Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-11-21
Controversy
On Airport Ban
Drivers Hit Contract
Boring Them From
Picking Up Fares

The two-year-old controversy
between Washington taxicab oper-
ators and the Civil Aeronautics
Authority hared anew again to-
day over the transportation OF
passengers from National Airport
into the District.
Representing the taxi drivers
was the Combined Cab Service
Inc, representing nine cab COM
panies. which protested the ex-
elusive authority of Airport Trans
port, Inc, to carry inbound pas
sengers from the airport.
Airport Transport, Inc. holds
the transportation contract with
the airport administration for the
inbound transportation. In re-
turn for the contract Airport
Transport pays into the Federal
Treasury a certain percentage of
its gross receipts. The percentage
varies according to receipts but
will average about 1914 per cent,
it was stated.
Provides Fine, Imprisonment.
The fuse that touched off the
newest controversy was an order
issued month ago by Bennett
H. Griffin, airport administrator
saying that the contract giving
Airport Transport. Inc. its ex-
elusive privileges would be en-
forced. The order was effective
November z.
The order points out that mo
person shall park on the airport
any taxicab or other vehicle used
for the purpose Of carrying pas
sengers for hire, except for the
purpose of discharging passengers,
unless he is the holder of per-
NIT issued by the airport director"
The order also says that no such
permits will be issued.
It also points out that no cab
driver may solicit passengers from
the airport by driving slowly past
loading entrances" or by "other
acts or the utterance of words"
unless by the approval Of the di-
rector. The order says that vio-
lation of this ruling can result in
$500 fine or six months i'm
prisonment for the driver.
Pickup Fares Were Allowed.
During the rush of the war years
District cabs were permitted to
pick up inbound passengers. but
after the war Airport Transport
recalled its waiver of this portion
of its exclusive contract. District
and Virginia cabs, at that time.
were granted a "taxicab stand"
just of airport property where
they could accept inbound pas
sengers, but Mr.. Griffin said today
that the cab drivers abused this
privilege in many ways"
Jack H. Roger, president OF the
Combined Cab Service, pointed
out, however, that the new airport
order conceded with the establish
ment Of individual cab service by
Airport Transport. Prior to that
time, Airport Transport largely OPP
Grated limousines for group riding
from the airport to various down.
town hotels and airline Offices.
The new Airport Transport cabs
now provide individual service to
any part of the District and OPP
crate on meters according to Ar
lington County rates.
This is unfair to individual
drivers" Mr.. Roger said, "partic-
ularly if the Airport Transport
cabs pick up passengers in the
District bound for the airport"
Fare Rose From 90c to $1.50.
In a letter to Mr.. Griffin Mr..
Roger protested the order and de-
clared that unless it is amended
to permit District drivers to pick
up return fares at the airport the
Washington drivers would neces-
sarily be forced to discontinue
service to the airport or increase
rates for the trip.
During the war the taxi fare to
the airport was 80 cents, but when
the Airport Transport waiver OF
its exclusive privilege was recalled
the fare went to $3.50. Mr.. Roger
indicated this might now be in
creased.
His letter, which was sent to
members of Congress, the CAA, the
Public Utilities Commission and
the District Police Department
said that despite the services OF
Airport Transport, Washington
taxis transport the majority OF
airline passengers to the airport.
His principal protest was owe,
fact that the Washington cabs
once they have discharged their
passengers at the airport, are re-
fused the right to wait for then
passenger for the return trip, even
though the passenger may have
requested it, or pick up new fare
A CAA spokesman said, however
that there would be ample tax
service to and from the airport
regardless of any action the Wash.