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 1916 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
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/inauguraladdress1916quin
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 28
CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1917
TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1916
0
1792
MANETTE
QUINCY
PRESS OF MURRAY AND EMERY COMPANY KENDALL SQUARE CAMBRIDGE
1000, 24 1717
Q.R 2.4
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1917.
MAYOR, JOSEPH L. WHITON.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, MOSES L. BROWN. CITY TREASURER, WALTER E. PIPER. CITY CLERK, EMERY L. CRANE. ASSISTANT CITY CLERK, MARGUERITE S. LYONS. COLLECTOR OF TAXES, CHARLES A. HADLOCK. CITY SOLICITOR, EVERETT C. BUMPUS. CHIEF OF POLICE, DANIEL R. MCKAY. CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, FAXON BILLINGS. OVERSEER OF THE POOR, SAMUEL E. AMES. CITY ENGINEER, PATRICK F. O'BRIEN. CITY PHYSICIAN, THOMAS J. DION, M.D. INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS, JOHN H. GARDNER, JR. SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, JAMES M. CANTFILL. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS, WARREN S. PARKER. INSPECTOR OF WIRES, FRANK T. LINTS. DOCK AND WATER FRONT COMMISSIONER, EDWARD M. WIGHT.
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS.
ASSESSORS. Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A.M. FREDERICK E. TUPPER, Chairman. Term expires first Monday of February, 1920. CHARLES A. McFARLAND. Term expires first Monday of February, 1919. MICHAEL T. SULLIVAN. Term expires first Monday of February, 1918.
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
JAMES H. SLADE, Chairman. PHILIP R. GUINAN. ALEXANDER A. ROBERTSON, JR.
4
CITY OF QUINCY
BOARD OF HEALTH. WALTER H. BUCHAN, Chairman.
MICHAEL T. SWEENEY, M.D., Clerk. TUPPER G. MILLER. Sanitary Inspector, EDWARD J. LENNON. Inspector of Plumbing, JEREMIAH J. KENILEY. Inspector of Meats and Provisions, MAURICE F. COHEN. Inspector of Milk, JAMES F. McCONNELL.
TRUSTEES OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Meet first Wednesday of month at 7.30 P.M. GEORGE W. ABELE, Chairman.
F. MORTON SMITH, Treasurer. CHARLES R. SAFFORD.
Mrs. ELIZABETH H. ALDEN, Secretary. GEORGE A. SIDELINGER. HARRY W. READ.
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY. JOSEPH L. WHITON, Mayor. WALTER E. PIPER, City Treasurer. EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk. HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor. RICHARD R. FREEMAN, elected by the Council.
MANAGER OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES. WELLINGTON W. MITCHELL.
BOARD OF SURVEY.
WALTER F. NICHOLS, Chairman . Term expires 1919.
EUGENE R. STONE
Term expires 1918.
JOSEPH H. McPHERSON Term expires 1920.
PATRICK F. O'BRIEN, Clerk.
PLANNING BOARD.
WILSON MARSH, Chairman Term expires 1918.
EUGENE C. HULTMAN Term expires 1919.
EZEKIEL C. SARGENT Term expires 1920.
JAMES E. W. GEARY Term expires 1921.
EDWARD E. PALMER
Term expires 1922.
PATRICK F. O'BRIEN, Secretary.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
JOSEPH B. GROSSMAN, Chairman Term expires April 1, 1920. WILLIAM L. ELCOCK Term expires April 1, 1918.
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, JR. Term expires April 1, 1919. EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. FRANK C. PACKARD. ALBERT E. STEPHENSON. LOUIS K. BADGER.
FENCE VIEWERS. JOHN EVANS. WILLIAM T. DONOVAN. JOHN A. DUGGAN.
POUND KEEPER. WILLIAM J. VAUGHAN.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. DANIEL R. McKAY, Chief. ALFRED W. GOODHUE, Captain. ERNEST H. BISHOP, Inspector.
JOHN T. LARKIN, Lieutenant. EDWARD JOHNSON, Sergeant. JEREMIAH HINCHON, Sergeant.
Patrolmen.
J. W. MURRAY.
C. T. CROOKER.
CHARLES OLSEN.
G. F. PHILLIPS.
D. L. FARRELL.
JEREMIAH DHOOGE.
ALEXANDER BLACK.
P. A. MILFORD.
C. A. BROBERG.
JEREMIAH DINNEEN.
H. W. THORNE.
J. J. AVERY.
E. J. CURTIN.
D. H. DORAN.
J. F. SWEENEY.
M. F. DONOVAN.
J. J. DUANE.
Chauffeurs.
G. A. CAHILL.
J: H. WHELAN. Wagon Man, JOHN HALLORAN.
Reserve Officers.
J. E. BUELL.
J. M. CASEY.
J. J. CONNELLY.
J. J. CONNELLY. G. W. FALLON.
E. J. MARTEL.
G. E. OGLE. J. O'CONNELL. J. R. O'NEIL. E. J. PARADISE. J. J. SULLIVAN. W. H. TAYLOR.
Retired, Lieut. MARK E. HANSON.
Special Police.
O. J. LAVOIE. C. A. ANDERSON. D. L. GORDON. J. W. REVENNEY.
G. W. FAY. H. J. McLEOD. J. E. CONNELLY. W. H. CARSON.
M. F. CANAVAN.
NILS DAHLBERG.
J. A. DELOREY.
T. J. FALLON.
W. J. FERGUSON.
L. J. GALVIN.
W. J. HEBERT.
G. F. HOLLINSHEAD.
D. M. SHEA.
D. J. FORD.
J. J. McNAMARA.
H. F. RILEY. J. P. DUFFY.
H. F. CORBETT.
T. A. MALONE.
CITY COUNCIL.
ALFRED H. RICHARDS, President. EMERY L. CRANE, Clerk. GEORGE T. MAGEE, Clerk of Committees.
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. For Two Years.
THOMAS GRIFFIN 63 Edison Street.
THOMAS J. MCGRATH
11 Thayer Street.
ALFRED H. RICHARDS 56 South Central Avenue, Wollaston.
RUSSELL A. SEARS Glendale Road.
JOHN D. SMITH 27 Nelson Street.
For One Year.
LEWIS BASS 92 Granite Street.
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD 67 Upland Road.
ALEXANDER FALCONER 46 Independence Avenue.
RODNEY P. GALLAGHER 149 Taylor Street, Wollaston.
Clerk of Committees.
GEORGE T. MAGEE
1079 Hancock Street. Residence Telephone, Quincy 729-M.
CITY AUDITOR.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS
31 Bridge Street. Office Telephone, Quincy 51. Residence Telephone, Quincy 2460.
CITY MESSENGER.
HARRY W. TIRRELL . Manet Avenue, H. N. Residence Telephone, Quincy 432-M.
MANAGER OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY. (Elected by the Council.) RICHARD R. FREEMAN.
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL. (Elected by the Council.)
RODNEY P. GALLAGHER. THOMAS J. McGRATH.
6
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
COUNCIL MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the City Council are held the first and third Thursday evenings of each month at 7.45 o'clock.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Meetings of the standing and special committees are held at the call of the chairman or at such times as may be designated by the Council.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL FOR 1917. Finance and Highways. Thomas J. McGrath, Chairman, Lewis Bass, William A. Bradford, Alexander Falconer, Rodney P. Gallagher, Thomas Griffin, Alfred H. Richards, Russell A. Sears, John D. Smith.
Public Buildings, Sewers and Water Supply. Russell A. Sears, Lewis Bass, William A. Bradford.
Fire and Police, Health and Poor.
Rodney P. Gallagher, John D. Smith, Alfred H. Richards.
Ordinances, Licenses, Legislative Matters. Thomas Griffin, Alexander Falconer, Thomas J. McGrath.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Mayor JOSEPH L. WHITON, Chairman. Dr. N. S. HUNTING, Vice-Chairman. ALBERT L. BARBOUR, Secretary.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Office 1535 Hancock Street. Regular meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P.M.
Office open : Every week day from 8 to 12 A.M., 1.30 to 5 P.M.
Regular hours of Superintendent: Mondays and Fridays 8 to 9 A.M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 5 P.M.
Hon. HOSEPH L. WHITON, Chairman. Dr. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING, Vice-Chairman. Mr. ALBERT L. BARBOUR, Secretary. Miss LUCY M. HALLOWELL, Miss MARION NILSEN, Miss HELEN M. CANTY, Clerks.
Members.
Hon. JOSEPH L. WHITON Term expires 1918.
Dr. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING
Term expires 1919.
Mr. ALFRED O. DIACK
Term expires 1919.
Mrs. ALICE M. ARNOLD
Term expires 1918.
Dr. GEORGE M. SHEAHAN
Term expires 1918.
Mr. CHARLES W. BAILEY . Term expires 1917.
Dr. DANIEL A. BRUCE
Term expires 1917.
8
CITY OF QUINCY
Advisory Committee on Industrial Education for Men. Messrs. H. Gerrish Smith, Alexander W. Russell, Herbert S. Barker, Henry A. Marr, Charles L. Pratt.
· Advisory Committee on Industrial Education for Women. Mrs. Carl G. Horst, Mrs. Robert E. Foy, Mrs. George W. Abele.
CALENDAR FOR 1917. First Term.
Tuesday, January 2, to Wednesday, February 21.
Second Term. Monday, March 5, to Friday, April 27.
Third Term.
Elementary Schools - Monday, May 7, to Friday, June 22.
High School - Monday, May 7, to Friday, June 29.
Grammar School Graduations - Friday, June 22.
High School Graduations - Wednesday, June 27.
Fourth Term.
Tuesday, September 4, to Friday, December 21. New Year begins.
Holidays - February 22, April 6, April 19, May 30, October 12, and the remainder of the week from Wednesday noon next preceding Thanks- giving.
Attendance Officer.
CHARLES H. JOHNSON . Office, 1535 Hancock Street
School Nurses.
Miss MARION JACKSON. Miss LUCY H. RAND
School Dentist. Dr. BERNARD N. FARREN.
Dentist's Assistant. Miss FLORENCE WETMORE.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. JOSEPH L. WHITON MAYOR OF QUINCY MASSACHUSETTS 1917
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
Our new City Charter, Plan A, Chapter 267 of the Acts of 1915 gives to the Mayor and City Council authority to reorganize the adminis- trative departments of the city government. I believe it will be in the interest of economy and efficiency in the conduct of the city business to reorganize several of these departments and I request that you give atten- tion to this subject at your earliest convenience.
I submit for your consideration the following recommendations con- cerning some of the departments:
Board of Assessors.
The Board of Assessors consists of a chairman and two associate members, each appointed for a term of three years, the chairman giving his entire time to the duties of the office, and the other assessors giving only a portion of their time. Under Ordinance No. 4 the Mayor is author- ized each year to appoint an assistant assessor for each ward to serve from April 1st to the end of the year. The assistant assessors have heretofore reported to the board only the polls and the taxable tangible personal property in their respective wards.
It does not seem to me that the practice which has been adopted by the assessors in the past has enabled them to give to the duties of their office the careful attention and study needful for their proper performance.
It is of vital importance tó the city that all property subject to taxa- tion by it shall be taxed, and that it be taxed according to its just and fair cash value, so far as ascertainable by human judgment - no more, no less.
To ascertain the market value of all the taxable property of the city, in my judgment, is a task of such magnitude as to require the undivided and earnest attention of all the board for the entire year. I realize that the actual assessment work must be done between April 1st and September 1st, a period of only five months, but the remaining months of the year could well be spent to an advantage in the careful study of the different properties in the city, subject to taxation, to the end that each year's work may be as near the legal standard as possible.
I recommend that Ordinance No. 4, so far as it relates to the Board of Assessors, be repealed and a new ordinance adopted requiring the assessors to devote their entire time during the usual business hours of each working day to the duties of their office, and that full and adequate compensation be provided for them.
In view of the extraordinary condition which exists in our city today, owing to the valuations placed on the property of the city by the board of 1916, and the large number of abatements which we may reasonably expect will be requested by the taxpayers, and also to avoid a recurrence of such a state of affairs again, if such a thing can be conceivable, I recom- mend to the council an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to appoint assistant assessors for each ward, whose term of office shall begin in January and continue throughout the entire year. Each assistant assessor should
11
12
CITY OF QUINCY
be charged with the duty of giving careful study to the cash value of all real and personal property taxable in his ward and be so informed as to the same that when the board comes to assessing the property in the ward it may have the benefit of the special study and attention he may have given the subject. Their services would also be of value in the event of a request for an abatement being madc, because it seems to me that a request for an abatement of an assessment placed on property by the asses- sors, and sworn to by them as being a correct statement of the just and fair cash value of the same, should be carefully considered before action is taken thereof. The same care should be taken in the matter of making an abatement as was originally used in assessing the property.
The duties of the assistant assessors, if properly performed, should take a substantial portion of their time each year, and, so far as possible, they should all be experts and familiar with the value of the property in their respective territory. A proper and reasonable compensation should be provided for them.
Board of Health.
The one department of the city most closely allied with the health of the people, and yet the one about whose work they are the least informed, is the Board of Health. In my judgment, in importance it is second to none. The efficiency of the board spells much for the welfare of our citizens. Each year the work of the board increases, not only as a natural result of the normal growth of the city, but also from new local and State legislation. Last year the board expended approximately $55,000; of this amount nearly $23,000 was in connection with contagious diseases.
The law requires the board to consist of three members, one of whom must be a physician. The board today maintains a clerk in the office at City Hall and holds its meetings on certain evenings each month. I believe it would be better for the city to have the chairman of the board devote his entire time to the general supervision and direction of its work. He will then be in a position to see to it that the work is properly carried on and the many health laws and regulations of the city and State complied with. It is not enough to have a board which will perform its duty in a haphazard manner; all of its functions, from the collection of garbage and ashes to the more important ones, should be performed promptly and efficiently. An ordinance meeting these suggestions should be adopted and salaries commensurate with the duties of their office and the time re- quired by each of them should be provided for the members of the Board.
Managers of Public Burial Places.
This Board now consists of six members, all of whom, except the secretary, serve without pay. I am advised that no member of the Board is at the City Hall regularly during office hours each day, and that the secretary attends to the duties of his office evenings. This is an important board. The convenience of the public requires that some official thereof should be accessible daily during the usual business hours at some con- venient place. When people have occasion to consult this Board, it is usually during a period of bereavement and distress, and they ought not to be embarrassed by delays arising from the absence of an official of the Board. I recommend that the Board be abolished, and an ordinance be adopted creating in its place the office of Commissioner of Burial Places. The Commissioner should be required to have an office either at the City Hall or some convenient place where people could consult him during stated hours. A Commissioner, with a superintendent as capable and efficient as our present superintendent, Mr. Nichol, could perform the
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
duties of the present board in a much more efficient and satisfactory man- ner. A reasonable salary should be paid the Commissioner.
Law Department.
It is apparent that the duties of this department will be considerably increased under our new charter, particularly those pertaining to the purchase or taking of land for public purposes. I am advised that not- withstanding the city has been in existence since 1888, and during the intervening years many parcels of land have been taken by the city, an abstract of titles thereto has not been kept; while the title to the land in each case has been examined and passed upon by the city solicitor, or some one acting under his direction, no permanent record has been kept thereof. Section 30 of the present charter makes the keeping of such a record compulsory. Work of this character is more properly that of a conveyancer than that of a general legal practitioner. I, therefore, recom- mend that Ordinance No. 23 be amended so as to create the office of said conveyancer, the conveyancer to be appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years, his duty to consist of examining title to land the city may take for public purposes, or upon which the Woodward fund may make a loan, and to draw all legal papers connected therewith. Also to keep an abstract or record book thereof. His work should be performed under the direction and supervision of the city solicitor. The services of such conveyancer should be paid for either according to the work performed or by an annual salary.
There are several other departments about which I shall, in the near future, make some recommendations to you with a view of improving their efficiency. I refrain from doing so at this time, as I wish to make a more thorough investigation into the workings of these departments before forwarding to you my plans for effecting the improvements therein that I have in mind.
I am aware, gentlemen, that the changes I have suggested in these departments mean an increase in maintaining the same, but I believe the same principle holds true in a public municipal corporation as in a private one - an indifferent or incompetent official is expensive at any price. An enthusiastic, honest and capable official is well worth any salary at which his services can be obtained. I do not intend, knowingly, to appoint any other than the latter class to office.
Basement of Hall.
I find that there are seventeen department officials and boards, with their respective clerks, having offices in the basement of the City Hall. It seems incredible that a city of the size and importance of Quincy should require so many of its officials and boards to transact its business in a basement under such unhealthy conditions as exist in the basement of this hall. This condition of affairs should be remedied at once and other quarters provided for them. The reducing of the number of councilmen from twenty-three to nine will enable the council to transact its business in smaller quarters than formerly used. This will enable us to supply accommodations for some of these departments above the first floor of the hall. When these departments have been removed from the basement, the basement can be fitted up, made fireproof and equipped so as to be a very desirable place in which to preserve the records and archives of the city.
Deficit Bills.
I am advised that one or more of the departments have deficit bills amounting to many thousands of dollars. I regret that I am not in a
14
CITY OF QUINCY
position to state the exact sum. In the department of the Commissioner of Public Works alone there are deficit bills amounting to over $9000, how much I have been unable to learn. I cannot understand why any city official should have been permitted to have incurred indebtedness so much in excess of appropriations for his department. I can understand how, through either a clerical error or oversight, an appropriation might be exceeded by a small amount, but to incur deficit bills in such a large amount, to my mind, must mean either gross incompetency on the part of the official, or reckless disregard of the law of the State and city ordinances.
Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, as amended, provides in Section 16 thereof as follows:
" No department of any city or town shall incur liability in excess of the appropriation made for the use of such department except in case of extreme emergency involving the health or safety of persons or property, and then only by vote in cities of two-thirds of the mem- bers of the council."
Ordinance No. 38 of the city, as amended, provides as follows:
" Clause 4. The city shall not be liable for any contract unless at the time it is made there is an unexpended balance of the appro- priation to which it is properly chargeable, and in determining said balance all prior contracts and purchase orders filed with the city auditor under Clauses 3 and 5 of this section, or certified under this clause or Clause 5, shall be deducted.
" Clause 7. . No such account, claim, bill or pay roll shall be approved by the city auditor unless at the time the indebtedness was contracted there was an unexpended balance of the appropriation to which it is chargeable. Nor shall it be approved if not properly chargeable to the appropriation to which it ought to be charged and properly itemized; .
I regret very much that the ordinance does not contain a penalty for a violation thereof.
The practice of department officials of exceeding their appropriations must cease. If the existing ordinance is not drastic enough to prevent it, then I recommend that either a new ordinance be adopted, or the present one be so amended that an official cannot exceed his appropriation without incurring personal liability in so doing.
These deficit bills of last year should not be charged against the operat- ing expenses of this year, nor paid from this year's revenue. They con- stitute a part of the operating expenses for the departments for last year and should be charged against the revenue of that year, or some other method provided for their payment. Officials of this year should not be handicapped by large deficits in their departments when they take office.
In this connection, I think it proper that I should outline to you what policy I intend to pursue with reference to the claims for abatement which will probably be made by taxpayers on account of the valuations placed on their property last year by the assessors. As soon as may be, after the conclusion of these inaugural ceremonies, I intend to appoint a new Board of Assessors, and if you gentlemen will co-operate with me and pass the ordinance I suggest, authorizing me to appoint assistant assessors, I will at once appoint an assistant assessor for each ward. These men I shall then instruct to proceed to consider every case of an alleged overvaluation of property, and wherever it appears that the property of a taxpayer has been overvalued and an abatement sought, if it can be legally granted, the Board will be instructed to make such an abatement. In making these abatements, the Board will be governed solely by the law and their oath of office. No favor or favoritism will be shown, and unless a taxpayer is
15
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
justly entitled to an abatement it will not be granted. The assessors will be instructed to perform their duty irrespective of results which it may produce, fearlessly and conscientiously, to the end that justice may be rendered to every taxpayer. If any taxpayer is refused an abatement and he feels aggrieved, the courts will be open to him to assert his rights, and, if the claim is fair, there he will find a remedy.
I understand that a substantial portion of the $41,000 raised last year to meet abatements has been expended. It is very probable that if any substantial number of abatements are made this year on account of last year's assessments, that a deficit will be created. If such a condition arises, it will be through no fault of this administration, and a fear of it ought not to deter us from doing our duty. The deficit, if any, will have to be pro- vided for, and I believe we will find a way to do it.
Municipal Garage.
The city is the owner of many automobiles now in use in several of its departments. These automobiles are kept in different garages. I believe it would be economy for the city to construct a municipal garage in which all its automobiles can be kept and such repair work done thereon as may be necessary. The council of last year had this proposition before it and the matter was referred to the council of this year. I trust you will give this matter your prompt and favorable consideration.
Financial Statement.
I have asked the city auditor to prepare a detailed statement of the finances of the city. A copy of this statement will be furnished to each of you gentlemen. From it you will see that our financial condition is a serious one, and it will tax our combined ability to place the city on a sound financial basis. We must practice economy, but it must be economy with efficiency. We must not lose sight of the fact that our city is rapidly growing. A niggardly policy would retard its growth. We must strive to give to the city as consistently progressive a government as our resources will admit. We must be conservative, while keeping abreast of the times.
Gentlemen, while the problem that is before us may be a trying one, yet it is merely one that will require only so much more earnest and con- scientious effort on our part. It is capable of solution, and I believe we will solve it satisfactorily to our fellow citizens. Knowing each of you gentlemen, personally, as I do, I know in advance that in what you believe to be for the best interest of the city I will have your hearty co-operation, and I feel you know me well enough to be assured you will, in like manner, have mine. Working together, giving our city the best there is in us, we may be certain our work will be appreciated and our administration of the city's affairs will meet with the approbation of the citizens of Quincy.
AUDITOR'S REPORT
Quincy, Mass., May 1, 1917.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.