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Austin's Dam Legal Battle and Service Car Boom

Monday, June 14, 1920 special called
  • City officials authorized legal action regarding the "Dam suit" to clarify the structure's legal status and potentially aid in its completion.
  • Multiple permits were approved for individuals to operate "service cars," marking an early era of public for-hire transportation.
  • A new permanent curb line was established on Baylor Street as part of the city's ongoing urban planning and infrastructure development.

Full Transcript

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 14, 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 adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. The following monthly reports were read and ordered filed: A. S. Anderson, Public Weigher; Dr. A. A. Biebel, Meat and Dairy Inspector; Jas. H. Maxwell, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Mrs. R. C. Walker, Pure Food Inspector; Mrs. E. Schultz, Superintendent of Nurses, City Hospital; Jas. A. Warren, Cashier Street and Sewer Department; Fred Sterzing, Assessor and Collector. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 11, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, and Haynes, 4; absent, Councilman Ward. The application of Will Jackson to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, and Haynes , 4; nays, none, Councilman Ward absent. The application of W. B. Hammet to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham and Haynes, 4; nays, none, Councilman Ward absent. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 14, 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. Councilman Haynes offered the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the City Attorney be authorized to confer with the attorneys representing the Receiver and other parties in the Dam suit, with the view of determining the legal status of the change in the width of the base of the Dam and to withdraw or amend the City's suit for forfeiture --- Page break --- 352 upon the dismissal of the City from the suit, for the purpose of aiding the Receiver in the completion of the Dam. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nays, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 15, 1920. The Council met with the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; absent, Councilman Graham. The petition of N. W. Rutledge for the installation of a phone at #1904 San Gabriel Street was read and considered. Councilman Haynes moved that final action on the petition be postponed until the regular meeting of the Council on June 24th, for the reason that the Manager of the Southwestern Telephone Company has agreed to furnish the applicant herein with a phone at an early date. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; Councilman Graham absent, nays, none. The application of Alfred H. Merida to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none, Councilman Graham absent. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 16, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; absent, Councilman Graham. Mayor Yett introduced the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That the east curb line of Baylor Street north of its intersection with West Ninth Street and opposite to Lot No. 7 in Block No.8 of Silliman's Subdivision of Outlot No. 5 in Division "Z" in the City of Austin be and the same is hereby permanently established on the projection of a line north from the east curb line now established generally on said Baylor Street south of its intersection with said West Ninth Street. The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; nays, none, Councilman Graham absent. The Council then adjourned. J. W. Hornsby, City Clerk.