The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-11-23

4. Browne Dr. c. II. Thorn and ).
c. Tucker. Mr. Browne stated that
he had never seen the ordinance be-
fore. yesterday afternoon and desired
thar it be referred to a committee
for consideration before being pre-
sented to the council as a body for
adoption.
Fire Ordinance.
The fire ordinance, as drawn up
by Assistant City Attorney Hudson
provides that the fire limit shall be
bounded by the center of Levee
street and Adams streets on the
east and west, and the post wall and
center OF Tenth street on the north
and south. It also provides that
every building constructed within
these limits must be OF brick, stone
or cOncrete-cOncrete not TO in
clude any building constructed with
frame OF wood or other material but
the entire wall be constructed of
concrete. Wooden frames for doors
and windows and also wooden floors
may be used in the construction Of
such buildings. The ordinance pro-
yides that the roof OF such build
ing shall be Of metal, thing or other
fire proof material. or, if the roof
is not constructed of metal, thing or
other fire proof material, or, if the
the roof is not constructed OF metal
or thing. before same shall be built,
il shall be the duty of the owner
erecting said building and cOntrac-
tor and builder thereof to present
to the city council statement in
writing under oath. showing the
kind and character of material pro
posed to be used in the construction
OF the said roof and it shall be the
duty OF the council 10 determine
whether or not said material to be
used comes within the purview of
this ordinance The ordinance fur
ther provides that it shall be Unlaw-
iul to repair or replace all or any
rart OF any building located within
the above described fire limits, with
ont first obtaining permission to do
50 from the city council. Violation
of this ordinance shall constitute a
misdemeanOr, and the violator
thereof shall be subjected to fine
not to exceed 500.
The ordinance as first presented
extended the eastern boundary of
the fire limits to the center of Non
roe street, but the majority of the
council thought the area too wide
and the limit was changed to the
center of Adams street. Several Of
the aldermen, including Aldermen
Browne and Crixell, were of the
opinion that the southern boundary
as defined in the ordinance extend
ed too far and were in favor of re-
ducing the southern limit by few
blocks
Alderman Tucker was of the Opin-
ion that the limits should extend
TO the post wall as, on account of
the southeast breeze generally pre-
vailing here, a fire originating in
that locality would be of great dan
ger. to the city and wooden or frame
buildings in that section would be
a great menace However no fur
Their action was taken on this ord
nance beyond referring it to a COM
mittee
TIE Regulate Autos.
The automobile ordinance, which
was passed over until the next meet
ing, provides that the speed limit
of an automobile or any other kind
of motive power car within the city
limits shall not exceed eight miles
an hour, and that they shall not APP
proach within 100 feet of any cross
street at a speed exceeding six miles
per hour The ordinance also pro-
vides that between six O'Clock at
rrrh hI1 q
must be equipped with at least three
lights. two lights in front and one
tail light On approaching cross
streets, warning must be given
by the automobile driver with a
whistle, bell or horn, that may be
heard for a distance of 500 feet.
The ordinance also requires that all
automobiles in the city must be
numbered. their numbers to be OBJ
tanned from the city tax collector
and their names registered with
him. the cost of these numbers to be
500 per annum. These numbers
must be placed in conspicuous
place on the machine. 1t also pro-
hibits any person incompetent to
steer an automobile or unfamiliar
with its mechanism from driving
one within the city limits. 1t also
provides that no person under the
age OF q years shall drive a car
that is used for public hire The
violation of this ordinance will be
deemed a misdemeanor, and the VIC
latOr thereof viii be subjected to a
fine not to exceed 5000.
As originally read, the clause rel
alive to the age limit of chauffeurs
provided that no one under the age
of Is years should drive a car in
the city limits. This clause, how
ever, was strenuously objected to
by the mayor, Alderman DwOrman
and Crixell, and on motion of Alder
man Crixell, seconded by Alderman