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M.otorcab

23rd November 1911
Page 13
Page 13, 23rd November 1911 — M.otorcab
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Taxicab, Police

Yew contributions are invited : payment will be made on publication.

The Australasian Motor Cab Co. shows a poor result for the period to date since the formation of the company.

We hope to publish a special article next week dealing with motorcab operations in the Provinces from an inside point Of view.

The renewed conference between the Motorcab Proprietors' Association and the London Cabdrivers' Association is to take place to-day (Thursday).

A series of what appear to be nine test cases with regard to the lighting of taximeter dials was brought before the Liverpool stipendiary magistrate during last week. The cases were adjourned.

On Saturday morning of last week, a taxicab ran on to the wrong road at Long Ditton. and finished up in a depth of 3 ft. of water in the River Ember, which was much swollen by the recent, rains.

The Latest Dodge.

London taxi-drivers mean to have that, 5d. a day out of the masters, and they are more than doing so. The latest dodge is the wider employment of the " something-gonewteng-withalie-clock " pretence. It is easy for such men to collect a lot in excess of the initial 8d. shown. and how many hirers know anything about. flag positions !

Pirates Back in Plymouth.

It appears that, in Plymouth, number of the taxicab drivers must be pirates. Many more machines were actually being used, it was re cently stated before • the annual meeting of the " Carriages and Boats Commissioners for the Three Towns," than there were licences in force. Three unlicensed drivers had already been detected " plying for hire."

Can't Run Away in Newcastle.

Five motorcab drivers were last week charged at Newcastle with leaving their machines without someone in charge of them. The men pleaded that they had gone to get a meal. The clerk to the Court said that in his opinion the hackneycarriage regulation on the subject was only devised for horsed cabs : taxicabs could not run away. Further legal advice was to be sought, and the cases were adjourned. Seventy Summnnses Withdrawn.

In connection with the recent taxi dispute, we recorded in our issue for the 9th November that the management of the Brixton branch of the General Motor Cab Co., Ltd., had issued 70 summonses against drivers, under the Hackney Carriage Act, for non-payment of

the '• last day's money. It was reported in the daily Press that ac cording to the statements of the drivers' union, the company had agreed to withdraw these summonses. We find on inquiry that the hearing was set down at Lambeth Police Court for Monday last, the 20th inst., but practically the whole of the money claimed by the company was paid in before the date of hearing ; this, of course, meant an automatic withdrawal of the summonses.

The Drivers' Union's Manifesto.

Following on the temporary settlement, by virtue of which the London drivers returned to work after the short cessation of activity. the London Cabdrivers' Trade -Union issued a leaflet which is headed " Manifesto," and which purports to explain the course of the negotiations which led up to the recent. settlement.

" For many months past," it commences. "attacks have been made in the Press, many doubtless in spired, calling into question the honesty of the Drivers, giving the public the impression that we were nothing less than licensed brigands. e . . .

" We have also brought about the recognition of your Union. Many other Societies, after prolonged struggles, have a.s yet. not succeeded in reaching such art important position, between 14:inployers and Employees. . .

" Although this settlement is only of a temporary character, it has been mutually arranged t hat in any future agreement that may be arrived at, the Extras shall be the sole property of the Drivers.

The document. concludes with a reminder to London cabdrivers generally that the Union did not receive the support which it claims it had a right to expect from them, and it exhorts all those who were negligent in this respect to join the organization and thus to bear a share of the expenses which may be expected to accrue. Peaceful Picketing.

The two " British " drivers, R. C. Roberts and T. Roberts, brothers, who were charged with "insulting behaviour and obstructing the police" in connection with the recent cab strike, again appeared before Mr. Horace Smith at Westminster Police Court on the lath inst.

For the Commissioner of Police, It was urged that the prisoners had no right to interfere with taxidrivers or, in fact, with any person under similar circumstances. It would be intolerable if it. were otherwise. The Commissioner wished to stop that sort of thing, and he hoped that that would be the effect of these cases.

For the defence it was argued that,. although one of the defendants had to some extent, exceeded peaceful persuasion." the circumstances of the case were such that it was desirable that the matter should end at that Court. The prisoners were outside the British " garage for the purpose of law

ful picketing. The accident, happened on account of one driver who came out of the garage with his cah. This driver had been for years without a licence, but had recently recovered it ; he had been supported by the very mea who stood outside the garage. A picket went up to this driver. and was struck over the head with a heavy iron instrument. The circumstances did give rise to great provocation. if the ease were continued, it would mean much acrimonious evidence ; it was hoped that these drivers would be able to follow their occupation in the future without the case ztrrecl.ing it.

Mr. Horace Smith, in binding the Iwo prisoners over in the sum of ,t5 to keep the peace for six months. said that people must not interfere wilt the police, particularly at times like these—nor with the course of justice. at all. There was considerable excuse for the prisoners, but, he, the magistrate, hoped that he would.hear no more of the prisoners or of any more strikers at all. He hoped, also, that people would gradually learn that the best. thing they can do is to avoid strikes and things of that sort. There was no occasion for men to ruin themselves and others in order to get their rights. With a little persuasion and reasoning, men could get their rights without any strikes.


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