Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-08
PUG Hearing
Called on Taxi
Group Fares
Regulation Of Hours
Of Service Put OFF
For Further Study
BY DON S. WARREN.

Reserving for further study ques-
lions of regulation of hours of serv-
ice by Washington taxi drivers, the
District Public Utilities Commits
sion has set down for formal public
hearing January 10, at 10 am, pro-
posals for compulsory group riding,
including issues over group riding
fares now cause of confusion and
complaint.
Date for the hearing was set after
hours of round table yesterday
among members of the PUG, some
Federal officials and representatives
Of the taxi industry. during which
service, rationing and rate problems
were debated, with few final agree
ments.
Suggestions that it would be to
the advantage of the taxi owner or
driver as we'll as the riding public
If some more regular system for
hours of service were made possible
than the present work-when-you-
will program came to nought, for
the nonce, as some taxi spokesman
demanded to know how any regula-
ton could be enforced. Commits
sion members indicated they had
not eliminated the question from
consideration, but it was passed over
for the moment.
On this point, however, Gregory
Hankin, PUG member, said the
commission had not exhausted its
resources, suggesting that perhaps
withholding of hacker permits
might be one way of enforcement.
Cab spokesman retorted drivers
were "as patriotic as any one" and
did not need compulsion, assuming
enforcement were possible.
AS to rates of fare for group
riding. about which there was con-
siderable dispute, possible new
complication arose when Russell
German, representing the OPA
utilities section, voiced a warning
that if group riding fares consti-
tuted a rate increase it would be
necessary under the Economic Stab
ilization Act of October 2 that the
OPA be given 30 days notice before
any increase went into effect, to
permit OPA an opportunity for in
tervention.
Members of the PUG questioned
whether adoption of proposals of
cab spokesman for prevailing full
fares for group riding passengers
would constitute rate increase.
since the service rendered would
not be the same as the individu-
allied cab service given in the past
at these rates Some cab leaders
insisting on full fares had declared
earlier that mo one would be hurt,
or have to pay penny more" and
had argued such full fares for each
| passenger or for each party of two
boarding cab at one place we're
justified by increased maintenance
and operation costs now borne by
cab operators.
Edwin A. Glenn. head of the
| United Taxicab Drivers. Inc, esti-
mated full fares for group riding
would increase cab revenues by
about 30 per cent.
One or more formal proposals for
group riding rates and the hours
when such program should be
compulsory are expected to be filed
for consideration at the hearing.
Some spokesman thought group rid
ing should not be compulsory at
night, for fear of trouble" or harm
to passengers. and others declared
the cab driver should be given dis
erection at all times as to whether
to allow group riding.
The session developed that lead
ers of various fleets or associations
had refused to supply to Mr.. Glenn
data on working hours and earnings
OF their drivers, under his plan for
such a survey, after he was named
by the PUG to report on the work.
ing hour arrangement. John H.
Roger. jr.. of Premier Cab, and
Jack Dolton, of Blue Light, both
told the PUG they would not give
Mr.. Glenn such data, while pro-
testing his QUESTIONABLE plan, but
said they would cooperate with
the PUG.
James H. Flanagan, PUG chair
man, indicated the agency would
consider the question further and
try to work out a simple" ques-
tionnaire to gather work hour and
earnings data which he and Mr..
Hankin agreed were needed by the
commission If 1t is to try to effect
any more systematic hours of serv-
ice.