Report of the city of Somerville 1907, Part 1

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 548


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1907 > 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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42


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CITY OF SOMERVILLE


MASSACHUSETTS


ANNUAL REPORTS


1 907


With Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered Jan. 6, 1908


GIVES


DO


SOMERVILLE


FREE


NAL


FOUNDED 1842


1872.


A CITY


STRENG


ESTA


HED


H.LE


SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT


1908


MUNICIPAL


THIRD INAUGURAL ADDRESS


DELIVERED BY


MAYOR CHARLES A. GRIMMONS


MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1908.


Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :-


We meet this morning to inaugurate the thirty-seventh ad- ministration of our city government. Each succeeding year brings new conditions, fraught with added responsibilities, making each period harder of successful achievement than the preceding one. The year 1907 opened with the general busi- ness and financial conditions of our country in an apparent state of great prosperity, while to-day we are in a state of uncertainty, which calls for the extreme efforts of conservatism and economy in both private and public life.


We have taken upon ourselves solemn obligations and as- sumed the responsibilities entrusted to us by the people. The people ask of us that we give them in our official actions our best efforts, which "the Somerville idea" demands shall be un- selfish, non-partisan, and with an eye single to the best interests of the whole city.


I regret to say that the financial outlook is far from reassur- ing. Our expenses have been, and are, growing in excess of our receipts. Conditions existing in 1907 have been responsible for higher costs, which it was impossible to foresee. The in- terest on temporary loans was $10,319.31 more than in the pre- vious year. We received $8,000 less from the Elevated rail- road than in 1906. Every increase of salary was just and proper, and some salaries are yet below the normal standard of the city. Prices for hay and grain, as well as for all other supplies, have


4


ANNUAL REPORTS.


been abnormally high, but the city has bought only what was absolutely necessary. An additional expense this year will be the increase in the school teachers' salaries, which public senti- ment demanded, and which seemed just and reasonable.


On account of interest rates and market conditions, I refrain at this time from making many recommendations which would require the expenditure of money.


It is a matter for congratulation that the state has recently assumed the cost and interest charges paid on the Somerville armory, which have been an expense to the city for the past five years. It is expected that the additional mileage of the Boston Elevated railway, through Mystic avenue to the metropolitan parkway in Somerville, will be a source of additional income to the city. A small income may be expected from the sale of sand and gravel from the Waltham land, which has been unpro- ductive for many years. Still, these small sources of income will, I fear, be insufficient to care for the added demands which must be met. I therefore urge on you the most unselfish efforts to aid the executive in giving the city as economic an adminis- tration as is possible. It is to be hoped that the impending business readjustment will soon be accomplished, and that nor- mal conditions will prevail. This will somewhat lighten the bur- dens of this year.


Somerville has always been fortunate in having a low tax rate. In comparison with its rate of $17.40 last year, that of Malden was $18.00; Everett, $18.50; Cambridge, $18.80; Med- ford, $20.00; and Chelsea, $20.80. In view of the increased de- mands and of the unusual payments on the funded debt to be provided for, the city must expect to have a slightly increased tax rate for this year, at least, if not for the future.


The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1907, was $1,464,500. This debt was increased during the year $198,000. It was decreased $154,500, leaving the net funded debt January - 1, 1908, $1,508,000, a net increase of $43,500.


The total amount of taxable property is $61,627,200, of which $55,372,500 is real estate, and $6,254,700 is personal es- tate, including non-resident bank shares. At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 of valuation, the tax is $1,072,313.28. There are 20,793 polls at $2.00, making $41,586. We received from street watering, $29,036.05, and from the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths, $1,499.59, making the total tax levy $1,144,-


5


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


434.92. The total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, was 28,365.


Of the amount received in taxes, $167,500 is required for the debt provisions ; $187,213.28 are state and county taxes, metropolitan sewer assessments, etc., matters over which the city has no control; $374,000 is used for current expenses of departments, over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $343,600 is the amount for current expenses within control of the board of aldermen.


The same statement, based upon the $17.40 per thousand, is as follows : Of each $17.40, $3.04 is for state, county, and metropolitan taxes ; $2.72 for debt requirements ; $6.07 for cur- rent expenses over which the board of aldermen has no control ; $5.57 for current expenses within control of the board of alder- men.


In addition to the amount received from taxes, there was available last year the sum of (estimated) $224,672.11 on water income account; we received $27,409.58 from corpora- tion and bank taxes; from the clerk of the courts, $3,538; from the county treasurer, for dog licenses, $4,109.54; from the state, the street railway tax, $40,439.71; from the Boston Elevated Railway tax, $8,908.18; amount charged to the state, $3,357.13; and amount received from the state for rent of armory, $1,098; a total of $313,532.25, making the total amount available from taxes and other sources, $1,457,967.17.


It is a matter for congratulation that we close the year 1907 with a credit balance $3,715.26 on appropriations from the tax levy.


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1907, was as follows :-


Funded Debt, City Loan . .


$1,082,500 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 243,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 30,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan 86,000 00


Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-


ment Loan 23,000 00


$1,464,500 00


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen as follows ;-


6


!


ANNUAL REPORTS.


1


.


Electrical Department, Underground Construction


$3,000 00


Fire Department, Additional Apparatus . 5,500 00


Highways, Construction


20,500 00


Highways Construction, Clarendon Hill Ledge


8,500 00


Highways, Paved Gutters and Crossings,


10,000 00


Highways, Shade Trees


500 00


Public Buildings Construction :-


Addition to Benjamin G. Brown


School


20,000 00


Addition to Sanford Hanscom School . 15,000 00


Bath House


3,000 00


Heating Plant, Charles G. Pope School,


6,000 00


Incinerator


2,000 00


Vault, City Hall


2,000 00


Renewal of Funded Debt


10,000 00


Sewers, Construction .


60,000 00


Sidewalks, Construction


12,000 00


Soldiers' Monument


20,000 00


$198,000 00


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


Funded Debt, City Loan . $118,500 00


Funded Debt, Sewer Loan 13,000 00


Funded Debt, Paving Loan 5,000 00


Funded Debt, Water Loan


17,000 00


Funded Debt, Metropolitan Park Assess-


ment Loan


1,000 00


$154,500 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1908, $1,- 508,000 (an increase of $43,500 from the previous year), classi- fied as follows :-


City Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. . City Loan bonds bearing interest at 4


$314,000 00


788,000 00


per cent. · City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent. 72,000 00


City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 214,000 00


Amount carried forward .


$1,388,000 00


..


·


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward $1,388,000 00 City Loan Sewer bonds bearing interest at 41/2 per cent. 4,000 00 . City Loan Paving bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 25,000 00


Water Loan bonds bearing interest at 4 per cent. 69,000 00


Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan bonds bearing interest at 31/2 per cent.


22,000 00


Total Funded Debt January 1, 1908 . $1,508,000 00


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


Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of May 1, 1907, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property was $61,627,200, and the rate established was $17.40 on each $1,000 valuation, as fol- lows :-


Real estate, valuation · $55,372,500 00


Personal estate, valuation .


6,155,250 00


Non-resident bank shares . 99,450 00


Total valuation . $61,627,200 00 At a rate of $17.40 on each $1,000 valua-


tion


1,072,313 28


Polls, 20,793 at $2 . 41,586 00


Street watering


29,036 05


Suppression of gypsy and brown- tail moths


1,499 59


$1,144,434 92


Total amount of tax levy . Total number of persons assessed, resident and non-resident, 28,365.


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


Rates assessed on $1,000 valuation. Amount.


For current expenses within the control of the board of aldermen


$5 57


$343,600 00


Amounts carried forward ٥ $5 57


$343,600 00


8


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward $5 57 $343,600 00


Current expenses of depart- ments over which the board of aldermen has no control ·


6 07


374,000 00


Debt requirements .


2 72


167,500 00


State and county taxes, metropolitan sewer and


park assessments, na-


tional bank tax, and


Overlay account . 3 04


187,213 28


Total amount assesssd on a valu-


ation of $61,627,200 at . $17 40 $1,072,313 28


Poll taxes assessed, credited to state and county


41,586 00


Street watering


29,036 05


Suppression of gypsy and brown-tail


moth tax .


1,499 59


Total amount of the tax levy $1,144,434 92


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 .


725 00


City Clerk


5,500 00


City Engineer


11,500 00


City Messenger


2,000 00


City Solicitor


2,300 00


City Treasurer


9,700 00


Clerk of Committees and Departments


4,200 00


Contingent Fund


2,675 00


Election Expenses :-


City Clerk 1,650 00


Commissioner of Public Buildings


900 00


Pay of Election Officers


2,500 00


Registrars of Voters


1,550 00


Electrical Department


8,200 00


Executive Department


4,000 00


Fire Department


42,000 00


Inspection of Buildings


4,300 00


Military Aid


900 00


Police


46,000 00


Printing and Stationery


2,000 00


:


Amount carried forward .


$162,600 00


5


-


9


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward


$162,600 00


Public Buildings Maintenance :-


City Buildings


10,900 00


Fire Department


3,600 00


Janitors' Salaries


28,500 00


Schoolhouses


30,000 00


Public Grounds


10,700 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


1,300 00


Sidewalks Maintenance


1,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


22,000 00


Somerville Hospital


5,000 00


Street Lights


64,000 00


Suppression of Gypsy and Brown-tail


Moths .


.


4,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $61,627,200 at $5.57 $343,600 00


ACCOUNTS OVER WHICH THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN HAS NO CONTROL.


Health Department


$8,000 00


Health Department, Collection of Ashes and Offal 40,000 00


Health Department, Contagious Disease Hospital


1,000 00


Health Department, Medical Inspection in Public Schools . 1,500 00


Public Library


15,000 00


School Contingent 27,000 00


School Teachers' Salaries 265,000 00


Support of Poor, City Home 2,500 00


Support of Poor, Miscellaneous


14,000 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation of $61,627,200 at $6.07 . $374,000 00


ACCOUNTS PROVIDING FOR DEBT REQUIREMENTS. Interest $63,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt 104,500 00


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $61,627,200 at $2.72 $167,500 00


PROVIDING FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC. State Tax . $70,160 00


Deduct one-half of poll taxes, 20,793 00


$49,367 00


County Tax


$61,897 01


Deduct one-half of poll taxes,


20,793 00


41,104 01


Amount carried forward


$90,471 01


10


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward $90,471 01


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


37,575 77


Metropolitan Park Assessment .


28,140 91


National Bank Tax


1,730 43


Overlay and Abatement


21,688 77


Armory Tax


3,868 99


Wellington Bridge Tax


3,737 40


Total amount assessed on a valuation


of $61,627,200 at $3.04 . · $187,213 28


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


From the income of the water works :- -


Water Maintenance $25,000 00


Water Loan Interest 3,200 00


Water Works Extension


20,000 00


Sewers Maintenance


.


12,000 00


Fire Department


30,000 00


Reduction of Funded Debt, Water Loan Bonds


7,000 00


Metropolitan Water Assessment


106,334 61


Interest on Sewer Loan Bonds 9,137 50


Reduction of Funded Debt (estimated)


12,000 00


Total $224,672 11


From the income from the state and county :-


Police, the amount received from the state for corporation taxes .


$23,606 35


Amount charged to the state 3,357 13


Police, the amount received from the state for bank taxes 3,803 23


Police, the amount received from the clerk of the courts for fines, costs, etc. 3,538 00


Public Library, the amount received from the county for dog licenses 4,109 54


Highways Maintenance, from Boston Elevated Railway tax . 8,908 18


Highways Maintenance, from street rail- way tax .


40,439 71


School Teachers' Salaries, amount re- ceived from the state for rent of Armory 1,098 00


Total $88,860 14


Total from water income and from state and county


$313,532 25 -


11


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


The aggregate appropriations from taxy levy and from in- come were as follows :-


From tax levy


$1,144,434 92


From income


313,532 25


$1,457,967 17


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


1874


1,419,854


610,500


1875


1,571,854


152,000


.


$2 07


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


1880


1,585,000


55,739 35


2 72


66


1882


1,585,000


.


61,390 59


2 65


1884


1,585,000


67,719 33


2 78


66


1885


+1,525,000


71,305 66


2 87


66


1886


1,525,000


25,000


37,000 00


1 28


1889


952,500


130,000


38,000 00


[ 27


1890


1,057,500


150,000


45,000 00


1 38


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


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 00


3 30


1900


1,478,000


152,000


166,500 00


3 17


1901


1,461,000


146,000


163,000 00


3 02


1902


1,477,000


175,000


159,000 00


2 86


1903


1,505,500


197,500


169,000 00


2 96


1904


1,498,500


132,500


139,500 00


2 40


1905


1,510,000


148,000


136 500 00


2 30


66


1906


1,464,500


100,000


145,500 00


2 41


66


1907


.1,508,000


198,000


154,500 00


2 51


.


58,498 64


2 59


1883


1,585,000


64,479 01


2 70


1887


1,525,000


70,252 88


2 56


1888


1860,500


66,894 23


2 57


1876


1,606,854


45,000


*$55,130 62


1881


1,585,000


*$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


504,475 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


189'


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


1901


53,924,200


907,439 82


15 90


1902


55,558,300


964,535 80


16 40


1903


57,062,000


. 1,038,849 84


17 20


1904


58,137,900


. 1,059,292 56


17 20


1905


59,233,000


1,144,000 14


18 30


1906


60,371,500


1,114,023 62


17 40


1907


61,627,200


. 1,144,434 92


17 40


I recommend that the customary sum of $5,000 be appro- priated for the care of the sick poor in the Somerville hospital. This corporation and the board of overseers of the poor are the only bodies by which the public funds can be used for charitable work. You will permit me to again remind you of our many other charitable institutions, all doing a good work on broad and non-sectarian lines, which Somerville has always supported with public spirit and private charity. While we are in the midst of a state of financial depression, which always causes additional


13


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


demands in this line, I urge our people not to be lax in their good deeds, for this is a time when the cause is better, if pos- sible, and more necessity prevails for the alleviation of poverty and suffering.


The streets and sidewalks of the city have had the usual efficient efforts of the highway department, which has had an unusually busy year. Many granolithic sidewalks have been constructed in response to the public demand. In the judgment of the department, granolithic appears to be the ideal material for a sidewalk.


Thirteen thousand, eight hundred and fifty yards of perma- nent pavement have been laid on the more heavily-traveled streets. I recommend that further use of this material be made on Highland avenue this year, as far as our resources will per- mit. The plan of the department is to lay permanent pavement on the principal arteries of travel as fast as possible, thereby giving the best roads and minimizing the cost of maintenance.


Much progress has been made on the Broadway improve- ments, and, with the passing of a few more months of good weather, it is expected that this work will be completed. Then we shall have a local boulevard from the Boston line to the foot of Winter hill. Many of the poles on Broadway have already been removed, and the placing of wires under ground has been carried to the extent required by law.


It is expected that this year the Massachusetts highway commission will take Mystic avenue and construct it as a state highway. While this will be of material benefit to the towns beyond Somerville, it will relieve our city of a great cost of main- tenance, which has been a burden since the establishment of the town.


It is a cause for regret that the Lowell-street bridge matter has not yet been settled, owing to the delays due to court pro- ceedings brought by the railroad companies. The case is on the list for an early hearing in the supreme court, and it is hoped that it will be speedily determined. The city has made all rea- sonable efforts to settle the problem outside of the courts, but its propositions have been rejected by the railroad companies.


Considerable progress has been made during the past year toward the abolition of grade crossings on the line of the Fitch- burg division of the Boston & Maine railroad, running through the southwesterly portion of the city. Many hearings have


14


ANNUAL REPORTS.


been held before the special grade crossing commission ap- pointed by the court for this particular work. While the com- mission has not issued its final report on the subject, it has inti- mated what it will be, which, however, I regret to say, does not wholly meet with the views submitted by the city. Courtesy forbids a discussion of the subject before the issuance of this report, but when it is received it will be within the province of the administration to fully consider it, and, if not satisfactory, to present its wishes when the report is presented to the court for confirmation. This subject is one of such vital interest to the city that I ask that, when you consider it, you give it your clos- est study and best effort for the good of the whole city.


Early in last year the city acquired the so-called Clarendon- hill ledge. This desirable action is doubly beneficial to the city, inasmuch as it gives a new stone supply for highway purposes and has abated in a large degree a great menace to public safety. It is hoped that in the early future the city may acquire from the city of Cambridge, for a nominal consideration, if any, land in that locality which will furnish a dumping ground for many years to come.


The fire department equipment has been augmented by the purchase of another fire engine of the first class, which has been placed on Clarendon hill for the better protection of that rapidly- growing district. The small amount of fire losses in Somerville is a silent, though powerful, tribute to the efficiency and dis- cipline of our fire department. I recommend that a new chemi- cal be purchased to replace the old one at Clarendon hill, whichi is not as safe and reliable as is desired.


The executive's suggestion of last year in regard to exces- sive fire insurance rates has been followed up by presenting a petition and bill to the legislature, and he has appeared before the insurance committee several times. It is hoped that it will report a bill early in the year which will safeguard the rights of property holders and protect them from extortion. It is a fact, coincident or otherwise, that shortly after the introduction of the bill in the legislature, the added insurance rates which followed the San Francisco disaster were withdrawn and can- celed. I have urged on the committee the necessity of definite legislation, so that similar conditions may not again arise.


A four-room addition to the Hanscom school building on Webster street has been constructed, in order to relieve the con-


15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


ditions which existed in the schools of ward one. This addi- tion will accommodate 196 pupils. A four-room addition to the Brown school on Willow avenue has been constructed. This addition became necessary on account of the large increase of population in the Highland district. The increased space will greatly relieve the other school centres in the ward six and ward seven districts. The antiquated system of heating and ventilating the Pope school building by furnaces has been en- tirely removed, and a modern system of steam heating and fan ventilation installed. This improved system greatly adds to the comfort of the pupils and teachers.


The incinerating plant, the construction of which was begun in 1906, was finished last year, and it has been in operation a sufficient length of time to demonstrate its value and efficiency in every way.


A vault has been constructed in the basement of city hall, which will afford the additional space required for the storage of city documents.


In accordance with my recommendation of last year on the subject of building ordinances, a commission of experts was ap- pointed, and it has submitted a draft of building ordinances which, it is believed, will prove to be more in accordance with modern methods of building construction than the old ones, and will materially benefit the city.


By a recent act of the legislature, the installation of water meters is made compulsory, although sufficient time is given, so as not to render it a heavy burden on the city. The work will be commenced this year in ward one, and will be prosecuted until the whole city shall have been equipped. This course ap- pears to be the most equitable and just method of levying and collecting the water tax, as each piece of property thus pays for the actual amount of water that has been consumed.


Somerville maintains its distinguished reputation as the banner no-license city of the state. In the granting of sixtlı- class liquor licenses and of licenses for the transportation of liquors I urge your most careful attention to each and every applicant, in order that this business may be so restricted as to conform in the greatest degree to the public sentiment so strongly expressed at the polls. I pledge the best attention of the executive and of the police department in strictly enforcing the law. There was especial watchfulness last year, with the re-


16


ANNUAL REPORTS. i


sults that there were a great many less arrests for drunkenness and a marked reduction in the number of prosecutions for vio- lation of the liquor laws.


In response to public sentiment and demand, and in fulfil- ment of a long-deferred duty, the city government last year ap- propriated $20,000 for a soldiers' monument. After a full and broad competition by some of the best talent obtainable, a con- tract has been made, and the models are approaching comple- tion. I confidently expect that the result will be pleasing, and that it will be a worthy memorial to those men of Somerville who, on land and sea, served their country during the war of the Re- bellion. It is hoped that the cornerstone may be laid on Memo- rial day of this year, and in a manner befitting the cause which it commemorates. It is especially pleasing to know that many of the participants in that conflict will have lived to see this token of the people's appreciation of their efforts to perpetuate the integrity of the nation.




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