REGULAP MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, April 11, 1918. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following present: Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Haynes. 4; absent, Councilman Powell, 1. The minutes of the meeting of April 4, 1918, from their beginning on page 220 of this book to the middle of page 224 were read and adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, no nays. C. W. Moore appeared before the Council to make complaint of an old brick dwelling at Sixteenth and Rio Grande streets, long abandoned, which he declared should be ordered pulled down, owing to its insanitary and dangerous condition. R. W. Patterson, sanitary inspector, corroborated Mr. Moore's statements. It was agreed that notice would be given the owner of the building, and his agent, to raze the building, and that in case of their refusal the City Council would exercise its police power and abate the nuisance. A. O. Watson presented a request from Jensen & Raymer, photographers, to be allowed to erect an automobile shed on the alley back of 918 Congress avenue, the roof to extend over public the alley 5 feet. Action was deferred. Applications to operate service cars were laid before the Council as follows: N. A. Ladd, 107 West Seventh street: 7 passenger Chandler, No. 186978; 7 passenger Mitchell, number of motor, 93278; 7 passenger Mitchell, No. 202622. Public Service car licenses R. E. Hicks, 715 West avenue: Cadillac, No. 190372; Cadillac, No. 132792. Earl Shelton, 2107 Newton street: Touring car, No. 132310; Buick touring car, factory No. 163875. R. C. Stovall, 42 1/2 Duval street: Studebaker, No. 133145. A. L. Givens, 213 West Sixth street: Studebaker, No. 132065; Buick, No. 233404. George Quinton, 1205 East Fifth street: Kissel Kar, No. 198717. Paul W. Kaiser, 1205 East Twelfth street: Ford, No. 220516. T. R. Haehnel, 73 Comal street: 7 passenger Reo, No. 120070. Rufus B. Wright, 2304 West Sixth street: Buick, No. 199751. Joe Oyerbides, 1314 East Twelfth street: Reo touring car, No. 190383; Reo touring car, No. 132541; Reo sedan, No. 132654. All of the licenses applied for, as indicated in the foregoing list, were granted by a vote of 4 yeas, Councilman Powell being absent. A letter from V. M. Ehlers, State Sanitary Engineer, was read inviting the Mayor and Councilmen to appear before the State Board of Health on April 15 in connection with the question of sewage disposal for Austin. The monthly report of arrests made by the police department, for March, Report of Police Chief and the report of animals impounded, also the March reports of the Fire Chief and the City Sexton were read and ordered filed. Councilman Anthony nominated H. P. Hamilton to be a hoseman of Hose H.P. Hamilton Ben Green Hosemen Company No. 5, and Ben Green to be a hoseman of Hose Company No. 6, both of which nominations were confirmed by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Bartholomew and Haynes, 3; not voting, Councilman Anthony; absent, Councilman Powell. Councilman Bartholomew offered the following resolution: --- Page break --- hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of this City as a refund of the said taxes erroneously paid. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, no nays, Councilman Powell being absent. APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following resolution: Whereas, it appears that through error Lots Nos. 9 and 10, in Block No. - Riverview 5, and Lots Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14, in Block No. 6, Outlots Nos. 41, 42 and addition 53, Division "0" of Riverview Addition to the City of Austin, Texas, were assessments assessed for the year 1917 as unknown property and assessed at the uniform valuation of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per lot; and Whereas, it appears upon investigation of the facts that the immediate adjacent lots to these lots in Blocks 5 and 6, Outlots Nos. 41, 42 and 53, Division "0" of the Riverview Addition to the City of Austin, Texas, were invariably assessed at either $75.00 or $100.00 per lot and in no instance more than $100.00 per lot; and Whereas, said property is the property of Ben Morrall of this City; Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That, with a view of equalizing the values of said Lots Nos. 9 and 10, Block No. 5, and Lots Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14, Block No. 6, of Outlots Nos. 41, 42 and 53, Division "0" of the City of Austin, Texas, with identically situated property, the valuation for taxation purposes be and the same is hereby fixed by the Council at $100.00 per lot for Lots Nos. 9 and 10, in Block No. 5, Outlots Nos. 41, 42 and 53, Division "0," Riverview Addition to the City of Austin, Texas, and $100.00 per lot for Lots Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14, Block No. 6, Outlots Nos. 41, 42 and 53, Division "0," of the Riverview Addition to the City of Austin, Texas. This resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Haynes, 4; absent, Councilman Powell. APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. A. C. Baldwin: The Mayor offered the following resolution: Refund RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of the City of Austin, Texas, and made payable to A. C. Baldwin as a refund to the said A. C. Baldwin for interest overpaid by the said A. C. Baldwin to the City of Austin, Texas, on taxes in arrears by the said A. C. Baldwin. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, no nays, Councilman Powell absent. APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. A. W. Ethridge: The Mayor offered the following resolution: a. w. auto assmt. RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the assessment of a Ford automobile of the model of 1913 against A. W. Ethridge at the value of $350.00 be and the same is hereby reduced to $150.00; for the reason that the City Council is convinced, from the attached affidavit of the said A. W. Ethridge, that the automobile in question is worth not exceeding $200.00, so that for taxation purposes a valuation of $150.00 --- Page break --- Jurat # The Mayor laid before the Council the following communication: To the Honorable Mayor and City Council, City of Austin, Texas. Gentlemen: The Texas Bitulithic Company proposes to do the work of paving with Bitulithic pavement, five-inch gravel concrete base, concrete curbs and gutters as specified in the specifications prepared by the City Engineer and adopted by your body for the paving of the following street in Austin. Sixteenth street from the west property line of Congress avenue to the east property line of Lavaca street. For earth excavation measured in the ground before removal, 35¢ thirty-five (35¢) cents per cubic yard. For solid rock excavation, measured in the ground before removal, two and fifty hundredths ($2.50) dollars per cubic yard. For the construction of the Bitulithic pavement, including five (5) inch gravel concrete foundation, as specified, and concrete gutters, two and no hundredths ($2.00) dollars per square yard. For furnishing and installing oak headers, forty ($40.00) dollars per 1000 feet B. M. For the construction of concrete curbs, as specified, thirty-five (35¢) cents per linear foot or curbing. For furnishing and placing extra one to seven (1-7) concrete, four ($4.00) dollars per cubic yard. TEXAS BITULITHIC COMPANY By (signed) F. E. Rightor its agent Austin, Texas. April 4th, 1918. --- Page break --- 241 would be fair and reasonable. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 4 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the assessment of an automobile, at $200.00, for taxes of 1917 against Miss M. Matthiesen be and the same is hereby cancelled Miss M. Matthiesen: amt over-payment and annulled; for the reason that the City Council, relying on the attached statement of the said Miss Matthiesen, believes that the automobile in question was not owned by her on January 1, 1917, but was purchased by her in March 1917. The resolution was passed by the following vote: YeasMayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Haynes, 4; absent, Councilman Powell. Lien must be given APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. then The Mayor laid before the Council the following "Resolution Res ordering im- provement of 16th st. ordering the Improvement of a certain part of Sixteenth Street, in the City of Austin, and approving specifications, proposal, contract and bond therefor:" "Whereas, it is deemed necessary to improve the following street in the City of Austin, within the following limits, to-wit: Sixteenth Street, from the west property line of Congress Avenue to the east property line of Lavaca Street; and Whereas, the City Engineer of this City on November 10, 1915, filed with the City Council complete specifications for the performance of the said work by paving said street with the Bitulithic Pavement upon a five (5) inch gravel concrete foundation, with concrete gutters along the curb lines, 18 inches wide, concrete curbs, along the curb line and necessary excavations; and Whereas, the Texas Bitulithic Company has filed a proposal with the City Council to do said work at and for the following prices, to-wit: For earth excavation, measured in the ground, before removal, thirty-five (35) cents per cubic yard. For solid rock excavation, measured in the ground before removal, two and 50/100 ($2.50) dollars per cubic yard. For the construction of the Bitulithic Pavement, including five (5) inch gravel concrete foundation, as specified, and concrete gutters, two ($2.00) dollars per square yard. For furnishing and installing oak headers, forty ($40.00) dollars per 1000 feet, B. M. For the construction of concrete curbs, as specified, thirty-five (35c) cents per linear foot. For furnishing and placing extra one to seven (1-7) concrete, four ($4.00) dollars per cubic yard. Whereas, the City Attorney has prepared a contract for said work between the City and the Texas Bitulithic Company and also a bond for the construction thereof by said company, with the United --- Page break --- 215 States Fidelity & Guaranty Company as surety, and has submitted the same to the City Council of the City of Austin; Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: 1. That the said street be improved by paving the same with Bitulithic Pavement, within the limits above named, with five (5) inch gravel concrete foundation, necessary excavation and concrete gutters and curbs, as specified. 2. That the specifications for said work prepared by the City Engineer are hereby adopted, and that the proposal of the Texas Bitulithic Company to perform the said work at and for the prices above set forth, be accepted and said work let to said Company, and that the contract prepared and submitted by the City Attorney for the performance of said work be and the same is hereby approved, and the Mayor of the City is directed upon the taking effect hereof, to execute said contract on behalf of the City, and in its name, and the City Clerk to attest the same with the impress of the corporation seal. That the form of construction bond submitted by the City Attorney for execution by said Company, with the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company as surety thereon, is hereby approved, and that the same be accepted by the City upon execution by said principal and surety. 3. That the cost of said improvements shall be paid as follows, to-wit: (a) If any Street Railway Company or Steam Railway Company shall occupy the said street or intersections thereof, with its tracks, said Company shall pay to the said Contractor the whole cost of making said improvements between and under its rails and tracks, and twelve (12) inches on the outside thereof. (b) The City shall pay to the said Contractor the whole cost of improving intersections of said streets with other streets, except so much of said intersections as may be occupied by the tracks of said railway companies, and twelve (12) inches on the outside thereof; provided, however, that the City shall not pay any part of the cost of the curbing on said street. (c) The remainder of said cost, after deducting the amounts payable under sections (a) and (b) above, shall be paid by the owners of property abutting on said street named to be improved and shall be assessed against said owners and their abutting property, in accordance with the terms of the City Charter, and the ordinances in such cases made and provided, and in accordance with the front foot plan or rule, unless in individual cases said front foot plan or rule should be deemed by the City Council unjust or inequitable and provided that no assessment shall be made against said owner or his property in excess of the actual benefits to said property in the enhanced value thereof by means of said improvement, nor until after notice and hearing, as provided by the City Charter and ordinances. 4. There is hereby appropriated and set apart out of the Permanent Street Improvement Fund of the City of Austin, not heretofore appropriated, the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the portion of the cost of said improvement payable by the City, which sum so appropriated and set aside, is hereby declared to be a sacred fund, to be designated "Sixteenth Street #2 Improvement Fund" which shall be kept and applied for the purpose of paying for said improvements only, and shall not be disbursed for any other purpose. 5. That this resolution shall remain on file with the City Clerk for --- Page break --- 246 public inspection for one week before its final passage or adoption and shall then be finally adopted. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: YeasMayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Haynes, 4; absent, Councilman Powell. APPROVED, April 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Ordinance -- The Mayor laid before the Council "An ordinance ordering Charter Commission an election, and providing for the submission to the qualified voters at said election of the question, "Shall a Commission be chosen to frame a new charter for the City of Austin," and providing for the election of the members of such commission, provided a majority of the qualified voters, voting at said election, shall have voted in the affirmative on said question." The ordinance was read the second time (having been read the first time on April 4, 1918), and was laid over for final action. Afternoon session: Councilmen Bartholomew and Powell absent. The Mayor laid before the Council applications for public Public service service car licenses as follows: car licenses G. G. Morgan, 1601-Eva street: Ford No. 132440. Ollie H. Cole, 1904 Garden street: Ford No. 131952. Jerome L. Condit, 1002 San Antonio street: Jeffery No. 133389; Cadillac No. 131617. All of the 4 licenses asked for, as indicated, were granted by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony and Haynes, 3; absent, Councilmen Bartholomew and Powell, 2. The Council then adjourned. V. S. Morton City Clerk SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, April 13, 1918. The Council met with all members present. The Mayor laid before the Council applications for public Public service service car licenses as follows: car licenses William Tickett: Rambler No. 131988. A. L. Givens, 213 West Sixth street: Studebaker No. 133478. William George Washington, 1509 Rosewood avenue: Buick 5 No. 188673. Albert Jabour, 411 East Seventh street: Reo 5 No. 132269. N. V. Dittlinger, Jr., 403 Congress avenue: Ford No. 227953. John Kraus, 3200 East avenue: Reo 6 No. 224. Each of the several applications above enumerated was Ray Griffin, a granted by a vote of 5 yeas. Reward for arrest The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: arrests RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of the City of Austin, Texas, as a reward to Ray Griffin of Austin, Texas, --- Page break --- 247 and J. W. Carrothers of San Antonio, Texas, for their services in the arrest and conviction of Harry Richardson and Willie Wright for the offense of arson in the burning of the Hancock Opera House in this City on March 5th, 1918. This amount is paid to the said Fay Griffin and J. W. Carrothers under the terms of the reward offered by the Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas, of that amount for the arrest and conviction of any person guilty of the offense of arson in the City of Austin, Texas. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes, and Powell, 5; nays, none. APPROVED, April 13, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor presented to the Council the question of contributing $500.00 toward the purchase of rifles for the company of Home Guards in process of organContribution Toward purchase of Rifles ization, and all agreed that the contribution should be made. In the same way it was agreed that the City would expend $100.00 or more advertising the Third Liberty Loan. The Mayor suggested that all heads of departments see all their employees and encourage them to buy Liberty Bonds. W. E. Long, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, told the Council that Landing field near St. Edward's College the landing field for airplanes near St. Edward's College was being placed in good shape; 70 or 80 men, he said, had agreed to work tomorrow removing rocks, etc. He asked if the city would furnish three or four dump wagons to haul off the rock, and Councilman Powell agreed to furnish the wagons. The Council granted a public service car license, by a vote of 5 yeas, C. T. Robertson Public service car license to C. T. Robertson, RFD 5, Box 38, Austin, on a Pullman automobile, No. 1-1227 (factory). Mrs. Clarence Miller was before the Council, seeking a revision of certain assessments in the Gipsy Grove Addition. J. E. Martin City Clerk The Council then adjourned. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas. April 15, 1918. The Council met with all members present. Applications for public service car licenses were laid before the Public Service car license Council as follows: Frank Galbreath, 84 Rainey street: Ford, No. 227987.. John E. Shelton, Jr., 201 Live Oak street, and Charles B. Capron, Jr., 602 Harthan street: Dodge, No. 131314. Both licenses were granted by a vote of 5 yeas. Mayor Wooldridge nominated Miss Dorsey Spiller to be Municipal Nurse, Miss Dorsey Spiller Municipal Nurse which nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas--Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes, and Powell, 4; Mayor Wooldridge not voting. A letter from Mrs. C. E. Townsend was read asking 60 days' extension of Mrs. C. E. Townsend Sewer connection time in which to connect a bath tub on her premises with the sewer system. This was granted by a vote of 5 yeas. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: --- Page break --- 248 RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That for good and sufficient reasons unto the City Council Ike Pierson: fine suspended shwon. and particularly for the reason that Ike Pierson. convicted of vagrancy in Cause No. 12796, Corporation Court of the City of Austin, agrees if released to leave Austin and live with relatives, and give no more trouble to the city police, and the further reason that having worked and laid out $30.00 of his fine he has probably been sufficiently punished, the balance of said fine and costs, amounting to $84.80, be and the same is hereby suspended. This is done with the understanding that if the said Ike Pierson fails to carry out his promises, as set out, this fine shall revive and continue in full force and effect. The resolution was adopted by the following vote: YeasMayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony and Haynes, 3; Councilmen Bar- tholomew and Powell being out of the Council room. APPROVED, April 15, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. J. F. Landrum: Special Policeman Councilman Anthony nominated J. F. Landrum to be a Special Policeman without pay. The nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas--Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Haynes and Powell, 3; Councilman Bartholomew absent, Councilman Anthony not voting. APPROVED, April 15, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.E. Martin City Clerk