TAXIS
Sit,—Kenneth Ames's experience with taxis at London Airport confirms my impression that taxi- men are responsible only to the Almighty.
Overhearing an animated discussion outside the American Services' Club, Brook Street, WI, between a predator and his prey, I recognised the words, 'Two pounds ten' and 'standard charge,' which were dominating the conversation. On inquiring from the young American, after the cab had gone, where he had hired it, I was told, 'Cromwell Road Air Ter- minal,' (74 bus to Brook Strect-6d.) The young man still not recovered from his indoc- trination into the taxidriver's ideology ('From each according to his gullibility'), I telephoned New Scot- land Yard, giving full details, including the number of the taxi and the passenger's name and address, requesting that they let me know when they had taken appropriate action.
Two days later I was informed that as our American guest was here for only a short stay, and was unable to appear in court, no further action could be taken in the matter. This was in spite of my declared readiness to give evidence to any material authority. A generous estimate of the time taken to travel by taxi from the Cromwell Road Air Terminal to Brook .Street would be twenty minutes.
With reasonable luck this particular driver is in a position to afford a new taxi every three weeks!
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