1682                                      Vetoes

title "Public Service Commission Law", sub-title "Public Service
Companies", sub-heading "Taxicab Companies", to follow imme-
diately after Sub-section 38 (a) thereof, relating to the operation
of taxicabs to and from points in Baltimore County REGULATION
AND CONTROL BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF
TAXICABS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY AND BALTIMORE
CITY AND TO THE OPERATION OF TAXICABS THEREIN.

April 17, 1957.
Hon. John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill 721 is the third legislative attempt to permit Baltimore
County taxicabs transporting fares into Baltimore City to take pass-
engers on their return to Baltimore County. I have vetoed the two
prior measures and the veto has been sustained in each instance. A
substantially similar bill to the instant one was vetoed by me on
May 9, 1955 (Laws of 1955 p. 1280), at which time I delivered the
following message:

"Senate Bill 187 provides for Public Service Commission control
of Baltimore County taxicabs and would permit a Baltimore County
cab which transports a fare into Baltimore City, to take on passen-
gers there for return to Baltimore County. On May 7, 1951, I vetoed
House Bill 138 of the 1951 Session, which would have had similar
effect, except that it did not place Baltimore County taxicabs under
jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. However, I am con-
vinced that the basic objections to the 1951 measure remain valid. It
would be impossible to supervise operation of Baltimore County
taxicabs in Baltimore City to make sure that they were merely trans-
porting passengers from Baltimore City after having carried fares
into the City from the County. The practical effect would be to
multiply by indirection the number of taxicab licenses to be used in
the City.

"I am advised that the general duties of the transportation division
of the Public Service Commission, which include inspection, super-
vision and administration of the Baltimore City taxicab industry, re-
quire the full time of the present personnel. Any addition to this
burden would necessitate additional personnel and expense. Present
local control of the Baltimore County cab industry has proved satis-
factory and workable. No valid reason exists for change of this
control to an agency further removed from the industry. Especially
is this true since the extension of control to the adjoining territory
of Baltimore County would be ineffective without policing authority,
which the Public Service Commission does not have.

"Finally, it should be noted that the bill omits the usual 'grand-
father clause' which would recognize the rights of those in business
at the time the law would become effective and thus, presents a serious
question as to constitutionality. At the very least, it would invite
a deluge of applications for County permits—many of which might
be sought to avoid the existing limitations in Baltimore City—and
would necessitate lengthy, complicated hearings in order to ascertain
those to whom permits should be issued. For all of which reasons, I
have vetoed Senate Bill 187."