Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-25
league Calls
Rule Outduted
At Hearing
By ALEX r. PRESTON

AL dIlOtLlcI OeVelOpmenC, ne
told John L. Smith, jr., of the
District Public Utilities Commits
sion, who declined to express his
personal opinion about the pro-
posed use of meters. II don't
think we're getting very much
information out of you"
Mr.. league told Mr.. Smith
that he probably would be called
back to testify after the SUBJ
committee has heard from other
witnesses. No specific legislation
is pending but the league sub
committee has been studying
taxicab operations here for the
last few months. It's staff has
reported conditions in WASH
ington as chaotic"
Driver Must Stop
At yesterdays opening day of
hearings. which are expected to
run into next week, the subcom-
mittee was told that existing reg
ulations require group-riding-
that is, a driver carrying a pas
|senger. must stop If tagged down
by another rider and pick him up
If his destination is less than five
blocks of the original route.
could I object, as passenger,
to group-riding?" inquired Rep
resentative Wier, Democrat of
Minnesota.
mo-" Mr.. Smith answered.
Then If a cab driver picks I'D
a couple of DRINKS, I've got to
get out" Mr.. Wier commented.
The driver could use "a certain
amount Of discretion" Mr.. Smith
replied. But Representative Null
ter. Democrat Of New York,
asked If the group-riding regula-
ton was not mandatory and the
witness replied. yes.
Then how does the driver
have any discretion left?" Mr..
Multer persisted.
Witness Is Silent
After a brief silence from the
witness. Mr.. league asked him
III he thought group riding
should be abolished.
Yesterday the committee was
told that Washington is one of
the few places in the Nation
that permits group-riding.
Mr.. Smith said he would pre-
fer not to comment on the ques-
ton, that the issue would be
before the p. U. c. shortly and
I'D like to hear all the EVIL
dence."
WELL" Mr.. league rejoined,
II think it is outdated. II I
have my way when we get out
our report it's going to be to
change that group riding"
He agreed that under the ex-
listing zone system, the group
riding arrangement sometimes
complexities the computation Of
fares.
Meters Prohibited
Near the. end Of the hearing,
Mr.. Smith referred to the clause
included each year in the Dis
trict appropriation bill which
has the effect of prohibiting
the p. U. c. from acting in any
way on taxi meters.
We've taken the position, he
said. that we don't have any
thing to do with meters"
Suppose" Mr.. league in.
quired, that rider was taken
on the appropriation bill and
the question Of meters fell in
your lap?"
WED hold hearings and de-
termine what to do from the evil
dence," Mr.. Smith answered.
The subcommittee chairman
then asked him for his per
Sonal opinion"
WithhOlds Opinion
The witness admitted he had
one but said he would prefer not
to express it because the matter
may come before the PUG for
determination later. At this
point Mr.. league observed:
II don't think we're getting
very much out Of you"
The witness Joined others in
laughter.
George F. Gonello. assistant
corporation counsel assigned to
the PUG, was called on to answer
a question after Mr.. Smith told
the subcommittee that he lacked
jurisdiction on trips into nearby
Maryland and Virginia-that
this is a matter for negotiation
between the passenger and the
driver"
Mr.. Gonello said the usual
charge by voluntary agreement
is $3.50 for a trip from Zone /
to Washington Airport. He said
he had no recommendation to
make for controlling the rates
across State lines because lit
isn't too much Of a problem"
II disagree" Mr.. league said.
Since this thing (taxi study
has started I bet there have been
so members Of Congress who
have complained to me that
they've been charged different
rates to come in town from their
homes"
The hearing will resume at 10
am. tomorrow in the District
Committee room Of the Old
House once Building. The FIRST
witness scheduled is E. Erwin
Dollar. executive vice president,
Associated Taxicab Operators