Evening star., 1942-07-06
Hankin WiIIinq
ToAdmit Press
ToCab Farley
Stand Roises Hope
For Settlement of
Rate Controversy


cision by the Public Utilities
Commission to hold Wednesdays
meeting with taxicab drivers
representatives behind closed
doors appeared likely today as
both sides in the dispute over
zone rates sought means of ar
irving at a settlement.
Gregory Hankin, chairman of the
commission, said he had no OBJ
jections to admitting newspapermen
to the discussions, scheduled for
10 am. Wednesday. but that other
members of the commission would
have to be consulted before any
announcement Is made. He OBJ
1ected, however, to throwing the
conference open to the general
public.
Strike Wouldn't Surprise Shuttle.
Meanwhile. Representative Schulz
te, Democrat, of Indiana told the
House District Committee that he
wouldn't be surprised to see them
tthe taxicab drivers) walk out to-
night"
Chairman Randolph and several
other members of the committee said
the committee had no intention of
taking any action in the situation
pending the Utilities Commissions
rehearing.
1t was indicated, however, that
Representative Schultz would study
the situation and report to the COM
mittee.
Edward A. Glenn, president of the
United Taxicab Drivers, Inc, an
nounced earlier he would participate
in the meeting only if reporters
are allowed to be present"
Hopes for Settlement Raised.
I'm not going into a closed ses-
sion with them (the PUG commits
sioners)," he said. This is some
thing far too vital to both the public
and the drivers to be decided be-
hind closed DOORS"
Wednesdays conference, arranged
to establish mutually agreeable pro-
cedure in negotiating a rate system,
was viewed as Offering new hope
OF settling the current controversy.
James H. Flanagan, vice chair
man OF the Utilities Commission.
later issued statement declaring
the commission sis determined that
the zones and rates to be in effect
shall be fair to both the public
and the drivers" and that the COM
mission would take no action which
will afford even the slightest pre-
text for an interruption of the cab
service"
Il have had daily conversations
by telephone with Mr.. Glenn" he
said. They were plain talks with
no words minced. I enjoyed those
talks. AS result of them I am
convinced that there are no ir-
reconcilable differences of opinion.
I have tried to convince Mr.. Glenn
that the one and only desire of the
commission is to proceed on an
amicable and cooperative basis to
a speedy and lawful solution of
the existing problem.
Il haze had similar satisfactory
conversations with other represen-
tatlVes OF the taxicab drivers and
with numerous drivers themselves.
In somc instances, I have found, to
my surprise, that the drivers were
obJecti,lg tc the new zones and rates
Without having made any ATTEMPT
to undo stand them. 1 earnestly
urge that the drivers supplement
the analyses being made by their
representatives, by a few minutes
study on their own account.
Fair Rates Promised.
I'm conclusion I desire to state
definitely that the commission is de-
termined that the zones and rates
to be in effect shall be fair to both
the public and the drivers; that
they shall be arrived at in a lawful
manner, and that the commission
will take no action which will afford
even the slightest pretext for an
interruption of the cab service Of
the District of Columbia"
Meanwhile, cab drivers were cast
ing ballots at 808 I street NV. to
determine how many of them ia
vored the new 30-50-7 -9O-cent zone
rate system proposed by the union.
The drivers are also being asked
to vote on whether they favor
another vacation" if the union rep
resentatives are unable to arrive at
.,--
and whether they would like to see
Gregory Hankin removed as chair
man of the commission.
Mr.. Glenn said he expected e5
per cent of the more than 1000
members of his organization to ex-
press themselves on these matters
today and tomorrow along with ''be-
tween 35 and so per cent" of nom
members operating Washington's
4,800 cabs.
Results Will Be Guide"
Results of the poll will not bind
drivers representatives to any spe-
clf1c action, Mr. Glenn said, but
would be considered as a guide"
About $50 of the Capitals more
than 5000 licensed taxicab drivers
have already filed their intentions
to continue operating under the old
zone system instead of the one re-
Gently instituted by the Commission.
Drivers were given permission re-
Gently to use either system, pending
settlement of the dispute, provided
that they file written statement
IN the event they chose the old
of computing fares.