Evening star., 1948-09-29
PSC Asked toFix
TaxicabFares
In Montgomery
Commissioners Act
In Dispute yer
County Ordinance

The Montgomery County COM
missioners have agreed to ask the
Maryland Public Service Commits
sion to fix taxicab rates in the
county.
The action was taken by the board
yesterday in response to recon-
mendation by County Public Utili-
ties Agent Albert E. Conradis. 1t
was the latest move in the battle
between taxicab owners and county
authorities over the latter's at
tempt to regulate cab operations
under an ordinance adopted about
a year ago.
In a ruling several months ago,
the Circuit Court rejected a de-
murrer by Mr. Conradis TO suit
challenging constitutlonality Of the
ordinance. AS a result of the oDin-
ion, taxicab operators have con-
tended the ordinance is void and
three Bethesda cab companies re-
Gently increased their rates. No
final decision in the suit has heen
handed down, however.
Mr.. Conradis told the board taxi
cabs are common carriers and
are subject to the authority of the
Maryland Public Service Commits
zion. He claimed the commission
has power to set cab rates.
200 Drivers Affected.
Declaring both the public and
taxicab operators "are entitled to
have equitable rates Of fare" Mr..
Conradis said the Public Service
Commission would hold public hear
ings at no expense to the county and
would set the rates. approximately
200 cab drivers are affected, Mr..
Conradis added.
In other business. the Commits
sioners received recommendation
from their attorney, F, Barnard
Welsh, that they rescind the permit
they granted two weeks ago for the
operation of a kindergarten in the
Takoma Park Municipal Building.
The board took no action, however.
Mr.. Welsh made the suggestion
after Mrs. Alma Opal of Takoma
Park demanded that the permit be
revoked on the ground a hearing
was not held on the application and
safety, health and fire inspections
had not been made Board mem
bers told Mrs. Opal the permit had
been issued temporarily" pending
the necessary inspections.
County Supervisor Irving G. Nc
Nayr then asked Mrs. Opal what
her real" interest was in the mat
ter.
Repaying Job Deferred.
Mrs Opal replied she was In
terested only IN good government
and threatened legal action unless
the permit was revoked.
J. o. Harvey, county roads super
visor, reported work is being held up
on the repaving of Jones Bridge
road from Connecticut avenue to
East-West highway because of the
insistence of the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission on a 100-foot right-of-Way
along the 2-mile stretch.
Mr.. Harvey said an 80foot right
of-way had been planned by the
county. He estimated cost at about
$4,000. The commissioners said
they would meet with commission
officials in an attempt to reach a
solution.
After Mr.. McNayr asked the board
what disposition should be made
of the county aims house, in view
OF the fact there is only one inmate
there now, the county heads decided
to continue operating the home and
14o-acre farm until next spring,
when it will be advertised for rent.
designations Accepted.
The following designations were
accepted:
Andrew J. Kessiuger as purchasing
agent for parking lots in the Silver
Spring business district, Charles D.
Stubbs as an instrument man in the
county engineers Office and Newton
r. Butts from the controllers office.
A request bv the Washington Sub
urban Sanitary Commission for
authority to issue $4,000, 900 in bonds
was approved. despite opposition by
Commissioner wesley I. Sauter.
Taken under advisement was a
request by Mayor G. Lamar Kelly OF
Rockville for county cooperation in
extending Jefferson and Fayette
streets and Maryland avenue in the
town in a move to alleviate traffic
congestion on East Montgomery
avenue.
A proposal to build concrete curbS
and cutters on both sides of Heron
drive and Heron court, Silver Spring,
at an estimated cost of $3.50, was
approved.
A hearing was scheduled for II
am. october 26 in the Rockville
Courthouse on a petition for curbs
ard cutters along Lorain avenue and
resurfacing of the street for a dis
tance of 1856 feet north of Sterling
road. Silver Spring. Cost was esti-
mated at $500
The commissioners authorized
sidewalks on both sides of Baltimore
avenue from River road to Glen
Cove parkway. Bethesda, at a cost
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