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Battle Over Austin Taxi Pick-Ups

Monday, March 7, 1932 special called
  • A new ordinance was debated to regulate Austin's "ten-cent taxis," requiring them to be licensed and bonded.
  • Taxi owners strongly objected to a proposed rule that would prevent them from picking up passengers spontaneously, such as being hailed from the street.
  • The local streetcar company argued that unregulated taxis created unfair competition, as streetcars were confined to fixed routes.
  • Following the heated debate, a revised taxi ordinance was quickly substituted and passed, establishing new rules for how these affordable taxi services could operate.
Transcript

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: 237 Austin, Texas, March 07, 1932. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck,5; absent, none. The Mayor stated that the meeting was called for the purpose of considering the following ordinance, regulating the operation of ten-cent taxis, which had been introduced at the last regular meeting and laid overs AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION AND USE OF AUTOMOBILES ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CARRYING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE, WITHIN THE OΙΤΥ OF AUSTIN, PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING AND BONDING OF SAME, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF, REPEALING OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND DEOLARING AN EMERGENCY. The above ordinance was read the second time and the Mayor stated that the Council would hear those present who desired to be heard on the ordinance. Horace Shelton, Attorney for the Ten-Cent Taxi owners, and a representative of Senator A. E. Wood, Attorney for the Dime-Taxi owners, spoke at length upon their objections to the ordinance, especially to Section 8, which prohibits the taking on of passengers, by signal or otherwise, while going to or returning from a call. Judge Ike D. White, Attorney for the Austin Street Railway Company, spoke on the unfair competition to his Company in permitting taxis to pick up passengers indiscriminately while oruising about on the streets, while the street cars and busses are confined to their tracks and definite routes. After hearing the above arguments, Councilman Mueller moved that the Council recess until eleven o'clock of the following morning for a further consideration of the ordinance. Motion was seconded by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The Council then recessed. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Approve WM Fadden Austin, Texas, March 8, 1932. The Council was called to order by the Mayor. Roll call showed the following members present: Counoilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; absent, none. The Mayor stated that the meeting was called for the purpose of further considering the ordinance regulating the operation of the ten-cent taxis. Councilman Mueller moved that the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION AND USE OF AUTOMOBILES ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CARRYING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE, WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING AND BONDING OF SAME, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF, REPEALING OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY 238 ! which had passed the second reading by the Council, be withdrawn and a revised ordinance be substituted. Motion was seconded by Councilman Gillis and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The Mayor then laid before the Council the following revised ordinance: AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION AND USE OF AUTOMOBILES ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF CARRYING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE, WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING AND BONDING OF SAME, PRESORIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF, REPEALING OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND DEOLARING AN EMERGENCY. The above ordinance was read the first time and the attorneys for the ten-cent taxie were again heard on the matter. Following the discussion, the attorneys еxртеввед themselves as being more favorable to the ordinance, although not entirely satisfied with. вате. Councilman Mueller then moved that the rule be suspended and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. Motion was seconded by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor Mofadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; naye, none. The ordinance was read the second time and Councilman Mueller moved a further suspension of the rule and the placing of the ordinance on its third reading. Motion was second- ! ed by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Mueller moved that same be finally passed. Motion was seconded by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor MoFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. 1 Councilman Mueller moved that the Council recess, subject to call of the Mayor. Motion was seconded by Councilman Alford and same prevailed by the following vote: Ayes, Councilmen Alford, Gillis, Mayor McFadden, Councilmen Mueller and Steck, 5; nays, none. The Council then recessed. Approvedi W. M Mayor.