Click on the picture to see a larger version.

This 1920's advertising blotter for Diamond Taxi gives an idea of the company colour scheme. The fetching young woman probably graced the blotter ads of many different businesses. Her picture adorns an otherwise blank card which is overprinted with Diamond Taxi's ad.

Source:

Photo by Norman Beattie.

Winnipeg Cab History / 62

The Winnipeg Taxi War (2)

Diamond and Black & White led the charge against the new bylaw, seeking a court order to have it declared ultra vires (i.e., beyond the city council's authority to enact).

The two companies had wanted the city to impose compulsory meters and saw the bylaw's concession to the zone system as giving meterless cabs a huge loophole that would enable them cut prices regardless of the minimum fare. Only meters that were subject to inspection could ensure that all companies complied with the law.

Unfortunately for Diamond and Black & White their court order succeeded too well. In April, 1932 the Court of King's Bench threw out key portions of the bylaw and also ruled that city council did not have the necessary authority to impose either a minimum fare or a maximum work week for drivers.

The two cab companies now reversed field and joined the city council in appealing a judgment that they themselves had precipitated.

As a result of the appeals The King's Bench decision was reversed in May, 1932 mainly because the provincial government had in the meantime given the city the necessary authority to meet the King's Bench objections.