USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1908 > Part 1
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THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1641 0096 9880 8
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1908quin
CITY DOCUMENT No. 20
Inaugural Address of the Mayor City Government of 1909
Together with the
Annual Reports
of the Officers of the
City of Quincy
Massachusetts
For the Year 1908
1640
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12.9
MANET
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QUINCY
GEORGE W. PRESCOTT PUBLISHING CO.
27880 Sept. 3, 1909
Q. R. 352 Qu 4 1908 C. 1
City Government, 1909
Mayor, WILLIAM T. SHEA
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Commissioner of Public Works RANDOLPH BAINBRIDGE
City Treasurer JOHN CURTIS
City Clerk HARRISON A. KEITH
Collector of Taxes TIMOTHY J. CAREY
City- Solicitor JOHN W. McANARNEY
Chief of Police
FRANK E. BURRELL
Chief Engineer of Fire Department PETER J. WILLIAMS
Overseer of the Poor JAMES H. ELCOCK
City Engineer EZEKIEL C. SARGENT
City Physician HENRY C. HALLOWELL
Inspector of Animals FRANCIS ABELE, JR.
ASSESSORS
Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A. M.
Term expires
WARREN W. ADAMS, Chairman,
J. WINTHROP PRATT,
First Monday of Feb., 1911 First Monday of Feb., 1910 First Monday of Feb., 1912
JOHN A. DUGGAN,
PARK COMMISSIONERS
DEXTER E. WADSWORTH
CHARLES E. GILL
THOMAS F. MANNEX
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BOARD OF HEALTH
WILLIAM J. WALSH, Chairman
F. RAMON BURKE, M. D., Clerk
CORNELIUS M. DUGGAN
Sanitary Inspector, EDWARD J. LENNON Inspector of Plumbing JEREMIAH J. KENILEY Inspector of Meats and Provisions JAMES F. ALLEN
TRUSTEES OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Meet first Wednesday of month at 7.30 P. M.
ELLERY C. BUTLER, Chairman HARRISON A. KEITH, Secretary GEORGE W. MORTON, Treasurer HENRY MCGRATH CHARLES R. SAFFORD GEORGE F. SAWYER, JR.
MANAGERS OF ADAMS ACADEMY
WILLIAM EVERETT GEORGE M. SHEAHAN
PERRY LAWTON
LUTHER S. ANDERSON WALTER S. PINKHAM FREDERIC J. PEIRCE
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY
WILLIAM T. SHEA, Mayor JOHN CURTIS, City Treasurer HARRISON A. KEITH, City Clerk HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor GEORGE A. SIDELINGER, elected by the Council
MANAGERS OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES
Meet second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 P. M.
ALBERT W. FAY, Chairman WELLINGTON W. MITCHELL, Clerk JOHN Q. CUDWORTH ALFRED O. DIACK JOSEPH H. VOGEL OTTO GELOTTE
JAMES NICOL, Superintendent
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
EDWARD J. MCKEON MICHAEL B. GEARY HENRY W. FRENCH HARRISON A, KEITH, City Clerk
Term expires May 1, 1910 Term expires May 1, 1909 Term expires May 1, 1911
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ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
FRANK C. PACKARD
DANIEL J. NYHAN JAMES P. DILLON
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
WARREN S. PARKER
PERMANENT POLICE
Lieutenant-DANIEL R. MCKAY
SERGEANTS
MARK E. HANSON
DAVID J. BARRY
PATROLMEN
GEORGE A. CAHILL
ALFRED W. GOODHUE
JOHN HALLORAN
TIMOTHY J. GOLDEN
JOHN T. LARKIN
MICHAEL F. DONOVAN
CLAES A. BROBURG ERNEST H. BISHOP HENRY F. RILEY
JEREMIAH HINCHÓN JAMES W. MURRAY PATRICK A. MILFORD EDWARD JOHNSON JOHN BOWTON, JR. EDWARD J. CURTIN CHARLES T. CROOKER CHARLES OLSON DANIEL H. DORAN
WILLIAM S. LYONS
RESERVE POLICE
HENRY W. THORNE GEORGE F. PHILLIPS
JEREMIAH DINNEEN
JOHN P. DUFFY JAMES H. WHELAN DANIEL J. FORD
JOHN J. DUANE
SPECIAL POLICE
SAMUEL D. DeFOREST ALPHONSO G. WILLIAMS
EDWARD J. SANDBERG
HENRY F. CORBETT
THOMAS A. MALONE
JOHN J. AVERY
HENRY HATHORN DAVID L. GORDON CALVIN T. DYER HENRY J. MATTHEWS WILLIAM J. DeCOSTE DAVID L. FARRELL
JEREMIAH D. DHOOGE
City Council
RALPH W. HOBBS, President
11 Clark Street, Atlantic
COUNCILMEN AT LARGE
ARTHUR C. BEAL
THOMAS BISHOP
CHARLES M. BRYANT
ALFRED H. GILSON
CHARLES A. HADLOCK
Vane Street 22 Federal Avenue Wollaston Avenue 6 Linden Place 12 Webster Street
COUNCILMEN FROM WARDS
Ward One
GEORGE W. ABELE JAMES M. NOWLAND JOSEPH L. WHITON, JR.
439 Adams Street 48 Whitney Road 29 Whitney Road
Ward Two
WILLIAM A. CAREY
WILLIAM H. FLYNN
176 South Street 130 Sumner Street
MICHAEL T. WALSH
158 Quincy Avenue
Ward Three
JOHN R. NELSON JOHN R. RICHARDS ALEX. W. RUSSELL
62 Centre Street 76 Centre Street 104 Intervale Street
Ward Four
JAMES M. FLAHERTY JOHN J. McDEVITT JOHN D. SMITH
7 Morton Street 134 Willard Street 12 Nelson Street
Ward Five
CHARLES L. BEAN RICHARD R. FREEMAN ARTHUR C. GARDNER
116 Marlboro Street 40 Grand View Avenue 40 Berlin Street
Ward Six
CHARLES E. CHERRINGTON RALPH W. HOBBS JOHN MOIR
6 Clive Street 11 Clark Street 419 Hancock Street
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CITY AUDITOR
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, 77 Beach Street
Office Telephone: Quincy, 51. Residence Telephone: Quincy, 217-6
CLERK OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES
GEORGE T. MAGEE, 2 Carruth Street Residence Telephone: Quincy, 75-2
CITY MESSENGER
HARRY W. TIRRELL, Manet Avenue, Houghs Neck
MANAGER OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY GEORGE A. SIDELINGER
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL
JOSEPH L. WHITON, JR.
ALFRED H. GILSON
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance, Accounts, Claims, Contracts and Salaries Bryant, Beal, Walsh, Whiton, Freeman, Bishop, Abele Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights Moir, Hadlock, Richards, Abele, Freeman, Carey, McDevitt Fire Department and Police Beal, Cherrington, Russell, Flaherty, Bean Sewers, Drains and Water Supply Bean, Cherrington, Gilson, Nelson, Flaherty, Nowland, Flynn Public Buildings and Grounds Gilson, Russell, Gardner, Smith, Moir
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders Hadlock, Richards, Gardner, Walsh, Nowland
Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns Nelson, Flynn, Smith 1
Health, Poor, State and Military Aid Carey, Bishop, McDevitt
CITY COUNCIL
Regular meetings held on the First and Third Monday of each month at 7.35 P. M.
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COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Finance, Accounts, etc.
Ordinances, Licenses, etc.
Fire Department and Police
Monday evenings Tuesday evenings Wednesday evenings
Sewers, Drains, Water Supply
Thursday evenings Friday evenings
Meetings of the Committees on Health, Poor, State and Military Aid, Legislative Matters, Elections and Returns, Public Buildings and Grounds, Special and Joint Commit- tees, will be held at the call of the Chairman, or at such times as may be designated by the Council.
CITY TELEPHONES
Mayor's Office
212
Overseer of Poor
214-3
City Clerk
230
Water Department 13-3
Com. of Public Works
100
Sewer Department
77-2
City Treasurer
14-2
Supt. Mt. Wol. Cemetery
55-3
City Engineer
115-2
Central Fire Station
1-2
Assessors
213-3
Police Station
142
Tax Collector
213-2
Supt. Schools 115-4
Board of Health,
214-2
City Auditor 51
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Office No. 8 Washington Street
Regular meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P. M. Office open :- Every week day except Saturday, from 8 to 12 A. M., 2 to 5 P. M., Saturday, 8 to 12 A. M.
Regular Hours of Superintendent :-
Mondays and Fridays, 8 to 9 A. M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 5 P. M.
DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING Chairman
SUPT. FRANK E. PARLIN Secretary
At Large-DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING
Term expires 1910
At Large-ARTHUR W. NEWCOMB
Tenm expires 1911
At Large-DR. EDWARD H. BUSHNELL Term expires 1909
Ward 1-DEXTER E. WADSWORTH
Term expires 1909
Ward 2 --- JOHN J. O'HARA
Term expires 1910 Term expires 1910
Ward 3-JOHN L. MILLER
Ward 4-JAMES F. BURKE
Term expires 1911
Ward 5-DR. WILLIAM G. CURTIS
Ward 6-HERBERT S. BARKER
Term expires 1909 Term expires 1911
Streets, Ways, etc.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
QUINCY, MASS.
January 4, 1909
WILLIAM T. SHEA
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Mayor's Inaugural Address
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
The City of Quincy today begins the 21st year of its municipal life. During the past twenty years our city has made wonderful strides in commercial progress, its popula- tion has more than doubled and we have rapidly forged to the front among the hustling cities of the Commonwealth. I believe that during the next twenty years we will make greater progress than we have during the last score. With- in the past few years the name of Quincy has become one of international note. The battleships built on our shores have visited nearly all the known world and it has fallen to the lot of this city to be the first place in the United States to build one of the new . battleships of the so-called Dread- nought class, the progress of which has been watched with keen interest all over our own country and in foreign lands. Heretofore we have expended our energies chiefly in our granite quarries and in developing our lands. We have left for present development our splendid water front and I feel certain that a great share of the future success that is to come to Quincy will be found in that direction.
You, gentlemen, have gathered here to begin the work of the city for the coming year. You have been chosen by the people as their representatives and the trust of the people is confided in you. It is a time-honored custom for the Mayor at this time to review the work of the past year, to present the financial condition of the city to you so that you may realize the necessities of the city and its financial pos- sibilities. At this time also it becomes the duty of the Mayor to suggest to your honorable body such recommendations as
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he thinks may be of assistance to you in your important task of rendering to our city the best service that it is pos- sible to give. With this end in view I have prepared a few suggestions for your consideration.
SCHOOLS
In my inaugural address of a year ago I suggested that the City Council and School Board should devise some method of co-operation so that the work of the School De- partment, one of the most important in the city, could go on without restraint. I am happy to state that the relations between the Council and School Board the past year have been most harmonious and I trust that a continuation of this state of affairs may prevail the coming year. The most important work undertaken the past year in connection with the School Department was the erection of the new Codding- ton School which was accepted by the city on Saturday and was opened for the use of teachers and pupils this morning. The wait for this new building has been a long one since the project was first considered but the city has, in some degree, been compensated by the very handsome and well construct- ed building that today becomes part of our public school equipment. It has been pleasing to me, and must be, I think, to all our citizens, to know that the building was constructed and equipped in all its details, but one, by citi- zens of Quincy. The school has been pronounced a splendid building by all who have inspected it and I hope it will long stand as a monument to Quincy industries. Unfortunately for the children who attend this school, the granite strike of the early. spring delayed work on the building. But for this the building would have been completed earlier.
During the past year the Council has appropriated $12,000 for a four-room addition to the Lincoln School and bids will be asked for in a few days. With the erection of this addition it is thought the accommodations for the Adams, Lincoln and John Hancock districts will be suf- ficient for some time. The erection of new buildings with-
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in the past few years has left four old wooden buildings standing idle and useless. These are the old High School, the two Coddington buildings and the old Quincy School building. Some of these structures have become targets for petty vandalism and I think it would be advisable for the Council to instruct the Mayor to dispose of at least three of these buildings. One of the two old buildings on the Cod- dington lot is in good condition and being located in the center it has been thought advisable to keep it intact in case it may be needed for further public use.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
This is an important department of our public works and one that calls for careful thought and conservative management. The work required of this department is en- tirely out of proportion to the amount of money appropri- ated for its use. We must, therefore, do the best we can with the money at our disposal, making all work on the streets as far as possible of a permanent nature.
Some idea of the importance of this department can be inferred from the following brief statement of a portion of the work accomplished by it during the past year, viz :-
Permanent streets built. .3 miles
Catch basins built. .114 Surface drainage pipe laid. 9,274 feet
New curbstone set. .400 feet Crosswalks laid. 9
Paved gutters laid. 1,000 feet
A total of more than 10,000 tons of crushed stone has been taken from the city ledge and placed upon our streets at an average cost of 70 cents a ton, loaded on the wagons. From the fact that about one-third of the amount of money appropriated for miscellaneous highways is required in cleaning streets, sidewalks and catch basins, you can readily see that the amount left for repairing the streets is neces- sarily small. .
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The macadamized portion of Hancock street between City Square and Neponset bridge is in such a poor condi- tion that it should be rebuilt this year. The cost of ma- cadamizing is about 95 cents a yard and the average life of such a street is from two to three years. Granite paving can be laid complete for $1.65 a yard. I believe it is econo- my for the city to pave this street in view of the heavy travel thereon. It would cost about $46,000 to pave and curb this portion of Hancock street and the cost of macada- mizing and curbing would be about $23,000. I think it wise to pave a portion of this street each year until the street is completely paved and I earnestly recommend that an appropriation be made for this purpose.
Howard street is another thoroughfare which in my opinion should receive our attention. The largest business enterprise in the city is located on this street. Local pride should prompt us to provide a suitable approach to this in- dustry. The street at present is narrow, hilly and in a general- ly poor condition. This street needs straightening and widening, particularly that portion of it between Des Moines road and Quincy avenue. I earnestly recommend this matter to your most serious consideration.
The problem of laying the dust on our main streets is becoming a serious one, owing chiefly to the increase in the automobile travel. I am of the opinion that some method of oiling these streets should be adopted this year. I am having an investigation made for the purpose of determining the best method of doing this work, the results of which I will later lay before you.
The Fore River bridge during the past year has been replanked but it needs repainting and notwithstanding the fact that it is practically a new bridge considerable repairs will have to be made on it this year.
SIDEWALKS
Good sidewalks are an essential factor of a city. It has been said that they are to a great extent an index of the character of a city. There is considerable opportunity for
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improvement in our sidewalks. I renew my recommendations of last year and earnestly urge that a substantial appropria- tion be made for the purpose of building permanent side- walks under the betterment act.
PARKS AND PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS
I am a firm believer in parks and public playgrounds and think that as fast as practicable suitable playgrounds for the children should be provided in each ward of the city. I also believe that so far as practicable the public play- grounds should be flooded in the winter time for skating and provision should be made for that purpose.
At the last municipal election the city accepted the provisions of Chapter 513 of the Acts of 1908 relative to providing and maintaining playgrounds of suitable size and equipment for the children of the city. Provision should be made in the near future for carrying this act into effect. During the past year the Park Commissioners have obtained good results with the money at their disposal.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
This department is fast becoming one of the largest and most important in our city. The demands for extensions are constant and increasing, particularly in Squantum, Houghs Neck and Rock Island. The people in these sections of the city are entitled to have their demands for water met with reasonable promptness. At the present time the City has no water pipes in Squantum or Rock Island and I recommend the extension of the water pipes to these districts. The pipes in several of our streets should be replaced by larger ones, as they are now inadequate for the purposes required of them. During the past year this department has laid ap-
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proximately 17,000 feet of water pipe, set 20 hydrants, and 31 water gates. 312 service connections were made during the year. The total number of miles of water pipe laid in the city is 106. The total number of services in use 6,403.
The total number of meters installed to date is 1,913.
SEWERS
The work of construction was begun by this department in April last and carried on throughout the season with very good success. Two gangs of men have been employed. A little more than three and one-half miles of various sized pipes ranging from 8 to 15 inches in diameter were laid dur- ing 1908.
During the year 1908, 301 connections were made with with the public sewers. The money for particular sewers is exhausted and an early appropriation should be made for this purpose, as there are several applications on hand that will have to be attended to in the spring.
In the majority of instances the streets through which the sewers were laid last year were selected at the sugges- tion and on the recommendation of the Board of Health.
A study is now being made for laying sewers at Houghs Neck. There are several petitions now on hand for the ex- tension of the sewerage system, an estimate of which will be made later.
POOR DEPARTMENT
The worthy poor should always receive our earnest at- tention. During the past year the people who through sickness or misfortune have been obliged to apply to the City for aid have been relieved and made comfortable so for as the funds at the disposal of the Overseer would permit.
Your attention will later be called to some permanent improvements which should be made in the buildings of this department.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
This is an important department of the city government and upon the proper discharge of its duties to a considerable extent depends the health of the community. The facilities of the Board for the proper collection of garbage are now inadequate and further means should be provided.
Recent legislation has made it obligatory upon each city of this Commonwealth to provide a hospital for the recep- tion of persons having small-pox or other diseases dangerous to the public health.
I am advised that the City Hospital is willing to co- operate with the City in the erection and maintenance of a ward on its premises in connection with its hospital for the use of such patients. Authority must first be obtained from the Legislature before the City can avail itself of this offer. I recommend that the Mayor be authorized to petition the Legislature that authority be granted the City to make such an arrangement with the hospital authorities and to ap -. propriate money for that purpose. The necessity of a strict compliance with all the laws intended for the preservation of the public health is earnestly urged upon all our citizens.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The work of this department is constantly increasing. I believe the number of regular patrolmen should be in- creased. A day officer should be placed in Ward 5, and one or more night officers should be added to the force.
In this connection I desire to call your attention to the fact that an order amending the ordinance regulating this department is now pending before your Board. I be- lieve the adoption of this amendment would tend to improve the discipline and efficiency of the force and earnestly urge its prompt consideration.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department has rendered excellent service during the past year. Fires in the city have been ably and care- fully handled and have been attended with but small losses.
Three new fire alarm boxes have been added, which greatly improved the service.
The fire alarm battery at the Central Station has been remodeled and put in first-class condition. Some improve- ments will have to be made in the equipment of this depart- ment the coming year. Three of the horses are in poor con- dition and should be replaced.
The present fire engine has been in use about twenty- seven years and needs to be repaired and remodeled. It will cost about $2200 to do this work.
An order for the purchase of a new fire engine is now pending before your Board. I urge that this matter receive your early attention.
WATER. FRONT
I believe the time has come when we should take an ac- tive interest in the development of the water front of our city. We should co-operate with our neighboring city of Brockton in its canal project, as a United States Government proposition for a free canal from Quincy to Brockton, Taun- ton, Fall River and Newport. The opening up of such a way would mean much to our city. I believe it would be wise to establish the office of Dock and Water Front Commissioner, with no salary attached thereto. Such a Commissioner would give attention to the matter of establishing public landing places on our shores and keep in touch generally with matters pertaining to the commercial development of our water front.
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NO LICENSE
Our city has again by an overwhelming majority vot- ed in favor of No License.
The will of the people on this question having been so clearly expressed must be respected, and the laws concerning the sale of intoxicating liquors fully and impartially en- forced.
During the past year the police have been active in en- forcing these laws.
I shall insist upon continued vigilance on the part of the police force, not only in the enforcement of the liquor laws but of all the laws for the suppression of crime and the protection of life and property.
GRADE CROSSINGS
The special commission consisting of Hon. John L. Bates, Hon. Arthur H. Wellman, Hon. Winfield S. Slocum, ap- pointed to determine the method of abolishing the grade crossings at Saville and Water streets, have held several pub- lic hearings during the year, and it is expected that a final hearing will be held on the 16th inst.
The City before deciding on the method of abolishing these grade crossings, which it would advocate, invited the co- operation of the Granite Manufacturers' Asso., Citizens' Association, Board of Trade, and the Central Labor Union. Representatives of these organizations have acted with the Mayor and City Solicitor in looking after the City's inter- est in this important matter. The plans adopted by the City were, before being submitted to the Commission, approved by these organizations and also by the citizens at a mass meeting held at City hall. The City plans provide for a slight depression of the tracks of the Railroad Company at Water street, a considerable depression of said tracks at the Saville street crossing, and in each instance an overhead . bridge with easy grades along the lines of the present loca- tions of said streets.
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CITY CHARTER
Discussion still continues as to the advisability of amending the City Charter.
The form of government provided by our City Charter is as a whole generally satisfactory. I believe, however, that in some respects the charter could be amended to an advantage.
The term of office for the Mayor should be extended to two, and possibly three years.
The Mayor should ex officio be a member of the School Committee.
The number of Councilmen should be substantially re- duced, and authority to deal with much of the matters that now engage the attention of the City Council should be transferred to the Executive Department.
Party designations should be eliminated at our munic- ipal elections.
WIRES AND SHADE TREES
I think that the time has come for the City Council to es- tablish a department of wires with men in charge who shall give their sole time to keeping in condition all fire alarm and police wires of the city and also pass upon the wiring for electric lighting purposes that may be installed in our pub- lic buildings as well as to take care of all the wires at pres- ent installed in City Hall, the school buildings, fire houses, police station and any other municipal building. At present there is an official connected with the Fire Depart- ment branch of the public service who is known as the Su- perintendent of Fire Alarm. That office was created when the official in question had to take care only of the Fire De- partment's wires. A few years ago a police signal system was installed and since then the same official has had charge of the police wires, although he is in no way responsible to
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the Police Department. At present there are 110 miles of Fire Department wires and 38 miles of Police Department wires to be looked after besides the battery rooms in the Central Fire Station and police headquarters, three steam fire alarm whistles and five fire alarm bells of a large size. Considering the fact that the fire alarm men have practi- cally to take care of all public wires in the city, working for two departments and responsible only to one, it seems to me that the most business-like way to do is to create the of- fice of Inspector of Wires.
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