Austin: Pollution, Tax Policy, and Taxis
- Public concerns were voiced regarding the city's Sewage Disposal Plant.
- A $6,665 tax assessment on Atlantic Life Insurance Co. was canceled, as Liberty Bonds held by the company were declared non-taxable.
- Permission was granted for Matthew Edwards to operate a "service car," an early form of taxi service.
Full Transcript
343 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, May 13, 1920. The Council met with the following members present: Mayor Pro tem Haynes, Councilmen Alford, Graham, and Ward, 4; absent, Mayor Yett. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Graham were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Pro tem Haynes, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Ward, 4; nays, none, Mayor Yett absent. Councilman Alford moved that the regular order of business be suspended and that a committee be heard. H. D. Dear and others then appeared before the Council and complained of the Sewage Disposal Plant. Mayor Pro tem Haynes nominated James Belger, Sr., to be a member of the Board of Equalization. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Ward, 3, nays, none, Mayor Pro tem Haynes not voting. Mayor Yett absent. Mayor Pro tem Haynes introduced the following resolution: Whereas, the City Assessor and Collector has assessed for city taxes of 1919 against the Atlantic Life Insurance Company of Richmond, Virginia, Notes on deposit in the State Treasury of the State of Texas to the amount of $10,000.00 at 66-2/3% on the $100.00, making a valuation of $6,665.00; and Whereas, said company claims that in September, 1918, Liberty Bonds were substituted for said notes deposited in the State Treasury, which statement is verified by the Chief Clerk of that office, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the Assessor and Collector be and he is hereby instructed to cancel above stated assessment and to officially notify the said company of his action, Liberty Bonds not being assessable. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Pro tem Haynes, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Ward, 4; nays, none, Mayor Yett absent. The Council then recessed.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, May 18, 1920. The Council met with the following members present: Mayor Pro tem Haynes, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Ward, 4; absent, Mayor Yett. The following monthly reports were read and ordered filed: J. D. Platt, Chief of Police; J. A. Warren, Cashier and Bookkeeper Street and Sewer Department; Mrs. E. Schulz, Superintendent Nurses City Hospital; Dr. A. A. Biebel, Meat and Dairy Inspector; Mrs. R. C. Walker, Pure Food Inspector; Miss Dorsey Spiller, Public Health Nurse; Jas. H. Maxwell, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Jno. E. Woody, Fire Marshal; Miss Nellie H. Hall, Secretary United Charities Association; The application of Matthew Edwards to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Pro tem Haynes, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Ward, 4; nays, none, Mayor Yett absent.