Caulkins v. Wilkes

For several years plaintiff bad owned and operated all the taxicabs in Knoxville. They were five in number. The only taxicab ordinance then in effect was No. 290, which merely regulated fares. However, without any authorizing ordinance, the city had been granting licenses and collecting a license fee of $20 per year for each taxicab.

In November 1950, plaintiff sold tbe taxicabs and business to Forrest Core and agreed not to re-enter the business in competition with Core. In March 1951, Core sold the taxicabs and business to Dwight McGraw, after plaintiff had declined to exercise an option to…