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 1929 > Part 17
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Telephone
158 43
391 73
Auto upkeep
374 57
City home
10,997 57
Mothers' aid
19,594 12
Outside aid
56,529 47
Hospital bills
1,942 11
$94,929 57
Transferred from City Home
$1,000 00
Transferred from Office
200° 00
Transferred from Mothers' Aid
3,000 00
Transferred from Hospital Bills
400 00
Transferred from Outside Aid
101 25
Added to Outside Aid
$4,401 25
Added to Outside Aid (Receipts)
5,000 00
Added to Mothers' Aid
$602 50
$9,401 25
282
CITY OF QUINCY
Receipts for 1929
Board at city home
$76 00
Cash (left by E. Beggio, deceased )
60
Telephone calls made at city home
30
Cash (found in
pockets of Wm.
Lehmonen, deceased)
3 00
Dept. of Public Welfare (mothers' aid)
6,693 40
Dept. of Public Welfare (outside aid)
3,262 33
Individuals (outside aid)
955 18
Other cities and towns (mothers' aid) 1,369 98
Other cities and towns (outside aid)
... 3,691 03
$16,051 82
City Home
Clothing
$367 86
Coal
1,127 10
Electricity
233 35
Express
4 13
Furniture
384 25
Gas
232 14
Grain
519 65
Groceries and provisions
2,995 86
Hardware
466 69
Ice
191 25
Insurance
580 70
Medicine
186 64
Miscellaneous
569 19
Newspapers
24 00
Repairing tools and equipment
93 50
Salary-warden
750 00
Wages-matron, cook and maids; laborer
2,271 26
$10,997 57
Mothers' Aid
Cash
$15,253 00
Coal
366 25
Groceries and provisions
1,173 41
Labor (wood delivery)
520 00
Medical attendance
63 00
Nurse's care
25
Medicine
61 19
Miscellaneous
97
Moving
12 00
Other cities and towns
1,739 67
Shoes
265 85
Wood
37 50
$19,594 12
Outside Aid
Board and care
$8,863 87
Burials
635 00
Cash
19,481 00
Clothing
320 49
Coal
1,389 30
Groceries and provisions
11,240 92
Hospital
3,991 72
Labor (wood delivery)
520 00
Medical attendance
312 65
283
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Medicine
232 33
Miscellaneous
496 60
Moving
00
Other cities and town
8,477 64
Rent
205 10
Shoes
288 35
Taxi service
2 00
Transportation (Tewksbury)
20 00
Wood
37 50
$56,529 47
City Home
Number of inmates January 1, 1929 ... ...
20
Number admitted during the year 1929 16
Total number during the year 1929 ..
66
Number discharged during the year 1929
32
Number died during the year
2
Number of inmates in city home January, 1930 32
Mothers' Aid
Number of families aided under Chap. 118, Jan. 1, 1929
23
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 118, Jan. 1, 1929
106
Number of families aided under Chap. 118, Jan. 1, 1930
24
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 118, Jan. 1, 1930
108
Number of families having no settlement
2
Number of families having settlement in other cities or towns
3
Cases closed during the year
3
Cases added during the year
4
Outside Aid
Number of families aided under Chap. 117, Jan. 1, 1929
76
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 117, Jan. 1, 1929
425
Number of families aided under Chap. 117, Jan. 1, 1930
97
Number of individuals aided under Chap. 117, Jan. 1, 1930
530
Number of families having no settlement
32
Number of families having settlement in other cities or towns
16
Number added during the year 1929
82
Number discharged during the year 1929
61
In Massachusetts Hospital School at Canton
6
Division of Child Guardianship
18
Being cared for in private families, minors
4
Being cared for in private families, adults
3
Being cared for by private societies, minors
3
Being cared for by private societies, adults
2
Being cared for in Tewksbury Infirmary
8
Braintree Infirmary
2
Pondville Hospital
6
Private hospitals
3
284
CITY OF QUINCY
The past year showed a big increase in relief to the needy of the city, more so than in previous years. This was due to unemploy- ment and sickness.
I wish again to call attention to the fact that our present City Infirmary is now filled to its utmost capacity. No other institution being available, we are forced to send our chronic cases to the City Hospital besides boarding thirteen outside.
We have during the past year installed a second new gas range, also piped the recreation house in the rear of the infirmary with running water, sink, etc., and a few other necessary improvements.
At Thanksgiving time this department distributed over one hun- dred baskets. At Christmas time, with the cooperation of the school children of the city, the Family Welfare Society, aided by this department, was able to distribute over one hundred baskets of necessary articles, including meat for their Christmas dinners, also toys of all descriptions for the children.
I wish at this time to thank all those affiliated with me in the work of the Welfare Department and also all organizations for their cooperation, also His Honor the Mayor for his hearty co- operation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHANNING T. FURNALD, Commissioner of Public Welfare.
285
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Mayor, THOMAS J. MCGRATH.
DEAR SIR :- We have the honor of submitting to you our annual report of the Park Department for the year ending December 31, 1929.
The year was the most successful in the history of this Board. The various activities under the supervision of the Board all have shown a substantial growth, and have had our constant interest. The Park Department is becoming better known and our Play- grounds and Parks are proving more useful to all classes of our citizens.
The permits issued by this department show a noticeable in- crease in the number of people taking advantage of our recreation grounds.
This Board has received numerous delegations from all sections of the city requesting various improvements in our playgrounds and to provide better facilities for recreational purposes, the peo- ple being aware of the benefits and value of these playfields.
The Board recommends some of these improvements for your consideration with the hope that appropriation will be made per- mitting such undertakings.
Daily Program for Playgrounds
NINE O'CLOCK
Flag raising. Arrange swings and see-saws.
NINE-FIFTEEN TO TWELVE O'CLOCK Playground games for smaller children.
NINE-THIRTY
Baseball for large boys (league). Indoor baseball for small boys. Folk dancing and playground games for girls.
ONE O'CLOCK
Modeling in sand, bean bag, ring toss for small children. Quoits, croquet for larger boys. Croquet, weaving for girls.
ONE-THIRTY
Baseball, indoor baseball, volley ball, slug ball (league for girls), weaving for girls. Calisthenics daily when a large number of chil- dren are on the playground, tennis.
THREE-THIRTY
Playground games for boys and girls. Safety Campaign in- structions.
Pledge of Allegiance
Take down flag at sunset.
286
CITY OF QUINCY
Tennis Courts
The two tennis courts at Merrymount Park and the one at the Adams Playground at South Quincy were in constant use through- out the season.
There is a great demand for tennis courts all over the city. We recommend that the Ward Councillors study their wards for possi- ble sites for tennis courts. The Park Department are deeply in- debted to Henry M. Faxon for the gift to the city of five courts and the upkeep of the same for one year. The attendance of play- ers on the courts the past season more than proved his foresight.
Hollis Avenue Playground
The land taken for a playground has had the underbrush re- moved and is rapidly being filled by the Public Works Department with ashes. A pipe drain should be put through as soon as possi- ble and the proper grade made to put the field in shape.
Montclair Playground
Work on this playground is at a standstill as fill and grading is completed to the creek. This should be piped and filling completed to make this field of real service to the community.
Aquatics
During the summer thousands of people enjoyed bathing and boating on our seashores. The Park Department placed four rafts and a chute at Avalon Beach, two rafts at Quincy Point bathhouse, one at River street, one at Germantown, two at Black's Creek.
As the Metropolitan Park Commission have discontinued the practice of furnishing rafts at swimming places it is the intention of the Board to keep the rafts now the property of the city in re- pair, but recommend that no more rafts be purchased as a safety measure.
Band Concerts
During the summer band concerts were furnished in four sec- tions of the city and permits issued for thirty-six concerts on the various playgrounds. A portable bandstand would be a good in- vestment and facilitate the work of the department.
Horticulture
Flower beds and shrubs were laid out on all plots owned by the city under the supervision of the Superintendent of Parks. Trees were trimmed in all parks and a successful fight waged against the Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle.
N. E. A. A. U. Meet
On Sunday, September 8, at Pfaffman's Oval, the New England championships were conducted under the auspices of the City of Quincy. Seventeen events were run off and appropriate medals awarded for first, second and third places. The meet was a suc- cess and witnessed by 10,000 people. The Board were greatly helped by Mr. Frank Bruce in conducting the event.
287
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
Saint Moritz
The reservation in the Blue Hills has become the mecca for win- ter sports in Quincy with the developments sponsored by the State. The Board have promised their cooperation to further the project.
Skating Areas
Skating areas were provided on all natural ponds at Manet Lake, Sailors' Home, Blue Hills Reservoir and Hales Pond. As Quincy playgrounds seem unfitted for flooding this was not attempted this year.
Athletic Equipment
The playground equipment is stored at the City Stables. This year the athletic equipment was put in storage after an inventory had been taken. It will be checked again at the opening of the season. Considerable saving should be realized by the Board on this procedure.
John Wendell Moses Playground (Squantum)
Bleachers moved from third base to first base side. Tennis courts adjoining playground purchased by city. Clubhouse can be used for locker rooms, which will remedy a long-felt want at this field.
Ward 6 Playgrounds (Atlantic)
This playground was in constant use from spring to winter, but the many complaints received by the Mayor and the Park Board from property owners abutting the grounds for damage by base- balls make it urgent to have the Hollis Avenue Playground com- pleted as soon as possible. These grounds can be beautified, when abandoned as a ball field, and a bandstand erected in the center with flower beds and shrubs which will improve the appearance of this section.
Ward 3 Playground
The Board, after many years of complaints from abutters to this playground, this year, through the Council and Engineers' Depart- ments, had the field relaid out for baseball, moving the diamond and bleachers to center field, which proved to be a popular move, and was highly commended by the citizens in the district.
Merrymount Park (Upper Field)
Baseball was the popular sport at this field, and it was in con- stant use by amateur, semi-professional and the Quincy Twilight League team. A pitcher's mound was built here under the direc- tion of an expert. This infield should be ploughed and graded then treated with calcium chloride to lay dust. This same treatment would bring relief on the driveways into the field and around the bandstand.
Pfaffman's Oval
The oval was in use in the summer months for drills, pageants and track meets. Football was encouraged by the Board by award- ing a cup for the championship of Quincy. The playoff game was played at the oval on Thanksgiving Day between the Atlantic A. C.
288
CITY OF QUINCY
and the West Quincy Pirates, with the latter winning the cup in a close game.
Ward 2 Playground
The demand for this field the past season has been greater than for several years. The field should be ploughed, rolled and graded to make it fit for baseball. A fence is necessary for safety in the outfield.
West Quincy Ward 4 Playground
The field was used mostly for baseball. Some work was done on the infield, the backstop being raised to prevent baseballs doing damage to property in the rear.
Band concerts were held here for the first time. The outfield, where loads of gravel and rubbish were dumped, should be leveled off and graded to conform with the rest of the field.
Houghs Neck
This is one of the best grass fields in the city and was in con- stant use in the evening by the citizens in the district. Band con- certs were held here for the first time in many years. A fence is necessary to protect property owners from trespassers. The en- trance to the field should be marked by a suitable gateway.
Boy Scouts
The Park Department takes this opportunity to publicly thank the Boy Scouts of America for the patriotic service of raising the flags on holidays.
Permits
During the year the following number of permits were issued for the various activities, viz .:
Hockey
Picnics 24
Baseball 521 Boy Scout outings 8
Soccer 24 Girl Scout outings 3
Football 40
Band concerts 40
Exhibition drills 7
Recommendations
Purchase power lawn mower.
Construct more tennis courts.
Provide playground apparatus at Faxon Field.
Provide comfort stations at playgrounds where necessary.
Field house and locker rooms at Merrymount Park.
Complete Hollis avenue and Montclair playgrounds. Chain link fences at Ward 2 and Montclair playgrounds. Purchase portable bandstand.
Fill oval.
Provide bowling greens.
Encourage all-year-round activities on all playgrounds.
Provide facilities for mass recreation for women and young women along lines laid out by the Playground and Recreation As- sociation of America.
289
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
Conclusion
The Park Board are deeply grateful to the Engineering Depart- ment, Superintendent of Parks, Supervisor of Playgrounds and the Playground and Recreation Association of America for services rendered during the past year.
Expenditures
The expenditures of this department may be found in the Auditor's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
LORETTO D. TOCCI, Chairman WILLIAM M. TRUSSELLE, Secretary THOMAS J. LARKIN
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PLAYGROUNDS TO THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
GENTLEMEN :- Quincy's twelve playgrounds opened Monday, June 24, and continued through the summer for nine weeks to Sat- urday, August 24. There were few interruptions, only two half daysw ere lost by inclement weather.
Practically every day of the first week as many as twenty-two hundred children, between the ages of five to sixteen, took advan- tage of the opportunities offered by the city. This attendance was not maintained throughout the season, due to tides, excessive heat, parents taking their children away for vacations, etc. But the attendance was larger than during the three previous summers. The following list is the average low and high attendance for each day at the various playgrounds:
Low
High
Low
High
75
Government
150
50
Ward 6 125
75.
Elm
150
20
Squantum
80
50
Adams
100
15
Montclair
70
100
Ward 3
300
20 Mass. Fields
100
75
Ward 4
150
20
Parker
120
30
Wollaston
100
25
H. N.
125
On some days the numbers would be much greater than this list would indicate. Considering the weather, the actual amount of money expended and the absence of serious accidents, etc., this is probably the mosts uccessful season we have enjoyed. The pro- gram was carried along generally on the lines of previous seasons, but there were several new innovations, the results of which were very gratifying.
Avalon Beach was always crowded during the tides. A water carnival was held there at the close of the season and was a huge success. The Park Board furnished an experienced swimming in- structor who was always present, during the regular swimming periods. At Houghs Neck, Ward 2, Ward 6, Wollaston, and Ward 4 instructions were given for life saving. A monogram of our own design, similar to that of the Red Cross, was presented to each can-
290
CITY OF QUINCY
didate who passed the required number of subjects. Fifty-seven children passed these tests.
This work was supervised by skilled swimmers. We collaborated with the Massachusetts Safety Council, and a campaign was car- ried on throughout the season for safety. The supervisor met with Park Board every Monday night, and this board called several meetings of all the instructors. Other meetings were held with representatives of the National Playground Association of America.
A new type of hand craft was introduced and nearly five hundred fine examples of weaving were furnished and carried home by the children. One hundred fifty pounds of reed were furnished to make baskets, trays and other articles.
The usual leagues for boys and girls were scheduled. One hun- dred twenty baseball games were played by boys fourteen years and under; thirty-six baseball games from fourteen to sixteen years, and ninety games of slug ball were played by girls. Some of the other games played were volley ball, indoor baseball, quoits, horse shoes, tennis, ring tags, bean-bag, and many different play- ground massed games. Hikes and picnics were featured on several playgrounds. Professor Hussey took charge of the folk dancing and had a regular schedule for the different playgrounds. Over one thousand girls participated.
On August 22 we held our annual Field Day of massed dancing and sports. Transportation was furnished and the children enjoyed it immensely. This event was open to the public and many parents attended. There were one thousand children present. Every ef- fort was advanced to make the playgrounds as inviting as possible. Parents should feel satisfied that their children were under the best possible attention while using them. Following is a list of the instructors:
Messrs. S. White
Misses E. McConnarty
M. Lubarsky
E. Bruton
J. Reardon
66
R. Savage
W. Roche
M. Mularky
W. O'Byrne
E. Likander
66 J. Carey
E. Hourula
I. Burke
E. Drohan
K. McCoy
D. Shea
L. Eko
A. Wegelius
16
L. Hendry
T. Nattie
Respectfully submitted,
FRANKLIN B. MITCHELL,
291
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1929
Published by the Trustees 1930
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES 1929
COL. GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman
. GEORGIANA C. LANE, Secretary REV. JAMES H. SANKEY, Treasurer MRS. MARY M. CAREY CHARLES H. JOHNSON JOHN PRATT WHITMAN
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
MARGARET HEBERT, Assistant
VIOLET JOHNSON, Assistant
JESSIE D. WILFORD, Reference Assistant
+DOROTHY K. WHITE, Assistant
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
MABEL S. BAXTER, Baxter Branch
ZAYMA CONNOLLY, Hospital Service MARIE CORAYER, Parkway Branch MARION L. DAVIS, Norfolk Downs Branch
M. LOUISE DINEGAN, Lakin Square Branch LAURA A. DUNCANSON, Atlantic Branch +HELEN EGAN, Palmer Branch
PHOEBE LINDBERG, Temple Branch
¡JOSEPHINE MARSHALL, Manet Branch
MABEL F. PORTER, Merrymount Branch
CATHERINE SAVILLE, Wollaston Branch CAROL A. WILMORE, Montclair and Squantum Branches
* Resigned June, 1929.
¡ Part time.
292
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
The fifty-ninth annual report of the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library is submitted herewith.
The use of the facilities offered by the library to our citizens continued with a steady increase during the year 1929. The total circulation reached 610,288, this being a gain of 37,744 over the preceding year. The per capita circulation increased to 8.7. From all available data and information, this is the highest percentage in the history of the library.
The maintenance expenditure per capita, including all funds, was $.885. The maintenance expenditure per volume circulation was $.101. These figures are much below the average public libraries throughout the country.
During last year two new branches were added to the library system. On February 12 the Lakin Square Branch was opened and on December 4 the Merrymount Branch was instituted. The former occupies rented quarters on Adams street, near the Milton line, and the latter is located in the Merrymount School building, the use of which was granted by the mayor and school committee. Both branches were the result of petitions by residents of those two localities and both have made excellent showings since they began to function. The library system now consists of the main library, twelve branches and the hospital service, making a total of fourteen agencies providing library service to our citizens. The trustees feel that with this expansion the needs of the various sections of the city have been adequately taken care of. In the early part of the year the Temple Branch at Quincy Point was changed to a more central location, as a result of which a marked gain in its use was reported.
In March the library received the legacy of $1,000 bequeathed to it under the will of Mrs. Mary A. Butler. This legacy was given to establish the Ellery Channing Butler Fund, the income thereof to be used for the general purposes of the library. Through the interest of Mr. John Pratt Whitman, one of the members of our board, the Business Men's Art Club of Boston loaned to the library for several months about fifty excellent paintings which were dis- played in the different branches. These paintings attracted consid- erable attention and brought much favorable comment.
The board takes this opportunity again to emphasize strongly the need of a adequate appropriation to take care of the fast- growing needs of the library with its large number of branches. More books are needed and more assistants are necessary if the required service is to be rendered and the standard of the library hitherto is to be maintained.
The librarian and the staff have all rendered most efficient and valuable service, a fact which is being constantly attested to by those using the library facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman, GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Secretary.
293
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
TREASURER'S STATEMENT
THOMAS CRANE ENDOWMENT FUND
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1928:
10 Matured shares of Pioneer Co-opera- tive Bank $2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Massachusetts Co- operative Bank 2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Wollaston Co-oper- ative 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, 1928
$100 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1928
8 85
Received:
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
1 02
Interest on American Tel. & Tel. bonds 150 00
Interest from Pioneer Co-operative Bank 110 00
Interest from Massachusetts Co-operative Bank
110 00
Interest from Wollaston Co-operative Paid:
Bank
110 00
John V. Mead, care of building and
grounds
$440 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1929:
Balance in National Mt. Wollaston Bank
100 00
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank.
49 87
$589 87
$589 87
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1929:
10 Matured shares of Pioneer Co-opera-
tive Bank
$2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Massachusetts Co- operative Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Wollaston Co-oper- tive Bank 3 $1,000 American Tel. & Tel. 5% bonds (cost)
2,000 00
2,940 75
$8,940 75
Ellery Channing Butler Fund
Deposit in Quincy Savings Bank March 9, 1929 $1,000 00
Interest on deposit in Quincy Savings Bank Paid:
25 00
H. A. Frink Company, frames for pictures Balance in Quincy Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1929
$25 00
$1,000 00
$1,025 00 $1,025 00
294
CITY OF QUINCY
Crane Memorial Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1928:
10 Matured shares of Henry Wilson Co- tive Bank $2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Quincy Co-opera- tive Bank
2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Volunteer Co-op- erative Bank 2,000 00
10 Matured shares of Homestead Co-op- erative 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, 1928 $65 60
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1928 17 80
Received:
Interest on deposits in Quincy Savings Bank
3 15
Interest on American Tel. & Tel. bond ... 50 00
Interest on Henry Wilson Co-operative Bank
117 60
Interest from Quincy Co-operative Bank Interest from Volunteer Co-operative Bank Interest from Homestead Co-operative Bank
105 00
110 00
Sylvester & Carson, rental, Laban Pratt lot June, 1929,-April, 1930 250 00
Paid:
National Mt. Wollaston Bank, safe in vault
$5 00
Beckwith Elevator Company, Inc., ropes on dumb waiter 23 10
Frank T. Appleton, cleaning and repair- ing wall
186 75
L. Grossman & Sons, wallboard
3 84
Galen W. Hill, one-half expenses, staff, Provincetown, Washington conference W. Porter & Co., insurance
25 00
F. W. Hibbett & Sons, copper tank lining, labor
16 88
John V. Mead, care of building and grounds
80 00
Forrest I. Neal, Treas. Chamber of Com- merce Exposition Com.
50 00
130 89
30 99
Norman W. Pemberton, tiles and labor Thompson B. Crane, platform and labor
172 02
110 00
295
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
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