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Austin's Early Taxis and City Appointments

Monday, July 22, 1918 special called
  • Approved licenses for numerous "public service cars," signaling the rise of early taxi and for-hire vehicle services.
  • Confirmed L. M. Layton as a new member of the City Board of Equalization, a body important for local property assessments.
  • Featured a range of early automobiles, including Fords, a Studebaker, and a Kissel, being put into commercial service.

Full Transcript

27 Edgar Shelton service car SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, July 22, 1918. The Mayor laid before the Council the application for public service car license of Edgar Shelton, South Austin, Studebaker car No. 181813, which application was granted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. V. S. Martin City Clerk L. M. Layton Bd. of Equal- ization SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, July 22, 1918. The Council met with all members present except Councilman Powell. Councilman Haynes nominated L. M. Layton to be a member of the City Board of Equalization for the term ending April 29, 1919. The nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas, Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony and Bartholomew, 3; Councilman Haynes not voting. The Mayor laid before the Council applications for public service service car License car licenses as follows: L. H. Eagles, 606 East Seventh street, Kissel, No. 220537; J. H. Lafond, Austin, Ford car, No. 161266; Will Jackson, 1902 East Fourteenth street, Ford truck, No. 198713; Simon Sidle, Pflugerville, Ford 1916 model, No. 227973; G. W. Norman, 1702 East Eighth street, Ford, No. 188205; all of which were granted by unanimous vote. The Council then adjourned. V. S. Martin City Clerk A. S. Thweatt, Sr. Bd of Equaliza- tion SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, July 23, 1918. The Council met with all members present. Councilman Haynes nominated A. S. Thweatt, Sr., to be a member of the City Board of Equalization for the term ending April 29, 1919. The nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas, Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Powell, 4; Councilman Haynes not voting. Andrew J. Hayden Ford auto The Mayor laid before the Council the application of Andrew J. Hayden for public service car license on his Ford automobile, No. 132089, which application was granted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. The Council then adjourned. V. S. Martin City Clerk