Report of the city of Somerville 1900, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 546


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1900 > Part 1


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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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38


NA


L


1872


LLE


A CITY


GIVES


SOMERV


ESTABLIS


REED


FOU


1842


ED


F


L


MUNICI


1


STRENGTH


CITY OF SOMERVILLE


MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL REPORTS


1 900


With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 7, 1901


IVES


D


SOMERVILLE


FREE


FOUNDED 1842.


NAL


1872


MUNICIPAL


N


1842. ESTABLI


A CITY STRENGTH


M


IS


IED


SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT


1901


INAUGURAL ADDRESS


DELIVERED BY


HON. EDWARD GLINES, MAYOR,


JANUARY


7, 1901.


. GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN : -


By an established custom, as well as by a provision of the City Charter, the Mayor is expected to address your Board, and, through you, the citizens of Somerville, upon the conditions and . needs of the various departments of the city. Whenever one is inducted into the Mayor's office for the first time, he must depend largely upon the heads of departments for information as to the condition of city affairs, and the present charter places such re- · sponsibilities upon him that it is fitting that important recom- mendations should be embodied in special messages after he has had opportunity to acquaint himself with the needs of the various departments. None of us, gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen, can be unmindful of the responsibility which we this day assume. If, as has been well said, a public office is a public trust, how em- phatically true is it in the case of a municipal office! Upon our discretion and courage, our ability and honor, depend in no slight measure the good name and financial credit, the protection and comfort, the peace and prosperity of our citizens. No personal aspirations or prejudices, no interests or favoritism should stand in the way of the greatest service to the greatest number.


The Financial Situation.


The foundation of all municipal advantage is financial. The supreme test of personal honor and public trust of character and capacity for administration is connected with the city's finances. We are to collect about $900,000, paid by nearly 24,000 property holders or citizens, and we are to so use this vast sum that the citizens and others who come within our borders shall have the best protection for life and property, the most comfort in travel,


4


ANNUAL REPORTS.


business, and pleasure, the greatest advantage of school, library, and hospital. The borrowing capacity of the city for the year 1901 will be $258,440. There will certainly be no occasion to use the whole of this amount, and the day has forever passed when Somerville will ask the Legislature for authority to borrow be- vond the debt limit. For the two years of Mayor Proctor's wise and careful administration the net debt has substantially de- creased. While it may not be possible always to reduce the debt. perceptibly, it should never be increased. Somerville is now so well established that only under extreme provocation ought we again to ask posterity to pay any of our bills. The tax rate ought never to be increased. and there can be no excuse for increasing it. In the near future we ought to be able to reduce the rate of taxation, and also continue to reduce the debt. It is practicable to look forward and see the probable expenditures for the next five years. The normal increase in valuation will naturally pro- vide for the normal increase in running expenses. Each year we have to determine what is indispensable and immediate. I do not assume to know which of these are so this year, but when I am confident of my judgment in this matter, I shall send a special message upon the subject. I shall advise a wise use of money and a not unwise economy, so far as I can determine Among the expenditures important and urgent in the near future are the following (no attempt is made to present them in the order of their importance or urgency) :-


First. A ten or twelve room school building on the Jackson school lot, near Somerville avenue and Medford street.


Second. A six-room building in the Hodgkins district.


Third. Adequate accommodations for the High school, either by enlarging the English High school or by the erection of a Latin School building.


Fourth. A second police station, or the removal of the armory, so that the entire present building can be made available for the department.


Fifth. Completion of Powder-house boulevard.


Funded Debt.


Total funded debt of the city January 1, 1900, $1,492,500. This debt was increased during the year $152,000. It was de- creased $166,500, leaving the net funded debt January 1, 1901, $1,478,000, a net reduction of $14,500.


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL, ADDRESS.


Taxable Property.


Total amount of taxable property, $52,578,200, of which $47,430,000 is on real estate, and $5,148,200 on personal estate. At a rate of $16 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $841,251.20. There are 16,848 polls at $2, making $33,696. We received from street watering $14,968.88, making the total tax levy $889,916.08. Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 23,461.


Of the amount received in taxes, $117,600 is required for the debt provisions ; $118,870.33 are state and county taxes, Metro- politan sewer, etc., matters over which the city has no control ; $290,200 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control ; $314,580.87 is the amount for current expenses within control of the Board of Aldermen. The same statement, based upon the $16 per thousand, is as fol- lows: Of each $16, $2.26 are for State, County, and Metropolitan taxes ; $2.24 for debt requirements ; $5.52 for current expenses, over which the Board of Aldermen has no control ; $5.98, current expenses within control of the Board of Aldermen.


In addition to the amounts received from taxes, we received last year $223,367.57, income from the water works; $27,161.93 from corporation and bank taxes; from the Clerk of Courts, $3,545.51; from dog licenses, $3,257.45 ; unexpended appropria- tions of 1899, $36,991.52 ; making a total of $294,323.98, making total receipts from taxes and other sources $1,184,240.06.


The estimated borrowing capacity of the city January 1, 1901, was $146,440. By the first of October this will be increased $112,000, making a total borrowing capacity of $258,440.


The City's Finances.


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1900, was as follows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan $1,030,000 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan


158,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 65,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


239,500 00


Total Funded Debt


. $1,492,500 00


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the Board of Aldermen as follows :-


6


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Schoolhouse in Ward Two $40,000 00


Schoolhouse in or near Ward Seven . 45,000 00


Schoolhouse, Charles G. Pope, improve-


ments 2,000 00


Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp, improve-


ments


8,000 00


Fire Department, Fire Apparatus, Ladder 2 Station 3,000 00


Highways, Boston-avenue Bridge 6,500 00


Highways, Paving Davis Square 3,500 00


Powder-house Boulevard .


12,000 00


Public Grounds, Land for Park Pur- poses


12,000 00


Sidewalks, Construction


8,000 00


Renewals Funded Debt


12,000 00


Amount borrowed during the year . $152,000 00


The debt was reduced during the year by payments as fol- lows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan $121,000 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 8,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


32,500 00


Amount paid during the year $166,500 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1901, $1,478,- 000 (a reduction of $14,500 from the previous year), classified as follows :-


City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.


$152,000 00


City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 820,000 00 City Loan Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent.


89,000 00


City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 139,000 00 City Loan Sewer Bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 11,000 00


City Loan Paving Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent.


60.000 00


Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 197,000 00


Water Loan Bonds bearing interest at 51/2 per cent. 10,000 00


Total Funded Debt January 1, 1901 . $1,478,000 00


7


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


The foregoing amount represents the net indebtedness of the city, the unfunded liabilities for temporary loans, etc., being equaled by its assets, which consist of uncollected taxes, sewer and sidewalks assessments, etc.


Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of May 1, 1900, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property was $52,578,200, and the rate established was $16 on each $1,000 valuation, as fol- lows :-


Real Estate, valuation


Personal Estate, valuation


. $47,430,000 00 5,148,200 00 .


Total valuation $52,578,200 00


At a rate of $16 on each $1,000 valuation $841,251 20


Polls, 16,848, at $2.00 33,696 00


Street Watering 14,968 88


Total amount of tax levy


$889,916 08


Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 23,461.


Appropriations .- The amount of revenue provided by the tax levy may properly be classified as follows :-


Rate As- sessed on $1,000 valua- tion. Amount.


For Current expenses within the control of the Board of Aldermen


$5.983 $314,580 87


Current expenses of depart- ments over which the Board of Aldermen has no control


5.519


290,200 00


Debt requirements


2.237 117,600 00


State and County taxes, Met- ropolitan sewer assess- ments, and overlay ac- count


2.261


118,870 33


For total amount on a valuation of $52,578,200, at $16.00


$8.11,251 20


Poll taxes assessed credited to State and County


33,696 00


Street Watering, in excess of amount appropriated


14,968 88


Total amount of tax levy


$889,916 08


8


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The appropriations to the various accounts were as fol- lows :-


ACCOUNTS WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


Assessors


$10,000 00


City Auditor


·


750 00


City Clerk


6,000 00


City Engineer


11,500 00


City Messenger


2,500 00


City Solicitor


2,350 00


City Treasurer


14,000 00


Clerk of Committees and Departments


4,100 00


Contingent Fund


9,535 00


Election Expenses :-


City Clerk 1,000 00


Commissioner Public Buildings


1,200 00


Pay of Election Officers


1,700 00


Registrars of Voters


1,800 00


Electrical Department


7,000 00


Executive Department


4,000 00


Fire Department


58,000 00


Highways, Construction


2,000 00


Highways, Maintenance


7,000 00


Highways, Paved Gutters and Crossings .


12,000 00


Highways, Watering Streets


4,000 00


Inspection of Buildings


3,300 00


Military Aid


500 00


Police


22,000 00


Printing and Stationery


3,000 00


Public Buildings Maintenance :-


City Hall


6,000 00


City Hall Annex


1,000 00


Fire Department


4,700 00


Health Department


200 00


Highways


1,200 00


Police


3,000 00


Public Library


3,000 00


Schoolhouses


38,500 00


Sewer Department


200 00


Support of Poor


500 00


Water Department


100 00


Public Grounds


10,200 00


Public Library Addition


3,000 00


Schoolhouse, Burns, Addition


180 87


Sealer Weights and Measures


1,065 00


Shade Trees


500 00


Amount carried forward


$262,580 87


9


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward


$262,580 87


Sidewalks, Construction


10,000 00


Sidewalks, Maintenance


5,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


15,000 00


Somerville Hospital


5,000 00


Street Lights


17,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $52,578,200, at $5.983 $314,580 87


ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.


Health Department


$30,000 00


Public Library


10,000 00


School Contingent


22,000 00


School Teachers' Salaries


208,000 00


Support of Poor, City Home


4,000 00


Support of Poor, Miscellaneous


16,200 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $52,578,200, at $5.519 . $290,200 00


ACCOUNTS PROVIDING. FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.


Interest


$55,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt 62,600 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $52,578,200, at $2.237 . . $117,600 00


PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.


State Tax


$27,075 00


Deduct one-haif of poll


taxes


.


16,848 00


$10,227 00


County Tax


$48,311 73


Deduct one- half of poll


taxes


16,848 00


31,463 73


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


41,924 34


National Bank Tax


1,036 80


Overlay and Abatement


34,218 46


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $52,578,200, at $2.261 $118,870 33


In addition to the above, the following appropriations were made from the various income accounts :-


10


ANNUAL REPORTS.


From the income of the water works : - -


Water Maintenance


$45,000 00


Water Works Extension 22,000 00


Water Loan Interest 9,502 50


Reduction of Water Loan Debt 32,500 00


Reduction of Sewer Loan Debt . 8,000 00


Metropolitan Water Assessment


28,689 24


Water Works, Abatements on water charges 1,000 00


Sewers, Maintenance


9,000 00


Sewers, Construction


24,151 12


Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds 6,240 00


Reduction of Funded Debt


37,284 71


Total


$223,367 57


Police, the amount received of the state


for corporation and bank taxes . 27,161 93


Police, received of the Clerk of the Courts for fines, costs, etc. 3,545 51


Public Library, the amount received of the


County for dog licenses


3,257 45


Street Lights, balance of excess and de- ficiency of 1899


36.991 52


Total $294,323 98


The aggregate appropriations from the tax levy and from income were as follows :--


From tax levy


$889,916 08


From income


294,323 98


Total


$1,184,240 06


ESTIMATED BORROWING CAPACITY.


Valuation. 1898 . $50,739,700 00


Non-resident bank stock


and abatements to


1901


389,975 00


$50,349,725 00


Valuation, 1899 . $51,262,400 00


Non-resident bank stock


and abatements to


1901


470,550 00


50,791,850 00


Valuation, 1900


. $52,513,400 00


Non-resident bank stock


and abatements to


1901


362,100 00


52,151,300 00


$153,292,875 00


11


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Average valuation for last three years . $51,097,625 00


$1,277,440 00


21/2 per cent. of average valuation . Existing debt within the limit, deducted from above amount 1,131,000 00


Borrowing capacity January 1, 1901


$146,440 00


Debt payable July and October


112,000 00


Borrowing capacity for the year 1901


$258,440 00


The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for reference :-


YEAR.


Amount of Funded Debt.


Increase of Funded Debt.


Reduction of Funded Debt.


Tax Rate per $1,000 Valuation on Account of Reduc-


tion of Funded Debt.


Town .


$593,349


Dec. 31, 1872


643,354


$50,005


66


1873


809,354


166,000


66


1875


1,571,854


152,000


1876


1,606,854


45,000


*$55,130 62


$2 07


66


1877


1,606,854


10,000


*58,828 58


2 30


66


1878


1,596,854


61,004 64


2 91


1879


1,585,000


64,915 76


3 42


66


1880


1,585,000


55,739 35


2 72


66


1881


1,585,000


58,498 64


2 59


1882


1,585,000


61,390 59


2 65


1883


1,585,000


64,479 01


2 70


66


1885


+1,525,000


71,305 66


2 87


66


1886


1,525,000


66,894 23


2 57


66


1887


1,525,000


70,252 88


2 56


66


1888


+860,500


25,000


37,000 00


1 28


66


1889


952,500


130,000


38,000 00


1 27


66


1890


1,057,500


150,000


45;000 00


1 38


66


1891


1,045,500


45,000


57,000 00


1 55


1892


1,194,500


253,000


104,000 00


2 73


1893


1,279,500


222,000


137,000 00


3 27


66


1894


1,344,500


172,000


107,000 00


2 42


1895


1.506,500


247,000


85,000 00


1 83


1896


1,531,000


177,000


152,500 00


3 11


1897


1,548.000


167,000


150,000 00


2 39


1898


1,552,000


176.000


172,000 00


3 99


1899


1,492.500


110,000


169.500 0 )


: 30


1900


1.478,000


152.000


166,500 00


3 17


1884


1,585,000


67,719 33


2 78


1874


1,419,854


610,500


.


*$10.000.00 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds. +Sinking fund applied.


12


ANNUAL REPORTS.


YEAR.


VALUATION.


TAX LEVY.


RATE.


1872


$22,755,325


$274,374 45


$13 00


1873


29,643,100


389.214 48


12 80


1874


30,837,700


473,235 50


15 00


1875


31,317,000


518,161 40


16 20


1876


26,573,400


504,745 24


18 60


1877


25,479,400


471,789 14


18 10


1878


20,976,900


409,497 10


19 00


1879


18,950,100


352,553 80


18 00


1880


20,458,100


402.927 71


19 10


1881


22,569.100


452.945 45


19 50


1882


23,162,200


425,721 16


17 80


1883


23,812,900


411,645 43


16 70


1884


24,331,100


418,750 26


16 60


1885


24.878,400


428.605 44


16 60


1886


26,003,200


416,987 28


15 40


1887


27.471,800


424,309 14


14 80


1888


28,765,400


421,458 60


14 00


1889


30,004,600


440,324 40


14 00


1890


32,557.500


447,704 00


14 00


1891


36.843,400


539,137 10


14 00


1892


38,093,100


596,357 50


15 00


1893


41,873.600


675,886 80


15 50


1894


44,142.900


721,165 54


15 70


1895


46,506,300


745,609 02


15 40


1896


49.070,800


786,412 32


15 40


1897


50.231.000


913,574 42


17 30


1898


50,739,700


954,187 11


17 90


1899


51.262,400


882,580 96


16 30


1900


52,578.200


889,916 08


16 00


Sanitary Conditions.


Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the sanitary con- ditions of the city. With a population of nearly 62,000, living in an area of three square miles, with 12,000 children in our school buildings, it is of the utmost importance that sewers and drains be as perfect as modern science can make them, and that, so far as possible, there shall be no standing water in any settled por- tion of the city, and that flooded cellars should be prevented. Already there has been an important advance in separating house drainage from roof and surface water, emptying the house sewage on the main avenues into the Metropolitan system. This work has already been completed in the low and flat districts, thus pro- tecting all danger points. The next need is to connect the lateral streets with these main sewers, after which the flooding of cellars will be relieved. The principal work remaining to be done is to provide outlets for storm water for discharge into the Mystic river near Middlesex avenue, and into the Miller's river at the East Cambridge line. Provision for these should be made at once. An area in the vicinity of Lowell and Vernon streets is


13


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


badly flooded during the heavy storms, and can be relieved only by the construction of a storm drainage system, with its outlet through the Boston & Lowell railroad valley. Considerable flooding of cellars is experienced in Morrison avenue, northwest of Willow avenue. The means of relief is by an overflow drain along the northerly location of the Lexington & Arlington branch railroad, with the outlet into Tannery brook storm drain at Davis square. The Cedar-street sewer in the vicinity of Hall street is inadequate in times of storms, and this locality is badly flooded ; also a section that is tributary to this sewer on the northerly side of Highland avenue, east of Cedar street, requires the. construc- tion of a storm drain to prevent the flooding which occurs during storms. Total length of sewers in the city, 77.35 miles; total length of storm drains in the city, 3.1 miles; total number of catch basins in the city, 1,108.


The total amount spent under Sewers Construction account during the year 1900 has been $50,300, and for the maintenance of sewage system, $9,500.


Highways.


There is no other department in which neglect is so apparent as in the streets, for these come to every man's door and are in constant use, not only by our citizens, but by thousands from neighboring cities and towns. The wear and tear upon highways in such constant use as are those of Somerville make it inevitable that there shall be large expenditure all the time, and it is of the utmost importance that new streets be built in the most substan- tial manner, and that all repairs shall be as thorough as the modern science of road-making can suggest. Twelve streets have been accepted as public ways the past year, a length of 1.6 miles ; total length of public streets in the city, 61.76 miles ; total length of private streets in the city, 29.26 miles. An appropria- tion has been made for laying an asphalt pavement on Cross street, from Broadway to Tufts street. In connection with the double tracking of Cross street a plan has been made showing the enlargement of Central square and easing the curve of the tracks by taking the point of land at the junction of Medford street, the Boston Elevated Railway Company bearing the ex- pense. This last improvement will be appreciated by the travel- ing public and residents in immediate vicinity. In Union square during the last few years extensive alterations and additions have


14 .


ANNUAL REPORTS.


been made in the sewer, water, and gas mains, and other under- ground conduits. The electric car tracks have been relaid and completed, all of this work making the granite-paved surface un- even and in poor condition for travel. All work having been completed, the granite block paving in the entire square should be relaid to the proper grade and cross-section. The old retain- ing wall on the southwest side of Beacon street, in front of the Norton estate, has been removed and rebuilt on the edgestone line of the street, making the traveled roadway on Beacon street of a uniform width of forty-four feet, where it has been of insuffi- cient width for many years. The most important immediate de- mand, next to the repairing of Union square, is to begin work systematically for putting in first-class permanent condition the main avenues. The heavy expense attendant upon great winter storms can never be foretold, and there is no time in which the efficiency of the Highway Department is so tested as in the prompt removal of snow. Last year the city was remarkably exempt from such expense. Something should be done to pre- vent the tearing up of streets, especially after they have been paved at great expense. During the past four years every section of the city has had its streets torn up at least five different times by as many different classes of workmen for the relaying of vari- ous pipes. Until such wholesale invasions of our streets is les- sened, it is impracticable to provide permanent pavement.


Something should be done to provide for wide tires for heavy teams. Good roads were never of so much importance as to-day, and such wheels act as rollers, keeping the roads in good repair. The modern system of street cleaning commends itself to all our citizens, and should be extended so as to cover by frequent visi- tation every street in the city. Each year it is found necessary to remove trees. Last year 38 that were con- sidered dangerous were removed, but 233 new trees have been set out. This feature of the work of the Highway Depart- ment cannot be too highly commended. Probably no question is so vexatious as that of employing Somerville men without sacri- ficing the efficiency of the service. There should be no occasion to go beyond the city limits for laborers, but no one should be re- tained in the service who is inefficient merely because he is a resident.


I strongly advise the continuance of the policy of last year,


15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


that streets should be laid out under the provisions of law author- izing the assessment of betterments.


The total appropriation for the Highway Department for the new year was $141,594.98, independent of the street watering. Of this amount, $46,038.04 was received from street railway cor- poration tax, and $7,585.23 (excess earnings) from Boston Elevated Railway Company; $34,471.71 from unexpended balances January 1, 1900; $41,500 from tax levy; and $12,000 from transfer from other appropriations.


Sidewalks.


The sidewalks are even more universally used than the high- ways. They not only contribute to the general comfort of our citizens, but the value of real estate is greatly enhanced by a com- plete system of sidewalks kept in the best condition. No money expended brings to the city treasury a more prompt and complete return, as none adds more to the general satisfaction of the people. The total length of new edgestone set in the city during the year has been 7.7 miles, and the amount of brick sidewalk laid about 1.75 miles. The total length of edgestone in the city is 86.1 miles. The total length of brick sidewalk in the city is 55 miles.


Railroad Bridges.


Our territory is now so thickly settled that no pains should be spared to bring into the market every building lot, and when- ever possible every 'section should be given the advantage of every other. It is also of the utmost importance that the great- est safety to life should be provided for. It is important that ar- rangements be begun for the rebuilding of at least two bridges over the Lowell railroad and the replacing of the bridge connect- ing the two portions of Lowell street. This bridge was one of the first bridges over the railroad in Somerville, and its abandon- ment was due to the assumption that "Polly Swamp" was not to be built up; but this street on both sides of the railroad is now very thickly settled, and no improvement would accommodate more persons than the replacing of this bridge, and a movement should be at once inaugurated to require the Boston & Maine Railroad to replace the bridge as a public necessity, as well as con- venience.


16


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Police Department.


The growth and perfecting of the Police Department of the city deserves, as it has received, the uniform admiration of our citizens. From a scattered rural population of my boyhood days and the reign of the town constable, Somerville has come to be the most thickly-settled city in the state, and this growth has at times been under conditions favorable to lawlessness; but, thanks to our no-license attitude and a wonderfully efficient police system, alike creditable in its organization and in its per- sonnel, we have maintained the highest rank among American cities, both in the prevention and detection of crime. At the last election the city adopted the Pensioning of Firemen's Act, and now an effort should be made to extend the law relating to pen- sioning of policemen, which already applies to cities in the Com- monwealth containing not less than 75,000 inhabitants, to apply to cities of not less than 60,000. It is of the utmost importance that old and faithful police officers should be provided for, when- ever they are unable to do efficient service on account of age. This city is amply protected by a much smaller per capita force than most cities in the Commonwealth. Each year a few addi- tional men are required, and something must be done to provide accommodations for some men to sleep in the police station, to be on hand in cases of emergency. It seems incredible that Somer- ville should have had no enlargement of police station accommo- dations in twenty-five vears. In the near future we must remove the armory, so that the department can utilize the whole building. This will make it possible to provide appropriate prisoners' ac- commodations for women and for a matron, which the public is sure to demand.




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