Evening star., 1946-06-04
Views Conflict
On Legislation
To Limit Cabs
Ban on Permits for
| Port-Time Drivers
Proposed at Hearing

Proposed at Hearing
Sharply conflicting opinions as to
whether and how legal limits should
be placed on the number of WASH
ington taxicabs were given the
House District Committee today at
a hearing on several limitation bills.
Opposition developed against pro-
posals to include limitation on the
number of cab drivers who may be
licensed. This came from C. G.
Hathaway, president of the Veter-
ans Taxicab Association, and Jack
Dalton, who operates both cab and
insurance businesses, who contended
a man should not be deprived of the
rights to make his living in his
chosen field,
At one point during this discuss
sion, Chairman Mcmillan said he
thought the committee agreed with
that view.
There were strong demands also
for a legislative ban on licensing
cab drivers who have other Jobs
and who drive cabs only part time,
but Mr.. Dalton suggested that such
rule would be unenforceable due
to the shortage of police and the
staff of the Public Utilities Com
mission.
Gen. Young Opposes Limit.
Brig. Gen. Gordon R. Young,
Engineer Commissioner and mem
Der of the Public Utilities Commits
sion. told the Mcmillan group he
could not conscientiously recon-
mend cab limitation bill at this
time.
However. I believe the time has
come to put an end to the part
time driver" he added He said he
believed the part-time cab driver
did not make any great amount
OF money, but that it still was
enough to skim profits that other
wise would go to the regular drivers,
and thereby affected the morale of
the regularly employed cabbie.
Statistlcally, according to popula-
ton Washington has more cabs
than other large cities, but he said
1t was notorious" that Washington
lacked adequate service during the
war and still lacked adequate serv-
ice.
1t cab limitation bill is to be
enacted, Gen. Young continued, he
said he would recommend the one
which would give discretion as to
numbers to the PUG on a conven-
lence and necessity basis. rather
than a mechanical formula based
on population.
Brinkley Speaks for Federation.
Milo F. Brinkley, speaking for tho
Federation of Citizens Associations,
said the Federation opposes any
limitation by law of the number of
| cabs lin view of the present deficien-
cy in call service" but indorsed a
limitation by the PUG If this is left
entirely to the judgment of that
agency, following public hearings.
| Chairman Mcmillan said he would
discuss the issues with other COM
m1ttee members and a decision
might be announced before tomor.
row.
James w. Lauderdale, peoples
counsel, said there should be no
limitation placed on the number of
cabs until full cab service" was
available. He said he was not con-
vinced that cab drivers generally
were not making a living, and de-
clared the total number of cabs here
could not properly be compared
with those Of other large cities be-
cause of special conditions in the
National Capital.
Representative Dirksen, Repub-
lican, of Illinois indicating he did
not favor limitation on the num-
Der of drivers, said this was
Fundamental question" especially
since returning war veterans are
applying for cab driver licenses.
Others Express Views.
Other views expressed included:
Edwin c. Hammerly, cab driver:
1--WE are getting back to the same
chaotic conditions that prevailed in
the early '30s, when a man worked
IS or is hours day and went home
with $1.50 in his pocket"
MIR. Hammerly, protesting part
time cab driving by those having
other jobs, said so per cent of the
| licensed cabs can be found parked
during the day on Washington
streets.
Irving Schlaifer, cab driver, pro-
posed a full fare be permitted for
any one-zone trip, even in group
riding.
J. D. Jewell, private cab owner,
who urged no legislation now, said
there should be ''cooling-of" peri
cd for year. He suggested re-
turn to the use of meters and said
there, was discrimination in actions
against independent operators and
the companies on charges of rule
violations.
Mr.. Dalton warned that careleSSly
drawn legislation might result in a
monopoly for big fleets and in
creased fares.
William A. Frye, a driver for a
fleet owner, asked the committee to
reject all the pending bills and to
investigate many details of the cab
industry including the ownership of
all taXicab licenses and loan sharks
and finance companies dealing with
the cab industry.
Woman Saves Her Purse
As Pepper HurIer FIees
"A colored man hurled pepper into