Taxicab "Extras."
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The influence of this journal has at all times been directed to the elimination of uncertain factors in the motorcab trade. We open our columns, fearlessly, to the arguments and statements of masters and men alike, but we shall never depart from our original view that the f luelamental dictates of common honesty require "Extras" to be recorded in the spaces provided for the purpose on all London-used taximeters, That course is a condition precedent to any satisfactory or permanent settlement of a much-debated source of disagreement. Two blacks do not make a white: appropriation by the drivers is no more enrrect or fair than is inflexible refusal te adjust " bilks " by the owners. -We appeal for a spirit of mutual endidence and respect; it will not advance the interests if either " side'' merely to go about in blustering fashion, hurling bad language, epithets and untruths at earl, other, or to seek to apply the few partieular and had cases to the situation as a whole. We know of yards where this is the practice, and it is wholly harmful.
There is no getting away front the fact that nearly all drivers of London taxicabs pocket the " Extras " unless they are forted to mark them up. In simple English, this is robbery. We do not condone it, no matter how specious the men's pleas and pretexts, and they are setting about their business the wrong way if they allow themselves to be persuaded that wrong can be right. Honesty is the only policy, much as some London taxi-cabbies may doubt from experience, too, we admit—the application of the old precept to their ease. The Secretary of the London Motorcab Proprietors Association, or page 184, this week replies to a letter which we published a fortnight ago on behalf of the drivers; in it, he denies several assertions from the writer of that, previous letter. Do the men
ieh to confuse the issue? We trust not. If so, they will play into the hands of the predatory minority, which flourishes on other people's ignorance one day and spends the proceeds in slackness the next, thereby bringing disrepute upon the heads of respectable men. We have found the average London eabby a " good sort," and we refuse to tar him with the brush whielt some of his tailing invite for all their brother drivers. Why not act " on the square," make terms with the Owners Association for a fixed share of the "Extras." and ignore the men who are hindering the approach to such au arrangement? We ask for additional views from the men's " side." Our columns, in the public intere,t. are at the disposal of all who can usefully contribute.