Evening star., 1947-07-02
Fixed Cab Rates
Authorized
County Utilities Agent
To Decide on Fare and
Establish Tuxi Zones

Establish Toxi Zones
An ordinance authorizing the
Montgomery County public utilities
agent to establish taxicab zones and
fix uniform rates had the approval
today OF the county commissioners
About $50 cabs are affected.
The ordinance, the first in Mont
gomery to regulate .taxicabs on a
countrywide basis, was adopted yes
terday by the commissioners and
becomes effective July Is.
1t was submitted to the board by
Public Utilities Agent Albert E. Con-
raids, who drafted the provisions
with the cooperation of a special
committee headed by Elmer Christ
ensen, former trial magistrate at
Silver Spring.
Mr.. Conradis is authorized under
the ordinance to establish zones
for Rockville, Bethesda-C Chevy Chase,
Silver Spring and Takoma Park and
for any other areas in the county
which may seem advisable"
Zone System Due in Week.
He said he expects to have the
zone system completed in about a
week, adding that fares in other
sections of the county will be COM
puted on mileage basis.
For the present, Mr.. Conradis will
act as hack inspector in enforcing
the ordinance. He will maintain
an Office at the Bethesda County
Building and will be available there
from 9 to II am. daily except
Saturday.
Il don't know whether an in
spector will be appointed later" Mr..
Conradis said. We're just feeling
our way along until we see how this
law works"
Group riding is banned by the
ordinance but party riding, defined
as two or more persons who are in
agreement over sharing the taxicab,
is permitted.
Registration Fee Set.
In party riding, two will ride for
one fare, according to the ordinance.
Three persons will pay fare and
half; four persons. tive fares; five,
two and half fares, and six riders,
three fares.
Each taxicab operator must pay
an annual registration fee of $50
and an annual license fee of So All
taXicabs will be subject to semi
annual inspections at places and
times to be set by the county COM
missioners.
No registration card will be issued
to any person under 81 unless the
applicant was the owner and opera
tor Of cab in the county before
June /, 1947.
In addition, persons not of good
moral character or who have had
their operator permits suspended
twice will not be permitted to
operate cabs in the county.
Cruising Is Prohibited.
The ordinance also fixes a 10-cent
charge for suit cases in excess of
one per passenger and so cents for
trunks. No charge may be made for
children under IL years of age when
accompanied, by an adult. Cruising
to pick up passengers is prohibited
and the. public utilities agent is au-
sdhorized' to establish taxicab stands
and call boxes when required in
the public interest"
In other actions, the commission
ers ordered no parking at any time
on the west side of Highland drive
between Colesville and Fairview
roads, Silver Spring Stop signs
were authorized at Dale and Mans
field drives and at Schuyler and
Bradford roads, Silver Spring.
Capt. Roy Bodmer, attached to
the Rockville police station, was ap-
pointed to the County Safety Board
to succeed Capt. Earl Burdine, who
scheduled to retire Friday.
Spraying Reported Effective.
County Agent o. w. Anderson re-
ported that the program to elm
mate insects in the suburban area
| VI lllC SOullGy Wy on dJA16 4SAAe16S
with DDT is progressing satisfac-
torily."
While admitting his office has re-
ceived several complaints that in
sects are not dying Immediately
after spraying, Mr.. Anderson en-
phasized that the solution is not
sufficiently strong to kill them i'm
mediately. He added that sprayed
areas will be deadly to insects for a
month or more.
A permit was granted the County
Day School of Sacred Heart, Inc.
for a school on the Rockville pike
near the Naval Medical Center
Bethesda, after no opposition was
voiced at hearing before the board
Road Contract Awarded.
Frederick Stohlman, attorney for
the applicant, said the school will
have about $50 pupils and a teach
ing and administrative staff of
approximately Is persons.
Douglas Riggs, county engineer,
and j. o. Harvey, road supervisor
told the commissioners contract
had been awarded the Community
Paving Co., Takoma Park, for curbs
and cutters and street Improvements
on Markham road near -Four Cor
ners. The work will cost $2,57995