Austin Streets & Phone Cable Hazard
Street Upgrades on Hold:
Plans and specifications for improving a section of 5th Street were introduced but tabled for further review next week.Dangerous Phone Cable Removal:
The city ordered multiple telephone companies, including Texas Long Distance and Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone, to immediately remove an "insecure and dilapidated" cable on Rio Grande Street, citing it as a danger to life and property.Fine Remission Denied:
The council formally refused a petition from a citizen seeking to have a fine remitted.
Full Transcript
. . .Regular meeting of the City Council: Austin, Texas, October 25, 1917: The Council was called to order by the Mayor : Roll called : Present Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew ,Haynes & Powell 5 Absent none: The minutes of the last regular and subsequent recessed meetings were read and adopted: Petition of F T Patton to have fine remitted was presented read ,and upon motion the petition refused by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none: Bill of Chas E Pickle Stenographer for services in the case of S W Johnson, amounting to $ 225.10, was presented and allowed by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none:
The Mayor laid before the Council ,a resolution ordering the improvement of a certain part of 5th street ,in the City of Austin, and approving specifications,proposal,contract and bond therefor. The resolution was read the first time and laid over for one week
October 30th : All present:
Mayor Wooldridge offered the following resolution : Whereas, it has come to the attention of the City Council that the cable lead belonging to Ross Larabee and now being operated under lease of the Texas Long Distance Telephone Company,b eing a part of the property involvedin the merger and transfer of the telephone plant of said Ross Larabee to the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company ,and located On the east side of Rio Grande street between its intersections with twelfth and nineteenth streets in the City of Austin, is in an insecure and dilapidated condition ,and if allowed to remain longer on said street in such condition will endanger life and property, Now therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, Texas: That Ross Larabee,the Texas Long Distance Telephone Company and the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company be and they are hereby required to remove at once said cable on said street between said points ,and that the Mayor be instructed to notify said parties of this action of the City Council. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes & Powell 5 Nays none.
Approved, J P Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned.
J. W. Johnson City Clerk
Handwritten notes in margin: F. J. Patton fine
Chas E. Pickle Stenographer bill
Ross Larabee Cable to be removed