Inspectors wrote 42,240 summonses to yellow cab owners in fiscal 1991, 17,000 more than in 1989.

A cab owner is required to purchase only the same minimum auto insurance limits that are applicable to private owners.

Mr. Dinkins offers several new enticements to win the support of yellow cab owners.

It's only a matter of common sense, argues the licensed cab owners trade association, which is gunning for a 27 percent increase.

He said he was working with cab owners and drivers to offer a more comprehensive approach that would add education to enforcement.

The system also includes advertisements, which the vendors say will eventually cut down on the monthly fees charged to the cab owners.

The cab owner nodded appreciatively, as if he had accurately assessed the rich American.

Of the $14,000 that cab owners pay for an average air-conditioned Chevrolet, the cooling equipment represents $600 to $700.

But a cab owner will pay an average of $600 for the partition, Mr. Rogoff said.

However, I escaped without any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner.