Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-03
TaxiMonopoIyS Seen
IfPermits AreCurbed
Multer Attacks
of D. c.
Regulation Plan

Limitation on the number Of
cab drivers here would lead to
a monopoly by big companies"
and squeeze out the little fell
low" a member of the House
District subcommittee studying
the taxi industry here declared
today.
Representative Multer, Demo-
crat Of New York, cited New
York City where licenses or me-
dallions to operate cabs are
limited and now sell for as
much as $4,000"
Representative Multer ques-
toned the wisdom and fairness
of limitation here during the
appearance before the subcom-
mittee of jeremiah Courtney,
general counsel for the American
Taxicab Association. Inc. Mr..
Courtney had testified that limi-
tation would give District resi-
dents better service. reduce the
number of accidents involving
taxicabs. and provide a better
living for the drivers.
league Hits Limitations
Representative Multer then
pointed out that limitation tends
to lead to monopoly and places
IA high value on licenses.
Earlier, RepreSe tive
league, Democrat of Texas.
chairman of the subcommittee,
said he saw no way in which
Limitation would directly lead to
better service.
Il have talked to IS or 20 peo-
pie a day from out of town who
say there's no better service in
the country than here" he said.
LAS far as the public is con-
cerned. / don't believe they are
dissatisfied"
Representative Hyde. Repub-
lican of Maryland, also ques-
toned Mr.. Courtney sharply.
Isn't the real complaint from
the cab driver who wants to cut
down competitor" he asked.
Following Mr.. Courtney's
testimony, Representative Hyde
said the witness had offered
only conclusions and no facts"
Representative league re-
vealed at the beginning of the
hearings today that a study
made last Friday and Saturday
showed that of 568 drivers ques-
toned, 303 had been on the
street less than four hours. 1893
from four to eight hours and ~
over eight hours.
! Mr.. Courtney had attempted
to show that taxicab drivers
here cannot make a living I'M
less they work "overlong hours
each day."
Il have been amazed to find
how often a driver will tell me
he is on the streets for IL or Is
hours" Mr.. Courtney said.
Even then, the total gross does
not exceed SIS. :"
Mr.. Courtney said that while
en- route to the hearing today he
got into a cab in which the back
seat dome light was dangling
from the roof and that when he
sat on the rear seat it was APP
parent he was sitting on the
springs"
Driver TeStifies
Mr.. league said he was aware
that some cabs in the District
were not properly maintained
and that perhaps there should
be stricter regulations govern
ing the physical condition of
taxicabs.
The last witness to appear be-
fore the subcommittee today was
Irving Schlaifer. a taxicab driver.
Mr.. Schlaifer said the taxicab in
dustry here was the best in the
United States and would suffer
if the zone system is replaced by
meters.
He said he opposed limitation
on the number of drivers, but
would like to see requirement
that each driver post a bond to
indicate financial responsible
ity." He suggested that the bond
be $1,000.
Chairman league adjourned
the hearing until 10 am. Monday.