Austin's Early Taxis & Tax Board
Key City Appointments:
Two individuals, L. M. Layton and A. S. Thweatt, Sr., were confirmed to the City Board of Equalization, a crucial body responsible for assessing property taxes.Regulating Early Ride-Shares:
Licenses were granted to seven applicants, including Edgar Shelton and Andrew J. Hayden, to operate "public service cars" – the 1918 equivalent of taxis or for-hire vehicles.A Glimpse at Vintage Fleet:
The approved public service vehicles included a Studebaker, a Kissel, and several Ford cars and a Ford truck, reflecting common transportation of the era.
Full Transcript
27 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, July 23, 1918.
Edgar Shelton The Mayor laid before the Council the application for public service car service car license of Edgar Shelton, South Austin, Studebaker car No. 181813, which application was granted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays.
U. S. Ma. r City Clerk
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 L M Layton Bd. of Equal- Board of Equalization for the term ending April 29, 1919. The nomination ization 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 car licenses as follows: L. H. Eagles, 606 East Seventh street, Kissel, License 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.
U. S. Ma. r City Clerk
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, July 23, 1918.
The Council met with all members present. A. S. Thweatt, Sr. Councilman Haynes nominated A. S. Thweatt, Sr., to be a member of Bd of Equalizathe City Board of Equalization for the term ending April 29, 1919. Thetion nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas, Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, and Powell, 4; Councilman Haynes not voting. Andrew J. Hayden The Mayor laid before the Council the application of Andrew J. public service Hayden for public service car license on his Ford automobile, No. 132089, car license which application was granted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. The Council then adjourned.
U. S. Ma. r City Clerk