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Austin: Gas Station Blocked, Pauper Services

Friday, December 28, 1923 special called
  • Denied a permit for a new gasoline station, reflecting early urban planning and regulatory decisions.
  • Heard a public request for $600 to fund the upkeep of the Travis County Rest Room, a community welfare facility.
  • Considered a resolution from the H&TO Railway Company to close an alley at a prominent downtown intersection.
  • Approved separate contracts for ambulance services and coffins for "white paupers" and "colored paupers," highlighting the era's segregated public services.

Full Transcript

220 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 28, 1923.. The Council was called to order by the Mayor, Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Avery, Haynes, Nolen and Searight, 5; absent, none. Councilman Haynes moved that the reading of the Minutes of the last meeting be suspended. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Avery, Haynes, Nolen and Searight, 5; nayes, none. A committee composed of T. B. Walling and others appeared before the Council and asked that the city appropriate six hundred dollars in the budget of the City of Austin for the year 1924 for the upkeep of the Travis County Rest Room. The report of the Safety Committee on the petition of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gay for permission to install a gasoline station was read and Councilman Searight moved that same be refused as recommended by the Committee. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayee, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Avery, Haynes, Nolen and Searight; 5; nayes, none. Judge W. B. Garrett, Attorney for the H&TO Railway Company, appeared before the Council and presented a resolution asking that the city allow them to close the alley at the corner of East 3rd Street and Congress Avenue. The Council then recessed, SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, December 28th, 1923. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Mayor Yett, Councilmen Haynes and Nolen; absent, Councilmen Avery and Searight. Councilman Haynes moved that the bid of Rosengren-Cook for amublance service and coffins for white paupers be accepted as the best bid. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Haynes and Nolen, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Avery and Searight absent. Councilman Nolen moved that the bid of the Home Steam Laundry be accepted as the best bid. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Haynes and Nolen, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Avery and Searight absent. Councilman Haynes moved that the bid of N. W. Rhambo to furnish coffins and ambulance service for colored paupers be accepted as the best bid. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Haynes and Nolen, 3; nayes, none, Councilmen Avery and Searight absent. Bids for other supplies for the city for said period were referred to the heads of the respective departments for their report back to the City Council on January 5, 1924. The Council then adjourned.