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 1927 > Part 16
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General
The work of filling the Fenno street corner of Merrymount Park was continued during such time as clean ashes were available. This work is not as yet completed.
The hollow in the rear of the Band Stand at Merrymount Park was cleaned and flooded for skating for little children.
Some work was also done toward securing a skating pond on Merrymount Park on the northerly side of the new southern artery. A good-sized skating pond will be available here for the public next winter. On account of the construction of the southern artery through Merrymount Park it was necessary to move the comfort station. This was done under the supervision of the Park
263
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
Department and it is expected that the commonwealth will reim- burse the city for the expenses incurred.
Two floats were maintained at the so-called "Sandberg's Bath Tub" for the convenience of bathers.
Recommendations
Absolute necessity requires the immediate construction of a bath house at Merrymount Park.
At some future time a new bridge ought to be constructed from Merrymount Park to Pine Island, as the present one is not strong enough to withstand the flow and movement of ice caused by the rise and fall of the tide.
Faxon Field
The Park Department takes this opportunity for expressing its appreciation to our esteemed citizen, Henry M. Faxon, for his cooperation and generosity in spending thousands of dollars this year in grading and filling Faxon Field, thereby making it fit for use for football and soccer and for five regulation tennis courts to be ready next spring.
Permits for sixteen football games and six soccer games were issued for this field. In addition to this the High School team held many practice games.
The construction of tennis courts on this field, near the High School, cannot too strongly be urged.
Houghs Neck
A supervised playground was conducted here during the summer with an average daily attendance of sixty.
Mr. Joseph Reardon, assisted by Miss Mary Drohan, was in charge. The following permits were issued for this field: Baseball, thirty-four; football, one.
Complaints were received from residents living adjacent to the playground of windows being broken during baseball games. The department recommends the acquisition of additional land con- tiguous with the playground, or abandonment of the field and the purchase of another site.
Manet Lake
This pond was cleared of debris and weeds for skating and a hockey rink was built thereon. When the surface of the ice was good the average daily attendance at the pond was about seven hundred. Work should be done here next summer with the view of eradicating the cat-o'-nine-tails from the pond. There is also a small portion in the southeasterly corner of the pond, now privately owned, which should be acquired by the city.
Adams Shore
A pretty little circular park is located at Adams Shore, with a flagstaff in the center. The grass was kept well mowed through- out the season. Some dressing and fertilizer was spread thereon in the fall.
264
CITY OF QUINCY
Maypole Park
On December 30, 1922, the Merrymount Company conveyed to the city of Quincy by deed a parcel of land situated on Samoset avenue and Ridgeway drive, subject to the following conditions:
"That said city of Quincy or its successors shall forever main- tain the land hereby conveyed as a public park which shall remain open forever for the free use of all of the inhabitants of said city of Quincy, and shall be called 'Maypole Park' forever."
Ward Two
The playground equipment formerly located at the Washington School was transferred to the Ward Two playground on Mound street, the purpose being to centralize the Ward Two playground.
Heretofore part of the activities of the supervised playground were conducted at the Washington School yard and another part of the activities on the Ward Two playground. Miss Ethel Rear- don, assisted by Mr. Arnold Ganley, was in charge of this play- ground.
During the year the following permits were issued for this field, viz .: Baseball, forty-three; football, three; soccer, one.
Mound Street Bath House
This bath house was extensively repaired and painted. The bath house and Ward Two Playground were not as well patronized as their capacity will permit. This, undoubtedly, is due to the very poor condition of Mound street, which is the only means of ingress and egress.
Avalon Beach
The Government Beach Association gave to the city of Quincy one chute, one large float, two small floats, two sand boxes, and some benches "to keep and maintain as the property of the city of Quincy, for the benefit of its citizens. With this provision, that the property shall be kept and maintained at the Government Beach, Avalon avenue, Quincy Point, where it is now stationed." The Park Department accepted the above mentioned property and repaired the same forthwith. A canopy was built over one of the sand boxes. This is the most beautiful marine park within our city. The beach was intensely used for bathing purposes. On hot days the attendance ran as high as three thousand. The citizens of this section seem to take great pride in this beach, and the Government Beach Association held its annual water carnival, at which there was an attendance of approximately thirty-five hun- dred, and citizens from all sections of the city participated.
Some repair work was also done on the piers.
The Park Department recommends setting up a flag staff at a convenient place on the beach.
Whiton Park
This little park, surrounded by hedges and flowers, carpeted with beautiful green grass, and circled by a fine gravel walk ex- tends to one a silent invitation to sit upon the benches placed under
265
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
the large shade trees, and it is very often accepted by the mothers and little children of the locality.
Elm Street Park
A supervised playground was conducted here for the children. Miss Eleanor A. Bruton, assisted by Miss Ethel E. Housula and Mr. Arnold Ganley, was in charge. The average daily attendance was three hundred and twenty-five.
Bradford Street Playground
A supervised playground was conducted here, Miss Lillian E. Hendry, assisted by Miss Margaret M. Donovan, being in charge. The average daily attendance was one hundred. A tennis court is located at this playground and instruction in tennis was given by the instructors daily. During the months of May and June, September and October the tennis court was reserved for the High School girls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from two to five o'clock. Some trouble was experienced on this play- ground on account of boys pulling down the halyards from the flagstaff. The matter was reported to the police.
Another tennis court is recommended for this playground. A comfort station on this playground is an absolute necessity, and it should be constructed immediately.
Ward Three Playground
This is the most heavily patronized supervised playground in our city, the average daily attendance being about three hundred and fifty. Miss Esther M. Likander, assisted by Miss Margaret McDermott and Mr. John McGinty, was in charge.
Baseball, football and soccer were also played on this field and the following number of permits were issued, viz .: Baseball, one hundred eighteen; football, seven. Complaints of windows being broken in Mr. Morganti's greenhouse by ball players have been made to this department for a number of years. The only way to eliminate the cause of the complaints is to construct a very much higher backstop on the baseball diamond.
A tennis court and a comfort station are recommended for this playground, the latter being a dire necessity.
William T. Shea Park
A flag pole was set on this park and re-dedication exercises were held on Columbus Day. The exercises commenced with a flag rais- ing by the Boy Scouts. Addresses were made by His Honor the Mayor, Hon. Edward J. Sandberg, and Councillor William P. Hughes. Yrjo M. Matson, chairman of the Park Commission, officiated at the exercises.
Ward Four Playground
This playground was very little used except for the supervised playground which was well attended, being in charge of Miss Mary L. Mullarkey, assisted by Mr. Joseph O'Brien.
266
CITY OF QUINCY
A special appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars was made for filling the swamp on the westerly end of the playground. The following permits were issued for this field: Baseball, thirty-two; football, none; soccer, none.
Another appropriation should be made for a surface of loam on the filled area.
A comfort station should be built immediately.
Eaton's Pond
Through the courtesy of Mr. Lawrence H. Abbott of the Granite City Ice Company this pond was available for skating during the winter, and the Park Department takes this opportunity to express its appreciation and thanks to Mr. Abbott and the Granite City Ice Company. When skating was good the average daily attendance was approximately five hundred.
Adams Street Plot
The grass and hedges on the plot at the junction of Adams street and Furnace Brook Parkway were kept trimmed, thereby improv- ing the appearance of the entrance to our city.
Wollaston School
A supervised playground was conducted at the Wollaston School playground with an average daily attendance of eighty-five. Miss Anne Wegelius, assisted by Mr. Arnold Ganley, was in charge.
The activities at this field were somewhat limited because of the small area of the ground. A great deal of basketry work was done. Harry Smith, an attendant at this playground, was awarded the prize in basketry.
Safford Park
This beautiful park is shaded by large trees and is surrounded by hedges. The grass was kept mowed, the hedges trimmed and benches were set out for public use.
Massachusetts Field Playground
This playground is located near the Massachusetts Field School and a supervised playground was conducted thereon with an aver- age daily attendance of forty-five. The activities of this play- ground were somewhat limited because the field is small. Miss Nattie was in charge here.
Atlantic Playground
A supervised playground was conducted here with an average daily attendance of two hundred and fifty. Mr. Stephen White, as- sisted by Miss Elizabeth McConarty, was in charge.
Many activities are conducted on this playground and the follow- ing permits were issued, viz .: Baseball, one hundred and twenty- nine; football, seven.
267
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
A joint celebration was conducted on this playground on July 4th by the Ward Six Patriotic Association and the Atlantic Athletic Association.
Soccer was also played on this field by the Grammar School chil- dren.
For many years this playground has been a source of complaints to the Park Department, because of windows being broken in houses and stores near by, by batted baseballs. The Park Depart- ment recommends the immediate taking of the so-called Stratton lot for playground purposes, and discontinuance of baseball games at the Atlantic Field as the only remedy for the complaints. The Stratton lot could also be flooded in the winter time for skating.
Squantum Playground
A newly equipped supervised playground was conducted here, Miss Muriel G. Harris, assisted by Wallace Sadlier, being in charge. The average daily attendance was forty-five. Other activities were conducted on this playground and the following permits were issued, viz .: Baseball, twenty-four; football, one. A celebration was held on the playground on the Fourth of July by the Squan- tum Improvement Association. It is planned to provide this play- ground with a skating rink for next winter.
Robert Burns Monument
This monument was thoroughly cleaned. The grass on the plot was kept mowed and small hedges planted.
School Street Plot
A well shaded triangular plot at the junction of School and Pleasant streets was kept in condition.
Warwick Park
Warwick Park was laid out, seeded, and a flag pole erected thereon.
Policing
No money was expended by the Park Department for policing.
Old Police Station
The old police station has been used as a storehouse by the Park Department.
Daily Program
The following was the daily program of the playgrounds: Nine o'clock:
Flag raising and pledge of allegiance.
Arrange swings and see-saws.
Nine fifteen to one o'clock:
Playground games for smaller children.
Nine thirty :
Baseball for large boys.
Indoor baseball for small boys.
Folk dancing and playground games for girls.
Eleven o'clock:
Bean bag, ring toss, for small children; quoits for larger boys. Weaving for girls.
One o'clock:
268
CITY OF QUINCY
Baseball, indoor baseball, volley ball, slug ball, weaving for girls. Three thirty:
Playground games for boys and girls.
Take down flag at sunset.
Annual Field Day
A well attended field day was held on September 2nd, with the following program, viz .:
One thirty P. M .:
1. Indoor baseball games (boys 12 years or under), Ward Six vs. Elm Street-Mr. White and Mr. Deane in charge.
2. Slug ball for girls-Picked teams.
3. Croquet match-Mr. Sadlier and Miss Harris in charge.
Two fifteen P. M .:
4. Dances-Miss McConarty in charge.
5. Quoits (one boy), bean bag (one boy and one girl, 12 or under), ring toss (one boy and one girl, 12 or under), Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Sadlier, Misses McConarty, Donovan and Drohan in charge.
6. Dances-Maenad's Revel (Mass. Field Playground)-Miss Nattie in charge.
7. Forty yard dash (girls), one entrant-Mr. Reardon, Misses Bruton and Likander in charge.
8. Fifty yard dash (boys), one entrant-Messrs. Ganley, Rear- don, McGinty in charge.
9. Dances-Norwegian Mountain March-Bo-Peep (Adams)- Miss Hendry in charge.
10. Three-legged race (40 yards), one team, either boys or girls- Mr. White, Misses McDermott and Hendry in charge.
11. Dances-Farmers' Dance-Old Roger, Sailor's Horn Pipe (Ward 3)-Miss Likander in charge.
12. Dances-Butterflies, Houghs Neck Playground-Miss Drohan in charge.
13. Sack race, forty yards, one entrant-Mr. Ganley, Misses Mul- larkey and Nattie in charge.
14. Dances-Indian-Highland Fling (Elm Street)-Miss Bruton in charge.
15. Wheelbarrow race (10 boys and girls), 10 yards-Mr. Deane, Mr. White and Miss Reardon in charge.
16. Dances-German Circle-Hickery Dickery Dock-Crested
17.
Hen (Ward Four Playground)-Miss Mullarkey in charge. Relay race (25 yards, 10 boys and 10 girls-Mr. Reardon, Mr. O'Brien, Misses Drohan, Hendry in charge.
18. Dances-Dances of Nations (Ward Two)-Miss Reardon in charge.
"Star Spangled Banner"
The foregoing programs compare favorably with those of other cities. The playground supervisor and instructors are very effi- cient.
Faxon Park
Most of the year's appropriation for trees was spent at Faxon Park, the work being done under the direction of the city forester, Andrew Stewart. The Park Department also cleared a large area of underbrush. The park commands a large and magnificent view of the entire city and the waterfront. The public should specially hie themselves hither and observe the panorama.
269
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
The construction of Faxon Park road, the only approach to the park, cannot be too strongly urged. A few picnics were held in this park during the past summer.
Boy Scouts
During the year the Boy Scouts of America have rendered the patriotic services of raising the flags on all playgrounds and parks on holidays. The Park Department at this time thanks the Boy Scouts of America for the services rendered.
General Recommendations
The Park Department recommends equipping new playgrounds at Montclair, Norfolk Downs, and the Government School at Quincy Point, and the acquisition of land for playground purposes on West street, West Quincy.
Playground Season
It is recommended that the supervised playgrounds be conducted after school commencing May first; all day sessions from July to Labor Day; after school hours from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Many cities are now operating their playgrounds in this manner.
Expenditures
The expenditures for the Park Department in the past have been all out of proportion as compared with other cities in that they have been very small. Recreation is becoming a necessity, in- stead of a luxury, and it must be expected that future expenditures will be much greater. For expenditures for this year I respectfully invite your attention to the Auditor's report.
Respectfully submitted,
YRJO M. MATSON, Chairman.
270
CITY OF QUINCY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1927.
Published by the Trustees 1928
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES 1927
COL. GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman
GEORGIANA C. LANE, Secretary
REV. JAMES H. SANKEY, Treasurer
MRS. MARY M. CAREY CHARLES E. JOHNSON ARTHUR J. NOBLE
LIBRARIAN
GALEN W. HILL
STAFF
GERTRUDE F. CALLAHAN, First Assistant
MARGARET L. STEARNS, Cataloger
SARAH B. KINGMAN, Children's Librarian
MARTHA K. ROSVALL, In charge of circulation
INGRID BLOM, Assistant
M. LOUISE DINEGAN, Assistant
* LOUISE WARREN, Instructor
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
MABEL S. BAXTER, Baxter Branch
TRUTH J. CHAMBERS, Montclair Branch
ZAYMA CONNOLLY, Atlantic Branch and Hospital Service
MARION L. DAVIS, Montclair Branch
JOSEPHINE GHIGLI, Manet and Palmer Branches ยท
PHOEBE LINDBERG, Temple Branch
ALICE MCMULLIN, Parker and Squantum Branches
MABEL F. PORTER, Parkway Branch CATHERINE SAVILLE, Wollaston Branch
*Resigned August, 1927.
Resigned October, 1927.
271
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The fifty-seventh annual report of the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library is submitted herewith.
During the year 1927 the use of the facilities of the library in- creased in a gratifying manner, the circulation being well over the half million mark. This indicates the widespread interest of our citizens in the privileges afforded them by our library and its branches, and emphasizes our duty to meet the growing require- ments of the public regarding good books and literature.
From the point of view of economy of management, the trustees are able to report that our unit cost per volume circulated is $.095 as compared with the average for libraries in cities of over 50,000 population of $.155. Our municipality can feel that maximum re- sults are being obtained from our library system and from the annual city appropriation.
The use made of the new Montclair branch in its first year justifies the wisdom of its establishment. It reached a circulation of nearly 25,000 and was seventh of the ten branches in the num- ber of books issued.
Attention is invited to the desirability, fully explained in the librarian's report, of a change of location of the Parker Branch at Norfolk Downs from the basement of the Francis W. Parker School to quarters better adapted to the needs of this fast growing branch.
During the year numerous repairs and alterations have been made in the main library building including rewiring and new lighting fixtures in the reading rooms and book stacks. An urgent improvement which should be made at an early date is the better illumination of the approach and entrance to this building.
The increase of $2,000 in the annual appropriation made possible the more extensive purchase of books with greater duplication for the various branches. As books are the stock in trade of the library, an increase of funds will have to be made from time to time to meet the urgent and growing needs of the library patrons.
The librarian and his staff have worked faithfully and zealously and to their efficiency, ability and loyalty are due the excellent results which have been obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman, GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Secretary.
TREASURER'S STATEMENT 1927 THOMAS CRANE ENDOWMENT FUND
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1926:
10 Matured shares of Pio- neer Co-operative Bank $2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Massachusetts Co-op- ertive Bank 2,000 00
272
CITY OF QUINCY
10 Matured shares of Wollaston Co-opera-
tive Bank 2,000 00
3 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. 5% bonds (cost) .... 2,940 75
$8,940 75
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston
Bank, Dec. 31, 1926. $100 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank, Dec. 31, 1926 7 31
Received
Interest on deposits in Quincy Sav- ings Bank 94
Interest on American Tel. & Tel. bonds
150 00
Interest from Wollaston Co-operative Bank 110 00
Interest from Massachusetts Co-opera- tive Bank 110 00
Interest from Pioneer Co-operative Bank
110 00
Paid
$12 75
Henry L. Kincaide & Co., linoleum. ... Warren Tobey, substitute janitor.
8 00
John V. Mead, care of building and grounds 465 00
Balance on hand, Dec. 31, 1927:
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
100 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank 2 50
$588 25
$588 25
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
10 Matured shares of Pioneer Co-oper- ative Bank
$2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Massachusetts Co-operative Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Wollaston Co- operative Bank 3 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. 5% bonds (cost)
2,000 00
2,940 75
$8,940 75
Cotton Center Johnson Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1926:
2 $1,000 Kansas City, Clay County and St. Joseph bonds, 5's (cost price ) $1,890 00 Balance in Quincy Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1926 73 16
Received
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank 1 88
Interest on bonds. 100 00 Paid Historic Book Committee, City of Quincy, books $6 50
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
273
The Tuttle Company, books
51 20
James T. White & Co., books. 12 00
38 00
States History Co., books .. The Ronald Press Co., books. Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1927: Balance in Quincy Savings Bank.
12 62
54 72
$175 04
$175 04
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
2 $1,000 Kansas City, Clay County and St. Joseph bonds, 5's (cost price) ....
$1,890 00
Alice G. White Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1926:
1 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. bond (cost price)
$980 25
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1926 214 67
Received
Interest on deposits in Quincy Sav- ings Bank 6 16
Interest on bonds.
50 00
Paid
Oliver Ditson Co., books.
$126 78
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
144 05
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
$270 83
$270 83
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
1 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. bond (cost price)
$980 25
Crane Memorial Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1926:
10 Matured shares of Henry Wilson Co-operative Bank
$2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Quincy Co-op- erative Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Volunteer Co- operative Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Homestead Co- operative Bank
2,000 00
1 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. 5% bond (cost) 980 25
$8,980 25
What is left of the Laban Pratt property, so called, has practically been paid for from, and is now, a part of this fund and was assessed in 1925 for .... 17,900 00
$26,880 25
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank, Dec. 31, 1926 $65 60
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank, Dec. 31, 1926 361 95
274
CITY OF QUINCY
Received
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank 12 95
Interest on American Tel. & Tel. bond 50 00
Interest from Henry Wilson Co-opera- tive Bank 120 00
Interest from Quincy Co-operative
Bank
110 00
Interest from Volunteer Co-operative Bank
110 00
Interest from Homestead Co-operative Bank
110 00
Paid
National Mt. Wollaston Bank, safe in vault
$5 00
Beckford & Lynch, electric appliances
22 73
Whittemore-Durgin, glazed in door and window
6 00
W. Porter & Co., bond for treasurer ....
25 00
F. H. Crane & Sons, Inc., fertilizer
31 80
Louis Forte, painting garage.
18 75
W. T. Arnold, frame for "Old Ironsides" Library Bureau, oak case
59 50
Charles H. Tower, 6 leather cushions
25 00
Dexter Brothers Co., 1/2 gal. paint ...
2 00
The Rice Studio, picture of booth at Trading Post
2 00
Mackenzie & Foster, wiring at Trading Post
3 00
Quincy 1927 Trading Post, space-8 ft. Quincy Industrial School, repairing drawers
56 00
F. W. Hibbett & Sons, repairs in base- ment 9 26
Norman W. Pemberton, repairs on building
90 00
W. H. Haslett, repairs on building. American Flag Pole Co., painting flag pole
25 00
John V. Mead, care of building and grounds
50 00
John D. Mead, labor and material for metal roof
10 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
Balance in National_ Mt. Wollaston Bank
65 60
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank.
290 86
$940 50
$940 50
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
10 Matured shares of Henry Wilson Co-operative Bank
$2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Quincy Co-op- erative Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Volunteer Co- operative Bank
2,000 00
2 50
2 00
138 50
275
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
10 Matured shares of Homestead Co- operative Bank
2,000 00
1 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. 5% bond (cost)
980 25
$8,980 25
laban Pratt property, so called.
17,900 00
$26,880 25
George W. Morton Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1926:
2 $1,000 Kansas City Terminal bonds, 4's $1,880 50
3 $1,000 Massachusetts Gas, 4's 2,912 38
$4,792 88
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank, Dec. 31, 1926
162 26
Received
Interest on deposits in Quincy Sav- ings Bank
10 98
Interest on bonds
215 00
Refund on bill due M. Martin.
3 00
Paid
Ernest W. Branch, 1 large map of Quincy
$10 00
R. E. Cunniff Co., gravel.
7 50
Galen W. Hill, manikin
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