Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-12
Inquiry0pens
Into Taxi Sales
Title Procedure
Use of Pressure
To Block Application
Of Low Is Charged
BY AL ALIBRANDO

By AL ALIBRANDO
A Commissioners inquiry into
reported use of pressure and in
fluence to block enforcement of
a law requiring transfer of title
in sale of taxicabs was revealed
today.
District officials said tie tito
procedure is a threat to the pub
lie and is used to victimize driv.
ers buying taxicabs 10 install
mentS.
BY not transferring title, the
seller can repossess without 60
ing 20 court If the buyer is late
with his payment.
Sale without title transfer is
also used to evade che Districts
2 per cent excise tax.
officials said the threat to the
public exists where a cab is in
volved in an accident with an
other auto. If the taxicab is not
properly titled, true ownership is
more difficult to establish and a
claim for damage harder to
bring against the cab driver or
operator.
Dunn Gets Records
In the wake of the inquiry,
Traffic Director George E. Ke-
neipp announced he is turning
over to 1t. Francis H. Dunn,
chief hack inspector. the records
on 1875 cabs titled in the name
of the Aston Cab Corp. one Of
many taxi firms controlled by
Jack BOLTON.
Commissioner Robert Nc
Laughlin has recently called in
Police Chief Robert Murray,
Deputy Chief John Agnew, In
spector William Liverman and
1t. Dunn. Deputy Chief Agnew
and Inspector Liverman are 1t
Dunn's superiors.
Commissioner Mclaughlin said
he received "unsubstantiated re-
ports" that pressure was put on
1t. Dunn to halt enforcement
against Mr.. Dolton, who last
spring forfeited 81, 400 on IA sep
arate violations. (Mr. BOLTON is to
appear in Municipal Court to-
morrow on the 18th violation.l
AS a result of these reports.
Commissioner Mclaughlin said
he began his inquiry and asked
the police officials to come to his
Office
Memorandum Received
In his inquiry. Commissioner
Mclaughlin received a memo
randum prepared by 1t. Dunn
and sent to Deputy Chief Agnew.
Concerning Mr.. bottoms appear
ance in Municipal Court on title
violations. 1t. Dunn wrote:
''Mr. BOLTON did not appear
on the date agreed, nor did he
notify Mr.. King or the un-
dersigned Dunn of any reason
for his failure to appear. Later
that day ! was told by Inspector
William j. Liverman that MIR.
BOLTON had appealed to him on
account of illness to postpone
the hearing. 1t was understood
that Mr.. BOLTON would be in
court one week from that date.
He failed to appear. Mr.. King
assistant Corporation Counsel
Clark King ordered a warrant
issued for the arrest of Mr.. Dol
ton and requested that l see
that it was served. I told In
spector Liverman about the war
rant and he directed me not to
serve it and said that he would
guarantee Mr.. bottoms appear
ance in court. According to the
record, Mr.. BOLTON forfeited 500
on each of five cases on
May 10, 1856, and another 500
on May II, 1856. ="
Liverman Replies
Inspector Liverman today said
he had no personal interest in
Mr.. BOLTON and had only done for
him what he would have done
for any other reputable business
man"
He said he had told 1t. Dunn
to enforce the title law.
Com m s sioner Mclaughlin
said he had not yet investigated
Continued on Page A-3, Col. S