USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1909 > Part 10
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Location, 7 miles north of Boston.
Population, May 1, 1909. 15,312
Number of yoters, .3,214
Number of polls .
4,438
Greatest extent of the city north and south
2.44 miles
Greatest extent of the city east and west 2.95 miles
Valuation real estate
$14,403,150.00
Valuation personal
$1,746,675.00
Tax rate per thousand. .$19.30
Area of city
3,115 acres
Land. 3,079.50 acres
Water. 35.50 acres
Length of public streets 44.36 miles
Length of private streets 14.84 miles
Total length of water mains
49.90 miles
Range of pressure on mains
From 100 lbs. to 23 lbs.
Total length of sewers
.37.75 miles
Number of arc lights. .62
Number of incandescent lights. 614
Areas of parks :-
Melrose Common
4.4 acres
Sewall Woods.
9.0
"
Ell Pond Park .
23.5
66
Pine Banks 81.7 66
Middlesex Fells. 170.0 6
Area Wyoming Cemetery .
43.5
6
Elevation Main Street at City Hall, 61 feet above mean low water.
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
To His Honor the Mayor, Eugene H. Moore. Sir :-
I herewith respectfully submit the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures Department, from January 1, 1909 to January 1, 1910.
Total Receipts paid Treasurer $72.70
Expenses.
Steel sealing stamps and branding irons. 10.25
Sealing acid . 4.00
Rubber stamps and red ink.
1.57
Paper and lead seals.
3.37
Sealing block and 10-50 lb. test weights
33.00
2 copper measures
4.50
Express
.20
Portable inspection set.
40.80
1 glass graduate
1.75
Seals, rubber stamps
1.17
Mending faucet
.25
Sundries
3.35
Money unexpended.
97
$105.18
Operations of the Department from Jan. 1, 1909 to Jan. 1, 1910.
Number of platform scales over 5,000 lbs. sealed. 12
66 " platform scales under 5,000 lbs. sealed 52
66 " computing scales 9
All other scales 232
Total number of scales tested 305
66
adjusted . 16
66 66 condemned . 11
204
CITY OF MELROSE.
Weights.
Number of weights found correct 588
66 adjusted . 158
66 66 66 condemned. 7
Total
.753
Dry Measures.
Number of dry measures sealed .
274
66
adjusted . 1
66 66
condemned. 8
Total .
283
Number of liquid measures other than milk jars 169
condemnd .
4
Total 173
Number milk jars sealed 10,059
" condemned 109
Total .
10,168
Oil Pumps.
Number sealed . 11
condemned . 2
Total . 13
Slot Weighing Machines.
Number sealed . 20
condemned . 3
Total 23
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 205
Number linear measures sealed 66 condemned 1
28
Total
29
Coal Weighing while in Transit.
Number of loads weighed Jan. 27 to Dec. 1, 1909
26
found overweight
14
66 66 66 found underweight 7
66 66 66 even. 5
Total
26
26
Number inspections stores, milk teams and pedlers
71
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM L. PIERCE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
February 8, 1910.
Report of the Cemetery Committee
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- The Cemetery Committee respectfully sub- mit their report of the receipts and expenditures for the Ceme -- tery Department during the financial year ending Dec. 31, 1909.
Receipts.
Cash received and paid to the City Treasurer for:
Dressing
$39.50
Foundations
323.50
Graves, single
150.00
Interments and removals
527.00
Labor, regrading lots, etc.
41.50
Lots cared for
2,882.16
Lots sold.
2,992.00
Slate Vaults sold
30.00
Wood sold.
2.00
$7,257.66
Expended.
Book, printing, stamps and telephone. . $87.18
Cement and lime 58.93
Coal and wood.
4.38
Clerical service for Supt.
30.00
Dressing
148.75
Engineering Division, Surveying and
plans .
50.00
Express and freight. .
1.73
Gravel, loam and hauling.
372.68
Hardware and tools. 89.75
Painting .
5.98
Plants, seeds and shrubs
68.79
Repairing and sharpening tools
24.55
Safe and Stove for office
54.00
207
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Salary of Clerk. 49.80
Salary of Committee. 75.00
Sewer pipe for drain.
65.83
Signs, Markers, etc.
42.05
Slate Vaults and freight.
117.00
Sundries
19.86
Spraying trees, Moths
34.00
Tanglefoot and tools.
15.73
Pay Rolls, Supt., laborers and teams ..
5,070.57
$6,486.56
Receipts in excess of payments, $771.10
Respectfully submitted,
JULIAN C. WOODMAN, JOSEPH D. LORD, WILLIS C. GOSS.
-
Report of the Law Department
January 15, 1910.
Hon. Eugene H. Moore, Mayor, City Hall, Melrose, Mass. Dear Sir :-
In compliance with the ordinances, I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1909.
There were pending on the first day of January, 1909, to which the city of Melrose was a party, fifty-five suits in the various courts of the Commonwealth, and one, the Adm. Dyer suit, in the Supreme Court of the United States, making a total of fifty-six suits.
During the year nine new suits have been brought and eleven suits disposed of, making the total number pending on the first day of January, 1910, fifty-four, in most of which the City is defendant.
The principal actions against the City which have been tried during the year were those of Ellen Feeley, Margaret E. Stevens and the Walter L. Shepard Company for personal in- juries and damage to an automobile resulting from running into an open trench on Franklin street, and in these cases verdicts were rendered against the City but exceptions are pending before the Supreme Court which I believe will result in the setting aside of these verdicts. These cases will be reached for argument in the Supreme Court probably during the present month as will also the case of Adm. Dyer against the City before the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington.
Some of the so-called explosion suits were assigned for trial and much work was done in preparation but the attorneys for the plaintiffs at the last moment dismissed the assignment against Melrose and went to trial against the Boston & North- ern Street Railway Company alone, and there were findings in favor of the defendant. These cases are now pending before the Supreme Court and there probably will be no trial of the cases against Melrose pending a determination of the suits against the Boston and Northern.
.
209
REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT.
In addition to the regular routine work, looking after cases on the trial lists, preparing for trial such as seemed likely to be reached, conferring with attorneys, preparing answers, etc., there has been about the usual number of matters re- quiring written and oral opinions to the various departments of the City Government and orders, takings, drafts, bonds, re- leases, deeds and contracts have been prepared on various matters.
Three bills were prepared and presented to the legislature and enacted, one providing for an additional water loan, another for borrowing money for drainage purposes, and a third for the revision of the police pension act in contempla- tion of the retirement of Ex-Chief Frank M. McLaughlin.
There have also been hearings before various boards and commissions, as for example the commission to apportion the cost of the Mystic Bridge between Boston and Somerville.
During the year the revision of the ordinances has been practically completed.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the courtesy and promptness with which the various heads of de- partments have furnished me papers and information when- ever required, in matters arising in my department.
Respectfully submitted,
CLAUDE L. ALLEN, City Solicitor.
Report of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department
Melrose, Mass., Jan. 10, 1910 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen, City of Melrose :-
I respectfully submit the annual report of the Fire De partment for the year ending Dec. 31, 1909.
Organization.
The force of the Department consists of Chief Engineer and two Assistant Engineers; seven permanent men; twenty- six Call men and eight temporary Call men.
Apparatus.
Consists of one steam fire engine, one hook and ladder truck, four hose wagons, one of the hose wagons is used for an exercise wagon; three pungs, 12 chemical extinguishers; the wagons and apparatus are in good condition.
Horses.
There are twelve horses in the Department, four horses were bought during the year and two that were not fit for service were sold to the highest bidder for Two Hundred and Seventy dollars.
Hose.
6,400 feet of good hose and 2,050 feet of poor hose, is amount of hose in the Department December 31, 1909.
Fire Alarm.
The Fire Alarm system is being improved each year by replacing the iron wire with covered wire; four miles of new wire was put up the past year, we should put up the same amount this year; one new fire alarm box was put at the cor-
211
FIRE REPORT.
ner of Leeds and Otis street during the year, Box 75. To properly look after the fire alarm and poles and wires we should have an electrician that could put in his whole time to the fire alarm in order to have an inspector of poles and wires who is also an electrician. I would recommend that one more permanent driver be appointed in the Central Station.
Fires.
The Department has answered 48 bell alarms and 46 still alarms of fire during the year 1909, including one call to Saugus and one call to Malden.
Value of buildings and contents endangered by fire . $97,297.80 Damage to buildings and contents endangered by fire . 42,461.80
Insurance on buildings and contents endangered by fire . 98,322.80 Insurance paid on buildings and contents endan-
gered by fire. 42,297.18
Fire Stations.
The Fire Stations with the exception of Hose 3, are in good condition.
Value of the Fire Alarm System. $15,973.85
Value of the Personal Property 14,240.42
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH EDWARDS. Chief Engineer.
212
LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, DECEMBER 31, 1909.
ENGINEERS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Name
Occupation
Age
Residence
Admitted
Chief, Joseph Edwards . .
. Carriage Maker ..
.58
612 Main Street
May
4, 1877
1st Asst., T. J. Hawkes ...
. Barber . . . .
53
25 Russell Street .
July
1, 1881
2d Asst., E. W. Mansfield . . Paint Maker .
.30
283 Grove Street .
.Aug.
1, 1889
ENGINE CO. NO. I.
Capt. C. F. Woodward . .
. Surveyor . 40
39 Upham Street . . Sept.
2, 1890
Lieut., W. M. Barrett .
Painter.
35
209 W. Emerson Street . April
6, 1897
T. B. Stantial .
. Carpenter .
74
15 Winthrop Street .
. Dec.
7, 1875
G. A. Dean . .
. Clerk .
34
73 Essex Street . . Dec.
5, 1889
W. B. Clark .
Cutter .
.36
29 Argyle Street.
May
1, 1902
E. F. Johnson .
Painter .
.29
166 Green Street .
May
1, 1903
Fred Mayman .
Plumber. .
.26
Central Fire Station
Aug.
1, 1904
H. W. Simpson
. Boot Maker .
41
454 Main Street . .
July
3, 1899
J. A. Clisby . .
. Cutter . .29
Central Fire Station
. Dec.
1, 1906
J. B. Rendal.
. Carpenter . .25
143 Myrtle Street
Dec.
16, 1907
C. W. Edwards .
. Permanent . .
.39
612 Main Street . .
. April
1, 1892
D. T. Stockwell.
. Permanent . . 48
182 Grove Street .
Nov.
3, 1891
Wm. J. Riley, Jr ..
. Permanent . . 48
11 Felton Place .
. Feb.
2, 1897
CITY OF MELROSE.
HOSE CO. NO. 3.
Name
Occupation Age
Residence
Admitted
Capt. Wm. R. Holly .
. . Carpenter . .43
24 Sargent Street. Jan.
3, 1899
Lieut., G. L. Stewart
Carpenter . . 32
161 Melrose Street . . Aug.
1, 1901
L. D. Newhall Permanent .54
23 Ellsworth Avenue Jan.
9, 1885
H. B. Adams .
Painter.
31
20 Ellsworth Avenue
May
1, 1905
W. C. Jodrey ..
. Clerk .
35
54 Highland Avenue . May 1, 1905
246 Tremont Street .
. Oct.
1, 1907
Arthur M. Harris, temp. member . . . Clerk . 26
26
Cor. Green and Holbrook Ct .. .. Apr. 6, 1908
HOSE CO. NO. 4.
Capt. E. W. Russell .
Engineer. 37
38 East Foster Street . Apr.
1, 1894
Lieut., Fred S. Boardman.
Janitor .
30
106 Grove Street July
1, 1900
P. E. Cates ...
. Carpenter . 34
159 Laurel Street . Nov.
1, 1902
W. C. Russell .
. Clerk . .
.30
4 Perham Court . . May
1, 1902
Frank Gibbons .
. Conductor, street railway . 45
3 Dell Avenue .. Aug
1, 1903
F. C. Newman.
. Permanent .
43
284 East Foster Street May
1, 1898
J. E. Smith, temp. member . Carpenter 30
786 Main Street . Aug.
1, 1906
John McLean, temp. member . . . Painter .. .28
Granite Street . Feb.
1, 1908
James McLean, temp. member ... . Painter 24
207 Rogers Street . Feb.
16, 1909
213
FIRE REPORT.
G. A. Marshall, temp. member. .... Moths .
214
HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. I.
Name
Occupation Age
Residence
Admitted
Capt. H. R. Norton.
Clerk .
.52
27 East Emerson Street .
March 1, 1895
Lieut., W. A. Lynde
Retired .
.53
529 Lebanon Street .
.March
7,1876
Wm. H. Stewart.
Carpenter
.61
36 Albion Street .
. June 6, 1873
Wm. J. Warren .
Painter .
.43
187 Grove Street .
. July 1, 1900
F. J. Storey
. Painter .
. 42
77 School Street .
Jan. 1, 1900
C. A. Page . .
. Express . .
42
41 Winthrop Street .
.Jan.
1, 1902
Fred E. Bruce
Boat Livery .
786 Main Street . . 29
Aug.
1, 1908
R. H. Whiddon
. Permanent .
43
24 Vine Street
. Sept.
5, 1890
H. S. Robertson
Permanent .
44
36 East Foster Street .
. Oct.
7, 1877
Frank A. Storey, temp. call man ... Rubber
22
43 Baxter Street . . March 1, 1909
T. J. Kelley, temp. call man ...... . Florist . ..
. 45
27 Linwood Avenue .
. July
1, 1909
Wm. B. Ferguson, temp. call man. . Gardener
27
366 Pleasant Street . July
1, 1909
CITY OF MELROSE
215
FIRE REPORT.
Statement of Fires and Alarms for the Year Ending December 31, 1909.
Jan. 12; still alarm; occupant, Frank Taylor; chimney.
Jan. 15; box 51; Green street; owner, M. Lands; occu- pant, Maxwell and Perkins Store.
Jan. 17; box 37; Maple street; owner, City; occupant, School.
Jan. 18; box 43; Main street; owner, Boardman Estate; occupant, Perez M. Grovestein; plumber; value of buildings and contents, $8,900; damage to, $603; insurance on, $8,600; insurance paid, $348.38.
Jan. 26; box 46; Main street; owner, W. N. Folsom; chimney.
Feb. 6; box 51; Green street; owner, Boston & Northern R. R .; occupant, Boston & Northern R.R .; car shed; value of buildings and contents, $36,112.80; damage to, $36,172.80; Insurance on, $36,172.80; insurance paid, $35,682.80.
Feb. 6; box 51, second; Green street; owner, Boston & Northern R. R .; occupant, Boston & Northern R. R.
Feb. 7; box 38; Tappan street; owner, John Lynde; occupant, John Lynde ; Dwelling; value of buildings and con- tents, $1,625; damage to, $1,956; insurance on, $2,000; in- surance paid, $1,956.
Feb. 7 .; box 38, second; Tappan street; owner, John Lynde; occupant, John Lynde.
Feb 7; box 38; Sanford street; owner Jerry Larey; oc- cupant, Mrs. Hallahan; value of buildings and contents, $2,300; damage to, $265; insurance on, $1,750; insurance paid, $265.
Feb. 7; still alarm; Green street; owner, Boston & Northern R. R .; occupant, Boston & Northern R. R .; car shed.
Feb. 12; still alarm; Main street; owner, M. F. Eastman; occupant, H. M. Ripley; store.
March 1; still alarm; Porter street; brush.
March 1; box 38; Wyoming avenue; brush.
March 3; box 37; false alarm.
216
CITY OF MELROSE.
March 4; box 52; Taylor street; owner, Fred L. Hatch; occupant, vacant dwelling; buildings, $2,000; damage to, $25; insurance on, $1,500; insurance paid, $25.
March 4; still alarm; School street; owner, F. A. Bracket, chimney.
March 11; still alarm; Willow street; owner, Joel M. Leonard; occupant, vacant dwelling.
March 19; box 35; 58 Florence street; owner, George Stearns; occupant, Fred A. Linscott; dwelling; value of buildings and contents, $3,600; damage to, $74; insurance on, $3,000; insurance paid, $74.
March 19; still alarm; Tremont street; owner, Benson Estate; occupant, City; fence.
March 22; box 71; Vinton street; grass.
March 23; still alarm; Wyoming avenue; grass.
March 23; box 28; Park street; grass.
March 24; box 51; Main street; owner, H. B. Hinchey; occupant, F. E. Keating, dwelling.
March 24; still alarm; Reading Hill avenue; brush.
March 25; still alarm; Main street; owner, Joseph Ed- wards; occupant, Joseph Edwards; carriage shop; value of buildings and contents; $2,500; damage to, $10; insurance on, $2,000; insurance paid, $10.
March 27; still alarm; Green street; grass.
March 31; still alarm; Richardson road; brush.
March 31; still alarm; Hayward avenue; woods.
March 31; still alarm; Howard street; woods.
March 31; still alarm; Laurel street; grass.
April 1; still alarm; Rodgers street; Grass.
April 2; still alarm; Rodgers street; grass.
April 2; still alarm; Lebanon street; owner, Woods.
April 4; still alarm; Park street; grass.
April 4; still alarm; W. Hill avenue; grass.
April 7; box 55; 130 Melrose street; owner Gay Lock; occupant, Gay Lock, dwelling;
April 8; still alarm; Meridian street; woods.
April 8; 10 blows; called to Saugus.
April 8; still alarm; Boston Rock; brush.
217
FIRETREPORT.
April 8; 6 blows; Boston Rock; brush.
April 8; box 58; Tremont street; owner Michael F. Murphy; stable.
April 10; 8 blows; Damon avenue; woods.
April 11; still alarm; Ravine road; woods.
April 11; still alarm; Pearl street; woods.
April 12; still alarm; W. Emerson street; dump.
April 13; still alarm; W. Emerson street; woods.
April 14; still alarm; W. Emerson street; woods. April 15; box 63; Howard street; Ice houses in Saugus.
April 18; still alarm; Mt. Vernon street; woods.
April 19; still alarm; First and Sixth streets; grass.
April 19; still alarm; Greenwood street; woods.
April 24; box 54; Tremont street; Qunin estate; stable.
April 25; box 51; 92 Franklin street; owner, C. B. Shep- ard; occupant, C. B. Shepard; dwelling; value of buildings and contents, $14,000; damage to, $1,200; insurance on, $10,000; insurance paid, $1,200.
April 27; still alarm; Holland road; woods.
April 29; still alarm; Bartlett street; owner, Edwin Shiv- ill,; occupant Edwin Shivill; dwelling.
May 6; still alarm; Wyoming avenue; woods.
May 10; still alarm; Perkins street; woods.
May 19; box 58; Boulevard; owner, Fred Leach; Auto.
June 1; box 58; Vinton street; owner, Grace Fernald; occupant, Henry F. Weiler; value of buildings and contents, $3,300; damage to, $50; insurance on, $2,400; insurance paid, $50.
June 4; still alarm; Goss avenue; woods.
June 18; box 54; 16 Garden street; owner, F. W. Crocker; occupant, F. W. Crocker; stable; value of buildings and con- tents, $500; damage to, $40; insurance on, $300; insurance paid on, $40.
June 21; still alarm; Waverly place; owner, J. H. Ed- wards; occupant, J. H. Edwards; dwelling.
June 30; box 36; Grove street; owner, Hubbard H. Brown; occupant, M. O'Connor; dwelling; value of buildings and contents, $3,900; damage to, $37; insurance on, $3,500; insurance paid, $37.
ยท
218
CITY OF MELROSE.
July 3; 10 blows; call to Malden; owner, Cross; stable.
July 5; box 25; Main street; owner, Boston Rubber Shoe Co.,; shed; value of buildings and contents, $200; damage to, $15; insurance on, $150; insurance paid, $15.
July 5; box 19; Swain's pond avenue; false alarm.
July 5; still alarm; 47 Upham street; owner, Edward Page; value of buildings and contents, $5,200; damage to, $62; insurance on, $4,700; insurance paid, $62.
July 5; still alarm; Essex street; owner, Mrs. L. Larra bee; dwelling.
July 5; box 32; Waverly place.
July 5; still alarm; 95 Crescent avenue; owner, Sarah Pierce; occupant, vacant.
July 5; box 58; 48 Otis street; owner, Jacob Edelstine; occupant, Jacob Edelstine; value of buildings and contents, $4,000; damage to, $2,002; insurance on, $3,100; insurance paid, $2,002.
July 11; box 72; 130 Ashland street; owner, A. E. Rodger; occupant, Joseph H. Hurd; value of buildings and- contents; $3,200; damage to, $200; insurance on, $3,000; insurance paid, $200.
July 15; box 56; 112 Franklin street; owner, David Pingree; occupant, David Pingree; dwelling.
July 26; box 51; Main street; cause from falling trees.
July 29; still alarm; Ell Pond Park; owner, City.
July 31; box 38; 56 Tappan street; owner, Patrick O. Brien; occupant, Patrick O. Brien; chimney.
Aug. 26; box 24; 142 Lynde street ; owner, Francis W. Hoffman; occupant, Arthur Wentzell; value of buildings and contents, $3,500; damage to, $90; insurance on, $3,000; in- surance paid, $90.
Aug. 20; box 24; 174 Linwood avenue; owner, John J. Collins; occupant, John J. Collins; value of buildings and con- tents, $2,100; damage to, $65; insurance on, $1,600; insur- ance paid, $65.
Sept. 1; still alarm; Upham street; owner, Robert Phil- pot; occupant, Robert Philpot; tar shed; value of buildings and contents, $100; damage to, $20; no insurance,
219
FIRE REPORT.
Sept. 13; box 62; Porter street; false alarm.
Sept. 13; box 41; Lebanon street; false alarm.
Sept. 29; box 35; 54 Florence street; owner, George H. Kirk; occupant, George H. Kirk; value of buildings and con- tents, $4,500; damage to, $100; insurance on, $3,500; insur- ance paid, $100.
Sept. 29; still alarm; Howarrd street; woods.
Oct. 31; still alarm; 18 Adams street; owner, Warren F. Taylor; occupant, Warren F. Taylor; dwelling.
Nov. 1; box 58; 143 Vinton street; owner, Daniel Con- way, occupant, Daniel Conway; shed.
Nov. 12; box 56; Ferdinand street; Stoneham.
Nov. 16; still alarm; Otis street; owner, R. P. Berry; brush.
Nov. 22; still alarm; 1024 Main street; owner, John Boyd; occupant, John Boyd; value of buildings and contents, $2,200; damage to, $10; insurance on, $2,500; insurance paid, $10.
Nov. 22; box 51; 1024 Main street;o wner, John Boyde; occupant, John Boyde.
Nov. 24; box 51; 962 Main street; owner, Mrs. Tillie; value of buildings and contents, $5,900; damage to, $55; in- surance on, $5,400; insurance paid, $55.
Dec. 6; box 54; Franklin street; brush.
Dec. 9; still alarm; 26 Goss avenue; owner, A. W. Mc- Kinny; occupant, A. W. McKinny; dwelling.
Dec. 25; box 25; Main street; owner, Boston Rubber Shoe Co .; shed; value of buildings and contents, $200; dam- age to, $10; insurance on, $150; insurance paid, $10.
Annual Report of the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library
To His Honor the Mayor, Eugene H. Moore, and the Honorable Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :---
The Trustees of the Melrose Public Library present their report for the year 1909, being the ninth annual report to the City, and the fortieth since the establishment of the library.
We record no changes in the administration of library affairs.
The library has been open for seven hours daily through- out the year, with the exception of Sundays, legal holidays and half a day weekly during the summer vacation of the schools. Monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees have been held, the members all present with few exceptions.
An official request has been received from the Board of Aldermen, "that the Trustees consider the advisability of causing the reading and reference rooms of the Public Library to be open at certain hours on Sundays." This request has been carefully considered by your Trustees. An estimate of the cost involved has been submitted to the Aldermanic Com- mittee on the Public Library, and if the City authorizes the necessary appropriation, the experiment will be tried. In no other way can the question be settled whether or not there is a real demand for this extension of library privileges. Inquiry among the libraries of neighboring surburban cities and towns shows that the larger number do not open on Sundays; sev- eral have tried and abandoned the plan; but as local, civic and social conditions are never the same in two communities, the experience of other libraries is not a certain guide for us.
We have added to the shelves 706 volumes, a less number by 200 than in 1908, while the number of volumes issued is 68,157; 4,000 more than during the previous year. The per- centage of circulation in the six departments is practically un- changed from that of 1908.
221
LIBRARY REPORT.
The demands of three classes of patrons are considered in the selection and purchase of books.
First :- The adult students and readers who are interested in history and travel, in literature, in philosophy, and in the advance of scientific inquiry and investigation along the many lines of modern thought and research.
Second ;- The children of the schools who come to the library for books to supplement their school work, and who are forming habits of reading which easily and surely influence the development of character, the character of our future citi- zens.
Third :- The fiction readers who expect, and have a right to expect that the library shall provide for them in current novels, entertainment and diversion for leisure hours.
These three classes comprise several thousand card holders,-more than 1,000 new cards have been issued during the past year-which in a city of this size means a very gen- eral use of the library. Constant circulation brings a large bill for rebinding; careful oversight has not succeeded in keep- ing it below several hundred dollars, and this amount must be taken from the sum allowed for new books.
It also means that a large number of books not actually worn out, have become so soiled by much handling as to have be- come unsanitary. The health of the community demands that they be replaced by new copies.
A large part and generally a valuable part of the output of publishing houses is issued during the last three months of the year. During this time in 1909 on account of the reduc- tion in the appropriation asked for by the Trustees, we have had practically no money. Persons making requests for books had to be told we could not buy them.
The appropriation of $1,500 allowed for this department in 1909 was spent as follows :-
For magazine subscriptions. $180.00
replacing worn-out books 350.00
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