Evening star., 1942-07-08
1axicab Rate Dispute
Moves Toward Quick
Zone Settlement
Drivers Groups to Hand
In Composite Schedule
Lote This Afternoon

The controversy between the
Public Utilities Commission and
the Capitals taxicab drivers was
moving rapidly toward an ami
cable solution today when driv-
ers representatives, at the sug-
gestion of the PUG, agreed to
formulate a single basic recon-
mendation for changes in the
zone rate schedule.
The composite plan was to be
reported back to the commission
later this afternoon.
The suggestion to have the driv-
ers representatives hold their own
conference came from PUG Chair
man Gregory Hankin after several
spokesmen for taxicab drivers or
ganizations declared that they be-
lieved only minor differences marked
various plans submitted to the PUG.
Acceptance of the recommends
ton to be submitted by the drivers
will not be mandatory upon the
commission The PUG has indi-
Gated, however, that it will be
guided by whatever concerted plan
of action the drivers may present.
Glenn Acquiescent.
Asked by Commissioner James H.
Flanagan whether the United Taxi
cab Drivers, Inc, would be willing to
confer with other interested groups
in outlining a mutually acceptable
schedule, Edwin A. Glenn, president
Of the union, said he would be per
fectly happy to sit down on any,
thing that will help the drivers"
Il think this matter should be
solved quickly" he said. Il don't
think week should elapse before
a new order is issued granting sim
plified zones and higher rates."
Other representatives of the
drivers agreed to this afternoons
informal conference. Ringgold Hart.
attorney for the Independent Taxi
Owners Association, told the COM
mission it is generally known that
there is much dissatisfaction among
drivers and the public over the rates
established by the PUG June Is.
John H. Royer, jr., president of
the Combined Cab Companies, Inc,
said it was his opinion that the only
difference existing among drivers
involved a few boundary lines.
Agree on Rate Rise.
Virtually all of the 40 cab drivers
representative agreed that the rates
should be increased to 3O-50- 70-90
cents.
General objections to holding an
other hearing in the dispute over
zone rates was expressed at todays
conference. The commission prob
ably will be asked to issue a new
order without holding a rehearing
upon the basis of the conclusions
reached by the cabmen's representa-
tives today.
Earlier, Mr.. Glenn told the COM
mission most Washington taxicab
drivers would rather 60 out of busi-
ness than operate under the sched-
ule of zone rates set up June Is.
Mr.. Glenn said some drivers al
ready had quit because of the cur
rent confusion over zones and
rates. He said that during the first
six months of this year more than
1000 applicants had filed for identi-
fication papers with the Hack In
spectors' Bureau of the Police De-
partment.
Serious Turnover Forecast.
IF wartime conditions in the cab
industry continue" the turnover of
labor among drivers is going to grow
more serious" he added
Asked by Chairman Hankin how
the commission was to determine
which zone system was least COM
plicated. Mr.. Glenn produced results
OF a two-day balloting held by his
union, during which, he said, only
three out of 1911 drivers approved
the commissions schedule.
Objections to the order of June
Is were listed as follows.
Too much time is required at the
(See TAXIS, Page A-3.)