Back to Archives

Austin: First Taxis and Court Scrutiny

Thursday, March 25, 1920 regular
  • Permit for "Service Car" Operation:

    Approved Benjamin R. Soto's application to operate a "service car," an early form of taxi or livery service, signaling the regulation of new transportation options.
  • Addressing Court Prosecution Concerns:

    The Assistant City Attorney appeared to address and explain criticisms regarding how defendants were being prosecuted in the Corporation Court.
  • Fire Marshal's Monthly Update:

    The City's Fire Marshal submitted and filed his monthly report on fire department activities.

Full Transcript

332 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: AUSTIN, TEXAS, March 25, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; absent, none. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Alford were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. Benj. R. Soto The application of Benjamin R. Soto to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham Haynes and Ward, 5; nays , none. W. J. Crider At the request of Councilman Haynes, Judge W. J. Crider, Assistant Asst. City Atty. City Attorney, appeared before the Council to explain certain criticisms as to the manner of prosecuting defendants in certain cases tried in the Corporation Court. Report of The monthly report of J. E. Woody, Fire Marshal, was read and J. E. Woody, ordered filed. Fire Mar. The Council then adjourned. J. H. Hornsby City Clerk REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, April 1, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; absent, none. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Haynes were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. Councilman Haynes moved that the regular order of business be suspended and that a committee be heard in the matter of complaints against the sewage disposal plant. After hearing several talks upon the subject, the Council agreed to furnish such relief as was possible in the premises. D. A. Bush The petition of D. A. Bush and others in the matter of the sewage et als disposal plant was read and ordered filed. Sewage Councilman Haynes moved that the application of the Gulf Refining disposal Company be referred to the City Attorney, City Engineer and Chief of the Gulf Refining Fire Department for their report back to the Council. Motion carried by Co. the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. Columbian Refg The application of the Columbian Refining Company to erect a Co. canopy over an underground gasoline tank and pump filling station in front of Ritter & Knippa’s Store in the angle which is private property, this angle being formed by the intersection of what is known as the Manor and Cameron Roads, was granted , with the understanding that same was to be erected under the supervision of the City Engineer, by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none.