Evening star., 1945-12-02
Taxi Drivers Here
Vote Not 10 Strike
Before December 70

Members of Taxicab Operators,
Drivers and Garage Employees Local
935 tAFD at spirited meeting
late yesterday voted not to strike
until at least December 20. Their
action was taken only few hours
before the "deadline," midnight,
yesterday, which the union set when
it gave the Public Utilities Commis1 ;
sion 10 days to act on its request
for changes in rates and zones.
The meeting. held at the Central
Labor Unions building, 525 New
Jersey avenue NV, lasted for two
hours and was attended by between
$50 and 400 drivers. Although spon-
sored by the union, which claims
a membership of some 1900 men,
bers, non-union drivers also were
invited to attend.
There are 5000 taxi-driver,s iden-
tiflcation cards current in the Dis
trict, although, it is estimated, there
are only about 5000 drivers now
actively at work.
Vote of Thanks Given.
A rising vote of thanks to the
members of the executive board,
which previously was empowered to
conduct negotiations for remedial
action at the District Building and
in Congress, was explained as
vote of confidence in the action
the board has taken thus far. When
members looked upon it as merely
a thank you" action, Union Presi-
dent Leon T. Glatfelter put the
vote again as a confidence measure
and it was carried overwhelmingly.
Led by President Glatfelter,
members of the executive board
successfully urged the membership
to refrain from striking at this
time, insisting that progress is be-
ing made. both with District Gov
ernment officials and in Congress
toward obtaining what the taxi
drivers desire.
CA. Garrett, vice president, said
that. on the question of adjourn
ment-a test of strike sentiment
only about so out of 400 wanted to
continue the meeting. A large
number of drivers had left the hall,
however, before the vote was taken,
but not before the meeting voted
to lock the doors.
Feared Dissenters.
President Glatfelter had said he
feared dissenters would remain and
have a majority for striking, as men
continued to stream from the hall.
Only few of the more than a
dozen speakers urged outright strike
action at this time, although some
advocated work stoppage of several
hours, as demonstration of
strength.
Lee Barrett was the most out
spoken for immediate action. He
declared:
Only through a work stoppage
can you show your strength. We
have dilly- -dallied since October "a
with Mr.. Flanagan Chairman
James H. Flanagan of the Public
Utilities Commission). You'll never
get anything but promises, as long
as you sit here. I favor work
stoppage. The public of Washing
ton is with you"
Speakers Give Warning.
Other speakers, however, warned
that the public is sick Of strikes" !"
President Glatfelter outlined what
the board has done and explained
the writing of proposed legislation
is lengthy process He anticipated
that a bill to limit the number of
taxes here may be introduced in
Congress Tuesday or Wednesday, If
the draft is satisfactory. He said it
was learned that the feet owners of
Washington are also drafting legis-
lation.
Members of the executive board
are: Mr.. Glatfelter, Mr.. Garrett;
Ben M. Deutsch, recording secre-
tary; H. E. Putnam, secretary-treas-
urer, and these trustees: B. Maur-
antonio, H.. c. Lancaster and E.
Williams.