recently turbulent taxicab
situation appeared today to have
settled down temporarily to a gen.
eral attempt to put into effect the
new Public Utilities rates and zones. .
But Edwin A. Glenn, president OF
he United TaXicab Drivers, Inc,
Who called the June "a vacation"
strike, claimed he still held in his
pocket the authority by a vote OF
hnion drivers to call another strike
Hhenever the situation justified 1t.
Leading cab companies announced
they recognized the PUG order eff
tective yesterday, and virtually all
ene drivers in the city were said to
he attempting to obey the new
order.
Mr.. Glenn insisted again. how
ever, that under an agreement he
had with the PUG June "a to allow
drivers to choose either the old or
tire new system, that it was per-
m.ssible now for any driver to op-
crate on either one. He did not
say which one he was using in
driving his own cab.
Decline to Act Against Glenn.
Meantime, the Commissioners
were committed to a policy of back
ing up the new PUG order. They
too; this position in formal state
ment in which they also declined
to consider the recommendation of
two members of the PUG that Mr..
Glenns hackers license should be
revoked.
Chairman Gregory Hankin and
James H. Flanagan Of PUG had
asked the Commissioners to refer
Mr.. Glenn's license to the Board OF
Revocation and Review for action.
On this the city heads said: The
Commissioners are of the opinion
that the facts presented do not war
rant such procedure"
The Commissioners, however"
the statement continued, recognize
the necessity for the observance of
all orders, including those of the
Public Utilities Commission, and will
see to it that any violation thereof
is adequately and promptly dealt
with.
| At the District Building it was ex-
i planned the Commissioners have
wide authority to enforce the regu-
latiols of the PUG. They can use
the police force. They have listed
not only the names, addresses and
! pictures of every cab driver licensed
in Washington, but they also have
their tingerprints, and sometimes
confidential information concerning
their character licenses"
Procedure in cases of complaints
against cab drivers involves refer
ence to 4he Board of Revocation
and Review of Character Licenses, +"
which would hold hearings, take
testimony end make a report to the
commissioners, who would finally
act.
Number of Firms in Line.
Officials IF the Combined Cab
Services announced that. so far as
they knew all the cabs of the Ar
row, Bell, Checker, Premier, Wash
ington and Yellow companies we're
using the new rates, 3O so, 10 and
80 cents for line four zones, and the
special rates Cor subzones as pro-
vlded in the PUG map. Diamond
Cab officials said their cabs were
operating urdfr the new orders,
At the hack inspectors Office IL
was said a stt vey showed that vir-
tually all cabs checked up were using
the new SYSTEM. Taking lenient
policy in enfdrcing the new regula-
tions the first day, the official said
that some cab crivers who had tried
to use the Obj rates and zones had
found they wouhl lose money there
by and were charging the newer
rates under she new zone map.
When Mr. Cisenn was asked how
many drivers ware using the old
system, he estimated late yesterday
afternoon that Il stood about $3.50
with half of the olen trying out the
new plan, and nalf of them still
operating under The old one.
Asked what E1uld be the next
development in The situation. Mr.
Glenn said: "We are just waiting
for the next move of the Public
Utilities Commission. It's right or
their doorstep. The board of direc.
tors of our union Friday night re.
jected the proposal of the PUG. We
are standing onilGle agreement oi
June "a, which, allows us to use
either system, Q1stl all rates ano
zones are settled Our men want
that zone map silnplif1ed, so. it will
be sane and sensible"
Mr.. Glenn said lie had conferred
at length yesterday with Chairman
: Randolph of the House District
Committee, and other members o.
the committee on the whole stu.
alton, but no action had been taken