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 1949 > Part 3
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In addition to this routine work, the engineering division furnished preliminary information for the construction of the municipal parking area, which included 21,000 square yards of street work, 4,600 square yards of concrete sidewalks, 10,500 linear feet of curbing and the installation of 533 parking meters. Plans were also prepared for the installation of 142 meters in Wollaston.
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SECTION IV CHARITIES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE GENERAL RELIEF AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN OLD AGE ASSISTANCE CITY PHYSICIAN
47
Department of Public Welfare
Up until the early thirties when the effects of the depression began to make themselves felt, the Quincy Department of Public Welfare had comparatively little to do other than to operate the city home and to investigate occasionel calls for assistance from those in need and to lend a helping hand now and then. Administration of the depart- ment was considered as a part-time job and a limited personnel suf- ficed. e
This state of affairs was changed, almost over night, when the depression struck hard and swiftly and thousands of self-respecting hard-working citizens found themselves and their families, through no fault of their own, in need of food and clothing and shelier. The department expanded in importance, in functions, in personnel, with a mush-room growth.
The coming of World War II ended the depression, but mean- while the New Deal had brought into being a new social philosophy which, in turn, sponsored legislative programs at various levels effect- ing constantly increasing social benefits. The end is apparently not in sight yet; and that means that, good times or bad, the municipal welfare department will continue to be one of the heaviest money spending divisions of the city government in the foreseeable future.
The department is divided into various chief divisions, O'd Age Assistance, General Relief and Aid to Dependent Children. It also includes the operation of the city home and the professional services of the city physician.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
The Old Age Assistance Division had an active case load of 1,292 at the beginning of the year and 1,340 at the end of the year, with monthly expenditures climbing from $79,324.10 in January to $91,613.66 in December. A major portion of the increase was occasioned by a change in the Old Age Assistance law which provided for a four dollar monthly increase for "Leisure Time activities.'
Other changes affecting the old age program during the year were: an increase from $500 to $1,000 in the surrender value of life insurance which a recipient might retain; an increase from $300 to $500 in a recipient's bank deposits; and an increase in the reimburse- able per diem hospital rates from $8 to $10.
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Expenditures of the division for Old Age Assistance during the year were $1,010,472.56. The deficit cost to the city, however, was only $180,524.43 after deductions had been made for $431,208.93 in federal grants, $376,185.29 in state receipts and about $22,000 in re- ceipts from individuals, cities and towns. Administration of the de- partment came to $48,553.63, of which $25,384.15 was the city's share.
GENERAL RELIEF DIVISION
The General Relief Division during 1949 handled 942 new or re- opened cases. Some 411 referrals from other cities and towns and from hospitals were received, of which 249 were accepted and 162 denied.
Costs for the year came to $213,892.47, of which $160,596.87 was in cash; $3,656.55 for rent; $4,550 for groceries; $8,398.91 for medic'ne and medical care; $15,361.38 to other cities and towns; $3,828.57 for board and care; and $13,738.32 for hospitalization.
The city appropriated $214,000 for general relief; $31,373.90 for salaries and approximately $5,000 for expenses. The city received $44,204.01 in cash receipts, including $12,965.62 from other municipali- ties and $28,136.81 from the state.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
In 1949 the cost of operating the Aid to Dependent Children Divi- sion was $197,586.55. Receipts from the federal and state govern- ments came to $104,648.38, leaving the net cost to the city of $92.938.17.
The case load jumped from 120 on the first day of the year to 146 on the last day of the year. The increases came from transfers from other cities and towns and the sickness or death of the family's principal wage earner.
THE CITY HOME
The City Home is operated by the Department of Public Welfare to accommodate persons who cannot adjust themselves to living else- where. The Home was filled to capacity throughout the want on many occasions; and it served as a haven for five evicted fami iss 'o- short r or longer periods during 1949. At times it sheltered persons made temporarily homeless by fire, flood, windstorms and other causes.
During the summer the inmates again raised a splendid garden in which they produced fresh vegetables for their own consumption.
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Welfare Comm. Anthony J. Venna and Supt. J. Gerard White recommended the installation of a sprinkler system, a new roof, out- side painting, a new central heating plant and the construction of a recreation house for male inmates.
Expenses came to $9,315.96 and salaries to $7,327.00.
CITY PHYSICIAN
Dr. William R. Helfrich again served as City Physician in 1949. During the year he reported 362 calls, of which 348 were house calls and 16 calls were made at the instance of the Police Department.
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SECTION V DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICE
53
Department of Veteran's Services
Veterans of World Wars I and II in Quincy number between 16,000 and 17,000, Captain Edmund F. Genereau, director of the De- partment of Veterans' Services estimates. These veterans together with their parents, wives, widows and minor children who are eligible for assistance from this department reach a potential total of around 60,000 or about two-thirds of the city's total population.
During 1949 the department received 13,091 requests for various types of assistance from veterans and their dependents.
During the twelve months 1,483 cases, involving 6,251 persons, were assisted for food, clothing, rent, dental and medical care at a cost of $102,137.51. This expenditure would have been materially higher had not over $63,000 been saved by processing applications for pension or compensation from the federal government for those eligible. Also full advantage was taken of the resources of the state employment bureau and the bureau of social security, a federal agency.
In his annual report, Captain Genereau points out:
"Costs of the veterans' benefits program could be reduced if a free psychiatric clinic was established by the city. The Veterans' Ad- ministration will offer psychiatric care only to those whose condition can be established as 'service connected,' a service at best not too satisfactory due to overcrowded schedules and the waiting period for treatment involved.
"Many veterans, displaying no evidence of mental disturbance upon discharge, have often, due to money worries, unemployment and domestic difficulties, become so distraught they are unable to maintain their proper place in society and require skilled psychiatric care. The underlying cause, no doubt, is their war service but nothing of a tan- gible nature can be discovered to demand Government care.
"The clinical expense involved would be slight in comparison with the cost of maintaining the veteran and his family for lengthy periods of time due to inability to work because of mental instability. Our case histories easily prove the truth of this statement."
In urging serious consideration of the veteran's problem, Captain Genereau writes:
"We again urge the formation of a city sponsored organization with the sole purpose of attracting new industry into our city. An or- ganization active, vigorous and vigilant, provided with sufficient funds could net a tremendous return, reduce assistance costs and be of immense moral value.
"This year Quincy will spend, exclusive of Old Age Assistance, between a quarter and a half million dollars solely to maintain indi-
54
viduals and families who are unable to obtain employment. Abundant employment could not only reduce this burden but would pour new life blood into our city.
"There are broad and most unfortunate social implications in the fact that such a large segment of our population needs assistance in supposedly such prosperous years.
"Unless public and private official consciousness is awakened to the magnitude of the problem it is not unreasonable to forecast dangerous developments.
"We must recognize the nature and scope of the problem and develope an organization equipped with the funds and personnel to cope with it."
REHABILITATION REQUESTS-1949
Allotments
19
American Red Cross
22
Burial-Death Benefits
29
Civil Service
433
Compensation
308
Copies of Discharge
3,875
Education
560
Employment
346
Government Subsistence
402
Insurance
653
Insurance Dividends
3,846
Legal Advice
385
Medical, Dental, Hospitalization
372
Pension
132
Reemployment, Labor Rights
216
Repatriation
12
U. S. Employment Service
1,481
Total
13,091
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SECTION VI RECREATION COMMISSION PARK DEPARTMENT
57
Recreation Commission
The Quincy Recreation Commission, created in June, 1948, com- pleted its first full year in 1949. The functions of the commission are to organize and supervise a public recreation program for the city. In carrying out these functions it works in close cooperation and har- mony with the Park Commission and the School Department.
The Board of Commissioners in 1949 included J. Ernest Collins, chairman; William J. Mitchell and Kenneth P. Fallon, Jr., who were also on the Park Board; Katherine G. McCoy, secretary; Alexander Smith, also a member of the School Committee; John Morley and Gilbert L. Crofts. William Bowyer served as general recreation super- visor. Members of the commission serve without pay.
During the year the commission employed 99 part time workers. Under its supervision 15 playgrounds were operated with leadership the year round and 24 for summers only; with an average daily attendance of 2,225 running up to an accumulated season of 80,776. The commission supervised five recreation buildings and 17 indoor recreation centers under leadership.
Total recreation attendance figures included the following: recre- ation centers, 27 weeks, 36,462; playgrounds, eight weeks, 80,776; girls softball, 2,331; senior softball, 2,784; little baseball, 2,752; basket- ball, 8,264; tennis, 560; track and field, 2,520; arts and crafts, 20,760; organized activities, 104,200; music, 2,960; dramatics, 4,624; dancing, 4,688; club groups, 4,108; bathing beaches (eight weeks) instructed classes, 4,727; season's accumulated total, 117,238.
Recreational facilities included 10 regulation diamonds, four bath- ing beaches under supervision, eight softball diamonds, 24 tennis courts, two athletic fields for track and field events, one bowling green, six skating rinks, two picnic areas, two stadiums and one outdoor theater.
Total expenses for the year were $45,294.29, of which $15,429.75 was for capital outlay, $25,644.05 for leadership salaries and wages, and $4,220.49 for supplies and incidentals.
Arts and Crafts included leatherwork, metalwork, needlecraft, woodwork, papercraft, jewelry, novelties and salvage. Outing activi- ties included hiking, nature work, picnicking, cookouts and education studies. Water sports took in safety, pageants, novelty meets and life saving. Sports embraced baseball, basketball, boxing, tennis, volleyball, badminton, football, horseshoes, soccer, softball, golf and track and field events.
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Park Department
With the responsibility of supervising recreational activities con- ducted on municipal playgrounds now shouldered by the new recre- ation commission organized last year, the work of the Park Depart- ment in 1949 was devoted chiefly to the maintenance of city property used for playground purposes.
This work was conducted by the unpaid Park Board which in- cludes Chairman J. Ernest Collins, Vice Chairman William J. Mitchell and Secretary Kenneth P. Fallon, Jr. The board held regular weekly meetings each Monday evening at the City Hall.
During the year, aside from its routine maintenance operations, the Park Board erected a structure at the Municipal Stadium for hous- ing the public address systems; rebuilt the Fore River and Montclair baseball fields and reroofed the Fore River clubhouse.
Additional improvements included the erection of chain link fences at the Columbia, Kincaide and Montclair playgrounds; and the erec- tion of wire fences at the O'Rourke and Fore River fields, and the construction of a concrete wall at North Stadium.
The maintenance work under Foreman Harry Boyd and a skilled personnel covered grading, seeding carpentry, landscaping, masonry, construction and forestry.
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SECTION VII
PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHOOLS
61
Thomas Crane Public Library
Fears that the printed word was destined to be shunted back into secondary importance by the fast growing popularity of television were not fulfilled in 1949. Although television aerials were to be seen on thousands of Quincy rooftops by the end of the year, Galen W.
Hill, the librarian of the Thomas Crane Public Library, found that "no adverse effects are yet apparent."
"The question had a familiar ring," Mr. Hill pointed out in his annual report, "for similar fears were aroused on the introduction of movies and radio. My feeling is that such new devices capable of providing both entertainment and education seem to supplement rather than displace reading."
In 1949 the library loaned for home use 545,432 books and periodi- cals, 17,129 phonograph records and 8,861 mounted pictures, a total of 572,422 items. This total is the highest since 1941, the year before the last war. The gain over 1948 in books and magazines was 51,856, better than ten percent; in phonograph records, 139; and in pictures, 3,306. The per capita circulation was 6.97, which compares favorably with other libraries in this population range, but is still short of what the library officials would like it to be.
The per capita registered borrower is 26.6, which is rated as good.
Two interesting points were revealed by an analysis of the circu- lation figures: one, the decided increase in children's loans; and, two, the steady increase in the percentage of non-fiction borrowed each year as against a similar decline in fiction.
From 30 percent of the total adult circulation ten years ago, non- fiction rose in 1949 to 37 percent over the whole library system, while at the main library it was 49 percent. In both November and December of 1949, something of a phenomenon for a popular library occurred, for more non-fiction than fiction was borrowed.
In 1949 the library acquired, principally through purchase, 9,361 books. Withdrawals number 5,909, leaving a net gain of 3,452. At the end of the year the total book stock was 143,863 volumes. The register of borrowers showed 21,544 active cards on December 31, 1949, a drop of 252 from the 1948 figure.
In the children's department the downward trend in the circula- tion of childrens books which characterized the war years seemed to reach a turning point in 1949, with the war babies crowding the school rooms now turning to the library. There was an increase of 728 names in the juvenile registrations; and a gain in circulation of 25,364 books over 1948. A gain in circulation of 970 showed in the high school, or teen-age, books ...
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In September, 1949, the new music room was opened to the public on a full-time, 9 A. M. to 9 P. M., schedule. At the end of the year there were 4,352 records available; and a new high of 17,129 records had been circulated. November brought the installation of two custom-built phonographs to replace two ten-year-old machines.
In the picture department were 22,000 pictures; and the circula- tion of 9,861 represents a gain of 50 percent in one year.
Mr. Hill, in his annual report, pointed out that the branch libraries, which have only 42 percent of the book stock, deliver 68 percent of the circulation. He paid tribute to the work of the branch librarians who have to handle all phases of library work alone.
In the service maintained at the Quincy Hospital by the Thomas Crane Public Library, there was a circulation of 15,536 books during the year. This is about the average for recent years, but somewhat under the 20,000 circulation reached some time back before the patient turn-over was accelerated and the convalescent periods were short- ened at the hospital.
In March, 1949, the hospital suffered a loss in the death of Vincent J. Readdy, a member of the board of trustees for 12 years and the treasurer for seven years. L. Paul Marini was appointed to the vacancy on the board created by his death; and Miss Clara E. Thompson was elected treasurer.
The Quincy School Department
The Quincy School Department in 1949 operated an enterprise involving 25 buildings, 588 full time employes and 68 part time teachers to provide education for the 11,800 pupils in elementary and secondary schools and the 2,500 adults in the evening classes. This operation required $2,399,945.84, including appropriations from the Smith-Hughes and George Barden funds. These expenditures in the annual budget do not include appropriations for bond retirement and interest payments on school construction loans. School bonds oustanding on the last day of the year totalled $435,000.
Dr. Paul Gossard, superintendent of schools, pointing out in his annual report the necessity for proceeding with the proposed new construction program, estimated that the present enrollment of 6,700 elementary pupils would increase to 9,500 in 1957, and that the present enrollment of 4,900 secondary students would increase to 8,000 in 1963.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
"The greatest single problem facing this city is provision for new school buildings to house an estimated 3,000 new pupils in the next six to eight years," is the way the school board presented the picture
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in its annual report prepared by Raymond C. Warmington and Carter Lee. "Your committee have been aware of this problem for several years and have engaged expert advice to solve it. We have laid our plans before the mayor and council in public meeting and private conference. Our plans include an addition to the Wollaston school, a new elementary school in the Beechwood Knoll area, a new elementary school at the Germantown Veterans' project and a new elementary school on Whitwell street and Carroll' Lane to serve that rapidly developing area near Furnace Brook Parkway. Our plans also include the replacing of the Central Junior High School and the enlargement of the Trade School.
"All this will cost money and will take time. Yet it is urgently needed and so far has proceeded at a snail's pace. The School Com- mittee and the city government will need the support and good will of every thoughtful citizen in pushing to completion an economical yet efficient building program, which will provide adequate and health- ful surroundings for all our youngsters during the very important part of their lives which is spent in school.
"In numberless minor ways our schools are demonstrating their vitality. The Squantum School addition, completed last year, is a mecca for visitors as an example of functional school architecture; our guidance program is rated among the best in this section of the country; we inaugurated a professional conference plan for teachers this year with excellent results; our special classes for the physically handicapped are at a high standard; with the cooperation of the Parent Teacher Council and the Quincy Health Department, every fifth grade child will be able to have his teeth cleaned and treated tour times with sodium fluoride this winter.'
The cost of Quincy schools in 1949 was about $300,000 over 1948; due, to a large extent to the $300 raise in teachers' salaries voted in 1948 but becoming fully effective this year. The regular teaching staff was increased by 23 new teachers, and the enrollment of pupils in- creased 213. The addition of the new teachers allowed for a slight decrease in the size of classes.
The expenses of $346,849 and the new equipment item of $37,853 in 1949 ran considerably above the meager amounts spent for these purposes during the war and the depression years; and these com- paratively high costs are, in a large part, the results of the earlier retrenchments.
Quincy's per pupil cost in 1949 was estimated at $185.96 by the school committee, or $10 per pupil below the median of the 39 cities in Massachusetts.
The Washington School, closed since 1942 because of decreased enrollment, was reopened in September, 1949.
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Work on the four-room addition to the Atherton Hough School progressed satisfactorily, and it was expected that these rooms would be ready for occupancy shortly after the first of the year.
During the year of 1949, the school department lost three long- time members of the faculty by death. They were W. Scott Austin, principal 1924-1949; Alice M. Igo, teacher 1909-1949; and Hazel S. Loring, teacher 1916-1949.
Mrs. Helen E. Spencer, member of the school committee, died on January 9, 1949, after four years of service on the board.
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Attendance Data of the Regular Day Schools for the Year Ending June 24, 1949
SCHOOL
Number of Boys
Number of Girls
Number of Different Pupils En-
rolled Exclusive of re-enroll-
ments in the City
Average Membership
Average Daily Attendance
Per cent of Attendance
Quincy High
670
818
1488
1424
1320
92.6
North Quincy High
885
876
1761
1710
1611
94.2
Central Junior High
409
378
787
738
680
92.1
Quincy Point Junior High
199
230
429
414
386
93.2
Class for Older Boys
29
29
31
26
83.8
South Junior High
190
167
357
336
309
91.9
Atherton Hough
357
289
646
601
553
92.0
Coddington
119
124
243
231
212
91.7
Cranch
122
126
248
242
223
92.1
Daniel Webster
198
163
361
344
317
92.1
Francis W. Parker
242
540
509
474
93.1
Gridley Bryant
102
97
199
189
174
92.0
John Hancock
113
93
206
198
185
93.4
Lincoln
155
140
295
284
262
92.2
Massachusetts Fields
360
309
669
628
579
92.1
Merrymount
120
116
236
227
211
92.9
Montclair
246
286
532
503
469
93.2
Nathaniel S. Hunting
138
119
257
249
231
92.7
Quincy
233
252
485
451
417
92.4
Squantum
145
136
281
270
250
92.5
Thomas B. Pollard
252
199
451
425
392
92.2
Willard
160
168
328
311
287
92.2
Wollaston
253
261
514
484
450
92.9
Physically Handicapped Class
9
9
18
17
15
88.2
Sight Conservation Class ..
7
7
14
14
13
92.8
Totals
6,068
5,903
11,971
11,399
10,581
92.8
Trade School
224
234
195
177
90.7
.
299
298
597
569
535
94.0
Adams
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SUMMARY OF DATA ON POPULATION, SCHOOL BUILDINGS, AND EMPLOYEES
Population of the City (U. S. Census of 1940)
75,810
Number of school buildings: Quincy High1, 1; North Quincy
High2, 1: Junior High Schools, 3: Elementary, 19; Annex3, 1; total
1 2 3 25
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Teachers in Quincy High School: men, 21, women, 37; total Teachers in North Quincy High School: men, 26; women, 47; Teachers in Junior High Schools: men, 20; women, 60; total Teachers in Elementary Schools: men, 4; women, 223; total Principals: Quincy High School, men, 1; (Asst. Principal),
73 80
1; North Quincy High School, 1; (Asst. Principals), 2; Junior High Schools, men, 3; Elementary Schools, men, 84; women, 2; total 4 18
Directors: Art, 1; Health Education, 1; Music, 2; Teaching Aids, 1; total
5
Special teachers: drawing, 1; health instructors, 2; libra- rians,5; lip reading,5 1; opportunity classes, 5; physical education, 2; physically handicapped children, 2; sight conservation, 1; total
ยท 19 16
Trade School: men, principal, 1; teachers, 15, total
6 14
Adult Civic Education; principal, 1; teachers, women, 5; total Evening Practical Arts: principal, 1; teachers, men 3; women, 23; total
8 27
Evening Trade Extension: principal, 1; teachers, men, 8; total
9 9
Evening Apprenticeship: principal, 1; teachers, men, 11; total Total number of different teachers
10 12 538
Superintendent of Schools, 1; Asst. Superintendents, 2; Director of Guidance and Research, 1; Principal Clerk and Secretary to Superintendent, 1; Principal Clerks, 3; Junior Clerks, 4; total
12
Clerks Quincy High School, 2; North Quincy High School, 2; Junior High Schools, 3; Trade School, 1; Elementary, 1; total 9
Coordinate and Auxiliary Agencies:
Supervisor of Attendance, 1; Adjustment Service, 2; Custodial and Maintenance Departments:
9
Supervisor of Custodians, 1; Senior Building Custo- dians, 14; Junior Building Custodians, 32; Cleaners, 11; Carpenters, 2; Construction Handyman, 1; Painters, 4; total 65
Total number of different persons employed by the School Department 633
1 Trade School located in Quincy High School Building.
2 Six-year high school.
3 Used as offices for directors and storage space.
4 One included in junior high schools.
5 One is also teacher of physically handicapped children.
6 Nine included in regular day schools.
7 Four included in regular day schools.
00
Two included in regular day schools.
9 Six included in regular day schools.
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