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 1944 > Part 3
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MALE VOLUNTEER CORPS
The Quincy Chapter of the American Red Cross has been most cooperative in its program of teaching and training of nurses' aides. These aides have been of great help in the care of the sick. There was a need for "male volun- teers" and with the assistance of Mr. Prescott Low and Mr. Frank Johnson and our nurse instructors, the male volunteers came into ex- istence. In May, 32 men were graduated after a 24-hour course was given. These men were quickly pressed into service in the care of the male patients in our Hospital. This group represented a good cross-section of our male population residing in Quincy. During the year we trained 98 male volunteers, of who 65 percent arc still active. Over 13,000 hours of free service have been given by this group of volunteers.
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Over 1500 hours free service rendered in 1944 by Male Volunteer Corps.
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WOMEN RESPONDED
The women of our City have ral- lied to our help. Groups of women, known as the Red Cross Nurses' Aides, Motor Corps, Production Corps and staff assistants; the "Flower Corps" ward secretaries, the Junior Welfare League and the Occupational Therapy Committee, headed by Mrs. William Shync, came to our assistance. The Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls contrib- uted their share of volunteer serv- icc. Again we state that we could not have carried on at our Hos- pital without the assistance derived from the "Hospital Volunteer Corps Program." The citizens of Quincy are indebted and deeply grateful to all those participating in this Hospital volunteer program. In behalf of the staff, the Board of Managers, the Hospital personnel, we express our appreciation to all volunteer workers for coming to our aid in this war period.
Red Cross Volunteer Nurses Aide Corps replace registered nurses for the armed services.
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SCHOOL OF NURSING
The Quincy City Hospital is making an additional contribution through its School of Nursing. With hospitals throughout the country, our Hospital is cooperating with the United States Public Health nurse cadet training program. Practically all of our enrolled students are participating mem- bers.
FUTURE PLANS
Our present bed capacity should be adequate for at least 10 years. On the other hand, if our Hospital is to render care and service to the aged, the chronically ill, to those with mental or contagious dis- cases, additional facilities must be provided. The modern trend and concept of the hospital of today is to build and equip general hos- pitals so that all types of patients may be given the necessary care and treatment in the community in which the patients reside. Should the citizens and taxpayers of Quincy follow the latest trend in the hospital field, these plans should be considered.
1944
Admissions
9,128
Daily average
263.4
Births
1,34
Laboratory tests 41,445
X-ray examinations
5,231
Accidents
3,274
Physiotherapy 10,693
Outpatients
6,767
Operations
7,471
Patient days
96,412
Deaths
327
Lowest census
176
Highest census
336
Receipts $566,056.66
Payroll
391,7.12.05
Total expenses
678,981.86
Net deficit to city 112,930.20
Per-diem cost
7.04 incl. infant days
Per-diem cost
8.32 excl. infant days
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1LLLLLLLLLLAALLA <<<<<<<<<<
GERHARD F. SCHAFER City Engineer
Number of Employees - 9
1944 Budget Expenditure $26,237.25 LLLLLLLL <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ENGINEERING
Details of construction of drains, sewers, curbs, sidewalks, unsur- faced streets and new streets are available in the form of charts in 1 11
the extended report of the Depart- ment in the City Clerk's office. The single biggest job was the widening and rebuilding of Foster Street from Washington to Chestnut Streets.
Federal Government restrictions in essential materials have so lim- ited the amount of work which it has been possible to do that this report is necessarily very brief. The routine work in the office and field has been expeditiously taken care of as well as all engineering work required by the various depart- ments.
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VETERANS AID DEPARTMENT
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JOHN .1. SANDISON Director
Employees - 4
1944 Budget Expenditure $43,896.69 122
The Department was created by the City Council in December of 1943 and organized in February, 1944. The personnel consists of two clerks and one investigator. The senior clerk commenced work during March, 1944. In June an additional clerk was added to the force to take care of the work cre- ated by the rehabilitation programı and information center set up by the Mayor's Rehabilitation Com- mittee. Also at this time increase in applications necessitated the ap- pointment of an investigator.
Since March 21, 1944 we have received 2,595 calls for advice and assistance. Financial aid has been granted to 227 cases, 130 of these being World War II. These 227
cases involved 527 persons. World War II honor roll has been started and we now have over 7,000 names on file, including the names of 162 boys of Quincy who have made the supreme sacrifice. Veterans' and servicemen's dependents are aided in filing various forms, such as insurance, pensions, gratuity, and allotments. Legal aid has been rendered when deemed necessary.
We have been able to assist many of the veterans who have problems concerning pension claims, converting insurance, voca- tional training and schooling un- der the G. I. Bill. We have been successful in obtaining employ- ment in the proper setting for sev- eral veterans. Sixteen thousand photostatic copies of discharges and other valuable papers of serv- icemen have been made and are on file.
The medical clinic established in the Department has been used by many of the veterans of World War II and they have been referred to the proper hospitals or special- ists as their cases require. A com- plete record is kept on file.
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THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
GEORGE E. ADAMS
Chairman
GEORGIANA C. LANE
Secretary
VINCENT J. READDY Treasurer
JAMES S. COLLINS
HENRIETTA C. THOMAS
CLARA A. THOMPSON Librarian GALIN W. HIl.L.
Employees - 44.
1944 Budget Expenditure ... $88.597.87
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THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Crane Memorial Libraries, Quincy Square, containing the main circulation department, read- ing room, readers' advisory service, adults' reference department, boys' and girls' room, art and technical
department, music room and ad- ministration offices.
Twelve branch libraries, service supplemented by regular exchange of books with main library.
Hospital library service at Quincy City Hospital five hours a day, six days a week, for patients and staff.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Though the year 1944 in this library was devoid of any outstand- ing achievements, nevertheless the record can be reviewed with a cer- tain amount of satisfaction. First, there was a substantial increase in the loans of books and periodicals, the 496,270 issued representing a gain of nearly 36,000 over the 1943 figures. There were also 5,766 phonograph records and 2,352 pic- tures loaned, bringing the total circulation to 504,388. This is gratifying in view of prevailing conditions of wartime and with so many of our former borrowers in
TRUSTFES OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY - Left to right, standing: Mr. Readdy, Treasurer: Colonel Adams, Chairman; Mr. Collins; Mr. Hill, Librarian. Seated: Miss Thompson; Miss Lane, Secretary; Mrs. Thomas.
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the armed services or engaged in overtime war work.
Another satisfaction is found in the establishment, after many years of endeavor, of a stabilized and equitable classified plan of library service with minimum and maximum salaries and yearly step increases. A good deal of study went into the preparation of the graded plan which was adopted after conference with the salary survey committee of the City Coun- cil which made effective the sal- ary adjustments necessary. It is a relief to have achieved its adop- tion.
In "Post-War Standards for Pub- lic Libraries," a publication of the American Library Association, service standards or efficiency rat- ings are set up for libraries in cities of comparative population. How does the Quincy Library stand in its class? In its main library, its building, branch coverage of the city, number of borrowers, circula- tion of books, special services of- fered, the Thomas Crane Public
Library's rating is above the aver- age of the standards set. However, in the amount annually expended for books and in the size of the book stock, this Library falls well below the average, spending only 13 percent of the total library ap- propriation for books instead of the standard 25 percent, and being 50,000 books short of the require- ments for a public library offering the services it does in a city the size of Quincy.
Among the post-war problems widely discussed is the educational assistance which should be avail- able in public libraries for the re- turning veteran. While demands probably may not be as great as many post war planners seem to ex- pect, public libraries should be prepared with the material for adult education, vocational guid- ance, the rehabilitation of the dis- abled and similar problems. This library has begun the acquisition of books and other material along these lines and has already been of assistance to some discharged vet- erans.
A phonograph record is played in one of the listening booths in the Library's music room. More than 5,000 records are loaned every year.
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL PLACES
MAURICE P. SPILLANE Chairman
HENRY ADAMS
LAWRENCE W. LYONS
GRACE P. BONSALL
HARRIET B. PIERCE
1914 Budget Expenditure .. $208.70
111 LLLLLL
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Interest in the birthplaces of our coun- try's presidents is yearly increasing. In spite of travel restrictions we had last year
more visitors than at any time in the past, 1,406 at the birthplace of John Adams and 905 at the birthplace of John Quincy Adams, and some came from Canada and England.
The grounds were improved the past year by replacing the old fence on Presi- dent's Avenue and Franklin Street with new hand-split rails and cedar posts, a much needed improvement. This year we hope to have a fence erected on the north- ern boundary, also on the north side grad- ing to be done to prevent rain running down under the foundations of the John Adamıs House which would cause rot and decay.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MAYOR CHIARLES A. Ross Chairman A. WENDALL CLARK Vice-Chairman
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS
JOHN H. TAYLOR L. PAUL MARINI WILLIAM A. ANDERSON CARTER LEE
PAUL GOSSARD Superintendent 1944 Budget Expenditure ...... $1,226,201.79
The Quincy School Department operates 24 school buildings which house two senior high schools, four
junior high schools, 19 elementary schools and the Quincy Trade School. Its payroll totals 498 em- ployees, of which 425 are the teaching staff. The pupil enroll- ment October 1944 was high schools 2,290, junior high schools 2,952, elementary schools 6,006, trade school 182, total 11,430.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
These few pages devoted to schools are designed to give local citizens now and the occasional in- terested reader in years to come some slight picture of the Quincy schools in the war year of 1944.
Like any business or other insti- tution the school system has been deeply affected by the war. Thirty- seven employees are on leave to
QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Left to right, standing: Miss Nilsen, Clerk; Mr. Taylor, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lee, Dr. Gossard, Superintendent, Dr. Marini. Seated: Mayor Ross, Chairman Mrs. Nichols, Mr. Clark, Vice-Chairman.
Annual Report
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The Pussy cat
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Respect for the flag is one of the first lessons to be taught.
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Geography is more real when brothers and cousins are in service all over the globe.
City of Quincy
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Since the beginning of the war a course in Physics has been required of all high school boys.
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Trade School boys not only acquire vital skills but contribute directly to war production.
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serve in the armed forces. Hun- dreds of young men shortly after being graduated from high school and many who had not finished have entered the service. What is taught reflects the needs of these young people and the necessity for all to place the furthering of the war effort high on the list of "musts." . The science, mathema- tics, and shop courses in particular are serving as an important part of pre-induction training and also as preparation for students to aid in war industries. Among the war projects in which the schools have aided since the beginning of the war are war-production training, registration for selective service, weekly sale of war-savings stamps, bond drives, rationing, salvage drives, Junior Red Cross projects, and clothing drives.
Despite these many new de- mands the guaranteeing of a good, sound educational foundation to the young people is always the first obligation of the schools. A faith- ful and loyal staff of teachers and other workers, aided by many sub- stitutes working in the places of people on leave, are doing a praise- worthy piece of work.
An effort is made to give the opportunity of an education to every potential pupil, with special classes for handicapped and with home teaching where necessary. The broad offerings of the four curriculumis and the trade school at the secondary level are aug- mented by a cooperative arrange- ment permitting young people to take work tuition - free in neigh- boring communities where training is offered that we do not have-and vice versa. An effort to meet needs
of adults is being made by an eve- ning school. Special services are rendered by the department of guidance and research, including a counseling service, an adjust- ment service, and a placement service, by the health education department, and by a testing pro- gram. War casualties among our special offerings, due to the scarc- ity of personnel, are the teaching- aids department, including visual education, and the general voca- tional class.
Recognizing the desirability of a good basic salary schedule as an essential in having an outstanding school system, the Quincy School Committee has adopted a new schedule that should do much to retain high-grade teachers, attract superior talent, and guarantee a dynamic, professionally up-to-the- minute staff.
The trend of recent years toward decreasing enrollments was further augmented by young people going into service before graduation and by the lure of high wages. The turning point came this year with an increase in enrollment due in part to the aid of local citizens in the national "back-to-school" drive.
These are times of crisis for schools, but times of crisis can also be times of opportunity. In the changes that the future will bring in a period to be characterized by radar, television, chemurgy, com- mon air travel, and attempts to maintain world peace, the schools need the constant and alert inter- est of all the citizens of Quincy- an unselfish interest in the welfare of this city's greatest asset, its chil- dren.
City of Quincy
WAR PRICE AND RATION BOARD
CHARLES G. HARFORD Chairman
ALBERT L. LASH HERBERT C. CLARIDGE DOMINIC GUARCELLO
JOHN FLAVIN
U. RUSSELL PAAKONEN
JOHN YATES
CARLENA WALKER (MISS)
FLOYD MAYWARD
PAUL LECOMTE
MRS. C. Y. WOODBURY
ROBERT E. FOY, JR. .
W. LEMON
M. C. MACDOUGAL
PAUL B. YOUNG
Z. CRANSTON SMITH
1944 Budget Expenditure $2,758.30
There have been no significant major changes in the rationing program, in the size of the office or general rationing procedure, and the program has become more stable. From bitter experience and plenty of hard work, the pro- cedure has been stabilized and
more expeditiously carried out. O. P. A. early in the year instituted an accountability system which did not deviate markedly from the sys- tem we were already using and was proof that we were working on the proper premise, as evidenced by the introduction of a similar sys- tem by Washington. The opening of the mailing center by the O. P. A. in December has not proved, in our estimation, as satisfactory as our previous methods, although it may be too early to judge, as it has been in operation for only one month.
At the beginning of the year the board membership was 10 and at present it has been increased to 16. Albert A. Lash, chairman during 1943, resigned the chairmanship on January 20, 1944 and was succeeded on February 4, 1944 by Charles G. Harford. We are given to under- stand by the O. P. A. that in 1945 more emphasis will be placed on price control activities. It was for this reason that, at the suggestion of the regional office, the price panel membership was increased to seven.
ISSUANCES DURING 1944 January - December
Bicycles
42
Shoe stamps
8,875
Gasoline
6,717,154 Gallons
Stoves
717
Autos (used)
71
Tires
15,069
Fuel oil
14,496,879 Gallons
Sugar for canning
135,855 Lbs.
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SALVAGE COMMITTEE
ALLLLLLLLLL
CLARENCE L. EDWARDS Chairman
MRS. RAYMOND H. DAVIS Secretary
IVAN H. POOLE Treasurer
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In recognition of the cooperation received from the City during the past year, the Quincy Salvage Com- mittee is sending members of the City Council the 1944 salvage re- port. We are grateful for the bud- get allotment which made possible the use of City equipment for col- lecting paper salvage. This cost has been repaid in full.
A bi-monthly paper collection from residences was organized, a calendar was printed and distribu- ted, publicizing done by Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. On the first collection, 50 volunteers assisted in loading freight cars. Total amount of pa- per collected bi-monthly on indus- trial campaign during 1944, 1,316 tons, receipts $19,394.44. Business paper collections began monthly in June, amounted to 96 tons, and $900.72 received.
Tin can collections amounted to 407,835 pounds and fat receipts 188,099 pounds. Miscellaneous collections, paper from schools, 31/2 tons, $32.50; rags and hides, $125.00.
The question may properly be asked what becomes of the money realized from the sale of salvage. The answer is that the balance after costs of collection and office expenses have been met, was do- nated to the following Quincy community organizations and proj- ects:
Red Cross
$250.00
Air Raid Wardens
300.00
First Service Club
50.00
Infantile Paralysis Fund
100.00
Coast Guard
477.65
Community Fund
450.00
U. S. S. Cruiser Quincy Fund
50.00
Boy Scouts
4,620.00
Camp Fire Girls
354.50
Girl Scouts
552.50
Y. M. C. A. Youth Canteen
1,584.65
Red Cross Canteen Corps
50.00
North Quincy High Parents Group
35.00
Quincy Child Guidance Clinic
1,000.00
Health Department
96.38
Quincy Chamber of Commerce
825.00
Squantum Troop No. 19
18.75
Quincy Visiting Nurse Association
1,000.00
Whole Blood Bank Fund
500.00
Hallowe'en Entertainment
485.50
Salvation Army
1,000.00
South Junior School
25.00
Fourth War Loan Committee
18.75
$13,843.68
City of Quincy
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Boy Scouts and men volunteers assist Quincy Salvage Committee in loading paper on freight cars. OLHOS JUOK - BALTI
Annual Report
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
LALLLLLLLL
HENRY H. HUGHES Scaler
JOHN B. CRONIN Deputy Sealer
Employees - 2
1914 Budget Expenditure $1,276.29
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The Sealer in the performance of his duty tests, seals or condemns according to the results of his tests, every weighing or measuring device used in his community for buying, selling or exchange of any mer- chandise, also those devices for de- termining wages.
The scale on which the new-born babe is weighed is tested by him as well as the balances and graduates used to concoct baby's formula. Likewise are tested the intricate balances used to compound pre- scriptions for the sick. He inspects the clinical thermometers used in diagnosis to insure that they con- form to the high standards re- quired by this Commonwealth. (The Massachusetts statute pro- vides a penalty for sale of clinical thermometers not bearing a Mas- sachusetts seal or not having been certified as to accuracy by the Di- rector of Standards.)
It is the Sealer's duty to test all weighing and measuring devices on which your food and fuel are weighed or measured. He certifies as to the accuracy of linear meas- ures, including automatic cloth measuring devices, leather measur- ing machines, rope and wire meas- uring devices, taxi-meters, etc. He tests the scales used to weigh the yarn determining the spinners' wage, and in a dispute, tests pick- clocks which are used for arriving at the weavers' carnings.
When his mechanical phase, test- ing of devices, has been completed, his work is not done. He must constantly maintain a strict super- vision to insure that the devices are properly used. He is charged with enforcing all laws pertaining to weights and measures, hawkers and peddlers, transient vendors, and quality of coal. It is his duty to investigate complaints, to prose- cute those who violate the law, and to constantly reweigh and remeas- ure items of food and fuel pre- packaged for future delivery.
In 1944 this department sealed 1,201 scales, 1,888 weights, 470 vol- unetric measures, 93 linear meas- ures, 572 automatic liquid measur- ing devices and seven taxi-meters. Adjustments numbered 179 and devices condemned 45. There were 246 reweighings of which 75 were correct, 30 over and 141 under weight.
If you live in a commu- nity with an adequate, live Weights and Measures De- partment, your dollar will go farther for it is most probable that you will receive correct weight and measure. If not, its value will decrease be- cause of lack of adequate supervision.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
JOHN P. FLAVIN City Solicitor
Employees - 1
The Legal Department is a very necessary and important depart- ment in the City of Quincy. The City Solicitor is annually appointed by the Mayor and, in accordance with the City Ordinance, shall have charge of the Law Depart- ment of the City. It is his duty to commence and prosecute all ac- tions, suits and other legal proceed- ings founded upon any claim, de- mand, right or privilege of said City, or any department or admin- istrative board thereof. He shall also appear in defense of any ac- tion, suit or proceeding which may be brought against the City where- in any right, privilege, property, estate, act or franchise of said City may be affected or brought into question before any Court, Board of Commissioners, or Committee of the General Court of the Con- monwealth of Massachusetts. The City Solicitor must also prepare all
legal instruments which may be required of him by the Mayor and shall, when requested by the Mayor or the City Council, furnish writ- ten legal opinions upon any ques- tion relating to Quincy or its af- fairs.
Throughout the past year, the City Solicitor's office has per- formed these many duties and has disposed of, by trial, settlement or otherwise, many actions pending against the City. The bulk of these claims have been for damages due to accidents because of alleged defects on city highways and for land damage claims against the City for land takings, particularly the takings at South Street and East Howard Street, land takings at Broad Meadows and the land tak- ings on Foster Street. This office has also disposed of almost all pending claims for tax abatements before the Appellate Tax Board and has adjusted or begun claims on behalf of the City for all monies due it from other cities and towns arising out of claims for hospitali- zation or assistance rendered to welfare or old age assistance cases.
The number of cases against the City have been drastically reduced by trial and disposition.
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PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
ORRIE D. WILLIAMS Purchasing Agent
Employees - 5 1944 Budget Expenditure $8,267.03
During the year, 6,210 requisi- tions were received from the va- rious municipal Departments re- sulting in 8,051 purchase orders amounting to total expenditures of $314,578.71.
Schedules showing item break- down of these figures as well as data on all the contracts made for pur- chase of equipment or supplies by the City through this office are on file in the City Clerk's office.
Aside from regular work, this Department is custodian of inven- tories of all equipment and records from the offices of W. P. A. and the Civilian Defense Council. It is also keeping the records required by the Quincy Rationing Board, of gasoline and fuel oil as used by all Departments of the City.
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Conor Roll nf Quinry City Employees in the United States Armed Forces *****
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Assessors Department
FISHER, SERENA RANDALL, WAVES
Cemetery Division
ESSON, MAURICE A., Navy PLANTE, FRANCIS J., Navy WILLIAMS, RICHARD D., Army
Engineering Department
COLLAGAN, EDWARD H., Army KELLEY, JAMES F., Army LEONE, EDWARD A., Army *O'CONNELL, J. EDMUND, Army
Fire Department
COLUMBUS, EDWARD J., Coast Guard
*CREEDON, PETER J., Navy FRAZIER, ANSEL, Coast Guard
HANRAHAN, LAWRENCE, Navy
JACOBS, PAUL J., Army JOLY, ALFRED T., Navy LEONARD, JOHN P., Navy
MALVESTI, NICHOLAS, Marines
O'BRIEN, JAMES J., Army Air Force
O'CONNOR. THOMAS C., JR., Navy
ROGERS, EMERIC, Army SHEA, RICHARD, Army SHIRLEY, GEORGE C., Navy
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