CABS IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 3

CABS IN LONDON

11 NOT AN UNHAPPY LIFE " HIGH QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED. In an article in a recent number of the ‘ Sphere ’ Charles Graves describes the taxicab driver’s lot in London. Apparently it is not so unhappy as that of a Gilbert and Sullivan policeman. Nov, it would seem, as that of cabmen in many other places. Because, in the first place, according to Mr Graves, in London “ taxicab driving as a career is one of the very few occupations in the country where the demand exceeds the supply.’’ But. of course, there is a reason lor this that is not encouraging to those who might want to help meet the demand by adding themselves to the supply. Ibis “the excessively stiff examination ” that one must pass before he “ can wear the green badge of the hackney carriage driver.” The examination,' says Mr Graves, is divided into two parts. First, a taxi driver is required to know his way about the city. For instance; “ The geographical conundrums set include, for example, the shortest route from Highgate Hill to Poplar station, naming all the roads and streets you pass en route; the most direct way of getting from the Inland China Mission to Shad Thames; and the exact whereabouts of every fire station, consulate, museum, club, and hospital in Greater London.” . '

And cabbies must be mechanically as well as geographically expert in London. Mr Graves continues: “ The second half of the examination consists of a driving test so severe that the vast majority of private chauffeurs, experienced lorry drivers, and others would fail miserably. Take the hill stop. Savoy Hill is one of the tests. The taxicab driver is requested to stop halfway up and then to start again without running back a single inch. “ ONE IN THREE.” “ Then there is the ‘ one in three.,’ This involves reversing the cab in only three movWffents inside an IBft wide road without allowing your mudguard to< overlap the kerb an eighth of an ■infch either in the first, second, or third position. The police are extremely punctilious also about hand signals, about changing down invariably when turning a corner, driving a meticulously exact distance from the kerb when ‘ setting down,’ and invariably leaving the hand brake on when the vehicle is stationary.

Changing down when turning a corner,” of course, means going into second gear—and London cabbies must do it always. If a New Zealand cabby ever did it, the pedestrian jumping out of his way would probably stop in midair to wonder at the miracle. Mr Graves found that in London, as in most other places. “ every profession and variety of trade and business is represented among the taxicab drivers.” Former schoolmasters, Army officers. prize_ fighters, and “ even a genuine Russian prince ” were among those he interviewed, but most of them turned out to be plain London Cockneys whoso argot needs a “ deal of interpreting.” For example: The Athenaeum Club is invariably known as the ‘ Spit and Cough.’ King’s Cross station is known as ‘ The Northern.’ Paddington is called ‘ The Western.’ Euston, for some reason, is known as ‘ The Euston.’ Passengers, by the way, are • always known as ‘ jobs.’ and if you ask a man whether he has ‘ been off,’ you are asking whether he has had a fare.”

' PERSECUTION ALLEGED. As in other places, London cabbies complain of persecution by the police, but they find refuge in philosophy and humour. Mr Graves offers the following story as “ a case in point”:— “ A certain driver was on the rank outside White's Club in St. James street on an August Sunday. A member came out of the club and told him to go to Kensal Green. There was not much traffic on the road. ‘ He went at a smart pace. His fare on arrival went to the Mausoleum, stayed there two minutes, returned, and told the driver to take him hack to White’s. He did so, and was given a sovereign for the job. “ Noticing that the cab which had been behind him when lie left the rank was still there, the driver told his mate of his ‘ in and out ’ job (a there and back trip), concluding: ‘lt seems a shame to take the money.’ ‘ Blimey,’ was the instantaneous reply, * I bet the bloke your bloke went to see would pay more than that to come back with with you.’ ” But it’s not always so easy. Taxi drivers told Mr Graves that “ sometimes you would have a marvellous run of luck and get a hatful of money, but on other occasions you would be right down the drain and nothing come your way at all.”