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 1906 > Part 2
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Both crossings are important arteries of travel, and both dangerous because of their constantly growing use by pedes- trians and vehicles. And while none will object to the abol- ishment of the grade, a discontinuance of the streets will prove inconvenient, detrimental and damaging to many in- terests.
This is as important a matter as the City can be involved in: and in order to obtain the best results, I hope a plan con- tributing to improved transit facilities and satisfactory to the interests involved may be obtained. Under the grade cross- ing Act, we are required to pay not more than 10 per cent. of the cost of same.
FRANCHISES.
The Old Colony Street Railway's applications for a trol- ley franchise to convey express matter through our streets were given leave to withdraw last year, but it not improbable that the question may be brought before you.
The status of street railways to a locality has in the past few years undergone radical changes in Massachusetts, brought about by the investment, growth and consolidation of the interests involved. At the time the selectmen of the town of Quincy granted the original franchises, locations were revokable by the same authority if public necessity could be shown. Furthermore, the promoters and investors were local men all of whom were interested in the prosperity and growth of the town, believing it would aid development by opening up outlying sections, and increasing its valuation.
22
These expectations have all been realized, and franchises then looked upon as of small value have grown to be a consider- able asset. Credit must be given the street railway as being a large factor in development, and it is along a clear appre- ciation of both interests and a mutual understanding whereby both are protected that the highest interest for all may be achieved. What was once a small local affair has by consol- idation become part of a system represented by 342 miles of trackage. The local investors and directors have been eliminated, and where once subject to local control, it has now been changed and placed in the hands of a state com- mission whose approval is required upon any action of the local authorities to impose restrictions in granting further rights and privileges or interference with locations of what is now an extensive system serving numerous communities.
An agreement has been sought in the interest of the city, if the rights and privileges petitioned for were granted, for prompt service and deliveries with lower rates than now ex- isting as partial compensation for the same, as well as a posi- tive knowledge that there will be no interference with the pas- senger service which at the present time is inadequate on some lines in the city to meet existing demands. My opinion is that more double trackage must be had on the lines re- ferred to if increased traffic with present and future demands are to be promptly met.
I believe the franchise asked for, if granted, is bound in the near future to be of great value to the Company; and if facilities are provided for prompt service and delivery with cheaper transportation rates obtained by the citizens, it will help solve in part some of the industrial problems of the day, and be mutually beneficial.
In my opinion, the requests we have made are not unfair and should be granted prior to favorable action in giving the valuable rights and privileges asked for.
23
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The new combination apparatus with the necessary horses ordered for Hough's Neck was early in the year put into commission. A bell striker was also placed in the sta- tion; and with the permanent man and call men attached to the Company there is an equipment able to cope with the needs of this district, and which affords fire protection satis- factory to the citizens. The City Council has also ordered four fire alarm boxes placed at convenient points, which will further add to the efficiency of the department in this sec- . tion.
As requested by me last year, an appropriation has been made to divide fire alarm circuit No. 1, which will cover the large property interests in the centre by a separate and dis- tinct line. By using the ducts reserved for the use of the fire alarm in the underground conduits this line will be much bet- ter protected and less liable to breaks; therefore affording greater security than heretofore.
During the year the chief engineer changed the so-called running card of the apparatus, dividing the city into dis- tricts : the first alarm to be responded to only by the appara- tus in that particular district; a general alarm calling for all the apparatus. I consider the plan a good one, as we have many false alarms throughout the year-there is less wear and tear of apparatus, it tends to higher efficiency in both men and equipment, and affords greater protection to the property interests which are more uniformly covered than before.
The ordinance has been changed during the year, creat- ing the rank of captain and lieutenant at the central fire sta- tion, which positions have been filled, and increasing the compensation to be paid to permanent men.
24
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
This department has great responsibility resting upon it, but with a strict discharge of the duties by its individual members it is entitled to the co-operation of all law abiding citizens. To obtain the respect of the citizens the conduct of the policemen must be above suspicion. They cannot asso- ciate on terms of intimacy with persons whose transactions are questionable, or visit in a friendly way premises with a shady reputation. As the vested guardians of the peace and of the enforcement of law and order, they should appreciate . the fact that their conduct must be flawless if they are to in- spire respect and orderly conduct in others. Unquestionably, the work of the department is growing, as well as that of all other departments; and it is largely a question of means as to how to provide in sufficient amount to meet the pressing necessities of all. I see no way whereby the work of the force can be made less exacting. It is only by the best en- deavor and efficiency of the department that we may hope to meet the wishes of the citizens and improve existing condi- tions.
During the past year the express law relating to the transportation of intoxicating liquor into the city, became effective. It appears to me that the city council should ex- . ercise greater scrutiny and discrimination in granting these licenses. What experience has been had in the operation of the law during the year may be obtained from the records of this department. whose labors and responsibilities I feel have been increased thereby.
I would recommend a closer adherence to the no-license sentiment of the city, and a stricter interpretation of what de- fines a "common carrier" under the law, to be our guide in further action in this matter.
The ordinance has been changed increasing the force, and compensation to be paid.
25
NO-LICENSE
Again the citizens under the local option law have em- phatically recorded their decision to pursue the uniform poli- cy of the last quarter of a century. Majorities rule under our form of government, and it becomes those who would do otherwise and favor license, to conform to that decision.
Industrially we are growing very fast; and being made up of a cosmopolitan population, some portions of which have a weakness for strong drink, the temptations to sell it are many. I do not question but that the illicit sale of liquor is daily occurring, but it is surrounded by all the concealment that can be thought of both by the violator of the law and the purchaser. If the law is to be strictly en- forced, public sentiment must be active and continued; for I do not think the duty of the citizens ends by simply voting. In many instances they come into possession of information that would, if disclosed, be of value to the police; and the enforcement of the law can be more nearly attained by the combined efforts of all.
Constant vigilance and honest work by the police is im- perative, for in no wise can they be relieved of the responsi- bility resting upon them, and for which I shall hold them fully accountable.
SCHOOLS.
The question of the needs of our public schools is al- ways prominent, and, with the steady growth in those of school age, promises to continue so. In proportionate num- bers, we are above the average, calling for a large expendi- ture in the current expenses, and making demands upon the municipal debt very largely in excess of all other expendi- tures combined.
A generous liberality has been the policy of the city in educational matters, but with the large growth in pupils the
26
present problem in how to provide for them in equal degree as in the past without corresponding increase in the income of the city, which income can only be obtained from property valuations; and a survey in this direction gives but slight encouragement for the immediate future.
The needs of the Coddington district are pressing, but increase in cost of material and labor, with the requirements of the up-to-date school building, represents a large expense, and relief here must await the time when the financial condi- tion of the city can afford it.
An appropriation of $61,000 was made for the construc- tion of a twelve-room grammar-school building at Atlantic, according to plans and specifications of Hurd & Gore, archi- tects, approved by the school committee, the contract for which has been placed, and it is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy on the reassembling of the school for the fall term.
The building of an addition to the high school involved the demolition of a large portion of the old structure to carry into effect the plans and specifications approved by the school board. A contract was entered into providing for the com- pletion of the work so far as to permit of its occupancy by September first, 1906. While the date of completion was satisfactory to the city, unfortunately, it was beyond the abil- ity of the contractor to fulfil; and while causing inconven- ience by which none profited that I am aware of, the oppor- tunity was seized upon by selfish persons from interested mo- tives to indulge, through the press, in campaign bickering and the malignant abuse of those whose efforts were directed to make effective the advantages so long sought. The sinis- ter purposes of its authors, however, were spent in vain effort to convince a discerning public.
Happily the long delay of nearly five years in which this question has been prominently before the various city gov-
27
ernments, with all its inconvenience and disappointments to teachers and pupils is nearing fruition; and the benefits ac- cruing from a building of substantial construction with all modern conveniences sufficient for the accommodation for increase in future years, are now, in part, enjoyed by the school.
· THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Library building having become inadequate to the needs of its service, Mr. Albert Crane, with still further liber- ality toward the City, has already matured plans for an ad- dition to the present beautiful structure. It will consist of a wing toward the North, the upper portion to be used for a stack-room, and the lower for a children's reading-room and stack-room.
During the past year the Trustees have sold the old house on Washington Street, near Coddington Street, built for Gideon F. Thayer years ago, in which Mrs. Esther Hay- den for a long time kept the only drug-store in Quincy. The building has been torn down, and the land on which it stood, also the valuable gift of Mr. Crane to the City, will be incor- porated with the Library grounds.
GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH INFESTATIONS.
I am informed by the State Agent for this section that, in his opinion, the city is in about the same condition as it was last year, so far as the gypsy moth is concerned. The nest cleaning in the winter of 1905-6 was fairly well done, considering the inexperience of the men employed. The street trees were well protected by burlap bands which ac- complished good results. If the trees in the private estates had been as well cared for, the saving in the expense in the work this winter would have been at least twenty-five per cent., and the city in better condition. No town or city can
28
ever hope to clean the insects from its limits without the faithful use of burlaps. It is the best method yet discov- ered, and although its use appears, at first, to be costly, in point of fact it is most economical; since its results are posi- tive, it being possible to get every caterpillar, while in the work of nest-hunting, even. where the most expert labor is used, the result is problematical, for the best men will miss · finding some nests and inexperienced men will. leave enough behind them to continue the crop for time eternal. This has been proven by sixteen years' experience.
It is considered that the section to the east of Hancock Street, and Quincy Avenue from Elm Street to the Braintree line, are the worst infested portion of the city, although the. insect has now been found generally distributed all over its area. I might, perhaps, except Hough's Neck, for the work done there by the department was exceptionally good, as was also the work done on the street trees. Of course, the woodlands are as yet an unknown quantity, but there is no doubt that they are more or less infested.
It is thought most of the street trees are cleared of the gypsy moth. According to the law, as soon as the time limit set by the notices to property owners to clear their trees has expired, we are called on to enter on those lands and clear them of the insect at their expense, according to law.
The condition of the city in regard to the brown-tail moth is most excellent. Those sections bordering the water-side were in very bad condition last year, but the work was so well done in cutting off the webs that it is esti- mated the reduction is fully ninety per cent. There were a few places that were not reached, notably a portion of Ger- mantown and a section of the Point district. In these places there are a number of nests, but the rest of the city is com- paratively clean.
The cost of doing all this work is hard to estimate with
29
any degree of accuracy, but undoubtedly an appropriation the same as that of last year will be needed if the work is to be continued.
Gentlemen: In conclusion, we have been honored by our fellow-citizens with the conduct of their public affairs. Financially, . the means of the city are extremely limited, therefore little can be granted during the year to meet the many demands I feel will be made upon you, and which must be refused, not because of any unwillingness on our part to comply with the wishes of those whose servants we are, but because the means of the city will not permit us to do so.
I hope under the conditions existing, and by counselling together as to that which is best, we may conclude our labors at the end of the year with the knowledge that we have per- formed our duty.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
City Treasurer's Office, January 1, 1907. To His Honor, the Mayor:
Herewith I submit the annual statement of the City Treasurer for the year ending December 31, 1906.
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1906
$151,719.II .
Board of Health-Garbage 830.93
Abating Nuisances and Contagious Dis- eases 52.65
Burial Places
5,622.29
City Hospital 43.56
Edgestones
462.74
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Suppression 405.01
Interest
12,223.87
Massachusetts, State of
Corporation Tax II,248.28
Bank Tax 854.12
Military Aid
I53.00
State Aid 4,756.00
Burial Indigent Soldiers and Sailors I40.00
Street Railway Tax
2,065.01
Water Receipts Water Loan Sinking Fund
813.55
Miscellaneous City Receipts
Dog Licenses
2,460.69
Dog License Fees, City Clerk 240.40
Sundry Fees and Licenses, City Clerk
1,125.20
32
Plumber's Licenses 18.00
Pedler's License
25.00
Police Station
34.85
Tax Collector, Costs
1,741.37
Miscellaneous 974.54
Notes Payable-City Debt 112,490.00
Notes Payable-Sewer Debt
20,000.00
Notes Payable-Water Debt
30,000.00
Notes Payable-Temporary Loans
317,000.00
Overseers of the Poor-Outside Aid
452.19
Almshouse
1.25
Police-Chapter 416
3,393.36
Parks
· 100.00
Permanent Sidewalks
577.17
Perpetual Care Fund of Public Burial Places
2,600.00
Repair of Public Buildings
5.42
Schools,-Books, Supplies and Sundries
I33.00
Streets
1,248.70
Street Sprinkling
3,911.35
Sewer, Assessments
22,567.53
House Connections
7,920.95
Seals' Tails
1,551.00
Street Railway Excise Tax
4,238.77
Tax of 1894
10.80
Tax of 1895
93.88
Tax of 1896
198.36
Tax of 1897
68.04
Tax of 1898
80.85
Tax of 1899
29.40
Tax of 1900 84.60
Tax of 1901
380.64
Tax of 1902
407.63
Tax of 1903
597.14
Tax of 1904
27,842.01
33
Tax of 1905 146,469.57
Tax of 1906
331,349.28
Water Construction 7,566.65
Water Maintenance 1906
103,781.24
Water Maintenance 1905
1,272.26
Water Service Deposits
1,980.00
$1,347,913.21
EXPENDITURES.
1905.
1906.
Advertising, Printing and Station-
ery Com.
$11.45
$150.00
Advertising, Printing and Station- ery, Council
5.25
1,098.72
Advertising, Printing and Station-
ery, City Clerk
44.78
2,272.42
Advertising, Printing and Station- ery, Tax Collector
30.00
1,394.76
Assessors-Miscellaneous
743.56
Clerical
2,288.00
Automatic Whistle, Ward 2
234.16
Board of Health-Abating Nui- sances and Contagious Diseases
780.07
Special-Abating Nuisance
and Contagious Diseases
201.47
Garbage
3.88
3,525.87
Cleaning Brooks
400.00
Collection of Ashes
1,438.10
Inspection
780.00
Miscellaneous
.45
1,224.81
Bridges, Culverts and Drains
1,975.62
Burial Places
18.35
4,804.25
Bromfield Street
900.00
34
Reacon Street
499.83
Bates Avenue Widening
100.00
City Treasurer-Miscellaneous
5.00
255.53
Clerk-Treasurer
676.00
City Clerk
572.00
Commissioner of Public Works Tax Collector
1,305.95
City Hospital
4,321.23
Coddington School Lot Addition
3,200.00
Contingent Fund
65.90
Cottage Avenue Widening
7,875.31
City Officers
5.00
21,441.00
Curtis Street
300.00
Crosswalks
668.82
Collection Delinquent Taxes
15.00
600.00
Edgestones and Sidewalks
500.00
Edwin Street Sidewalk
100.00
Engineering
7.25
2,500.00
Plans and Surveys
60.43
30.49
Excess and Deficiency
130.33
Fire-Fire Alarm
I34.36
1,220.79
Firemen's Clothing
50.00
195.50
Fuel
55.30
648.17
Horse Shoeing and Keeping
235.96
3,690.24
Horses and Harness
574.40
Keeping Chief's Horse
200.00
Lighting Engine Houses
52.00
392.47
Miscellaneous
402.61
2,023.83
Pay of Men
22,165.12
Repairs and Fixtures
207.60
1,400.00
Fire Apparatus at Neck
Houghs
2,696.13
Deficit 1905
373.98
Fire Alarm Boxes
125.00
114.85
757.50
.
35
Faxon Road Sidewalk
392.50
Freeman Street Grading
600.00
G. A. R. Post 88 .
400.00
Granite Street Widening
32.80
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Sup- pression
2,245.29
4,067.46
Graggs Pond
200.00
Gridley Bryant School Repairs ..
299.72
Grand View Avenue Paved Gutters
225.00
Goddard Street Paved Gutters .
1,200.00
High School Enlargement
83,190.65
Holmes Street Grading
342.35
High School Furnishings
242.73
Interest,-City Debt
215.00
17,766.04
Park Debt
1,440.00
Temporary Loans
2,325.24
9,581.14
Sewer Debt
640.00
19,325.75
Water Debt
310.00
27,015.00
John A. Boyd Camp, No. 2
75.00
Library-Books
1,073.69
Catalogue Fund
627.84
Fuel and Lights
14.00
568.82
Miscellaneous
71.91
753.76
Periodicals,
Binding
and
Printing
756.65
Salaries
2,685.50
Law Library
7.50
Massachusetts, State of
State Tax
25,270.00
Bank Tax
3,404.99
Metropolitan Park Loan Sink-
ing Fund
992.85
Interest on
2,824-73
Cost of Maintenance
3.733.40
36
Met. Park Loan and Sinking Fund, Series. 2
782.86
Interest on 2,110.00
Cost of Maintenance .... Met. Park Loan Nantasket
1,421.38
and cost of
282.52
Wellington Bridge Sinking
Fund
17.68
Interest on
142.5.4
Cost of Maintenance
50.37
Met. Sewer Loan Sinking Fund, South Met.
2,365.95
Interest on
13,348.38
Cost of Maintenance
8,099.66
Rep. State Highways
27.48
Met. Water Loan Fund Sinking
10,651.63
Interest on
27,362.35
Cost of Maintenance
8,300.18
Miscellaneous City Expenses
. .
334.75
2,685.30
Mt. Wollaston Cemetery Entrance
1,234.77
Maple Place
1,798.30
Mass. Fields School Plumbing
. .
2,500.00
Notes Payable,-City Debt
1,000.00
79,670.00
Sewer Debt
17,300.00
Water Debt
38,000.00
Park Debt
2,000.00
Temporary Loans 260,000.00
100,000.00
Norfolk County
22,656.90
North Payne Street 274.87
Overseer of the Poor-Almshouse Outside Aid
80.34
6,374.92
410.00
2,551.7I
Outside Aid 1904
II0.68
System
37
Deficit 1905
1,503.45
Police-Chief
1,000.00
Pay of Men
19,747.00
Special and Miscellaneous
64.29
3.814.66
Station
200.00
Enforcement Liquor Law
1,565.82
Parks
95.45
1,194.92
Tree Planting
200.00
Picket's Pond
46.88
Repair Public Buildings Deficit Bills 1905
5,909.75
Removal of Snow
2,344.26
Schools,-Books, Supplies
and
Sundries
12,025.38
Evening
1,500.00
Fuel
6,621.05
Janitors
7,484.93
Teachers
93,700.44
Transportation
1,097.20
Streets
375.03
23,135.33
Deficit 1905
2,759.93
Street Lighting
22,451.87
Street Sprinkling
7,000.00
State Aid, Chapter 372
228.00
Chapter 374
5,028.00
Chapter 447
3,374.00
Special Soldiers' Relief
136.65
Sewer Construction
54.95
17,992.IT
House Connections
465.52
7,758.97
Maintenance
116.57
1,626.12
Streets-Street Railway Excise
Tax
5,412.90
Sealer Weights and Measures
125.00
Seals' Tails
1,791.00
1
852.49
38
Tax Refunded, by Assessors
28.60
Tax Refunded, by Council
73.1.4
Water Construction
140.4I
27,559.28
Water Meters
9,362.12
Water Maintenance
I33.20
II,847.33
Water Service Deposits Refunded
1,950.00
Walnut Street Resurfacing
700.00
Wollaston Avenue Sidewalk
700.00
Ward 6 Schoolhouse
1,400.00
Cash Deposited, to credit of Per-
petual Care Fund of Pub-
lic Burial Places, in Na- tional Granite Bank
2,600.00
$360,923.28 $892,510.40
360,923.28
$1,253,433.68
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1907
94,479.53
$1,347,913.21
HENRY G. FAY, Treasurer.
Quincy, Mass., December 31, 1906.
I hereby certify that I have examined in detail the accounts of the City Treasurer; that all expenditures are supported by vouchers, regularly approved by the proper officials, and that the condition of the various accounts (in- cluding cash on hand and in banks on the 31st of December, 1906) has been verified by comparison with the records at this office.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor.
Jan. 18, 1907.
39
ROCK ISLAND FUND.
Cash on hand January 1, 1906
$1,000.86
By interest 35.32
Cash on hand December 31, 1906
$1,036.18
C. C. JOHNSON FUND.
Cash on hand January 1, 1906 . By interest 70.65
$2,001.60
Cash paid for distribution of tur- keys by the Overseer of the Poor
72.25
Cash on hand December 31, 1906
2,000.00
$2,072.25
$2,072.25
PERPETUAL CARE FUND OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES.
Cash on hand January 1, 1906 .... $20,813.00
Received for perpetual care of lots 2,600.00
By interest 879.25
Paid for care of lots
879.25
Cash on hand December 31, 1906
23,413.00
$24,292.25
$24,292.25
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY G. FAY, City Treasurer.
Woodward Fund and Property.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Board of Managers of the Woodward Fund of the City of Quincy :
Herewith I submit a statement of the receipts and ex- penditures of the Woodward Fund for the year ending December 31, 1906. Also a list of the securities in which the Fund is invested.
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand January 1, 1906 $6,400.12
Notes secured by mortgages 11,120.00
Interest on loans 10,829.56
Interest on bank balance
344.14
Interest on $10,800 bonds Central Vermont R. R. 432.00
Interest on $7,500 bonds Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. 300.00
Interest on 4 bonds Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore R. R. 200.00
Interest on 5 bonds Union Pacific R. R.
200.00
Interest on 4 bonds Detroit, Grand Rapids & Western R. R. 160.00
Interest on 3 bonds C. B. & Q. R. R.
I50.00
Interest on 5 bonds city of Minneapolis 200.00
Interest on 3 bonds city of Sheboygan
I35.00
Interest on 8 bonds Mich. Telephone 400.00
Dividend on 32 shares Mich. Telephone Pref. .. 192.00
Dividend on 27 shares Boston & Albany R. R. 236.25
41
Dividend on 66 shares Fitchburg R. R. Pref. .. 330.00
Interest on Japanese bonds 328.72
Rents from sundry persons 1,037.00
$32,994.79
EXPENDITURES.
Notes receivable
$12,000.00
Expense of Institute
11,819.55
Expense of fund
555.60
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1906
8,619.64
$32,994.79
EXPENSE OF INSTITUTE.
Pay rolls
$9,288.34
Electric G. Mfg. Co.
14.3I
A. J. Richards & Son .75
Sanborn & Damon
5.07
H. E. Emerson 4.05
J. F. Kemp 19.40
Isaac McLean & Sons
4.70
H. Partridge & Co.
1.25
D. C. Heath & Co.
51.48
Remington Typewriter Co.
50.00
A. W. Hall Scientific Co. 88.50
Hardware Supply Co. 25.57
W. A. Greenough
3.00
W.m. H. Claflin & Co.
2.75
Allyn & Bacon
12.93
Huey Brothers
.
23.90
42
C. C. Hearn
6.77
John A. Lowell & Co.
34.00
Jos. Breck & Sons 4.65
Smith & Thayer Co.
39.76
E. E. Babb & Co. 272.12
Wm. Patterson
2.00
S. Scannell & Sons
16.89
Con. Groc. & Prov. Co. 48.28
Estate Friend Crane
5.80
Oliver C. Faust
5.00
Narragansett Machine Co.
47.59
W. Porter & Co.
33.75
Ginn & Co. 33.17
Geo. P. Raymond Co.
3.00
Quincy Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
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