USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1918 > 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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
AL
STRENGT
SOMERVILLE
A CITY 1872
GIVES
1842
M
FREED
FOUNDET
IDINA
a
1
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS
1918
With Mayor's Inaugural Address. Delivered January 6, 1919
SOMERVILLE
FREE
N
MUNICIPAL
FOUNDED 1842
A CITY 1872
STRENGTH
42. ESTABLISHED
NGTH
SOMERVILLE, PRESS PRINT
1919
INAUGURAL ADDRESS DELIVERED BY Mayor Charles W. Eldridge MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1919
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :
Deep in our hearts tonight is an overwhelming sense of gratitude. As we undertake the duties of the City Govern- ment for another year, we are, first of all, grateful for peace. The world no longer shakes with the tempest of war, and in the victory nobly won, we, of Somerville, have done our part. Our boys are numbered with the bravest. They have demon- strated anew the lofty patriotism which has been always the pride of our city, and many have suffered and died to free us and the world from the curse of autocratic power. No monu- ment to be erected of material things can adequately express our sentiments toward them, but we shall endeavor by present honors and a lasting memorial to indicate our appreciation of their sacrifice and service.
We are grateful, too, for the philanthropic efforts of those who bravely served during the deadly epidemic which afflicted our city and which still menaces our safety, although we hope it may not again be so generally fatal. So great was the loss of life among the American people from influenza and its compli- cations, that it exceeded the American losses in the German war. During that period of distress and sorrow, the officials of the city were assisted by men and women who volunteered to visit the sick, to ease their suffering and make comfortable their homes. The Visiting Nursing Association responded nobly to the call, giving timely aid and doubtless saving many lives. Such service is beyond price.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
We are grateful for many things accomplished during the past year and we look forward with confidence to improved conditions in which all our people may share.
I feel that I express the sentiments of all our citizens in saying that we are saddened by the death today of a former President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. He was first of all a loyal American, able, aggressive and a true hearted patriot. By his death the nation suffers a great loss.
I want to extend my thanks to the members of the Board of Aldermen of 1918 and the heads of departments for their hearty cooperation, and I believe that the same full and free cooperation will prevail between the executive and legislative branches of 1919. I assure you that I shall cordially do my part. Working in harmony and in frequent conference, we shall be able to accomplish the best results for our city. A year ago in my inaugural address, I emphasized service, and real and valuable service has been rendered by all branches of the City Government. Each has been faithful in his place, and deserves due credit. I do not mean to infer that this service cannot be bettered. Patience, a broad mind and a kindly spirit in one who serves the public are as necessary as ability, and I urge all city employees to cultivate continually courteous words and deeds.
The war brought upon us many new activities which were carried through the past year with brilliant success. I take this opportunity publicly to commend the Committee on Pub- lic Safety, the Fuel Committee and the Committee on Food Conservation which have been continually on duty, and to the committees on the Liberty Loan and the other War Drives which have worked zealously and successfully. Somerville Branch of the Red Cross, the Special Aid Society and other organizations have accomplished splendid results in bringing aid and comfort to the soldiers and sailors and their families. Special honor is due to the women of Somerville who, with enthusiasm and earnestness, have bravely undertaken every duty and shouldered every burden by which they could assist in winning the war. The mothers, wives and sisters at home have made a record of gallant service, second only to that of
5
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
our boys in the battle line. Our two State Guard Companies have maintained highly commendable organizations and have unselfishly and effectively met every demand upon them.
Countless thousands of real Americans have done their part in this War; have given physically, mentally and finan- cially, to the limit of their ability, not for public acclamation but with that same deep sense of patriotism that prompted those who could, to bear arms. There are many who suffered intensely the disappointment of being unable to enter the fighting ranks, but they worked faithfully over here and in that way made possible the success over there. In many ways, theirs has been the harder task, but they have done their duty as they found it, and although the work may have seemed small in comparison with that of the men abroad, yet they have done that duty faithfully and are worthy of sharing with the returning warriors the honors of victory.
With the closing of the war, a new era dawns. Our citizenship of every race and creed has been closely welded by common danger and common sacrifice. The term, "hyphen- ated citizen," has disappeared. We are all Americans today. That this great gain may not be lessened, we must unitedly strive to carry on the work of Americanization. Men and women, boys and girls from foreign countries who may come to our city must be heartily received and thoroughly educated. They are eager to learn; they want to be patriots, and we must not neglect to consider their interests as well as our own.
Under the direction of the Playgrounds and Recreation Commission, Somerville has a social worker who is devoting all her time to civic betterment. One distinct social center is in operation and beginnings have been made elsewhere. An important phase of this work is Americanization, and progress is being made by the commission along this and other lines of municipal activity.
Just how we shall emerge from the reconstruction period following the war we cannot say with certainty, but it ap- pears that during the coming year, we shall still be hampered
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
by severe financial conditions. It is always essential that a municipality shall be economical ; it is most essential now.
For the first time in many years and perhaps for the first time in the history of the city, Somerville, in 1918, rigidly adhered to the "pay-as-you-go" policy. No bonds were issued during that year. The funded debt was reduced by the pay- ment of $251,500.00, and no new debt was incurred. On De- cember 31, 1917, the borrowing capacity of the city was $242,121.85, and on December 31, 1918, it was $546,198.63. On the first day of the new year maturities amounting to $35,- 000.00 were paid, and our borrowing capacity at this moment is $581,198.63.
This desirable situation is further improved by a reduction of interest charge and less maturities to meet during this year, and a continuation of this policy will yield rapidly increasing .benefits. I shall not endeavor to explain the complicated prob- lems of municipal finance, but it must be clear to all, that, if money is borrowed every year for a five-year period, at the end of the fifth year the city is paying in maturities an amount equal to the appropriation of a single year and, in addition, is paying interest on the five-year accumulation. This is an extravagant and wasteful policy. An act of the Legislature stipulates that money for macadam pavements and new side- walks cannot be borrowed for a longer period than five years. For the construction of new streets and permanent pavements a term of ten years is allowed. I do not mean to recommend that improvements which will last for many years should be paid out of the tax rate. It is proper that future generations should pay a part of the cost of the privileges they will enjoy, but such work as was formerly financed by short term bonds ought surely to be paid for without recourse to the funded debt. I believe that citizens of Somerville will appreciate this policy more and more as its practical results are shown, and I unhesitatingly recommend that your board exercise the greatest caution in increasing the funded debt and eliminate altogether the short term bond.
By economy and care, we were able to close the fiscal year with a balance on hand greater than a year ago. A
7
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
statement prepared by the auditor of the financial conditions is included as a part of this address, and appears at its con- clusion.
Although during the past year only such street construc- tion was undertaken as was absolutely necessary, the city has endeavored to carry out systematic repairing and as a consequence many of our highways are notably improved. Highways when once constructed should be kept in repair, not allowed to go so long without attention that reconstruction is necessary.
It is a satisfaction to our citizens, I am sure, that military drill has been added to the course of the High School. I recommended its establishment in my address of last year, and while the drill has not progressed to the point of efficiency and value which I am confident it will reach, it has already been of great benefit to the pupils of the school, teaching prompt obedience as well as military movements, and develop- ing physical strength.
With the opening of the Southern Building on Vinal Avenue, the fourth unit of the Junior High School system is in operation. More room is required already, but the almost prohibitive cost of building makes it seem wise to postpone construction of additions, if educational efficiency can be main- tained for a time in the present quarters. The Boys' Voca- tional School has been enlarged by an automobile depart- ment, and I am heartily in favor of this and all forms of industrial education.
Somerville has many needs and I recognize their im- portance, but until money rates become normal, I hesitate to make suggestions involving large appropriations. Last year I called attention to the need of a combination police and fire station on land owned by the city at Broadway and Cedar street, and I am still of the opinion that its erection should be undertaken as soon as conditions permit.
The future contains one large undertaking which we all advocate. I refer to a suitable memorial to the men from Somerville, who served in the army and navy of the United States in the German War. We have not determined the
S
ANNUAL REPORTS.
form in which our gratitude can best be expressed, but 1 believe it should combine beauty and utility. A municipal memorial building, a City Hall containing the entire roll of honor, the names of the illustrious dead, the wounded, the record of every man whether his service was on this or the other side of the ocean, would be a monument appropriate, dignified, beautiful and useful. Such a building cannot be economically constructed while present high prices prevail, but we must keep continually in mind the duty of preserving for future generations the memory of the patriotism, the glorious deeds and the willing sacrifice of the sons of Somerville in this last and greatest of wars.
In this war, the great objective on our part was not peace. but the victory of right over wrong. The problems of peace may be even more difficult than were those of war, and that there must be a tremendous readjustment in this country is evident to every one of us. Labor conditions and the cost of living have been abnormal. Industry has been entirely disrupted to meet the needs of the fighting forces. Millions of soldiers and sailors will lay down their arms prepared to take up again their old tasks, and those who have been carrying on their work must be provided with new means of employment. The whole structure of our business world is changing. We have learned the value of discipline and self-sacrifice, and we must adjust ourselves to new conditions. The men from over there are going to be of great help in solving our difficulties. They will not be the same boys who went away. We will find them greatly changed. A new spirit has been born out of the conflict. The heroism of those who have died lives in their comrades. They have faced death and worse than death, with no fear in their hearts. Their vision of the right will be clear and sure, and they will insist that the fruits of their victory for the right shall not perish.
Listen to these words from a letter of one of our boys to his mother: "God helping me, I will commit no sin that by His help I can avoid. Do not worry about me morally or physically. If I should meet death, I will die like a man for the most sacred cause our country or any other country has
9
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
ever called upon mothers to give their sons to, but I am certain that I am coming back, and coming back a man." Read the words of Marshal Foch in expressing appreciation of the distribution of Bibles among the soldiers: "Certainly the best preparation that you can give to an American soldier go- ing into battle, is the Bible." The spirit of righteousness has grown in these men from the youngest private to the supreme commander of the grandest fighting forces in the whole history of the world, and in the hands of such men we may trust our future with a sure knowledge that right will prevail.
Though many have given their lives in this war, most of our boys will soon be back. Some there will be who will bear through life the marks of the Valley of the Shadow of Death through which they passed. Many are coming back with disa- bilities that will prevent them from ever again taking up the tasks they laid down, and one of the greatest works immedi- ately before us is the fitting of these men for the new life upon which they will enter. We are informed from Washing. ton, that there are today close to 185,000 men in the 300 hos- pitals overseas, and it is estimated that one in three, or approximately 60,000, will require re-education. The Federal Board for Vocational Education is to carry on this work, but will require assistance, and we must stand ready to give assistance in every way possible. They are our boys and we want them back, every one of them; whole and strong, or broken and weak, we want them. Those broken of body our love will be the stronger to help. We must give them every aid in taking up the new battle that lies ahead. It will be a hard struggle, but they are men of proved courage; they have won their fight over there, and they will take up anew the battle of life and win.
As our men return, they will bring with them a stronger self reliance, a new sense of friendship, a better appreciation of the finer qualities of heart and soul, and they will look to us to respond in kind. We shall never forget those who gave their lives for Liberty, and we shall joyfully welcome the returning ones and give all honor to them.
The executive committee appointed to make arrangements is busily engaged in preliminary work for a public welcome,
1
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
but every citizen is a member of the reception committee. Let us make that welcome an expression, as far as it may be pos- sible, of Somerville's pride and joy in the return of her sons, so that they may feel they are, indeed, home at last with those who love them.
"What shall we give them as they come? * * * *
Our soldier boys, come home ?
"They who died for freedom still shall live In every heart that loved them, young and fair! But these, the living, wounded over there- To these what may we give?
"Not gifts-such gifts as men give to the weak- But Work that lifts the spirit, flicks the will, Awakes to vital thought, to hopes that thrill- Such work as whole men seek !
"Not pity-never that !- nor coward tears, But re-creating friendship, healing, gay, And gratitude not. only for today But through the coming years !"
11 ·
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
TAXES
The total amount of taxable property as of April 1, 1918, not including non-resident bank shares, was $84,639,280. The tax was fixed at $23.20 per $1,000 valuation.
State Tax $ 175,560.00
State Highway Tax 1,310.01
Non-Resident Bank Tax
2,863.34
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment. 80,430.29
Metropolitan Park Assessment 43,457.01
Wellington Bridge Assessment 1,529.28
Wellington Bridge Assessment (Special) 1,644.50
Grade Crossings Assessment. 12,354.20
Charles River Basin Assessment 7,457.52
Alewife Brook Assessment
1,197.94
Abatement of Smoke Assessment.
307.55
Fire Prevention Assessment.
975.33
County Tax
87,003.63
City Appropriations
2,232,435.60
Overlay
30,735.96
Total amount raised $2,679,262.16
Less Estimated Revenue. $559,780.00
Appropriated from Excess
and Deficiency 30,000.00
State Income Tax Receipts.
74,405.52
664,185.52
Net amount assessed in taxes. $2,015,076.64
Special Assessments: -
Street Sprinkling $ 36,982.10
Moths
1,096.75 38,078.85
Total amount committed $2,053,155.49
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Appropriations, classified under general headings, were made from revenue, as follows :-
General Government
$ 99,780.00
Protection of Persons and Property.
306,900.00
Health and Sanitation
216,030.00
Highways
185,160.00
Charities
81,800.00
Soldiers' Benefits
84,500.00
Education
593,271.00
Libraries
46,470.00
Recreation
21,820.00
Unclassified
41,450.00
Municipal Indebtedness
360,029.60
Water Works
195,225.00
$2,232,435.60
Less estimated Receipts, State Income
Tax and transfer from Excess and De-
ficiency
664,185.52
Raised by taxation for city purposes. $1,568,250.08
13
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for reference :--
Tax Rate per $1,000 Reduction Valuation
Year.
Amount of Funded Debt.
Increase of Funded Debt.
of on Account Funded of Reduc- Debt.
tion of Funded Debt.
Town
$ 593,349 00
Dec. 31, 1872
643,354 00
$ 50,005 00
66
1873
809,354 00
166,000 00
66
1874
1,419,854 00
610,500 00
1875
1,571,854 00
152,000 00
66
1876
1,606,854 00
45,000 00
*$55,130 62
$2 07
1877
1,606,854 00
10,000 00
*58,828 58
2 30
66
1879
1,585,000 00
64,915 76
: 42
66
1880
1,585,000 00
55,739 35
: 72
66
1881
1,585,000 00
58,498 64
: 59
1882
1,585,000 00
61,390 59
: 65 2
66
1883
1,585,000 00
64,479 01
2
: 70
66
1884
1,585,000 00
67,719 33
: 78
66
1885
₸1,525,000 00
71,305 66
2 87
1886
1,525,000 00
66,894 23
2 57
66
1887
1,525,000 00
70,252 88
2 56
66
1888
*860,500 00
130,000 00
38,000 00
1 27
66
1890
1,057,500 00
150,000 00
45,000 00
1 38
66
1892
1,194,500 00
253,000 00
104,000 00
2 73
66
1893
1,279,500 00
222,000 00
137,000 00
: 27
66
1894
1,344,500 00
172,000 00
107,000 00
: 42
66
1896
1,531,000 00
177,000 00
152,500 00
11
66
1897
1,548,000 00
167,000 00
150,000 00
: 39
66
1898
1,552,000 00
176,000 00
172,000 00
: 99
66
1899
1,492,500 00
110,000 00
169,500 00
3 30
66
1902
1,447,000 00
175,000 00
159,000 00
2 86
66
1903
1,505,500 00
197,500 00
169,000 00
2 96
66
1904
1,498,500 00
132,500 00
139,500 00
2 40
66
1905
1,510,000 00
148,000 00
136,500 00
2 30
66
1906
1,464,500 00
100,000 00
145,500 00
2 41
66
1907
1,508,000 00
198,000 00
154,500 00
2 51
66
1908
1,466,500 00
110,000 00
151,500 00
06
1
1909
1,503,000 00
190,000 00
153,500 00
42
66
1911
1,519,000 00
188,000 00
169,000 00
2 41
66
1912
1,674,000 00
332,000 00
177,000 00
54
66
1913
1,674,000 00
222,000 00
222,000 00
2 92
66
1915
1,650,500 00
240,000 00
205,500 00
57
66
1916
1,729,000 00
291,000 00
212,500 00
2 60
66
1917
1,757,500 00
261,000 00
232,500 00
2 95
60
1918
1,506,000 00
..
251,500 00
2 97
*
$10,000 applied to payment of bonds; balance to sinking funds.
+ Sinking fund applied.
25,000 00
37,000 00
1 28
1891
1,045,500 00
45,000 00
57,000 00
. 55
1895
1,506,500 00
247,000 00
85,000 00
. 83
1900
1,478,000 00
152,000 00
166,500 00
: 17
1901
1,461,000 00
146,000 00
163,000 00
3 02
1910
1,500,000 00
160,000 00
163,000 00
2 26
1914
1,616,000 00
145,000 00
203,000 00
2 63
1889
952,500 00
61,004 64
2 91
1878
1,596,854 00
..
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Year.
Valuation.
Tax Levy.
Rate.
1872
$22,755,325 00
$274,374 45
$13 00
1873
29,643,100 00
389,214 48
12 80
1874
30,837,700 00
473,235 50
15 00
1875
31,317,000 00
518,161 40
16 20
1876
26,573,400 00
504,475 24
18 60
1877
25,479,400 00
471,789 14
18 10
1878
20,976,900 00
409,497 10
19 00
1879
18,950,100 00
352,553 80
18 (
1880
20,458,100 00
402,927 71
19 10
1881
22,569,100 00
452,945 45
19 50
1882
23,162,200 00
425,721 16
17 80
1883
23,812,900 00
411,645 43
16 70
1884
24,331,100 00
418,750 26
16
1885
24,878,400 00
428,605 44
16 60
1886
26,003,200 00
416,987 28
15 40
1887
27,471,800 00
424,309 14
14 80
1888
28,765,400 00
421,458 60
14 00
1889
30,004,600 00
440,324 40
14 00
1890
32,557,500 00
447,704 00
14 00
1891
36,843,400 00
539,137 10
14 00
1892
38,093,100 00
596,357 50
15 00
1893
41,873,600 00
675,886 80
15 50
. 1894
44,142,900 00
721,165 54
15 70
1895
46,506,300 00
745,609 02
15 40
1896
49,070,800 00
786,412 32
15 40
1897
50,231,000 00
913,574 42
17 30
1898
50,739,700 00
954,187 11
17 90
1899
51,262,400 00
882,580 96
16 30
1900
52,578,200 00
889,916 08
16 00
1901
53,924,200 00
907,439 82
15 90
1902
55,558,300 00
964,535 80
16 40
1903
57,062,000 00
1,038,849 84
17 20
1904
58,137,900 00
1,059,292 56
17 20
1905
59,233,000 00
1,144,000 14
18 30
1906
60,371,500 00
1,114,023 62
17 40
1907
61,627,200 00
1,144,434 92
17 40
1908
63,158,400 00
1,237,694 72
18 40
1909
63,658,953 20
1,260,144 32
18 60
1910
66,376,338 70
1,306,888 71
18 50
1911
67,284,066 00
1,366,240 92
19 10
1912
69,632,540 00
1,390,824 93
18 80
1913
71,906,464 00
1,505,706 98
19 80
1914
74,946,894 00
1,665,289 46
21 10
1915
77,217,399 00
1,764,448 81
21 70
1916
79,304,329 00
1,785,540 99
21 40
1917
78,854,900 00
1,790,355 60
22 00
1918
84,639,280 00
2,015,783 68
23 20
REPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR.
OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR, January 23, 1919.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :- In accordance with the requirements of Sec- tion 3 of Ordinance Number 44, I herewith submit a report of the expenditures and receipts during the year 1918, showing in detail the appropriations and expenditures, and the re- ceipts from each source of income, also a. statement of the funded debt and temporary loans together with a balance sheet showing the assets and liabilities at the close of the financial vear.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD E. WEMYSS, City Auditor.
16
BALANCE SHEET, DECEMBER 31, 1918.
Revenue Account.
ASSETS.
LIABILITIES.
Cash :-
In Banks and Offices ·
$214,520 02
Temporary Loans .
$609,000 00
Advance to Poor Department 4,101 00
Sale of Land, Winter Hill
500 00
$218,621 02
Unexpended 'Balances :- Appropriations ·
5,269 50
Income of Trust Funds
2,300 54
Taxes, 1918
$365,013 39
Taxes, 1917
2,734 33
Revenue from Taxes, Supplementary Warrants
2,214 18
Taxes, 1916
1,416 92
Excise Tax ·
12 67
Revenue Reserved when Collected :- Departmental Bills Receivible .
14,683 24
Special Assessments, 1918
17,056 06
Overlay, Reserved for Abatements :-
Special Assessments, 1917
4,069 58
Levy of 1918 . $22,006 30
Special Assessments, 1916
50
Levy of 1917
2,734 33
Departmental Bills Receivable
14,683 24
Levy of 1916 .
1,416 92
Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts Soldiers' Benefits,
26,157 55
1918
80,261 53
Tellers' Overs and Shorts . .
10 28
Water Department Accounts, 1918
27,560 51
Excess and Deficiency
73,027 18
Real Estate Liens . Grade Crossings
1,219 53
427 30
Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts :
Income Tax, Balance due
5,777 52
$738,854 10
$738,854 10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Tailings .
.
.
.
.
Reserve Fund, Surplus from Overlays
5,564 52
$512,808 73
.
.
.
127 11
Accounts Receivable : ---
BALANCE SHEET .- Continuéd. Non-Revenue Accounts.
Cash in Banks and Offices Accounts Receivable : - Extreme Emergency
203 09
Outlay Bills Receivable :- Pledged to Appropriations : 203 09
$25,679 23
$25,679 23
Municipal Indebtedness.
$1,506,000 00 Loans within Statutory Debt Limit :-- City Bonds $490,000 00
Municipal Bonds 39,000 00
Sewer Bonds
259,000 00
Highway Bonds 327,000 00
Bridge Bonds 31,000 00
Public Building Bonds 302,000 00 .
Emergency Loan Bonds .
20,000 00
$1,468,000 00
Loans Outside Statutory Debt Limit :- Sewer Bonds .
$21,000 00
Metropolitan Park Assess- ment Bonds 11,000 00
Water Bonds .
6,000 00
38,000 00
$1,506,000 00
Investments :- Cash and Securities
Trust Funds.
Trust Funds :-:
$26,517 42 .
School Funds ·
$5,000 00
Library Funds 20,414 58 ·
Poor Department Funds 1,102 84
17
$26,517 43
$26,517 42
.
$25,476 14
Unexpended Balances : - Appropriations
$25,476 14 .
Net Bonded Debt
'e
"
CITY AUDITOR.
$1,506,000 00
IS
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CASH STATEMENT, DECEMBER 31, 1918,
REVENUE.
Receipts.
General :-
Taxes .
$1,993,663 69
Corporation, Railway and Bank Taxes
166,993 02
Licenses
3,265 00
Permits
1,542 50
Fines and Forfeits .
3,876. 11
County, Dog Licenses
2,168 85
State, Vocational Schools
8,181 67
Grade Crossings
36,800 00
Excise Tax
233 03
Miscellaneous.
2,839 29
$2,219,563 18
Special Assessments
61,255 11
Departmental :-
General Government
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.