Austin's New Fire Safety Rules & Soldier's Fine
New Fire Safety Building Codes:
Austin adopted updated building regulations, strengthening fire limits and controlling construction materials, building repairs, fences, and flammable storage city-wide for public safety.Fast-Tracked Regulations:
The new fire safety ordinance was quickly approved through three readings in a single session, indicating urgent action on urban planning and safety.Soldier's Driving Fine Reduced:
Half of a fine for "fast driving" was remitted for a soldier, J. E. Whitaker, due to it being his first offense and his promise to adhere to city rules.
Full Transcript
service our license on his Dodge car, No.131176, was laid before the Council and granted by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. The Council then adjourned. V.S. [illegible] City Clerk
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, Nov. 20, 1918.
The Council met with all members present. The Mayor laid before the Council "An ordinance entitled an ordinance amending 'An ordinance establishing the fire limits in the City Amendment to Fire Limits Ordinance of Austin and prohibiting the erection within the fire limits of buildings out of material other than is provided for in this ordinance; the removal and repairing of a certain class of buildings, and regulating the building of fences and the storing of combustible material within the fire limits, and providing a penalty for the violation thereof,' approved January 30th, 1913." The ordinance was read the first time, and the Mayor moved that it be placed on its second reading under suspension of the rule. The motion prevailed by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. Upon its being read the second time the Mayor moved a further suspension of the rule and the placing of the ordinance on its third reading. This motion prevailed by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. The ordinance was read the third time, and the Mayor moved its final passage, the motion carrying by the following vote: Yeas, Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Bartholomew, Haynes, and Powell, 5; nays none. Councilman Anthony offered the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That one-half, or $12.40, of the fine and costs assessed against J. E. Whitaker Fine J. E. Whitaker, for fast driving, in Cause No. 13112, Corporation Court of the City of Austin, be and the same is hereby remitted. This action is taken in consideration of the fact that the said Whitaker is a soldier who has never before been under arrest for violation of the city ordinances and who promises not to offend again. The resolution was passed by a vote of 5 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, November 20, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. V.S. M [illegible] City Clerk