Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 61

Industrial and trade expansion Edition THE AUSTIN STATESMAN PAGE THIRTEEN" MANY FRATERNAL HAVE STRONG BRANCHES 1923 ifISTo ner, OF ORGANIZATIONS HERE I Bmlding Year In Hlstory of Austm WHO'S WHO IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT i i i i i i i i i i i I I i They Are Making More Of Everything Except Land Invest In Austin Real Estate and be Safe PilISS STILES Real Estate and Fire Insurance 911 Littlef ield Bldg. Phone 7287 tenure of office has placed his department on an exceedingly efficient basis. For the first time in the history of Travis County the business of this department under Mr. Malone's administration has been so organized and systematized that all records of documents, papers and instruments are methodically filed and indexed and can be easily located whenever need arises, which Is a new departure in the management of county clerks' offices, and Mr. Malone's methods are being adopted by Texas county clerks throughout the state.

Mr. Malone has not experienced serious opposition In his four races for the office, as there has not been any reason for such opposition, his friends and admirers contend, and they have the argument all on their side, apparently, His present term expires in 1924. Leon Halden, county superintendent of schools, is serving his third term in that position. Elected four years ago to the position he entered upon his third term of two years January 1, 1923. His present term expires December 31, 1924.

County Attorney John TV. Hornsby, now servine his fourth term in that Austin Is the fact that building permits Issued to date, numbering over eighty, are for an aggregate value tf $750,000, an Increase over the total for the entire year preceding. There are In Austin about 7000 buildings, of which over 6500 are dwellings. For the repair of these and the building of additions thereto there are annually issued a large number of permits, about one-third of the building permits being of this class. On the other hand hundreds of improvements have been made and scores of residences have been constructed for which no building permits have been issued.

Builders of these houses have failed to observe the ordinance requiring an application for a building permit, and city orneiais have been remiss in the en forcement of the provisions of this law. 1 Records of building activities In Austin for the last twenty years show that a total number of 6985 building permits have been Issued since 1903, the first year In the list. These permits were for construction work of the aggregate valuation of $11,884,000. The largest number of permits issued In a single year was in 1910, when 605 permits for the aggregate valuation of $1,112,800 were Issued. Tho largest valuation totaled in a single year was $1,845,099.

This was in 1916. The tabular record of the number of building permits and the aggregate valuation follows. No. Building Year 1903 Permits Valuation 245 168,879.30 HOFHEINZj INVEST IN AUSTIN REAL ESTATE! As a sound, safe, and practical investment, there is none better. Call on us and let us show you that we can give you a Superior' real estate service.

BOND YOU WE WILL CityProperty LPANX and RENTALlT FARRTand PAMT.HF.C 514 PAUTO 890 153,135.00 344 164.331.00 347 227,649.00 347 224.492.00 371 375,404.00 392 406.190.00 605 1,112,800.00 390 862.132.00 472 615.633.00 892 675,235.00 620 685,267.00 601 675.301.00 419 1.845,099.00 283 354.349.00 105 485,265.00 1 15 249,773.8 1 188 753.141.00 461 1.167,667. GO 375 684.297.00 86 701.000.00 Insurance FIRE. LIFE. The year 1923 promises to be the banner building year in Austin's history. With an unusual number of permits aggregating in total valuation approximately JTOO.000 already Issued since the first of the year, new building projects have become almost a dally affair for the Texas capital.

To date the biggest building project In sight is Austin's new hotel, on which construction Is not to begin before April 1, but for which the permit has already been issued by the city authorities. The beginning of 1923 has seen a noticeable revival In home construction In Austin, and already over fifty new homes have been erected here since January 1, according to the building permits record at the city hall. During the preceding year there were built in Austin 206 new homes, many of them pretentious structures, although the larger number were model ately priced cottages. Every section of the city got its share of new buildings, although the larger number of new homes have been constructed In the residence districts in the northern and western parts of the city. The revival in building is credited to the recovery of the public generally from the depression that followed the world war and the revolt against high rents This can be seen in the building permits records for the years of the war and those which have since passed.

A decided slump is shown in 1917, the year of the outbreak of the war, and the next throe years saw the Issuance of less than 200 permits per year, the only three times that this has happened, according to the records of the last twenty years. The year 1921 wiw a recovery in building, with the issuance of 461 permits for an aggregate value of The largest rormit issued was that for the Scottish Rite dor mitory, for girls at the University of added 3450,000 to the aggregate for that year. This building, however, was not completed until the fall of 1922, though listed with the lecords of the preceding year. Building fell off somewhat In 1922, as compared to 1921, but compared favorably with the record for the years immediately preceding the outbreak of the world war. During 1922 there were issued 375 permits for an aggregate total of $684,297.

Further evidence of the boom 1923 has brought 1 sit, 1 82 HMfT CASUALTY (Continued From Page Twelve) smith, treasurer: E. F. Cornwall, esquire; W. J. Koen, tiler.

Woodmen of 4he World. Austin's oldest camp of the Woodmen of the World Is Heart of Oak Camp No. 8, which was Installed here on May 16, 1891. From a small membership at the start, the roll of this camp has increased well beyond the 1000 mark, and Includes not only Austin citizens, but Travis County residents as well. In addition there are operating in Austin two Woodmen circles.

They are Cedar Grove Camp No. Woodmen Circle, established February 2, 1895. and Capital Grove No. 433, established July 7, 1905. Knight of Columbus, Capital City Council No.

101T. Knights of Columbus, which was established in Austin on May 26, 1905, is one of the strongest chapters of the order in the State of Texas. Among the original members of the K. C. Council were J.

A. O'Reilly, W. J. MeXamara, A. H.

Robinson, W. P. Brady, James Byrne. M. P.

Hlckey, L. J. Schneider, E. A. Giraud and Charles Shurr.

The organisation holds semi-monthly meetings at the Knights of Colum-bug Hall at 114 East Ninth street. The members of the Austin counoil own -the building In whloh their hall is located and the property Is considered one of the most valuable in the city of Aus tin. Recently the remodeling of the top story of the K. C. Hall was begun and an up-to-date gymnaslirm Is being installed.

Later It is planned to Install bowling alleys for the use of members of the K. C. club. Independent Order of Odd Fellow. Four Odd Fellows lodges are operated in Austin.

These are Capital Lodge No, 23, Johnson Encampment No. 5, Travis Canton No. 15, and Mary Rebecca Lodge No. 117. The Odd Fellows maintain a hall at Seventh and Congress avenue for the Joint use of ail four branches of the order.

Knights of rthln. In addition to Mount Bonnell Lodge! No. ti, organised April 19, 1883, the Knights of Pythias maintain two Insurance departments, No. 635 and Jfo. 6584.

Meetings are held every Thursday at 911 Congress avenue In the Knights of Pythias Hall. Other fraternal orders and the names and chapters or lodges maintained here are: B'Nai Brith: Hill City Lodge No. 241. Catholic Knights: Austin Branch No. J82.

Court of Honor: Capital District Court No. 684. Equitable Union; Austin Assembly No. 703. Fraternal Mystlo Circle: Ruling No.

377. Loval Americans: Austin Assembly No. 163. Macabees: Austin City Tent No, 13, O. Austin Hive No.

1014, L. O. M. M.j Capital City Hlvs No. 2, L.

O. T. M. Order of Eastern Star: Austin Chapter No. 304; Travis Chapter No.

472. Modern Woodmen: Congress Camp No. 11929. Praetorians: Austin Council No. Capital City Council No.

688. Royal Nelgnbors of America: Luck Camp No. 4519; Austin Chapter No. 8467. Security Benefit Ass'n: Austin Council No.

1714. Sons of Herman: Cherusker Lodge No. 85; Elntracht Lodge No. Windhorst Lodge No. 161.

Yeomen; Capital Homestead No. 2680. Austin, Texas 15 ScarbrouSh Bid3 Telephone 4346- 47-48 'job, began his career as county at torney in 1916 when he ran for the office the first time. In 1918 a slight opposition developed, but when tle votes were counted, the Hornsby forces tallied 7770 votes, while the opposition eventually found 447 votes to its credit. The succeeding elections came and went, and Judge Horn9by regularly returned to office without opposition until the campaign of 1922, when 'opposition again developed, and the race became hot.

Apparently outnumbered In the first primary, the Hornsby supporters went Into a runoff primary with the opposition, and when the dust settled. Judge Hornsby was again returned to office by a very comfortable margin. Judge Hornsby Is a member of the Hornsby tribe that has been identified with tho development, of Travis County since the days when the Indians held archery contests with the white settlers at the corner of what is now Sixth Street and Congress Avenue. Of a genial disposition the county attorney is a vigorous prosecutor, and in tight legal contests in court at critical moments swamps opposing counsel with his "unbroken lino of decisions of the higher courts of Texas." Judge Hornsby's present term expires in 1924. The Travis County commissioners court Is composed of J.

C. Giles, J. R. Riley, H. E.

Brodie and A. B. Williamson. Commissioner Giles, of Precinct 1 is serving his fourth term. J.

R. Riley, Precinct 2, is serving his first term, being elected at the last general election, November of last year. Commissioner Brodie, of Precinct 9. Is serving his third term, and A. B.

Williamson, of Precinct 4, la serving his third term alao. James Belger, county auditor, appointed to that office by the district judges, la serving his first term, being appointed in 1921. Mr. Belger Is able and efficient, and his administration of the duties of county auditor has been. In the estimation of county officials and the people of Travis County, wholly commendable and satisfactory.

It Is probable that Mr. Belger will be re appointed to the position, according to present indications. 1904 1905 190S 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1915 1920 1921 1922 1923 (to date) A. survey of the Travis county official family, or rather officialdom, to Y8 more exact, the former appellation being somewhat in the nature of strained metaphor, discloses a rather nifty aggregation of experienced individuals who to date hava discharged tho duties of their office In keeping with the interests of tho men and women who elected them. One of the first incumbents occurring to mind at this juncture is George S.

Matthews, county Judge. Mr. Mat-thews used to be sheriff, and enjoyed the reputation of being one of the ablest and most efficient sheriffs that drew a fee or fees within the Lone Star elate. A natural born peace officer and law enforcement official, Sheriff Matthews is today regarded by his friends as one of the most capable officers who ever sported a silver plated badge George became ambitious, however, to move Into a warmer corner of the courthouse, where the steam heat arrangement was more to his liking and whore he could gaze at the county Jail and recall to mind the fact that the other fellow that succeeded him as sheriff was now responsible for keeping tho cells occupied, and not Mr Slat thew s. So George ran for county Judge and was elected and mounted the bench where he presides U3 county judjje with all due solemnity.

Not that Vil3 honor takes his job with too much seriousness, but with just seriousness enough to allay any undue levity that unthinking persons might In moments of forgeti'ulness be foolish enough to indulge. Cases having to do with infractions of the laws within the county, barring murder and bank robbery, are tried In the county court. Having served one term as county Judge, Judge Matlhems has been elected for a second term, which expires In 1924. There have been rumors since 1876 that Travis County was to have a new courthouse. Judge Matthews has heard these same rumors, but to date the judge has not been able to produce any definite evidence to substantiate a- conviction of one of these rumors in his court.

He has declined so lar to render an opinion in the case other than to voice the belief that a new courthouse is seriously needed. The exact site of the new courthouse has, however, not been determined upon, neither will the court at this time attempt to make a decision as to tho location. Across the hall from the county judge's office is tho sheriff's office, tenanted by W. V. Miller, who is serving his second term as high sheriff of Travis County.

Mr. Miller, after serving one term, became convinced that a second term would be Just as agreeable a.i the first experience had been, and therefore announced his candidacy in due and ancient form and despite the fact that two others entered tho race, he was elected very handily. .1. 11. Williams, county tax collector, of the degree of bachelor, was elected two years ago upon his return from Franre, where he ably assisted in bringing about the signing of the armistice.

Only one of Mr. Williams' campaign pledges have remained Kut thnt nlprlcrA made in the heat of the campaign has been recog- nixed bv his constituents as the rash resolve of a young man fresh from the battlefields of France, who was not aware that what he promised to do if elected was a more serious undertaking than winning the world war. The pledge or implied pledge Mr. Williams made was to get married during his term of office. Battle, politics 'and prohibition are tangible concrete issues, but matrimony impliofl or otherwise is a far different matter to any of the foregoing issues, as Mr.

Williams admits he has discovered. Bob has been so busy collecting taxes and penalties, as well as automobile licenses that he has not had sufficient opportunity to collect a marriage license for himself and the party of the next part. Bob was re-elected during the late political disturbance without opposition. He has two years in which to make good on his matrimonial proposition. Orlando Caldwell, county tax assessor, holds one of the most unpopular positions in tho county, from the standpoint of the voting and taxpay-Ing public.

Orlando himself Is popular, aa witness the fact that he is serving his fifth term in office, and during the past eight years has not been seriously opposed for the Job. Searching out the sources of tax revenue is the Job devolving upon the tax assessor and tho Job is one that allows little relaxation of effort on the part of tho assessor. It's strictly up to him to locale and put a tax on all property In the county, and included in this task is the Job of apprehending all livestock owned in the county subjert to taxation. A small corps of assessors is always in tho fields, mountains and valleys within the county to insure that assessments are levied against all tax-bearing property After eight years as tax. assessor Orlando Caldwell refused to become discouraged and entered the race for the fifth term, and having no opposition, won in a walk.

His present term expires In 1924. The county clerk's Job la one of the moat important jobs in the county, as Is depends upon the accuracy and efficiency of that office whether the county's business and records are kept in a business-like manner. It is the bookkeeping department of the county, and through this office passes tho most of the county's funds. All records and documents relating to tho business transactions by the commissioners court are handled In the county clerk's department. The Travis County clerk's department is probably "one of the most efficient in Texas.

County clerks from all over Texas, whether green at tho business or not, regard the Travis County clerk's department as a model ot efficiency and business-like accuracy. Fred C. Malune is the Travis County clerk. He is now serving his fourth '1 1 4 JtLt I it i A a 1 It I W. E.

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COME TO AUSTIN As a residence city Austin has no equal. Here we have a most delightful climate the highest class of citizenship the finest of educational institutions the best of churches. Situated in the foot-hills on the banks of the Colorado River, Austin has a natural civic beauty that is unsurpassed. A few minutes drive from the city brings you to scenery rivalling that of the Great Western States. And here you may motor, fish or golf the year round.

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