Cabs in L.A.

Re “The Issue Behind the Cab Issue,” editorial, Jan. 23:

Having acknowledged that Los Angeles has too few cabs, why do you endorse a measure to reduce the number? Bandit cabs may be inferior to regulation cabs, but they are still cabs, serving a public that needs more cabs. Efforts to crack down on them should be opposed, not praised as overdue.

Bandit cabs overcharge or endanger their customers? Well, that is largely a problem for the customers, who are lining up to take their chances. This charge seems to be often simple propaganda by the approved monopoly. Wait until Los Angeles has two to five times as many cabs as [the proposed new limit]--the number that you feel are needed--before you start talking about cutting out some cabs.

DAVID ARGALL

La Puente