REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, March 21, 1918. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Haynes, and Powell, 4; absent, Councilman Bartholomew, 1. The minutes of the meetings of March 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14 were read and adopted. Mrs. M. Z. King, secretary of the United Charities, was before the Counoil and discussed conditions which were considered alarming with respect to the spread of tuberculosis in Austin. After hearing certain statements by and on behalf of Chester Washington, the Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, Texas: Chester Washington fine That for good and sufficient reasons unto the City Council shown, and particularly for the reasons that Chester Washington, fined on a charge of vagrancy in Cause No. 12788, Corporation Court of the City of Austin, is habitually employed at useful labor, and was idle on the day of his arrest only because he had been laid off temporarily, and for the further reason that he has had money in the bank continuously for more than a year, the whole of the fine and costs assessed against him in said cause, amounting to $29.80, be and the same is hereby remitted. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That in view of the fact that the said Chester Washington has heretofore paid to the Clerk of the Corporation Court the sum of $15.00 on said fine, a like sum of $15.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of this City as a refund to the said Chester Washington. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas and no nays. APPROVED, March 21, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor read to the Council the report of Councilman Powell relating to his trip of a day or two before to San Antonio, Employment Bureau: Report of Mr. Powell and his attendance at a meeting addressed by Frederick C. Howe, Commission of the Port of New York, where the necessity for the establishment of employment bureaus in the various cities was emphasized. Mr. Powell, speaking for Austin, had promised that this City would do its part, and, specifically, that it would pay the salary of a man to conduct an employment bureau and would furnish him quarters in the city hall. The bill of A. J. Zilker for $37.40 for the construction of 340 square feet of sidewalk fronting Lots 457 and 458, Oakwood Cemetery, was presented and allowed, the amount to be paid out of the Cemetery Fund. The report of the Engineering. Street and Sewer Departments and those of the Sanitary Inspector, Chief of the Fire Department, and City Health Officer, for the month of February, were read and ordered filed. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: Pulmotor pur- chase author- ized That since it appears from the attached statement, signed by W. L. Eyres, Assistant Superintendent of the Water, Light and Power Department, and four other city officials, which statement is made the basis of this resolution, that a pulmotor is needed by the City of Austin, for use in cases of drowning or asphyxiation of employees or other citizens, the sum of Two Hundred Dollars --- Page break --- 200 ($200.00), or so much thereof as may be required, be and the same is hereby appropriated, one-half out of the General Contingent Fund of this city, and the other half out of the Miscellaneous Fund, Line Operation, of the Water, Light and Power Department, for the purchase of said pulmotor. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas. APPROVED, March 21, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Smallpox cases A statement from the County of Travis showing the city indebted to the county in the sum of $496.74 for smallpox cases treated at the county pest camp was read and referred to the City Health Officer. Negro Welfare Board A letter from Dr. W. H. Crawford relating to the problems of the negroes of Austin in their relation to the community as a whole was read by the Mayor, also a list of names suggested for two proposed committees or boards, after which the Mayor offered the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That in agreement with the sentiments expressed in the attached communication from Dr. W. H. Crawford, and with the object of promoting the welfare of the negro population of this city, along civic and moral lines, there are hereby created a Welfare Board and an Advisory Board, both to be composed of negro citizens of this city, whose function it shall be to keep in intimate touch with the varied interests of the colored people of Austin, where they properly concern the city government, or relate to the general welfare, and to advise with the City Council relative to the proper handling of the problems thus presenting themselves. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That pursuant to the foregoing the Mayor of the City of Austin be and he is hereby authorized and instructed to appoint the personnel of the two boards aforesaid, in such numbers as in his judgment may be desirable; it being understood that their services will be without expense to the City of Austin. The Resolution was adopted by the following vote: YeasMayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Haynes, and Powell, 4; absent, Councilman Bartholomew, 1. APPROVED, March 21, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Mayor Wooldridge reported to the Council that he had had quite a pleasant conference with Governor Hobby relative to a readjustment of the water rate to the State. He added that he believed a rate would be agreed upon which would be satisfactory both to the city and the State. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That, after considering the proposals of a number of concerns offering centrifugal pumps to the City of Austin, Texas, the bid of Smith & Whitney to furnish three pumps and one motor and starter, as set out in their proposition to W. L. Eyres, Assistant --- Page break --- Superintendent of the Water Light and Power Department of this City, dated March 21, 1918, and attached to this resolution, be and the same is hereby accepted. These pumps which are hereby contracted for are briefly described as follows: Two Rees RoTurbo Patent Pressure Chamber Pumps having a capacity of 6,000,000 gallons each in 24 hours against a total head of 365 feet at the price of $3,540.00 each, f. o. b. cars Manistee, Michigan; One Rees RoTurbo Patent Pressure Chamber Pump; this pump to be of vertical type, to have a capacity of 6,000,000 gallons in 24 hours against a total head of 40 feet, and for the price of $2,020.00, together with the necessary and proper motor and starter, f. o. b. cars Manistee, Michigan. The Resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Haynes, and Powell, 4; absent, Councilman Bartholomew, 1. APPROVED, March 21, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Dr. Simeon Shaw, Sr., representing the Texas Social Hygiene Association, was present at the Council meeting and made a talk in which he told of the efforts of his organization to stamp out diseases of men. The City Attorney, J. Bouldin Rector, reported that A. G. Whittington, Vice President and General Manager of the I. & G. N. Railway Company, had called at the City Attorney's office, with another official of the railroad, and discussed the matter of the removal of the tracks from the "Sand Beach Reserve." After discussion of the subject, the City Attorney was given instructions relative to another conference to be had with the officials of the railroad. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Seven Dollars and Forty Cents ($7.40) be and it is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of this city as a refund to J. C. Bauer of one-half of the fine assessed against him in Cause No. 12731, Corporation Court of this city, the said amount of $7.40 having been remitted to him by resolution of this Council passed February 21, 1918. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, Councilman Bartholomew being absent. APPROVED, March 21, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V. E. Martin City Clerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, March 25, 1918. The Council was called to order by the Mayor; all members present. The application of William W. Boring for driver's license was laid before the Council by the Mayor, and the license was granted by a vote of 5 yeas. The Mayor offered the following Resolution: Whereas, Melvin Johnson was fined in the Corporation Court of the City of Austin, in Cause No. 12803, on a charge of operating an automobile without a seal indicating payment of the state automobile tax; and Whereas, the automobile in question was the property of Lee Clayton, and said Clayton had an agreement with the county officials by which he was Amel ~ Whitney. contract for Pumps. J. C. Bauer: Refund of fine William W. Boring: Driver's license Melvin Johnson fine --- Page break --- 208 obligated to pay to the County Clerk the license on his four automobiles this day, March 25, 1918; and Whereas, said Clayton has exhibited to this Council the receipts showing that he has in fact paid said license fees to the County Clerk; Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the whole of said fine and costs imposed upon the said Melvin Johnson, amounting to $19.80, be and the same is hereby remitted. The Resolution was adopted by the following vote: YeasW.F. Smith: Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes, and Powell, 5; nays, none. Am't annull'd APPROVED, March 25, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the assessment of a Ford automobile against W. F. Smith, at the value of $250.00, as of Jan. 1, 1917, be and the same is hereby cancelled; this for the reason that the said assessment was made in error, as this Council believes, since according to the sworn statement of the said W. F. Smith, hereto attached and made the basis of this resolution, the Ford automobile which he did own prior to Jan. 1, 1917, was sold by him in November, 1916. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas. APPROVED, March 25, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following Resolution: Whereas, it appears from the attached affidavit of Miss Miss Margaret Riley. et al. Margaret Riley that Lots Nos. 1 to 9 and 10½ feet of Lot No. 10, assessment Block No. 55, Division "C" of Christian & Fellman's addition to the City of Austin, Texas, were charged with all improvements thereon alleged to have been erected of the value of $1,500.00; and Whereas, it appears from this affidavit and also from the statement of the Assessor and Collector of Taxes of this city, that the improvements in question were in reality erected upon the 42½ feet, or balance of Lot No. 10, Block No. 55, Division "C" of the Christian & Fellman addition to the City of Austin, Texas, sold by Margaret Riley and the Misses Janet and Mary Downie to one Thomas Atlee; and Whereas, the said Thomas Atlee in his assessment of the balance, or 42½ feet, of Lot No. 10, Block No. 55, Division "C", of Christian & Fellman's addition to the City of Austin, Texas, also assessed improvements thereon in the amount of $1,600.00. Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That to correct the error made by the Board of Equalization in assessing improvements against Lots Nos. 1 to 9 and 10½ feet of Lot No. 10, Block No. 55, Division "C", of Christian & Fellman's --- Page break --- 209 V E Martin City Clerk John Kreuz: Service car License Suitclaim deeds to property sold to city for taxes Authorized B. M. Steiner aut. cancelled --- Page break --- 210 error, as the City Council believes, since according to the attached statement of the said Steiner, which is made the basis of this resolution, he did not own the automobile in question on Jan. 1, 1917, but purchased it on April 30, 1917. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 3 yeas, Councilmen Bartholomew and Powell being absent. APPROVED, March 26, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.E. Mach City Clerk J.B. Pierce & Bro. a. t. cancelled SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, March 27, 1918. The Council was called to order by the Mayor: all present except Councilman Powell. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the assessment of a Chevrolet automobile against J. B. Pierce & Bro. for the year 1917 at the value of $200.00 be and the same is cancelled and annulled; this for the reason that the City Council, relying on the attached statement of the said J. B. Pierce & Bro., which is made the basis of this resolution, believes that the automobile in question was not the property of said J. B. Pierce & Bro. on January 1, 1917, but was acquired by them on February 6, 1917. The Resolution was adopted by the following vote: YeasMayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Haynes, 4; absent, Councilman Powell, 1. APPROVED, March 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following Resolution: Whereas, Mrs. W. L. Hume is assessed upon the tax rolls of the City of Austin, for the year 1917, with an automobile at the value of $350.00, which automobile the City Council believes from the attached statement of the said Mrs. Hume was not owned by her on January 1, 1917, but was acquired by her in June, 1917; RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the said assessment of an automobile at $350.00 against the said Mrs. W. L. Hume be and the same is hereby cancelled and annulled. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That since it appears that the said Mrs. Hume has heretofore paid to the Assessor and Collector of Taxes of this city the taxes on said automobile for the year 1917, amounting to $7.35, a like sum of $7.35 be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of this city as a refund to her of the taxes so paid. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, Councilman Powell being absent. APPROVED, March 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Mrs. W. L. Hume a. t. cancelled --- Page break --- The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: Whereas, A. B. Croisdale did, through a misapprehension, render for 1917 taxes the land and improvements being and situated upon Lot No. 4, Block No. 2, Outlot 2/3, Division "B", of the City of Austin, Texas, at $500.00 for the land and $1,500.00 for the improvements, when it was his intention to render both for the total sum of $1,500.00 or $1,600.00; and Whereas, in the attached affidavit, which is made the basis of this resolution, the said A. B. Croisdale deposes and says that $500.00 is the full value of the lot aforesaid and that $1,000.00 to $1,100.00 represents fully two-thirds of the value of the said improvements (they having cost between $1,500.00 and $1,600.00); and Whereas, the said A. B. Croisdale, in view of all the circumstances of the case, has declared himself willing that the said lot and improvements should be valued for taxation purposes, for the year 1917, at the total sum of $1,600.00; Now, therefore, RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the said erroneous assessment of Lot No. 4, Block No. 2, Outlot 2/3, Division "B", of the City of Austin, be and the same is hereby corrected so as to make the total valuation of lot and improvements $1,600.00 instead of $2,000.00; and the Assessor and Collector of Taxes is hereby directed to correct his records to correspond herewith. This Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas; Councilman Powell being absent. APPROVED, March 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following Resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Six Hundred Thirty Dollars and Fifty Cents ($630.50) be and the same is hereby transferred from the appropriation in the budget for "Labor for Oakwood Cemetery" for the year 1918 to and made available as an appropriation to pay Wallace Miller for 1130 feet by 5 feet of concrete walk through Oakwood Cemetery. The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas; Councilman Powell absent. APPROVED, March 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Dr. Robert E. Vinson, President of the University of Texas, and a delegation representing the Austin Chamber of Commerce--including H. A. Wroe, W. J. Jones, A. C. Goeth, T. W. Mayne, W. E. Long, and others--came before the Council to discuss the possibility of the city's extending sewerage service to Camp Mabry in the event that the School of Military Aeronautics should be moved to that locality. They were given assurance informally that the city would extend its mains as far as the city limits, provided the funds should be found elsewhere to cover the balance of the extension, being approximately one-half thereof. The Council then adjourned. A.B. Croisdale assessment Wallace Miller: Concrete walk through Cemetery Sewerage extension to Camp Mabry discussed U.E. Martin City Clerk.