USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1903 > Part 9
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Yours respectfully, GEORGE WESTON, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Board of Health.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The Board of Health respectfully submit the following re- port for the year ending December 31, 1903.
February 5th, at a regular meeting the Board organized as follows :- John S. Gay, Chairman, Thomas J. Dion, M. D., Clerk.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the past year in carrying on the scavenger work of the city. Complaints had become so numerous that early in the year our Board felt com- pelled to request the Council to revoke the contract of the City Scavenger. Since, the work has been more satisfactory, although a great many complaints come to us still. We regret to say that the only remedy occurring to us (that is, the City doing this work under the Health Dept.) has been refused when the Council was asked for an appropriation to that effect. The sewer stations established in the past year, have proven a great relief and have given entire satisfaction, doing away with the dumping of vaults and cesspool matter in the open.
The collection of garbage is becoming less satisfactory every year. Several complaints have come to us this year owing to our inability to collect the swill more than twice a week in the summer months, and this from lack of men and teams.
The constantly increasing population of our city calls for more men and teams if this work is to be carried on in a satis- factory manner and we look to the Council for relief, in a larger appropriation.
The same locations have been used as "dumps " as in past years, namely, Wards 1, 5 and 6, and this Board has promptly checked any attempt to dump outside of these places. Same have also been kept free from nuisance.
The attention of this Board has been called to the condition of the brooks and ponds used as sources of ice for domestic pur- poses, within the city limits, and an examination of these reveals
180
a most deplorable condition of things in some, sewage, vault and cesspool matter running openly in a water course and pond where a large part of our ice supply is yearly secured. The matter has been called to the attention of the State Board of Health and we expect, at an early date to have the public protected against further exposure to the danger of sewage pollution of ice.
There has been a marked decrease in the number of infec- tious diseases reported to our Board this year over last, as shown by the following tables, indicating a total of 241 against 458 in 1902. Also a decrease in all diseases but scarlet fever where a slight increase is to be noted.
The most important check to the spread of contagion in dis- eases among children lays in the strict enforcement of the rules of quarantine, and the school is the most common ground of con- tagion. Our Board, therefore, depends to a great extent upon the cooperation of both parents and school authorities for a proper enforcement of these rules and regulations existing for the benefit of all.
It is also to be noted that a marked decrease in deaths has has taken place, 352 deaths the past year as against 399 in 1902 with an estimated population of 26,042 this year as against 25,307 the previous year making the death rate in our city 13.51 per thousand, a remarkably low one.
The following licenses have been issued by this Board in 1903 :
Plumbers .
· 42
Undertakers
.
5
Scavengers
·
1
Garbage
·
28
181
INFECTIOUS DISEASES REPORTED TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH, 1903.
By Months.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Deaths.
Diphtheria .
9
6
5
5
1
2
2
5
0
6
6
13|
60
11
Scarlet Fever
1
1
2
2
2
9
1
1
1
0
2
3
25
0
Typhoid Fever
2
2
1
3
3
0
0
2
2
6
4
2
27
2
Measles
()
1
2
1
8
17 15
6
2
18
53 128
1
Cerebro Spinal Men-
ingitis .
0
0
0)
0
1
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Total
12 10 10 11 15 28 18 14 5 17 30 71 241 14
By Wards.
Ward 1.
Ward 2.
Ward 3.
Ward 4.
Ward 5.
Ward 6.
Total.
Total
1902.
Smallpox
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
Diphtheria
7
4
21
25
0
3
82
Scarlet Fever
3
1
3
2
12
4
25
17
Typhoid Fever
7
2
6
5
4
3
27
29
Measles
35
22
40
18
5
8
128
316
Cerebro Spinal Menin-
gitis
1
1
1
Total
53
29
70
50
21
18
241
458
RETURN OF DEATHS.
Return of deaths registered in the City of Quincy for the year ending Dec. 31, 1903, in compliance with the provisions of chapter 75 of the Revised Laws, section 12.
Total number of deaths from all causes (exclusive
of still-births) . ,
352
Number of still-births . 25
182
Deaths by Sexes. (still-births excluded)
Number of deaths of males 180
Number of deaths of females 172
Death by Ages. (still-births excluded)
Total Male Female
Deaths of persons under one year,
70
42
28
Deaths of persons from one to two years,
18
9
9
Deaths of persons from two to three years,
7
4
3
Deaths of persons from three to four years,
4
1
3
Deaths of persons from four to five years,
3
2
1
Deaths of persons from five to ten years,
11
5
6
Deaths of persons from ten to fifteen years,
7
3
4
Deaths of persons from fifteen to twenty years,
7
6
1
Deaths of persons from twenty to thirty years, 27
13
14
Deaths of persons from thirty to forty years,
16
9
7
Deaths of persons from forty to fifty years,
39
19
20
Deaths of persons from fifty to sixty years,
34
23
11
Deaths of persons from sixty to seventy years, 34
15
19
Deaths of persons from seventy to eighty years, 41
16
25
Deaths of persons over eighty years,
34
13
21
352
180
172
Deaths by Months. (still-births excluded)
Deaths in January . .
28
Deaths in July 28
in February
30
in August
39
in March
28
in September
29
in April
43 in October
31
in May
.
28
in November
· 23
in June
14
in December
· 31
Causes of Death. (still-births excluded)
Deaths from phthisis or consumption
28
from smallpox
.
0
from measles
.
1
·
.
183
Deaths from scarlet-fever . 0 .
from diphtheria and croup
11
from whooping cough
9
from typhoid fever
2
from cerebro-spinal meningitis
0
from erysipelas
0
from puerperal fever
0
from influenza
8
from malarial fevers
0
from cholera infantum
5
from dysentery
2
from diarrhea and cholera morbus
18
from pneumonia
27
from bronchitis
8
from diseases of the heart
49
from diseases of the brain and spinal cord
46
from diseases of the kidneys
25
from cancer
23
Deaths from Violence.
Deaths from homicide
2
from suicide
4
from accident
14
Number of deaths from all cther causes not specified above
(not including still-births)
70
Totals
352
JOHN S. GAY, Chairman, Board of Health
THOMAS J. DION, M. D., Clerk, of the
WILLIAM E. BADGER, City of Quincy.
.
.
184 SANITARY INSPECTOR.
QUINCY, MASS., Dec. 31st, 1903.
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :- I respectfully submit the following report for the year 1903.
Number of complaints received
189
Unclean cesspools
79
Privy vaults
45
Sewage flowing into water courses
21
Sewage flowing into streets
19
Keeping swine
7
Poultry in cellars
3
Unclean cellars
7
Manure piles .
2
No cesspools on premises
6
Houses fumigated for contagious diseases
91
Tuberculosis
4
One pest house (smallpox.)
380
Ordered to connect with the sewer
29
I find in looking over my order book for 1903 for the clean- ing of cesspools and vaults, I gave the city scavenger, Mr. Peter McConarty, five hundred and one (501) orders to clean premises together with one hundred and twenty-four (124) complaints of nuisance. He has only returned three hundred and sixty notices of places cleaned. As the records of the office did not begin until May 28th, 1903 there is no record of the orders we received previous to that date, of which he received a great many. Mr. McConarty's returns show that he carted three hundred and ninety-seven loads from cesspools. He has returned fifty-one cesspools cleaned without the amount taken from them.
Double vaults cleaned
73
Single vaults cleaned
155
Factory
1
Stone shed
1
Premises examined .
185
Total number of loads of cesspool matter removed
by C. L. Prescott and McConarty, 1903 844
Double vaults cleaned by the above . 103
Single vaults cleaned by the above .. 181
By comparing the returns of C. L. Prescott, '02 :
Loads from cesspools 1,195
Double vaults cleaned
378
Single vaults cleaned
458
C. L. Prescott from Jan. 1 to Apr., 1903 :
Loads from cesspools
396
Double vaults cleaned
30
Single vaults cleaned
26
By McConarty from April, 1903 :
Loads from cesspools
448
Double vaults cleaned
73
Single vaults cleaned
155
By Prescott and McConarty, 1903 :
Loads from cesspool
844
Double vaults cleaned
103
Single vaults
181
Factory
1
Stone shed
1
There were 351 more loads of cesspool sewage removed by Prescott in 1902 than McConarty in 1903. There were 275 more double vaults cleaned by Prescott in 1902 than McConarty in 1903, and 277 more single vaults cleaned by Prescott in 1902 than by McConarty in 1903.
. It is my opinion that there were as many premises cleaned this year as in 1902, but the returns from the city scavenger, McConarty, were very unsatisfactory and do not show it.
Yours truly,
EDWARD J. LENNON,
Sanitary Inspector.
186
ANTITOXIN DISPENSED.
Mr. John S Gay, Chairman of the Board of Health:
DEAR SIR :- I beg leave to report to you that during the year from January 1st, 1903 to January 1st, 1904 I have dis- pensed on physician's requisitions 288 bottles Antitoxin and 50 culture tubes.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES C. HEARN.
INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS.
To the Board of Health of the City of Quincy:
GENTLEMEN : - I herewith render you my report for the year ending December 31, 1903.
Number of inspections ,
593
Number of licenses granted 67
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK E. GOSS, Inspector of Meats and Provisions.
EXAMINERS OF PLUMBERS.
To the Board of Health of the City of Quincy:
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Examiners of Plumbers beg leave to make the following report :-
Two examinations were held by the Board during the year. There were six applicants for examination, three for journey- men's and three for a master's license. All passed examinations successfully and were granted licenses.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD,
Sec. Board of Examiners.
1
187 INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING.
To the Board of Health of the City of Quincy:
GENTLEMEN :- I hereby tender my tenth annual report as Inspector of Plumbing for the year ending Dec. 31, 1903. Dur- ing the year the following matters have been attended to :
Dwelling houses inspected
406
Offices
5
Fire Stations
1
Barber Shops
3
Restaurants
4
Business Blocks
1
School Houses
2
Hospitals
2
Laundries
1
Stores
14
Stables
1
Beach Cottages. .
28
Factories
4
Connected with cesspool
169
Connected with sewer
279
Old buildings connected with sewer
206
New buildings connected with sewer
73
Number of permits issued 1903 .
473
Number of permits issued 1902 .
428
Increase over 1902
45
Aggregate estimated value of work done . $63,000
Aggregate estimated value of work done in 1902 50,000 Increase over 1902
. 13,000
Convinced by reflection that the advent of the public sewer , is a blessing rather than an incumbrance, the public in general is becoming more kindly disposed toward connection with the same and the cesspools are disappearing faster and faster with each year.
Respectfully,
J. J. KENILEY,
Inspector of Plumbing.
Report of City Engineer.
To His Honor the Mayor :
I herewith submit the fourth annual report of this depart- ment for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1903.
The usual appropriation of $2,500 was made together with an appropriation made July 20th of $1000 to continue the system of Assessors' plans.
The regular appropriation has been used as follows :
Appropriation
$2,500 00
Pay roll
$2,164 08
Office supplies and instruments . 287 43
Postage, expressage and transportation 38 35
2,489 86
Balance
$10 14
Assessors' appropriation, balance July
1903
7 18
Assessors' appropriation, July, 1903 . 1,000 00
$1007 18
Pay rolls and supplies
406 84
Balance Jan. 1st, 1904
$600 34
The following streets or portions of streets have been accepted and laid out as ways of the city. Grades have been given for construction and monuments set at the principal boundary points.
Name From
To Length Width
Federal ave. Goddard street Independence ave
1396 ft. 40 ft
Penn street Penn street 645 ft. southerly
645 ft. 40 ft Total
2041 ft.
189
COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL.
The following plans were made for the chairmen of com- mittees and different members of the City Council :
Frontages on Water street from Quincy street to Brewers corner for sidewalk.
Plan and profile of drain on School street from Phipps street to Quincy avenue.
Plan, profile and estimate of Sea avenue from Sea street to Island avenue.
Plan and profile for extension of Penn street.
Topographical plan for Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
Plan and profile of Washington street from Hancock street to Chubbuck street for widening.
Plan and profile of Webster street for acceptance.
Plan and profile of Freeman street for acceptance.
Plan of Hancock street from Granite street to Cottage avenue for widening.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The following field work has been done for this department. Lines and grades for construction on Edison street, Newbury avenue extension, Adams street, Rock Island road, Hamilton street, Independence avenue and Federal avenue.
Location and grades given for drain on Chubbuck street, also drain on Squantum and Webster streets.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Locations have been given for 2756 feet of water pipe from Franklin avenue through the Metropolitan Park Reservation to Rufes Hummock in Ward 5. Also, 1000 feet on Grove street and Forest avenue in Ward 4.
MANAGERS OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES.
In January 1903 the City Council passed an order for a survey and plan of the Hancock Cemetery. No appropriation accompanied the order and the cost was charged to the regular appropriation for engineering. The work has been carried on at
190
different intervals during the year when the regular work of the office would permit. The field work has been completed and plotted at a scale of ten feet to an inch making a plan 57 inches by 53 inches. All the stones and tombs have been located and names with age and date of birth and death noted. Every tomb and single grave has been assigned a number on the plan and an index is now in progress which will give the names alphabetically and also numerically. This plan when complete will be on file in the City Clerk's office for reference.
Lines and grades have been given for new lots and drives in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
A large plan was made for the " Krobeck " murder case for the district attorney and evidence given at the trial.
HOUSE NUMBERING.
There were 143 house numbering plans completed Jan. 1st, 1903. During the present year 44 plans have been made and numbers assigned to 900 houses.
ASSESSORS' PLANS.
This work has been carried on continually since the first ap- propriation was made in 1901. Wards one and two are com- pleted and Ward three is about three-quarters completed, also a small portion of Ward five
Every year these plans must be revised to correspond with all recent transfers and all the new houses and buildings located. There are completed to date 261 plans representing Wards one, two and three.
Respectfully submitted,
HAMILTON FLOOD,
City Engineer.
Board of Park Commissioners.
Hon. C. M. Bryant, Mayor of Quincy, Quincy, Muss .:
DEAR SIR :--- The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Quincy herewith submits its report for the year 1903.
MERRYMOUNT PARK.
As the sum allowed this Board to maintain all the Park and Playgrounds is insufficient to do any large work, this Board has followed the practice of former years in Merrymount Park, and endeavored mainly to keep the trees and grounds in good order.
As last year, one regular man has been employed throughout the spring and summer on this work at Merrymount Park, Faxon Park and the playgrounds. Only a few trees have been planted. At the rate the old ones are dropping off, annual systematic tree planting on a considerable scale should be undertaken. It will require a larger appropriation than in the past if this is to be done properly.
While the dead wood has been cleared away as soon as possible, some persons thought best last winter to assist without permission. As a result, one offender was caught and fined in court for the offence.
The ball fields and woods have been in almost constant use, for games or picnics. The fields adjoining Blacks creek was so badly flooded with salt water leaking through the dam, as to re- duce its rentable value for a cow pasture, one-half. The leaky dam also precluded the flooding of the meadow with fresh water, for skating, in the winter of 1902 and 1903.
When this was called to their attention, the Metropolitan Park Commissioners, who owned to the middle of Blacks creek, agreed to pay one-half the cost of repairs on the dam.
These repairs were made in a satisfactory manner before cold weather, by the Commissioner of Public Works. As a re- sult the meadow was flooded with fresh water, and good skating was enjoyed by great numbers during the cold weather in Decem- ber.
192
The Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners desire to put a force-main from the pumping station across the Park, to Green- leaf street. This Board has asked for compensation in lieu of any damages in the future. The matter is now under considera- tion.
WARD TWO,
Little has been required here, other than to keep the ball field mowed and rolled. Tree planting should be undertaken, if the beauty of the bluff, jutting into Town river is to be preserved.
One of the trunk lines of the Quincy sewer system was run through the grounds the past season. Some of the sand taken out was spread on the beach to low water mark, with the result that the beach is now almost perfect for bathers.
BATH HOUSE.
This resort has been as popular as ever. The great crowds attending on warm days, especially Saturdays and holidays, give constant evidence of the need of increased accommodations. A considerable part of the appropriation for use of this department is expended in maintaining the bath house.
WARD THREE.
While the work on this playground in 1902 left little to be done, yet some grading and draining was required to complete the playing field. The condition of the field today is a marked contrast to the swampy ground before the improvements were begun in 1901 and 1902.
The young trees, each with a guard, so planted as to inter- fere as little as possible with ball games, have not done well. This is mainly owing to unscientific pruning, as practiced by the youth of the neighborhood. So far, it has been impossible to de- tect these vandals. This Board asks the co-operation of the exe- cutive and police departments in its efforts to detect and punish offenders here and at other places mentioned herein.
WARD FOUR.
Practically no work has been done here beyond mowing and rolling the field. Negotiations are now on foot for a re-arrange- ment of the bounds of that part of the playground toward Rear- don street.
193
The area will not be materially changed, and the playground will then have its southern boundary on Reardon street for a considerable distance.
WARD SIX.
The unsightly appearance aud uneven surface of the ground which has so long existed here, caused your Board this year to take measures to make a long contemplated improvement. At an expense of over $1,200 paid for by a special appropriation from the unexpended balance of the playground fund, the whole ground has been covered with soil, seeded, and walks laid.
The greatly improved appearance of this conspicuously situ- ated playground would seem to justify the action of your Board.
FAXON PARK.
Again we have to report little change for this beautiful spot. The paths have been kept cleared as well as possible, but nature has done the rest; all except what is done by vandals, who from time to time cut down trees of many years' growth. We regret to say that none have yet been caught in the act.
The new road, connecting Quincy avenue and Independence avenue and bordering on the park for more than half its length, will do much to bring the park into more general use.
Signs have been placed at both ends of this new street, and at both ends of the park, so that no one can longer be in doubt as to the location and bounds of the park.
Roughly the funds at the disposal of this Board, and their disposition, have been as follows :
General appropriation
$1,200 00
Receipts from pasture, Merrymount Park
50 00
$1,250 00
Merrymount Park,
$431 39
Ward Two .
13 50
Bath House, Ward Two
458 21
Ward Three
189 40
Ward Four .
13 80
Ward Six
81 73
Faxon Park
35 00
$1,223 03
Leaving a small balance
$26 97
194
Ward Six, special appropriation
$1,250 00
Expended .
1,224 69
Leaving a balance of .
$25 31
Blacks Creek Dam
200 00
Under Commissioner of Public Works.
Permits issued for games and picnics in Parks and play- grounds, 1903 :
Base Ball. Foot Ball. Picnics.
Merrymount Park
88
24 11
Ward Two .
14
Ward Three
9
4
Ward Four
5
1
Ward Six, .
Faxon Park
Used nearly every Saturday 1
BATH HOUSE ATTENDANCE FOR 1903.
Opened May 30th, closed September 16th, though men's department used some up to September 26th. June attendance small on account of cold wet weather.
Men's department :
Season May 30 to Sept. 26 . 12,169
Largest week, July 6 to 12 3,340
Largest day, July 9 . 700
Women's department :
Season May 30 to Sept. 16, (few in June) 7,404
Largest week, July 8 to 14 1,554
Largest day, Aug. 12 . 432
Total both departments, season
19,573
Exceeding 1902 by 3,161.
Respectfully yours, GEO. E. PFAFFMANN. FRED B. RICE, Secretary, L. W. GLOVER, Chairman,
Fire Department.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
In compliance with the requirements of the City Ordinance, I hereby present my ninth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1903, containing a statement of all fires and alarms for the year, the loss and insurance on the same as far as could be ascertained, the list of the permanent force of the Department and their-ages, also a schedule of the property under their charge.
ORGANIZATION.
The force consists of one Chief and three assistant engineers' fifteen permanent and sixty-four call men ; Combination No. 1 at Central Fire Station has two permanent men and eight call men, Combination Hook & Ladder No. 1 has one permanent Inan and eight call men, Combination Hook & Ladder No. 2 has two permanent and seven call men, Hose 2 has one permanent and five call men, Hook & Ladder No. 3 has one permanent man and seven call men, Hose 3 has one permanent and six call men, Hose 4 has one permanent and six call men, Hose 5 has ten call men, Combination No. 2 has two permanent men and seven call men, Hose 1 has one permanent and one call man.
OFFICERS.
Chief Engineer, P. J. Williams. First Assistant Engineer, J. H. O'Brien. Second Assistant Engineer, F. C. Packard. Third Assistant Engineer, D. J. Nyhan.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the Department consists of one steam fire engine in fair condition, two combination chemical engines and hose wagons, two combination hook and ladder trucks, and one straight hook and ladder trucks, five hose wagons, one hose reel, two express wagons for fire alarm purposes, also one chemical engine and one hand engine not in service.
196
HOSE.
We have in the service 10,500 feet of cotton hose, rubber lined ; 6,000 feet is in good condition, 3,000 feet in fair condition, 1,500 feet in poor condition. I believe the Department should be kept well supplied with hose in case of emergency. The life of hose is two years, after that it is liable to burst when heavy pressure is put on. I will call the attention of the Council to placing more hydrants on old line of pipes as it will give better fire protection, also saving the city a great deal of money in using shorter lines of hose.
FIRE ALARM.
The fire alarm service has been increased the past year by adding new boxes. Several miles of wire has been rebuilt. We have as near as can be ascertained one hundred and ten miles of wire to keep in order. This branch of the service needs the greatest attention so when boxes are pulled they will work promptly.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
There are two hundred and thirty cells of battery, one six circuit repeater, one six circuit switchboard with switches, seven galvanometers, six lightning arresters, one quartered oak switch- board and seven switches, one circuit breaker, one volt-meter, one millampmeter with six switches, six resistance coils, six jacks with plug, five Rogers protectors, twelve lamps with 104 volts each, hydrometer with test tube in box, one eighteen inch com. bination gong and indicator at Central Fire Station. Chief Williams has two gongs, one 6-inch, and one 12-inch, both Game- well gongs ; Old Colony Street R. R. at Power House has one 12-inch gong, Gamewell; Tubular Rivet and Stud Co., one 2-inch Gamewell ; Engineer F. C. Packard, one 18-inch Gamewell and one 6-inch tapper ; Engineer J. H. O'Brien, one six-inch Stevens ; Reporter George T. Magee, one 6-inch Stevens ; Capt. Taylor, one six-inch Gamewell; William Marden, one 6-inch Gamewell ; Hose 4, one 6-inch Gamewell; Hose 3, one 12-inch Gamewell ; Engineer D. J. Nyhan, one 6-inch tapper.
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