Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-27
TeaguePIans
'A-to-z' Study
Of Cab Industry
Lowmuker Re0dies
QUESTIONABLE for
1880 D. c. Hackers

1850 D. c. Hackers
A thorough study of the taxi
cab industry here was promised
today by Representative league,
Democrat of Texas. chairman of
a House District subcommittee on
public utilities and transporta-
ton.
Mr.. league disclosed his Office
is preparing QUESTIONABLE
which will be sent to all of the
Districts 1850 licensed drivers.
He said he was going to investi-
gate the cab industry here from
A to 2" before releasing re-
port prepared by House District
Clerk William NJ Mcleod, jr.
| Mr.. league said the results of
the study would determine the
future action of the subcommit-
Etee.
Last night leaders of a new
taxi industry association, who
say they represent $500 drivers,
charged that switching from the
zone fare to meter system would
drive the public from use of cabs
to buses and Streetcars.
Boon for Transit Firm
! The new group is known as
the Washington Taxi Industry
Association. During a meeting
at the Twelfth street YMCA.
Raymond Montgomery, chair
man Of the board of the Diplo-
mat Cab Association, said use
lof meters would work to the
advantage Of the D. c. Transit
System.
There is nothing o. Roy
Chalk (head Of the transit COM
Ipany) would like better than
to see meters in cabs" said Mr.
Montgomery. I'VE have had an
advantage and meters would
destroy 1t. They would drive
the average man who now uses
cabs to buses and streetcars."
/ Other factions in the taxi in
Idustry and some District off,
cials favor change to meters.
thus promising a stiff legisla-
tive battle before the issue is
resolved.
| Commissioner Mclaughlin said
yesterday he favored meters
over an increase in zone fares.
He said he would also prefer
Limitation on the number of
drivers. an increase in compul-
sorry insurance coyerage and an
end to group riding instituted
during World War II.
Favors Regulation by PUG
Commissioner Mclaughlin also
took issue with suggestions that
If regulation of the taxi industry
is combined under one agency.
that agency should be the Police
Department. Mr.. Mclaughlin,
who is police commissioner, con-
tended that since taxis are part
OF the public transportation sys-
TEN. they should continue to be
regulated by the Public Utilities
Commission.
Members of the new taxi asso-
citation said they would oppose
Limitation of the number of
drivers. There are now about
500 licensed cab drivers in
the district. It is understood
Mr.. McLeod's report will recon-
mend a limitation on the num-
Der OF licensed drivers.
Mr.. Montgomery said release
OF the report. now in the hands
OF Mr.. league, is eagerly awaited
by drivers.
Withholding the report has
stirred up the drivers" said Mr.
Montgomery. For several years
they felt no need to organize
and now that there is a lot of
talk about changes, without any,
thing official being released and
without them being consulted
they feel the need for a new
organization"
Score Outside" Information
Members of the association
took issue with Mr.. Mcleod
They said he gathered too much
information from outside people
representing the taxi-meter in
dustry and not enough from
drivers here"
Mr.. Montgomery also said
published reports of study
made by the Washington Grim
inal Justice Association were
unfair TO the taxi drivers.
! You would think every cab
driver was responsible for these
crimes described by the WASH
ington Criminal Justice Associa-
tion." he said, while it is only
a little more than / per cent
of the drivers who are re-
sponsible."
About is officials and drivers
from as many cab companies
and associations attended the
meeting. William J. Brooks Of
Skyview Cabs is temporary
Chairman Of the accnnintin..