Austin's 5-Cent Fares & New Car Services
Legal Roadblock for Streetcar Fares:
The City Attorney issued a formal opinion, ruling that any increase to the existing 5-cent streetcar fare could not legally proceed without a public referendum.Public Say on Transit Costs:
This decision mandated that citizens would have the final say on transportation costs, giving them direct input on any proposed changes to streetcar fares.Early For-Hire Car Services:
The city began regulating new forms of transport by granting the first recorded public service licenses for two Ford cars, marking the advent of regulated for-hire automobile services.
Full Transcript
88 Cemetery Purchase Fund as a refund to the said H. A. Wroe, the sume being the price paid for said lot by the said H. A. Wroe but surrendered to the City of Austin and not intended to be used by him for burial purposes. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, Nov. 7, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.S. [illegible] City Clerk.
Congress, W. M. Hill. Streets vacated Armistice celebration 11 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, Nov. 11, 1918. The Council met with all members present. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: Whereas, an armistice has this day been signed between Germany and the Allies and the United States of America, which event is being celebrated by a procession military and civic this afternoon on Congress avenue, Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That to expedite said parade, which will pass on Congress avenue this afternoon at 3 o'clock, Congress avenue from First street to Eleventh street and West Ninth street from Congress avenue to Guadalupe street are hereby ordered to be vacated of vehicles. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, Nov. 11, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.S. [illegible] City Clerk
City attorneys opinion 5 cent car fare referendum SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, Nov. 12, 1918. The Council met with all members present. The City Attorney, J. Houldin Rector, and representatives of the Austin Street Railway Company were present. The City Attorney read his opinion, formulated since the hearing of Nov. 2 on the question of 5-cent street car fares, to the effect that a referendum election would be necessary before the proposed increase could be legally allowed. The applications of John E. Dittlinger, 211 East Third street, for public service car licenses on his Ford cars, Nos. 289181 and 131832, were laid before the Council and granted by a vote of 5 yeas. The Council then adjourned. V.S. [illegible] City Clerk