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 1920 > Part 1
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City of Quince
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QUINCY
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1920
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THOMAS CRANE
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QUINCY,
CITY APPROPRIATION
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PUBLIC. LIBRARY
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THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1920quin
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 32
by ARDED hamas Crane Public Library
CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1921
TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1920
0
. 1625
MANET
....
QUINCY;
.1888.
THE COSMOS PRESS HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE
60500
352
Qu 4
1920 C
CITY GOVERNMENT-1921
MAYOR, WILLIAM A. BRADFORD
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, JOHN W. MCANARNEY CHIEF OF POLICE, ALFRED W. GOODHUE CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, ALFRED L. MEAD OVERSEER OF THE POOR, SAMUEL E. AMES CITY ENGINEER, PATRICK F. O'BRIEN CITY PHYSICIAN, THOMAS J. DION, M.D. INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS, EDWARD A. DEVARENNES 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 BOARD
ASSESSORS
Meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 A.M. FREDERICK E. TUPPER, Chairman Term expires first Monday of February, 1923 CHARLES A. MCFARLAND Term expires first Monday of February, 1922
MICHAEL T. SULLIVAN Term expires first Monday of February, 1924
PARK COMMISSIONERS
JAMES H. SLADE, Chairman WILLIAM J. SPARGO LOUIS F. ALEXANDER
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CITY OF QUINCY
BOARD OF HEALTH
Health Commissioner, FRED E. JONES, M.D. Sanitary Inspector, EDWARD J. LENNON Inspector of Plumbing, JEREMIAH J. KENILEY Inspector of Meats and Provisions, HOWARD ROGERS
TRUSTEES OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY Meet first Wednesday of month at 7.30 P.M. GEORGE W. ABELE, Chairman
CHARLES J. McGILVRAY, Treasurer CHARLES A. HALL
MRS. ELIZABETH H. ALDEN, Secretary G. IRVING GRANT EDWARD E. WILLIAMS
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD, Mayor WALTER E. PIPER, City Treasurer EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor JOHN BROOKS KEYES, Elected by the Council
MANAGER OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES
WELLINGTON W. MITCHELL
BOARD OF SURVEY
WILLIAM H. TEASDALE
Term expires 1922
EUGENE R. STONE
Term expires 1924
HERBERT S. BARKER
Term expires 1923
PATRICK F. O'BRIEN, Clerk
PLANNING BOARD
WILSON MARSH, Chairman Term expires 1923
JAMES E. W. GEARY
Term expires 1926
EDWARD E. PALMER Term expires 1922
CHARLES H. FINN
Term expires 1924
EZEKIEL C. SARGENT
Term expires 1925
PATRICK F. O'BRIEN, Secretary
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
JOSEPH B. GROSSMAN, Chairman Term expires April 1, 1923
WILLIAM L. ELCOCK . Term expires April 1, 1921
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, JR. Term expires April 1, 1923 EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk
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CITY OF QUINCY
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT FRANK C. PACKARD ALBERT E. STEPHENSON LOUIS K. BADGER
MANAGERS QUINCY HOSPITAL
HENRY M. FAXON, Chairman Term expires 1923
JOHN J. CAREY, Clerk . Term expires 1922
GUSTAF R. BLOMQUIST
Term expires 1926 .
THOMAS FENNO . Term expires 1924
THOMAS GRIFFIN
. Term expires 1925
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CITY COUNCIL
CHARLES A. ROSS, President EMERY L. CRANE, Clerk GEORGE T. MAGEE, Clerk of Committees
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL At Large, Term expires 1923
CHARLES A. ROSS . 98 Independence Avenue
THOMAS J. MCGRATH 11 Thayer Street
ALEXANDER W. RUSSELL 21 Gilmore Street
From Ward, Term expires 1922
PERLEY E. BARBOUR, Ward 1 176 Adams Street
THOMAS GRIFFIN, Ward 2 36 Edison Street
EVERETT R. PROUT, Ward 3 43 Independence Avenue
ANGELO P. BIZZOZERO, Ward 4 . 13 Bates Avenue
ROBERT E. COMINS, Ward 5 315 Fayette Street
WELCOME G. YOUNG, Ward 6
18 Prospect Street
Clerk of Committees
GEORGE T. MAGEE . 7 Alleyne Terrace Residence Telephone, Quincy 729-M
CITY AUDITOR
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS 15 Bailey Street Office Telephone, Quincy 51 Residence Telephone, Quincy 2460
CITY MESSENGER
HARRY W. TIRRELL 139 Manet Avenue, H.N. Residence Telephone, Quincy 432-M
MANAGER OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY (Elected by Council) JOHN BROOKS KEYES
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CITY GOVERNMENT
TRUSTEES OF CITY HOSPITAL (Elected by the Council)
ROBERT E. COMINS EVERETT R. PROUT
SUPERVISORS ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND
(Elected by the Council)
PERLEY E. BARBOUR JOHN D. MACKAY
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS EMERY L. CRANE, Chairman ALFRED W. GOODHUE ALFRED L. MEAD
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the City Council are held the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 7.45 P. M.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings of the standing and special committees are held at the call of the chairman or at such time as may be designated by the Council.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL FOR 1921 Finance, Highways, etc. Thomas Griffin, Chairman, Perley E. Barbour, Angelo P. Bizzozero, Robert E. Comins, Thomas J. McGrath, Everett R. Prout, Charles A. Ross, Alexander W. Russell, Welcome J. Young
Public Buildings, Sewers and Water Supply
Angelo P. Bizzozero, Chairman, Thomas J. McGrath, Robert R. Comins Fire and Police, Health and Poor
Welcome J. Young, Chairman, Everett R. Prout, Thomas Griffin
Ordinances, Licenses, Legislative Matters Perley E. Barbour, Chairman, Alexander W. Russell, Robert E. Comins
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Mayor WILLIAM A. BRADFORD, Chairman NATHANIEL S. HUNTING, M.D., Vice-Chairman
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Office 1535 Hancock Street
Regular Meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 8 P.M. Office open :- 8 to 12 A.M., 1.30 to 5 P.M .; Saturdays, 8 to 12 M. Regular Hours of Superintendent :- Mondays and Fridays 8 to 9 A.M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 to 5 P.M.
Term Expires
Hon. WILLIAM A. BRADFORD December 31, 1922
NATHANIEL S. HUNTING, M.D.
December 31, 1922
ROBERT E. FOY
December 31, 1922
Mrs. ALICE M. ARNOLD
December 31, 1921
GEORGE W. ABELE December 31, 1921
DANIEL B. REARDON, M.D. December 31, 1923
Col. WARREN E. SWEETSER
December 31, 1923
FRED H. NICKERSON, Superintendent of Schools
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
CHARLES H. JOHNSON
CALENDAR FOR 1921
First Term
Monday, January 3 to Friday, February 25.
Second Term Monday, March 7 to Friday, April 29.
Third Term
Monday, May 9 to Friday, July 1.
Grammar School Graduations - Thursday, June 23.
High School Graduation - Wednesday, June 29.
Fourth Term Wednesday, September 7 to Thursday, December 22. New Term
Tuesday, January 3, 1922.
Holidays - All Legal Holidays, Good Friday, June 17, and the remainder of the week from Wednesday noon next preceding Thanks- giving.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Gentlemen of the City Council:
We are assembled here this morning in accordance with our City Charter to take upon ourselves the obligations of our office and to assume the duties which we were elected to fulfil by the citizens of Quincy, you as Councilors for either one or two years, and I as Mayor for two years.
We have been especially honored, as we are the first governing body (with the exception of the School Board) to receive the suffrage of the women voters of this city. They, for the first time, have had an opportunity to express a preference, and the responsibility of helping them to justify their choice rests with and upon us.
We are beginning the fifth year by which the city has been governed under Plan A. Formerly by this plan, all the members of the City Council were elected at large.
Whether the change in Plan A, whereby six of the Councilors are elected each one by his respective ward, and three at large, will prove beneficial depends entirely upon your efforts and the character of your work.
You, gentlemen, as Councilors, represent the Legislative branch, and the Mayor the Executive branch of the city's governing and operating power.
While each body is separate and distinct, they must of necessity be in harmony with each other if the best and most economical results are to be obtained. Therefore, let each of us at the beginning of our fiscal year have a clear understanding of our city's financial condition, which I will outline as briefly as possible.
CITY DEBT
The total bonded and municipal debt of the City of Quincy on Janu- ary 1, 1920 was $2,182,151.81. During the year this was reduced by payments as follows:
Payments on City Debts.
$209,000.00
Parks . .
2,000.00
Street Improvements.
7,300.00
Sewer.
72,700.00
Water
73,500.00
Refunding.
15,000.00
Norfolk County Hospital
9,951.81
Making a total payment of .
$389,451.81
New authorized debt in 1920 amounting to $545,200.00 will increase the total City Debt as follows, namely, $155,748.19, so that the total City
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CITY OF QUINCY
Debt on January 1, 1921, is $2,337,900.00. Of this amount $331,700.00 will inature in 1921, and must be borne as part of the tax levy or assess- ment for this year.
BORROWING LIMIT
Our borrowing capacity is based on the Revised Laws, Chapter 27, Section 3, and limits us to an amount equal to 22 per cent of the average assessed valuation (less abatements) of the previous three years, from which must be deducted the net ordinary outstanding debt.
The valuation for the year 1918 was $48,189,175.00
1919 52,039,725.00
1920 56,310,175.00
This shows a total three years' valuation of $156,549,075.00
and the average for three years is 52,183,025.00
21% of which is equal to.
1,304,575.00
Less City Debt, Jan. 1, 1921, of . $960,900.00
Less part of Sewer Debt, Jan. 1, 1921 of . 177,000.00
1,137,900.00
Our margin or regular borrowing limit Jan. 1, 1921. $166,675.00
TAXES
Our tax rate for 1920 was based on a total budget appropriation of $1,472,339.85. This, together with other municipal expenses on account of Special, State, County and other taxes, together with maturing City Debt, and other special matters, equalled a total expense of $2,301,788.23, from which was deducted receipts or credits from the State on account of Polls, Income, and the item of Estimated Revenue making a deduction of $401,945.53.
The net amount that was required for the operation of the City and to meet its expenses was $1,899,842.70. Had the figures remained as quoted, then our tax rate, based on the valuation of $56,493,150.00 as found by the Assessors of 1920, and the cost of operation, $1,899,842.70+ $56,493,150.00, would have been $33.64 per thousand for the year 1920.
The payment of $80,763.27 which the United States Housing Corpora- tion made on account of the utility work done by the City for their housing project at Quincy Point when applied to our total municipal operating expense, reduced it to a total amount of $1,819,079.43 and resulted in a consequent reduction in the tax rate from $33.64 to $32.20 per thousand.
I have stated these facts very carefully because I want you, gentlemen, to be conversant with them and to fully realize that if we are to succeed in keeping our taxes at a lower rate, or even at the present rate, economy must be our watchword.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
I would not, for one moment, have you infer that all operations and disbursements of money should cease, but any new projects affecting the expenditure of money should have our closest scrutiny and careful con- sideration. We should all try to feel as optimistic as possible, but our vision should not be so obscured that we overlook what of necessity must be hard, cold facts. Our sources of revenue, from which our taxes are derived, principally the building operations in our City, are somewhat at a standstill, and in determining our expenditures we must not overlook the fact that from this source we can expect but very little of a substantial increase. The average normal increase in past years has been from $1,500,000.00 to $2,000,000.00.
Furthermore, valuations that may be placed upon any new building operations must, on account of decreasing building costs, be at a lower level than those which the Assessors found on like operations in the year 1920.
Another decreased source of income or credit which we receive from the State will undoubtedly occur in our State Income Tax which in 1920 was approximately $200,000.00. I feel that the reduction from this amount in the year 1921 will be at least 25 per cent.
Our greatest amount of Sewer and Water Debt matures in 1921 and 1922. After that there is, I am happy to say, a sharp decline.
For your convenience I have tabulated these statutory debts:
Sewer
Water
Maturing in 1921
$76,000.00
$66,500.00
1922
67,000.00
61,500.00
1923
59,000.00
58,500.00
1924
40,000.00
25,500.00
1925
36,000.00
24,500.00
I am not going to burden you, gentlemen, with a great mass of data concerning the various departments of the City, but I should like to take this opportunity to touch upon a few of them briefly.
DEPARTMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
Through this department a great amount of money is spent for utility and maintenance work. I believe that with a better system of supervision and more careful application of strictly business and not political methods, far more satisfactory and economical results may be obtained. It will take a little time to bring about this change, but I shall strive earnestly to do it in the shortest possible time.
STREETS
The care and upkeep of the streets is an important matter. For the large amount of money spent the citizens expect a return, and through the
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CITY OF QUINCY
Commissioner of this department I shall work earnestly to see that they get it.
I believe that with proper organization the City can be divided into districts, each district to be in charge of a foreman whose duty it shall be to patrol his particular section and keep it in repair by the filling, patching and cleaning of those streets that are allotted to him - this to be done not in an interinittent manner but in a regular and systematic way. In con- sidering these statements due regard should be given to the rules and laws governing unaccepted streets.
NEW STREETS
I am in accord with any policy that is practical that will continue the acceptance and building of new streets and the rebuilding of old streets, provided of course that it comes within the scope of our resources.
It is to be hoped that another special appropriation may be obtained for the purpose of continuing the rebuilding of Hancock Street. This is the main business thoroughfare entering Quincy, and its present condition at the northern end certainly reflects discredit upon our City.
We are apt to view its use and repair as a source of convenience for pleasure vehicles only, when as a matter of fact its repair and upkeep is a convenience and economy to the citizens, merchants and owners of com-' mercial vehicles who do business in this City.
SEWERS AND DRAINS
The City Engineer has prepared a comprehensive plan of the water sheds and drainage areas of the City, and it is to be hoped that any future appropriations and expenditures of moneys will be strictly in accord with the scheme and detail as laid down on this plan. No special building pro- gram has been mapped out for sewer construction but without doubt we shall be able to finance and build those which of necessity will be required.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The large increase in water consumption in this City is not a cause for alarm, as the year 1920 will undoubtedly show a decrease per capita. I shall urge that every service be metered instead of leaving them as they are now. At present only about 90 per cent are metered. Even with the system fully metered, the best return that we may expect is about 75 to 80 per cent efficiency, as it has been found by actual tests that in water systems as old as the one in this City there is bound to be from 20 to 25 per cent leakage and loss unaccounted for.
The collection of outstanding water bills will receive immediate attention. On December 30th, 1920, they amounted to approximately $12,620.12. Included in this amount are many disputed bills, and some
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
that are uncollectible. Those that are in dispute should be adjusted at once, and those that are uncollectible should be charged off. We have no right to misrepresent the facts to the citizens of Quincy, nor should we deceive them or ourselves by assuming that we possess assets that are uncollectible.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SANITATION
I am not satisfied that the best results are being obtained from this department in return for the money expended, but I do not care to make any criticism until I am more familiar with the facts.
I think it will be well at this time to suggest that some of the present methods of this department be changed. I recommend that the School Physicians be discontinued, unless required by law, as I am informed that the City is not receiving a sufficient return for the expenditure, or that it be arranged to have them devote a sufficient amount of their time to properly do this work. The City Physician should devote all his time to the City, and under his direction, through the Department of Health, there could be established a Health Center or directing source from which could operate a Child Welfare Nurse in addition to the regular Welfare Nurse, whose duties would apply to prenatal conditions as well as those existing after birth. I have laid special stress on this because our death rate for children up to one year old is the highest in the State, 90 deaths per thousand. (Latest data obtainable 1918 and I understand that it is now even higher.) The general average for the State is 84 per thousand. (Comparing five cities of equal population with Quincy.)
The Home Economics Instruction, if continued could come under the same department, as well as the Dental Clinic in operation at the Webster School, which is now maintained under the auspices, and at the expense of the Red Cross, and also the Dental Clinic at the Coddington School, which is now under the supervision of the School Board, or both Dental Clinics, could be turned over to the School Board.
I am informed that the equipment of the Clinic at the Webster School was paid for by the Red Cross, at an expense of approximately $1000.00 and if it is taken over by any of the City departments for management, the Society should be reimbursed for at least part of their expense.
I am not fully satisfied with our present method of milk inspection, and shall suggest changes to bring it up to even a higher standard than now prevails. There are several branches of this department which I think could be speeded up, thereby obtaining more economical and efficient results.
CITY HOSPITAL
You, gentlemen, are doubtless well aware that the City Hospital is now operated under the direction of a Committee appointed by the Mayor
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CITY OF QUINCY
and at the expense of the City, instead of by public and private subscrip- tions as was formerly the case.
The Committee is composed of men of high standing and integrity who serve without pay during their term of office. They have brought the Hospital up to a high standard of efficiency and service, and the Citizens of Quincy are to be congratulated on the results attained under the manage- ment of this Committee.
Briefly I desire to bring to your attention the cost of operating this institution for the year 1920:
Appropriations from City for 1920 $38,500.00
Cash receipts from patients from Jan. 1, 1920, to Dec. 23, 1920, and interest on Endowment Funds, etc.
70,186.62
Total Receipts
$108,686.62
Less Expenditures from Jan. 1, 1920, to Dec. 23, 1920, 105,549.78
Credit Balance $3,136.84
*Amount of unpaid bills due Hospital from patients for current year (approximately)
(*A certain percentage of these are uncollectible.)
6,106.49
Number of patients treated from Jan. 1, 1920, to Dec. 23, 1920:
Medical, 128 - Surgical, 1173 - Obstetrical, 302 - Total, 1603
The urgent need of better facilities and larger quarters for properly caring for obstetrical cases is badly felt, and provision should be made for taking care of this class of patient at the earliest possible moment.
We do not like to speak of this branch of the Hospital's work in monetary values, but from lack of adequate accommodations a large source of revenue is lost each year, and from a humanitarian standpoint a certain amount of hardship is inflicted upon our citizens. As many as fourteen applications for entrance to the Hospital from this and other sources have been refused in a single day.
The need for new wards and a power plant and mechanical building is urgent and should have our immediate consideration. Much of the machinery and equipment is obsolete and must be replaced at once. A general scheme or plan has been drawn for a group of new buildings so arranged that they may be built on the unit basis. It is of paramount importance that the Power Plant Building and one of the new Ward Buildings be built at once. The construction of these buildings can be financed by special appropriation authorized under a statutory act, and outside of our borrowing limit.
AUDITOR'S DEPARTMENT
I wish to commend this department to you as one of the most finely conducted departments of the City.
To facilitate the Auditor's work I shall insist that bills for the various
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
departments be rendered to him more promptly than has been the custom, in order that they may be properly audited and checked, thereby allowing the City to take advantage of a cash discount for prompt payment of the City's bills. I believe that if these discounts were taken at the proper time it would result in a saving of hundreds of dollars to the City.
SCHOOLS
As Mayor of the City, which is governed under Plan A, by virtue of the office I become Chairman of the School Board. You, gentlemen, are well aware of the urgent need of either an addition to the present High School or the building of a new High School, and I do not care to enter into a discussion of the merits or demerits of what has already been done. I can only repeat to you, and to the citizens of Quincy, what I have already said, namely, that immediately upon assuming the Chairmanship of the School Board I am ready and willing to co-operate with them, as Mayor, in any way that will facilitate an immediate start being made on this much needed improvement. My only qualification of this statement is that in deciding upon an architect, and the type, arrangement of building, location, and so forth, the decision shall be such as will secure the most advantageous and economical results for all concerned.
I am also informed that conditions at the Massachusetts Fields School require immediate attention. This you will be advised about later.
The School Budget of the City has steadily increased each year. In the year 1920 it was approximately $500,000.00. Owing to the increase in salaries of the teachers, and other matters, it will undoubtedly equal or exceed $600,000.00 this year.
It is my privilege, as Chairman of the School Board, to examine each item of the School Budget, and I assure you, gentlemen, that it will have my closest scrutiny before it is presented to you. I firmly believe that with the prospect of a declining market, and sharper buying methods, some of the amounts annually asked for in this Budget can be reduced.
I believe that our schools are conducted in an efficient manner under the direction of the School Board, and that they have not only attained a high standard in the past, but are today maintaining the same degree of efficiency, and it will be an especial pleasure to me, as Chairman of the School Board, to help in continuing to maintain the standard which they have already set.
PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
A great many of these matters some of the older members of the Council are familiar with, but for the benefit of the new members I think it will be well to recite briefly some of the requirements of the City along this line.
City Hall: The urgent need for more room for the Departmental Heads and Officers of the City is apparent to all, and has been recommended
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CITY OF QUINCY
time and time again by previous Mayors. I can only add to what they have already said, and ask that you, gentlemen, co-operate with me in an effort to secure larger and more adequate quarters, either by building addi- tions, or by alterations as required. We are not obtaining the highest efficiency from those employed by the City in their present quarters on account of the cramped and inconvenient conditions under which they are obliged to work.
Police Station: Any of one you gentlemen, or any citizen of this City, who has viewed our present police station will agree with me that it is a disgrace to our City. The present building is over ninety years old, and was originally built for a school-house. It was later used by the Fire Department, and in 1901 was fixed over for a temporary Police Station. At that time there were approximately a dozen men in the Police Depart- ment, now there are about sixty men who are forced by necessity to use this building. By a process of patching, alteration, and so forth, it has been kept going; but, from a sanitary and humanitarian standpoint, it should have been condemned years ago. I urge prompt action in relieving this condition as it now exists.
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