USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1931 > Part 1
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A
STRENGTH
A CITY 1872
E
GIVES
MER
184
FOT
ED
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL REPORTS 1931
IVES
SOMERVILLE
ATI
FREE
NAL
FOUNDED 1842
1872
MUNICIPAL
A CITY STRENGTH
1842 ESTABLISHED A
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SOMERVILLE PRINTING CO., INC.
1932
:548
HON. JOHN J. MURPHY Mayor of Somerville
INAUGURAL ADDRESS HON. JOHN J. MURPHY Mayor of Somerville JANUARY 4, 1932
January 4, 1932.
To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen
Members of the School Committee
Fellow Citizens
GENTLEMEN :
It is a great honor for any man to serve as Mayor of Somer- ville, but it is a distinct honor to be re-elected for a second term because it means that the first term has met with the approba- tion of the voters.
I assure my fellow citizens that I deeply appreciate their confidence in me. I renew my promise made two years ago to serve all of the people to the best of my ability.
In my first inaugural address, I outlined a comprehensive program of modernization of our municipal activities. I am privileged to report that practically all of this program has been undertaken and either completed, or are in the process of completion.
Let us review in part the accomplishments of the past two years.
SCHOOLS
The old wooden structure known as the Cummings School has been torn down and on its site is being erected the first fire- proof elementary school to be built in Somerville. This new building will contain a kindergarten of the most modern type.
In further carrying out the program of eliminating all wooden school structures, all except two rooms in the Lincoln
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ANNUAL REPORTS
School have been abandoned, and plans are now under con- sideration which will permit the transfer of these pupils to other schools.
The Lincoln School will be converted into a Branch Library for the people of the Teele Square District.
This will mark the passing of the last wooden school house in Somerville.
STREETS
Many of our streets and public squares have been improved with permanent paving surfaces.
Among the streets and squares improved were Beacon, Elm, Springfield, Newton, Washington Street from Union Square to the railroad bridge, Bow Street from Union Square to Walnut Street, Powder House Boulevard, Ball Square, Magoun Square, and last, but not least, the rapidly developing business section at Davis Square.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The personnel of the Police Department has been increased by the addition of thirty men.
A traffic squad has been organized and a traffic officer as- signed to the schools to instruct children in the rules of safety. A system of traffic signal lights has been installed at many dangerous intersections.
A system of accident investigation has been devised.
A study of accident locations has been made in connection with a traffic expert from the Office of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles so as to prevent, if possible, any further accidents, in the particular location where an accident has occurred.
Somerville's system of handling traffic, and its system of investigation and accident prevention has been adopted by many other municipalities.
The city has been kept free from lawlessness and criminals who have violated the law have been pursued and brought to justice. Somerville still maintains its record of being the only city of more than 100,000 people never having a murder left unsolved.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
A model ambulance has replaced the old police auto patrol for carrying the sick and injured to the hospital.
The departmental equipment was so obsolete that it was useless in combating modern criminal methods and therefore it was necessary to provide new equipment which included riot guns, tear gas bombs, gas-masks, new fireams, new hand-cuffs and other essential equipment. New automobiles and motor- cycles have also been provided.
House duty, which was the cause of a great deal of dis- satisfaction has been abolished.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The personnel of the fire department has been increased by the addition of twenty-three men made necessary in order to provide proper protection for the people of Somerville.
All fire boxes have been equipped with a telephone call system so as to permit direct communication with fire head- quarters. It was found that the department was inadequately equipped and this made it necessary to provide new equipment such as gas-masks, wheat lights, spanner belts, leather helmets instead of paper helmets, life nets, deck guns and rubber covers to protect merchandise.
The defective pulmotor was replaced with an inhalator which has been instrumental in saving a number of lives.
Thousands of feet of worn out hose have been replaced.
There was no equipment in the department for the ex- tinguishing of oil and gasoline fires, although there is a great quantity of these petroleum products stored in this city. Therefore foamite equipment was purchased so as to be able to extinguish fires of this nature.
Most of the department apparatus has been provided with pneumatic tires in place of the old solid tires. This makes driving safer and also effects considerable saving in the main- tenance of equipment, in some cases as much as 35%.
It is the duty of the Fire Department to prevent fires as well as extinguish them, therefore a Fire Prevention Bureau has been organized and has proven very effective.
Members of the department have been authorized to attend the fire college in Boston in order to acquire a more thorough knowledge of fire fighting.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Alterations and needed improvements have been made in several of the fire stations. A Drill Master was appointed to instruct the members of the fire department in the use of equip- ment and to keep them informed as to modern fire fighting methods. Firemen from the various fire stations were also de- tailed for traffic duty at all school houses for the protection of our school children.
EDUCATION
Junior High Schools
After a study of the situation, it was decided that the chief cause of dissatisfaction with the Junior High School system was the fact that school facilities were entirely inadequate to produce the maximum results.
Therefore, additions and alterations were made to the Western Junior and Southern Junior High Schools involving the expenditure of nearly $1,000,000. These new additions con- tain every modern facility and convenience, and in the opinion of the Superintendent of Schools, will take care of the city's requirements for the next twenty years. Each room contains a radio receiver and both schools have been provided with moving picture machines in order to take advantage of the rapidly in- creasing use of radio and moving pictures in education.
While the old system of nine grammar grades and four High School grades still has many adherents, it was found that the present system of six grammar school grades, three Junior High School and three Senior High School grades could not be very well abandoned because of the fact that the city had in- vested a vast sum of money in buildings and equipment especi- ally adapted for Junior High School work, therefore, rather than discard this system, it was believed to be better policy to improve the so-called Junior High School system by completing necessary projects and making necessary changes in its ad- ministration. This has been done, and now Somerville can boast of a Junior High School System second to none.
A summer school under the supervision of the city has been established in place of the old summer school which was conducted under private auspices. Here delinquent pupils, or those who wish to review subjects in which they were deficient may do so.
The summer schools now include both primary and high school classes.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
HEALTH
Many needed and important health projects have been undertaken, three of which are outstanding and worthy of mention.
First : A system of Dental Clinics under a supervisor has been established to care for the teeth of children up to the third grade. There are now six Dental Clinics and a Surgical Dental Clinic.
The Somerville system is regarded as a model of its kind. It has been commended by the State Department of Public Health, and has been copied by other municipalities.
Second : In the Spring of 1930, I requested the Somerville Medical Society to endorce a campaign of immunization against diphtheria by the use of toxin-anti-toxin. I pointed out that from 1929 to 1931, one hundred and five (105) persons had died from diphtheria, an average of twelve (12) persons per year. The endorsement was not forthcoming and in 1930, twenty- eight (28) persons died from diphtheria giving Somerville the worst record in the United States and causing considerable criticism throughout the country. However, in the fall of 1931, the Board of Health instituted the use of toxin-anti-toxin in our schools, and thousands of children have been immunized.
I am confident that as a result of this step, in a reasonable time, diphtheria will disappear from this community.
Third: Another important health measure was the intro- duction of the Chadwick clinics whereby several thousand chil- dren were examined for possible tubercular condition. About 450 children have been under observation and been weighed monthly and are showing satisfactory signs of progress.
The Tubercular Camp was re-opened to give the best possi- ble care to Somerville citizens afflicted with tuberculosis while waiting for admittance to State and County Hospitals which often required months of waiting because of overcrowded condi- tions.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND RECREATION
During the past two years improvements have been made in the various parks in the City. Special attention has been given to Foss Park. The pond has been provided with a con- crete base and the edgestones have been reset. A new illumin- ated fountain has been installed which has served to make the
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ANNUAL REPORTS
park beautiful and attractive. Running water has been in- stalled as well as new drains. This greatly improved the sani- tary conditions. Thousands of children up to the age of 12 years enjoy bathing in the pond daily during the summer.
It was found that the playgrounds of the city were sadly neglected and entirely inadequate.
A start was made in correcting this condition. The play- grounds have been improved generally, and in particular the Glen and the Joy Street playgrounds. The name of the latter playground was changed to O'Callahan Playground in memory of a young man who formerly played there, and who died in the service during the World War.
The Recreation system was placed on an all-year round basis for the first time in charge of a Director.
The appropriation for this purpose was considerably in- creased. The wisdom of this action was evidenced in the fact that more than 10,000 children attended the playgrounds daily in the summer under the care of trained instructors, thus re- lieving the parents of a great deal of care and worry.
The high school gymnasium was made available during the evening for men and women who work during the day, and the schools were made available for use in connection with the Recreation system. The large attendance and great interest in recreational centres has fully justified the expenditure of money for this purpose.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
One of the most essential needs of Somerville was an equit- able and scientific method of assessing real estate, whereby each taxpayer would be obliged to pay only his fair share of the tax burden. A splendid start has been made toward the adoption of such a system.
For the past two years the assessing department has co- operated with Professor Charles M. Spofford of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, a recognized expert in this field, and his associate, Kenneth C. Newhall, who is directly in charge of preparing the necessary maps, charts, data and computa- tions.
Although this system has not yet been installed, and prob- ably will not be for a year or more, yet it has already proven its worth to the city.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
As a result of the investigation made in connection with this new system, we discovered more than 13 acres of land valued at close to $100,000 which had never been assessed dur- ing the history of the city, and thus escaped taxation.
Other results have been obtained which have been beneficial to the city.
When this system is installed, it will embody all the best ideas of other systems and will correct the inequalities that may exist under the present method of assessing.
Every taxpayer will be able to go to City Hall and compare his taxes with those of his neighbor.
WELFARE
Probably the most difficult problem with which I was con- fronted was the welfare problem. Because of the unprecedented business depression, and the large number of unemployed, the problem was one requiring a great deal of time and a large expenditure of money.
In my last inaugural, I promised to open an Employment Bureau to assist in finding work for our citizens. The Employ- ment Bureau was established, and a large number of men and women were placed in either temporary or permanent posi- tions. However, it was impossible to find work for all those who applied and the city was obliged to care for many cases.
A plan was formulated, whereby a worthy citizen might work for the city. This plan permitted our less fortunate citizens to retain their self-respect and in turn the city received some return for the money expended.
Perhaps its greatest value however, was in the fact that in keeping the unemployed busy, it prevented them from not only becoming indolent, but from becoming discouraged. Every applicant was investigated thoroughly so as to prevent fraud, and every effort was made to protect the taxpayer.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
Many other needed improvements have been made in de- partmental activities, too numerous to mention, chief of these being the return to the city of the collection of ashes at a saving of more than $30,000 annually ; the cancellation of the contract of street sprinkling by electric street cars and the purchase of
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ANNUAL REPORTS
an automobile street sprinkler for this work covering the whole city instead of being confined to the streets having car tracks. Automatic sand-spreaders were purchased to sand the streets during icy and stormy weather. Other similar improvements of this nature were made.
Truly it can be said that the first Democratic Administra- tion has made an honest and successful effort to fulfill its promises to modernize Somerville.
We now approach the problems of today with the same courage and confidence that led us to undertake this record of achievement. The citizens have endorsed our effort and have thus given us renewed hope in our attempt to continue to render service to our fellow men.
Let us now consider some of the problems that confront us.
WELFARE
The welfare problem remains with us, more aggravated than ever before.
I have appointed a committee to make a study of other Welfare Systems as well as our own, with the hope that our welfare expenditures may be lessened as much as possible.
However, it is for those of us who are more fortunate to assist those who are less fortunate, and to this end no worthy citizen will go unaided regardless of what the tax rate might be.
HEALTH
Despite the health measures adopted during the past two years, Somerville is woefully behind other cities in the matter of health protection. Complete reorganization of our health activities is mandatory. There are more than 40 employees of the health department who work independently of one another and are not responsible to any particular person in that depart- ment.
There is no definite health program for the city, and no person designated to follow the advances made in this direc- tion. Therefore, it is obvious that the activities of the health department should be under the control, direction and super- vision of a health officer.
Outstanding among the needed health measures are:
(a) Reorganization of the school nursing system.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
At the present time each nurse is responsible for approxim- ately 6200 pupils, whereas the accepted standard is that no nurse should be responsible for more than 1500 children.
(b) Three or four tuberculosis clinics should be established to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this dreaded affliction.
(c) A system of infant welfare clinics should be instituted for the protection of the health of infants.
The health nurses should be placed under a competent supervisor.
The system of inspection by school doctors has not been changed since 1907, and only one doctor makes the visits to the school as required by law. This condition can no longer be tolerated, and the system of inspection by school doctors must be reorganized.
I have requested the Board of Health to give these matters immediate consideration, and to make necessary recommenda- tions.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Although all of the present fire stations were built for horse-drawn apparatus and no new fire stations have been erected since 1898 (in fact one was abolished during a recent administration), it is obvious that under existing conditions we must struggle along without any new fire station in the immediate future.
However, every fire department must have a sufficient number of trained men, a good water supply, and adequate apparatus.
We have the men and the water supply, but we are deficient in apparatus. For two years the Fire Chief has urged the pur- chase of additional apparatus. In the interest of economy, I have not approved his request. However, the time has come when I can no longer shoulder the responsibility of not honor- ing the Fire Chief's request.
The seriousness of the situation was brought forcibly to mind last year when two pieces of fire apparatus were crippled and we were obliged to borrow two pieces of apparatus from Boston because we had no reserve apparatus.
This condition should not be allowed to continue. Our homes and industries should be given every protection against
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ANNUAL REPORTS
conflagration and I shall recommend an appropriation for necessary apparatus.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The present year should witness the completion of a new police station. the money for which has been appropriated. It will contain every modern improvement and will be the first police station including a radio broadcasting station as an integral part of its design. Somerville has also the distinction of being the first city in New England to be granted a broad- casting license by the Federal Radio Commission.
It is my belief that the increased use of radio will bring about a reduction in the number of police officers required in the future, and thus effect a great saving for cities adopting the radio.
BATHING BEACH
The rapid development of the Ten Hills District, and the tremendous popularity of the Bathing Beach on the Mystic River have so changed the character of that neighborhood, that the rendering plant has become an aggravated nuisance. It ad- joins the Bathing Beach, is located directly opposite the new Grimmons School, and is only a short distance from the new St. Polycarp's Roman Catholic Church.
Although the owners of the rendering plant have attempted to abate the nuisance, they have not been successful, and the water and the bathing beach continue to be polluted, while the children in the school, as well as the people in the neighborhood are obliged to withstand offensive odors.
During my first administration, by abating a betterment assessment on the Walker brothers' estate and by agreement with the Metropolitan District Commission, it was made possi- ble for the people of Somerville to enjoy the privileges of the bathing beach for all time. Prior to this, the people were allowed the use of it by suffrage, as the City had no legal title to the beach property.
I propose to make a determined effort to remove the nuis- ance of the rendering plant and establish for the people of Somerville, with the co-operation of the Metropolitan District Commission, a first class river-front bathing beach.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
BRIDGES
Several of the bridges in this city are too narrow and are dangerous menaces to traffic.
. I call attention particularly to the Willow bridge at Ball Square and the Prospect Street bridge over the Boston and Maine Railroad.
The Somerville Avenue bridge on the Northern Artery is also very dangerous. Some of the other bridges in the city are also in need of repair.
I propose to do my utmost to correct these conditions.
RAPID TRANSIT
The City of Somerville is greatly in need of a Rapid Tran- sit System. As a member of the Transit District Council, I am following this matter very closely and am hopeful that in the next few years we will be able to secure Rapid Transit facilities for Somerville.
SCHOOLS
Many of our schools should be replaced by new structures, but the most apparent present need is for a new vocational and trade school.
Every effort will be made to provide a new building so that these students may have the advantage of a modern building and not be obliged to study in the present hazardous structure. It is well to call to mind at this time that the State contributes to the financing of this project if it is approved.
DEPRESSION, RETRENCHMENT, ECONOMY
We are still in the throes of the worst and longest business panic in the history of the country.
It has been generally called a depression. Perhaps that is the proper term because one of the definitions of depression is degradation. Surely it is a degradation to see our country, the richest the world has ever seen, staggering under the weight of a burden which proper leadership could have removed.
America is able to produce more than it needs, yet, every- where we see our fellow citizens in want.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
On every hand, there is the cry of over-production, too much wheat-too much cotton-too much oil-more money in the banks than ever before, yet we find worthy people starving in the streets of our large cities.
We hear self-styled economists recommending all kinds of panaceas and phantasms. Many of them recommend the scrap- ping of machinery and the return to production by hand labor. I am opposed to this solution because machinery is a blessing to mankind and relieves man of drudgery.
What America needs is a more equitable system of economic distribution. It does not need to destroy cotton, or wheat, or any other product-but it does need to give the pro- ducer a fair share of the wealth he produces.
It has taken many years of struggle and sacrifice to bring the American standard of wages to their present level. I have always had, since early boyhood, a strong conviction that the City, State and Nation should set the standard of wage to be followed by Industry.
Neither time nor experience has changed that conviction, and I am opposed to any reduction of wages whether by public or private employers.
I believe that it is false philosophy to reduce wages at this time. A reduction in wages inevitably means a reduction in the buying power of the people, and consequently, will increase, rather than relieve the present depression.
I am in favor of strict economy and to that end have in- structed every department head to eliminate any unnecessary activity.
I shall endeavor to effect every possible saving in the matter of purchases.
I am giving close study to the various departmental budget estimates and if, as a result of that study, I find it necessary to effect a saving in labor, rather than reduce wages, I shall re- quest every person on the city payroll to take a voluntary vaca- tion of one or two weeks without pay, as the case may require. In this way a saving may be accomplished, while the morale of the employee is retained, and when times improve, the old wage standard still applies.
It would be my intention to have the voluntary vacation taken one-half day each week so as to cause the least possible hardship.
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MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
DEPRESSION INSURANCE
It is obvious that in times of depression, the industries un- load their burdens onto the cities and towns, and consequently the municipalities are forced to bear an additional burden at a time when they are least able to carry it.
In order to prevent this condition from arising in the future, I have requested the City Solicitor to submit to the legislature, a bill, which, if there is no constitutional impedi- ment, will require every municipality and business to con- tribute towards a reserve fund to be released in times of de- pression, to be used only for welfare purposes, by a vote of two-thirds of the municipality effected.
LONG DISTANCE REGULATION OF MUNICIPAL FINANCES
There is at present too much long distance control of affairs effecting municipalities over which cities and towns have no voice or vote.
However, regardless of the cost of projects or undertakings, the cities and towns must pay these assessments and taxes. They have no alternative.
I mention specifically the following taxes which the City of Somerville paid in 1930 :
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