Finding the Taxicab's Flag.
Page 1
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We hope that there will be an early result from the consideration which is now being given to the matter of the night indication of a taxicab's being " for hire " or the reverse. It is bad enough by day, very often, to discriminate between the vertical and inclined positions of the diminutive flag which is movable upon each recording instrument, but it is well-nigh impossible, in arty but the best-lighted thoroughfares, to make the necessary observation at night-time. Drivers are so often hurry ine back to the nearest rank that they do need to be hailed by a would-be fare, and the companies will be exercising a wise discretion, in the interests of themselves and their customers, if they can devise a simple means to the end in view. It is not in London alone that this difficulty has asserted itself, for we note complaints from Glasgow, Manchester, and other provincial centres. Two small Osram lamps, an a four-volt circuit, arranged to show a white light for " free " and a coloured light for " engaged," respectively, might furnish the solution, and at no great expense per vehicle, and we learn that an illuminated indicator has already been successfully employed in Liverpool (see page 216).