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 1912 > Part 13
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Amount collected during year 1912 3 02 3 02:
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913
$8 60
STREET WATERING OF 1911.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1912 $1,941 98
Amount abated during year 1912 4 22
Balance
$1,937 76
Amount collected during year 1912 1,250 56
1,250 56
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $687 20
GYPSY MOTH ASSESSMENTS OF 1911.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1912 $573 26
Amount abated during year 1912 5 65 -
Balance $567 61
Amount collected during year 1912 369 66 369 66
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $197 95
303
STREET BETTERMENT APPORTIONMENTS OF 1911.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1912 $158 00
Amount collected during year 1912 122 25 122 25
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $35 75
Committed Interest on Street Betterment Apportionments of 1911.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1912 $14 35
Amount collected during year 1912 11 62
11 62
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $2 73
TAX OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $804,957 65 Amount abated during year 1912 5,192 44
Balance
$799,765 21
Amount collected during year 1912 449,467 13
449,467 13
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $350,298 08 Amount collected of interest 285 24
304
MAIN SEWER APPORTIONMENTS OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessor's $7,925 70
Amount abated during year 1912 2 45
Balance $7,923 25
Amount collected during year 1912 3,298 02 3,298 02
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $4,625 23
Committed Interest on Main Sewer Apportionments of 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $1,876 24
Amount abated during year 1912 37
Balance $1,875 87
Amount collected during year 1912
707 25 707 25
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $1,168 62
PARTICULAR SEWERS OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $3,939 52
Amount collected during year 1912 1,383 51 1,383 51
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $2,556 01
Committed Interest in Particular Sewers of 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $460 96
Amount collected during year 1912 150 27 150 27
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913
$310 69
305
SIDEWALK APPORTIONMENTS OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $158 07 Amount collected during year 1912 45 38 45 38
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913
$112 69
Committed Interest on Sidewalk Apportionments of 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $46 01
Amount collected during year 1912 13 20 13 20
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $32 81
STREET WATERING OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $5,000 54 Amount abated during year 1912 6 12
Balance
$4,994 42
Amount collected during year 1912
2,719 21
2,719 21
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $2,275 21
GYPSY MOTH ASSESSMENTS OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $1,945 64
Amount abated during year 1912 13 68
Balance
$1,931 96
Amount collected during year 1912
941 13
941 13
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913 $990 83
306
STREET BETTERMENT APPORTIONMENTS OF 1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors
$293 76
Amount collected during year 1912
154 13
154 13
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913
$139 63
Committed Interest on Street Betterment Apportionments of
1912.
Total amount committed by Assessors $130 55 Amount collected during year 1912 69 38 69 38
Amount uncollected January 1, 1913
$61 17
EXCISE TAX OF 1912.
Amount committed by Assessors, viz Bay
State Street Railway Co. $5,915 84
Amount collected during year 1912 5,915 84 5,915 84
SEWERS.
Amount collected during year on Sewer Construction 10,391 78
Amount of interest collected during year 1912 568 93
Amount collected during year 1912 on Sewer Con- nection 4,347 98
Amount of interest collected during year 1912
19 75
PERMANENT SIDEWALKS.
Amount collected during year 1912 on Permanent Sidewalks 7,637 71
Amount of interest collected during year 1912 54 19
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307
STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS.
Amount collected during year 1912 on Street
Betterments
751 41
Amount of interest collected during 1912 14 62
Costs collected during year 1912 1,542 65
Bank interest collected during year 1912
921 36
Total amount of cash collected during year 1912 $760,712 66
OSCAR S. SANDBERG,
Collector of Taxes.
.
309
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Quincy, Mass., Jan. 30, 1913.
Hon. Eugene R. Stone, Mayor,
City of Quincy, Mass.
Sir :
Complying with your request, I beg to submit the follow- ing report of the Department of Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures for the year ending December 31, 1912 :
During the past year I have endeavored to perform the duties of the office in a fair and impartial manner. In return I have found our merchants courteous and willing to comply with the laws in relation to the sealing of weights and measures.
On March 14, 1912, Section 21 of Chapter 246 of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts was enacted, which reads as follows :
"All fruits, vegetables and nuts, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, shall be sold at retail by dry measure weight, or by numerical count, and all fruits and vegetables for which a legal weight has been established shall be sold at retail only by weight or numerical count. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall forfeit a sum not exceeding ten dollars for each offence."
310
In trying to enforce the above law I have given much time, and have found that the pedlars, who were using the measure under the old laws, as a rule have been living up to the law; but I have been informed that the purchasers are inclined to tempt them to violate the law by having them sell by measure instead of by weight, as the law requires. This is a bad practice, and should be stopped, and I would appre- ciate it if the public as a whole would co-operate with the seller and not ask him to do anything in direct violation of the law. A few complaints have reached the office through the daily press, but I have not been given an opportunity to cor- rect same, as by that time the goods have been used, measures destroyed, and the complainant reluctant to prosecute ; where- as, if I had been notified immediately I would have had the evidence to cause prosecution. I have been handicapped con- siderably in following up this line of work by not having suitable means of conveyance. Owing to the small appropria- tion for this line of work it has been necessary to travel most of the time on the electric cars. Under the circumstances, however, I have endeavored to protect the public to the best of my ability.
COAL RE-WEIGHING.
During the past year I have re-weighed thirty (30) loads of coal in transit, and found nineteen (19) heavy or over weighed, and eleven (11) under or short weighed, varying from 90 lbs. overweight to 140 lbs. under weight. In the for- mer case I called the attention to the coal dealer and upon investigation found his scales needed repairing. In the latter case, which was an out of town dealer, I found that the scales had recently been repaired, and was satisfied that in either case was a violation of the law intended.
311
COAL IN BAGS-LESS THAN 100 POUNDS.
I have made a number of inspections and found that the dealers who put up coal in this manner are very careful as to the weight. As to the quality of the coal, I have no jurisdic- tion.
With a renovated office and a fairly good working equip- ment, I hope to be able to carry on my work more successfully and profitably during the coming year.
I include in this report receipts and expenditures of the Department for the past year, and various tables of work done.
I wish to thank all with whom I have come in contact during the past year, and trust future relations will be as pleasant, all of which tend to good work.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES M. CANTFILL,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
312
Inside or Office Work. No Fee Charged.
Scales tested and found correct
129
Scales tested and condemned 20
Total number of scales tested Weights tested and found correct
21
Weights tested and condemned
None
21
Dry measures tested and found correct 23
Dry measures tested and condemned
2
Total number dry measures tested Liquid measures tested and found correct 39
25
Liquid measures tested and condemned
2
41
Yard sticks tested and found correct
21
Yard sticks tested and condemned
None
Total number of yard sticks tested
21
Total 257
Outside Work. Fees Charged.
Scales tested, 5000 to 80,000 1bs.
25
Platform scales tested, under 5000 1bs.
145
Computing scales tested
69
Spring balances tested
163
Counter balances tested
229
Slot weighing machines tested
25
Total number scales tested 656
149
313
Summary.
Scales tested and found correct
618
Scales tested and adjusted
7
Scales tested and condemned
31
Total number scales tested Weights tested and found correct
1254
Weights tested, light, and adjusted
333
Weights tested, heavy, and adjusted
24
Weights tested and condemned
3
Total number weights tested Dry measures tested and found correct 117
1614
Dry measures tested and condemned
None
Total number dry measures tested Liquid measures tested and found correct 495
117
Liquid measures tested and condemned
9
Total number liquid measures tested Linear measures tested and found correct Linear measures tested and condemned
1
506
70
2
Total number linear measures tested
72
Total
2965
Amount received and paid to City Treasurer in fees $229.85
Amount due and uncollected in 1912 $1.59
656
314
Number of inspections made from Jan. 1, 1912, to Dec. 31, 1912 :
Coal reweighing while in transit 30
Coal reweighing in bags of less than 100 1bs. 83
Inspections in stores after scales had been tested
704
Inspections of weights used by pedlars
88
Inspections of weights used by ice men
38
Inspections of jars on milk wagons
44
Inspections of milk jars bearing Mass. seal
16,148
Inspections of junk dealers' scales
32
Inspections of coal teams for certificates
34
Total number of inspections 17,201
Balance of 1911 appropriation
$11 72
Appropriation for 1912 300 00
-
$311 72
Expenditures.
1912.
Jan. 2 C. J. Totman, steel dies $7 70
Jan. 11 Adams Express Co., expressage 55
Jan. 11 Bay State Street Ry. Co., tickets 5 00
Jan. 17 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, new weight 2 00
Jan. 18 Adams Express Co., expressage 54
Jan. 20 Library Bureau, card case 16 00
Feb. 20 John J. Connor, team hire, 4 days 10 00
Mar. 1 John J. Connor, labor, 4 days
8 00
Mar. 12 Library Bureau, cards 6 50
11 50
Apr. 1 Bruce & Warner, team hire
Apr. 9 W. & L. E. Gurley, supplies 8 15
Apr. 16 F. Green, advertising notices 5 00
315
Apr. 20 Spargo Print, telegram advertising notices
4 25
Apr. 30 Bruce & Warner, team hire 50 50
Apr. 20
Prescott Publishing Co., advertising 3 00
May 1 Prescott Publishing Co., advertising 3 00
May 7 W. & L. E. Gurley, supplies
2 03
June 1 Bruce & Warner, team hire
51 50
June 10 A. E. Hudson, marking acid
1 00
June 12 W. & L. E. Gurley, supplies 2 95
5 00
June 14 Bay State Street Ry. Co., tickets
15 50
July 1
Prescott Publishing Co., printing
2 00
July 17
J. McGrath, labor, 1 day
2 00
Aug. 5 Dennison Mfg. Co., tags
1 33
Aug. 5 George W. Prescott, printing
5 75
Sept. 7 W. A. Greenough, City Directory
3 00
Sept.
9 C. A. Penley, clerical
10 00
Sept. 9 George W. Prescott, printing
2 50
Sept. 11
Bay State Street Ry. Co., tickets
5 00
Sept. 20 Dept. of Public Works, team hire
27 00
Dec. 30 W. & L. E. Gurley, supplies
17 45
Dec. 31
Prescott Publishing Co., printing
2 00
Dec. 31 Nathan Ames, hardware supplies
1 65
Total expenses
$299 35
Balance, 1912
$12 37
July 1
Bruce & Warner, team hire
317
Water Front Commissioner
Report for the Year Nineteen Hundred and Twelve.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
As Commissioner of Water Fronts, Water Ways and Navigation under your appointment, I beg to submit the fol- lowing report :
There was shipped by water in the year 1912 140,346 tons of 2,240 lbs., 26,541 tons less than in 1911.
Two hundred and fifty-one vessels arrived and departed from this port, including steamers, tugs and barges, 343 yachts of all sizes and description arrived and departed from . the yards on Town River.
The shipment of granite from this port decreased from 63,120 tons in 1911 to 6,000 tons in 1912 owing to the condi- tion of the Channel and the lack of a proper berth at the docks on Town River for large lighters to occupy at low water. A heavy contract for large paving blocks could not be taken by Quincy dealers for these reasons.
QUINCY POINT BRIDGE.
About 1,000 vessels went through in 1912. This bridge is greatly improved and with the new draw operated by elec- tricity is one of the finest and most up-to-date bridges in the state.
318
The work of constructing this bridge was an engineering feat worthy of more than passing notice. The immense weight of the material handled and the completion of the entire structure without any accident affects great credit on the Engineer in Charge, Mr. Herbert T. Whitman of this city. The draw is receiving many favorable comments, as there is practically no vibration when the heaviest loads go over it. The draw-tender is now supplied with life lines, three life preservers, and a strong serviceable boat ready for any emergency.
In the report of 1911 this office recommended lighting the bridge in a first class manner. This has been done in part, but there should be four more lights on the bridge, and at least four on the draw which is 250 feet long and absolutely un- lighted. The signal lights should be placed on the pier heads without further delay, and should be lighted by electricity. This matter of lighting is important, and the bridge should be well equipped before the rush of the summer travel begins. The fact that we have never had a serious accident owing to poor lighting is no criterion to go by. The bridge should be properly lighted now.
The number of vessels passing through this year is 146, less than the year 1911 owing to the fact that there was little or no dredging above the bridge, and that vessels are larger than formerly and carry larger cargoes.
The draw tender should have a telephone installed at once, as it is a necessity with the traffic increasing this year. and taking into consideration also the value of the vessels which leave the Fore River Yard, and in a high wind are obliged to notify the draw-tender when they start.
The dredging of this river for about a mile below the bridge and the removal of the Channel Rock has progressed famously, and we have one of the best Channels on the North Atlantic Seaboard.
The channel work is practically completed and Channel Rock will soon be a thing of the past. This is a marked dif-
319
ference from the methods pursued when Quincy Town River was dredged by the Government.
The examination ordered in 1890, and the work com- pleted in 1906-sixteen years after, and involving the expen- diture of only about $30,000.
Under the present method of appropriating approximate- ly $50,000,000 per year by the United States Government for all rivers and harbors Quincy gets an appropriation of $140,- 000.00, and Fore River is improved in one year.
320
Municipal Dock Report
September 12, 1912. To His Honor, Eugene R. Stone, Mayor of Quincy.
As Commissioner of Water Front, Waterways and Navigation under your appointment, I beg to submit the following report on the Public Dock:
The subject is of the greatest importance as it deals not only with the commerce and passenger service of the City of Quincy as it is today, but must of necessity deal with the future prospects of our City and also with the fu- ture development of the water frontage of our City.
The advantages of such a dock to any one industry must not, to my mind, be the dominating factor in the se- lection of the location. All industries must be considered that can use today, or may use in the future, any wharfage privileges or facilities for handling passenger service or water borne freight.
Another consideration that is of vital importance has arisen. The Massachusetts State Legislature has appro- priated $25,000 to be used in the deepening and widening of the channel of Quincy Town River, and has made the appropriation contingent on the City of Quincy establish- ing a public dock; said work to be done under the direction and approval of the Directors of the Port.
Lastly we have to consider what the City can really afford to spend in the building and maintenance of such a dock.
With our present tax rate we must use the utmost discretion in the expenditure of the City's money. The fact that any piece of water front that is improved increases in value has been the experience of all parts of Boston Har- bor. Nevertheless, we should carefully consider what the
-
321
City can afford to invest before deciding on the location and amount necessary to properly equip such a dock.
With the above facts in mind, your Commissioner em- ployed Mr. William T. Donnelly, the Grand Trunk Pacific engineer of New York City, to carefully look over the ground and give an opinion as to the best location for a public dock, and his statement will be found in this report.
THE QUINCY BOARD OF TRADE.
The below is a summary of answers received by the Quincy Board of Trade in reply to a circular letter sent to the various granite manufacturers and others, asking them whether or not a public dock would be a convenience to or would be used by them :
JOHNSON LUMBER CO .- Received by water in the year 1910-
Boards, planks and joists, etc .. . 4,422,309 ft. Shingles 3,263,000 ft. Laths 722,700 ft.
In 33 vessels.
FORE RIVER SHIPBUILDING CO .- Is in sym- pathy with having public Dock established. Probably would not have freight handled.
BOSTON GEAR WORKS .- Machinery shipped or received by freight would usually come by train service. A public dock, however, would be a great thing to larger manufacturing industries for handling freight. Recommend Belt Line from it, connecting Boston and Quincy and other towns.
PNEUMATIC SCALE CO .- Shipping probably very light.
322
JOSEPH CASNA & CO. (Granite Monuments) .- Would ship from the dock in the neighborhood of 500 tons annually.
GRANITE RAILWAY CO .- Would have no occa- sion whatsoever to use proposed dock.
KAVANAUGH BROTHERS .- At present do not see how public dock would be of advantage, as 75 per cent. of work is local, goes out on team. Balance is shipped on spur track in yard.
CANNIFF & MURPHY .- Mostly retail trade and shipments would not be over 50 tons per year, probably.
NATIONAL GRANITE & POLISHING CO .- Send about 700 tons annually and receive 10 or 15 tons.
SAMPO GRANITE CO .- Send out about 800 tons an- nually and receive 15 or 20 tons.
JOHN L. MILLER .- 75 to 100 tons under present conditions.
BAY VIEW QUARRY CO .- 50 or 100 tons would be shipped ; New York, probably main shipping point.
REED & VENDRET .- 15 or 20 tons monthly, pro- vided we had public dock.
FULLER, FOLEY & CO .- Orders come from points that would bar us from using public dock.
J. S. SWINGLE .- Ships average 50 tons weekly, which could be increased many fold if had facilities such as proper public dock would afford.
323
P. J. TANGUAY .- Shipped 500 tons finished granite.
JOSS BROTHERS .- Public dock would enable us to enter the market for work, for which we cannot compete against other granite centres, which have cheaper means of making deliveries.
HENRY C. SMALLEY .- Favors public dock. Thinks Quincy would be able to compete with other points.
ANGELO MALNATI .- Having offices at East Lynne, Conn., and Niantic. If water shipments could be made our shipments would be 70 tons a month.
NORFOLK GRANITE CO .- Cannot state amount of freight. At present shipping $25,000 to $30,000 worth of work a year and would be able to send some of this by water if there were a public dock.
A. HOWIE & SON .- In favor of public dock. Cannot estimate just what amount of freight.
TIDE WATER BROKEN STONE .- Could not guar- antee any freight in and out, as we have dock of our own. Have opinion that public dock would be of very great ad. vantage to the city .
EDWARD MARNOCK, Manager .- Would use pub- lic dock to extent of 25 to 50 tons a year if boat ran only to New York and Brooklyn, and about 100 tons of boat called at Baltimore and Washington.
3:24
LETTER FROM THE WATER FRONT COMMITTEE OF THE QUINCY BOARD OF TRADE TO THE GRANITE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.
May 29, 1912.
To the Granite Manufacturers' Association :-
The Directors of the Quincy Board of Trade have di- rected its waterfront committee to take such action as seems wise to that committee, for the early location and establish- ment of the public dock. In our desire to co-operate with the city and the Granite Manufacturers, it will enable us to handle the matter more intelligently if you will give us the following information :
QUESTION 1 .- How many months should that dock be available? All the year or nine months
QUESTION 2 .- What depth of water would be de- sirable for the best interests of the industry?
QUESTION 3 .- What is the minimum amount of tons shipment that the Granite Manufacturers will guar- antee if such dock is built?
QUESTION 4-To what ports do you consider your firms would ship granite?
QUESTION 5 .- What date can you assign for a spec- ial meeting, when the chairman of this committee can meet
325
with the association and confer with them in regard to the above questions?
Very respectfully yours,
FRANK FESSENDEN CRANE.
Chairman of Committee on Waterfront and Waterways, Quincy Board of Trade.
SPECIAL MEETING OF GRANITE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.
In answer to the above letter at a meeting of the Gran- ite Manufacturers' Association your Commissioner was in- vited to be present, and it was unanimously voted in answer to
QUESTION 1 .- That a dock suitable to favor the in- terests of the Quincy Manufacturers' Association should be open at least nine months in the year.
QUESTION 2 .- That a basin 200 feet square, having a depth of 14 feet at low water should be built at the pub- lic dock.
QUESTION 3 .- No action taken. But it seemed to be the consensus of opinion that the association should not guarantee anything.
QUESTION 4 .- No answer taken. The opinion seemed to be that only time and circumstances could answer this.
326
QUESTION 5 .- The meeting was held to answer this question and every member of the Granite Manufacturers' Association received a notice of the purpose of the associa- tion to consider the above questions relating to the public dock at this meeting.
COPY OF LETTER TO F. W. COWIE, ESQ., CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE BOARD OF HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF MONTREAL.
May 25, 1912.
F. W. Cowie, Esq.
Dr. Mr. Cowie :- You will perhaps remember me as one of the men with the Massachusetts Real Estate Ex- change party last year. Mr. Wellington and I rode down to your office with you.
As water-front commissioner of the city of Quincy I am up against this problem. The city has arranged to build a $100,000 public dock which will be of special benefit to the granite dealers, both as a means of shipping their grout or rough stone to be used for breakwater and wharf purposes, and also as a competitive freight line to the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., which at present is the only method of shipping our granite.
I am asking the Granite Manufacturers' Association to give the city some assurance that they would underwrite a certain proportion of the yearly rental, or to guarantee a certain amount of freight to be shipped via the Public Dock, if we build and equip it with the proper appliances for handling granite
What would the Harbour Commissioner of Montreal
327
require of an individual or corporation if they built a dock and equipped a portion of it for a special industry similar to our granite industy ?
Any information which you can give me will be grate- fully received
Very respect'ly yours,
FRANK FESSENDEN CRANE, Commissioner.
ANSWER TO LETTER OF YOUR COMMISSIONER ASKING WHAT CHARGES THE HARBOUR COMMISION MADE ON THE MONTREAL DOCKS.
May 31st, 1912.
Frank Fessenden Crane, Esq.,
10 Temple St. Quincy, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I beg to acknowledge receipt of your fav- our of 25th inst., with reference to a public dock, which your city has arranged to build at a cost of $100,000.
The usual method of handling a public dock is to charge according to a specified tariff for its use ;
1-Tonnage dues per day for vessels.
2-Wharfage per ton for freights passing over the wharf.
Rental of space for stacking or storing. 3
If you give the exclusive use of the dock to a company, it is usual to require bond for such sum per annum as will pay for the interest on the outlay and the up-keep of the works.
If chiefly for corporation, but available for the public, the corporation may be called upon to give bond to make
328
up any such deficit as may be found at the end of the year to the amount required for interest and maintenance.
Believe me, with kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
F. W. COWIE, Chief Engineer.
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METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION TO THE PUBLIC DOCK.
Bay State Street Railway Co.
Office of General Superintendent.
Brockton, December 25th, 1911.
Mr. Frank Fessenden Crane,
Quincy, Mass.
Dear Mr. Crane :- I have endeavored three times to see you in regard to the matter we talked as to carrying of stone from quarries to tidewater and have failed.
As you know, this Company has not the right to take land by right of eminent domain and there is also a ques- tion as to whether we would have the right to build and operate a private railway.
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