Evening star., 1942-07-09
Taxicab Drivers
Agree on Plan
Boosting Rates
Also Work Out New
System of Subzones
To Present to PUG

SyStSHi VI SuOZOHSS
To Present to PUG
The taXicab industry and its or
ganlzed drivers today planned to
present to the Public Utilities Com
mission proposals for increase in
rates, based on system of four
major zones, cut through by six di-
visional lines, creating more than
20 smaller subzones.
The plan would raise present fares
from 30 30, 60 and 80 cents for the
different zones to 30, so, 70 and 90
cents, with no so-called free zones"
The plan. was agreed to unani-
mously yesterday afternoon at a
gathering of representatives of %
cab companies and the taxi drivers
union. This followed a morning
conference in the District Building
between these representatives and
the PUG, which emphasized that
the gathering was not a hearing.
The final zones and subzones
were agreed to as compromise to
suggestions put forward by three diff
ferent leaders in the form of three
different maps.
Report rendered Flanagan.
Ringgold Hart, counsel for the
Diamond Cab Co., who had been Sc
lected to preside over the afternoon
gathering, presented an informal re-
port last night to James H. Flana-
gan, vice chairman of the commits
sion, announcing the agreement
reached. Mr.. Flanagan went to the
boardroom of the District Building
to express appreciation to the lead
ers for the success OF the conference
in working out an agreement, to be
presented to the commission. He did
not commit himself on merits of the
plan.
This is the first time during the
taxicao controversy that the who,e
industry and the union have pre-
sented united front to the COM
mission.
Leaders met last night to prepare
the new map, based on the agree
ment yesterday, and planned to
confer with Mr.. Hart early today to
draft an official communication to
the commission.
"Deadline" Plan Dropped.
One suggestion from the floor
that the PUG be given "deadline"
before which it must act, was aban-
doned after it was frowned upon by
Mr.. Hart and union leaders. The
commission, it was pointed out by
Edward A. Glenn, head of the
United Taxicab Drivers. Inc, fully
understood the feeling of the taxi
drivers as expressed in their recent
meeting and their critical votes on
four different subjects yesterday. He
expected the commission would act
expeditiously.
The three maps were presented by
John H. Royer, jr., president Of the
Combined Cab Service, including six
companies; by Mr.. Glenn, and by
Dante Gentilucci, president of the
American Cab Co.
Mr.. Roger receded from his posi-
ton for the lower rates and voted
for the higher scale, proposed by Mr..
Glenn for the union. Parts of all
three maps were included in the
composite map finally agreed to.
-Four principal zones are provided,
with six divisional lines dividing the
second, third and fourth zones into
smaller sub-zones Proponents of
/ the plan insisted it was much SIM
pier than the one promulgated by
the PUG June Is, to which the taxi
drivers have strenuously objected,
claiming it was too complicated.
Several Changes in Map.
Using the Combined Cab Service
map published recently by The Star,
as working base, the gathering
made several changes, for the most
part moving in towards the center
of the city several zone lines, and
changing some divisional lines. Fox
hall road was made the western
boundary Of Zone 3, from the river
to its intersection with Nebraska
avenue, and this zone was further
restricted by moving part of the
northwest boundary from Military
road back to Albemarle street, and
Broad Branch road up to it's inter-
section with Military road.
|, The northern boundary of Zone
2 was dropped southwark below the
Soldiers Home grounds, to run via
the boundary road of the grounds,
Franklin street to Twelfth, to Mount
Olivet road to Bladensburg road,
instead of Randolph street, Jackson
street, Fourteenth street and Mon
tana avenue.
Atlantic avenue Sc was made the
new southern boundary of the
fourth zone beyond which the
price will be $110.
Hams Point and the new War and
Navy Buildings in nearby Virginia
were made 80 cents fare in the pro-
posal.
Wait Charge Recommended.
The gathering recommended a
charge of Is cents for a stop of
minutes or fraction thereof, begin
ming minutes after the cab reaches
it's destination.
A better definition of luggage was
requested.
Mr.. Glenn announced the final re-
suits of the union voting. In favor
of higher rates: 1,758; against, 3.
Favoring removal of Gregory Ham
kin as chairman of the PUG: 1873;
against, 81.
Recommending negotiations con-
tinue: 1886; against, 1856
Proposing a vacation" If neces-
sary: 1923; against, 103.
In summing up the results of yes
terday afternoons meeting, Mr..
Hart told the meeting that the COM
mission, of course, was 'quasi-ju
cial" body, and that it must take
into consideration, when it has be-
fore it the new proposals, not only
the welfare of tloe taxi industry and
drivers, but also the rights of the
public