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Early Austin: Taxis, Nurse School, City Contracts

Thursday, June 24, 1920 regular
  • Early Public Transportation

    Approved permits for two individuals to operate "service cars," an early form of taxi or ride-share in the city.
  • Investment in Public Health

    Funded the Municipal Nurse's professional development by granting her a two-week leave and $150 to attend the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy.
  • City Operations & Local Economy

    Awarded contracts to local businesses for essential city supplies, including newspaper printing, hospital laundry services, and medical drugs.
  • Public Safety Appointments

    Confirmed the nomination and hiring of three new police officers for the City of Austin.

Full Transcript

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 24, 1920. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, absent, Councilman Graham. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, absent, Councilman Graham. The following monthly reports were read and ordered filed: J. B. Platt, City Marshal; Dr. C. M. Brownlee, City Health Officer; C. L. Woodward, Chief of the Fire Department; Jno. E. Woody, City Fire Marshal; Miss Nellie M. Hall, Secretary United Charities Association. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 20, 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. The application of J. E. Ditlinger to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none, Councilman Graham absent. The Council then adjourned. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 24, 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. Minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Graham were adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The application of Roy Dodson to operate a service car was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. Councilman Alford nominated A. T. Scott, W. H. Scott and J. W. Bracken to be policemen of the City of Austin, Texas, to fill positions made vacant by the resignations of A. Von Rosenberg, Joe Amstead, Jr., and W. D. Miller. Nomination was confirmed by the following vote: --- Page break --- 354 Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Graham, Haynes and Ward, 4; nayes, none. Councilman Alford present but not voting. Miss Spiller. Grant'd leave of absence Councilman Graham moved that Miss Dorsey Spiller, Municipal Nurse, be granted a two weeks leave of absence to attend the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy , and that the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) be and the same is hereby appropriated to the expense of such schooling. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 28, 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 bids for supplies for the City of Austin for the period beginning Awarding of Contracts July 1st Dec. 31st, 1920. July 1st and ending December 31st were opened and read, and the following bids were accepted: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. For newspaper printing ---- Austin American; " Drugs and Prescriptions - Spalding's Drug Store; " Laundry for City Hospital - Austin Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co.; " Sweet and Butter Milk - J. C. Bryant's Creamery Co; Upon the recommendation of P. K. Mitchell, City Electrician, the application of Billy Ebner to erect a sign at No. 602 Congress Avenue, was granted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, June 29, 1920. The Council met with the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; absent, none. Apr. of Rick Lime The application of Rick Line to install an additional dry cleaning apparatus known as the Bowser System in the rear of No. 611 Congress Avenue was read, and upon motion of Councilman Haynes that the application be granted, conditioned that the apparatus be placed outside of the main building, and that all rules of the National Underwriters Association be complied with, the same was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none. The bid of S. E. Rosengren for furnishing undertakers supplies for white paupers was accepted by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward, 5; nayes, none.