USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1897 > Part 4
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Last year the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany petitioned for a license to lay conduits for its wires in cer- tain streets of the city, and the petition has been referred to the present City Council. It is a subject of great importance, and should be acted upon with deliberation. From information which seemed reliable, it appeared that only a part of the cor- poration's wires would be placed in the conduit, and the streets of the city would still be encumbered with unsightly wires and poles. In view of the present tendency to utilize the space be- neath public streets, it behooves a city to take care lest it part too cheaply with rights which may hereafter become of immense value. Already we find pneumatic tubes employed, in some of the large cities, in the United States mail service, and it seems probable that merchandise will ultimately be transmitted to a considerable extent in the same manner. All profit directly ac- cruing from the use of a public way should, I submit, inure to the benefit of the city, rather than to a private corporation.
Already, buried beneath the surface of our highways are the gas, sewer, and water pipes. This leads to frequent disturbance of the roadbed, and adds to the difficulty of keeping the streets in proper repair. If a conduit is to be laid for the wires of the telephone company, it should be of sufficient size and of suitable character to accommodate all the corporations which now em- ploy or may hereafter employ electricity as a commercial or in- dustrial agent. The corporation constructing the conduit should be required to do the work under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the city authorities, and to render to the city a de-
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tailed account of the cost of the enterprise. The contract be- tween the city and the telephone company should contain a stipulation for the use of the conduit by other corporations and individuals, upon payment of a rental to be fixed by a disin- terested board of appraisers. It is needless to say that the city, in exchange for the valuable privileges conferred upon the cor- poration, should reserve the right to lay wires of its own in the conduit. This reservation might prove to be of great worth if the city, at any time in the future, should become the owner of an electric lighting plant.
At present the city is paying more than $1,500 a year to the telephone company for the use of telephones, and at the same time granting to the corporation the use of public streets practi- cally without compensation. A more equitable arrangement should be agreed upon before additional and more permanent privileges are accorded to the company.
SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL.
Early last year this worthy institution was found to be in financial straits, and it was feared for a time that it would be necessary to cripple its usefulness by extreme retrenchment. Our public-spirited citizens came to its aid, however, and their contributions, coupled with a more liberal policy on the part of the city, insured the continuance of its beneficent work. During the year the Overseers of the Poor paid into the treasury of the hospital, for the care of indigent patients, the sum of $1,984.33. This amount exceeds the combined payment from the city during all the previous years since the hospital was established, and ac- counts, in part, for the over-draft of the appropriation for sup- port of poor. I trust there may be no curtailment this year of the city's aid to such a deserving charity.
CAMBRIDGE AND SOMERVILLE BOUNDARY LINE.
A petition will be presented by the city of Cambridge to the incoming Legislature, asking for a re-adjustment of the boundary line between its territory and the city of Somerville. It is cer-
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tainly desirable that some slight changes should be made in the existing line, but neither city will consent to the loss of any con- siderable amount of taxable property, nor is it presumable that the Legislature would sanction any unjust measure. I have no doubt that our representatives in the General Court will carefully guard the interests of Somerville when the matter shall have been formally presented. The City Engineer has made accurate plans of all the estates lying along the present boundary line, and collected valuable data to be used at future hearings upon the question.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
For many years this department has been conducted with intelligence and zeal, and the services which it has rendered the public have been of great value. The members of the Board of Health, and their officers and employees, have been diligent in protecting the citizens from all forms of nuisance. The collection of house offal and ashes is carried on in a prompt and methodical manner, and to the general satisfaction of the people. During the past year the health of our citizens has been good, and the community has enjoyed unusual immunity from infectious and contagious diseases in their more violent forms. Two severe cases of smallpox occurred last summer, one resulting fatally. It would be a great convenience to the public if a rule could be adopted allowing more time for setting out ashes on the side- walk. The appropriation for health department last year was $20,000, the expenditures $23,951.45.
BROWN-TAIL MOTH.
In the spring of 1897 a new insect pest, known as the brown- tail moth, made its appearance in this vicinity, and great injury was done to fruit trees in some parts of the city by its ravages. The Massachusetts Agricultural College has issued a pamphlet giving detailed information as to the nature and habits of the insect, accompanied by directions for its destruction. The several departments of the city are removing the nests of the
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moth from all trees in the streets and public grounds, and private citizens should make every effort to exterminate this latest and most persistent despoiler of our trees. At the present time the nests of the insect may be distinctly seen on the branches of pear trees in many parts of the city. These nests, or tents, as they are called, are filled with young caterpillars, and should be im- mediately cut off and burned. If the most vigorous steps are not taken to remove all these nests, the destruction of foliage and injury to trees will be very serious next spring. The poisonous nature of the hairs of the caterpillars is well known, and adds to the importance of a prompt extermination of the pest.
CITY HALL IMPROVEMENT.
A full year's use of the remodeled City Hall building has furnished abundant proof that the money appropriated for the enlargement and improvement of the old building was judi- ciously spent. The structure, in its present form, is well suited to the needs of the various departments, and will furnish ample accommodations for many years to come. The tax-payers are to be congratulated upon such an inexpensive solution of a problem which has perplexed city councils for many years. A new building would have involved an expenditure of several hundred thousand dollars, the creation of a burdensome public debt, and further increase of the tax rate.
I would suggest that a portico, built upon the front of the building, would be a pleasing architectural feature, slightly re- lieving its present austerity. I would also ask you to consider the advisability of placing a movable partition between the two council chambers, so as to afford better accommodations for citi- zens who may desire to attend meetings of the city government.
CITY HALL ANNEX.
The brick engine house, at the corner of Highland avenue and Walnut street, was vacated upon the completion of the Cen- tral fire station, in 1894, and remained in a neglected and un- sightly condition until last summer. It having been found that
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additional accommodations were required for pupils of the Eng- lish high school, the City Council decided to fit up the offices of the Superintendent of Schools as a classroom, and provide new quarters for that official in the old fire station. It was also deemed advisable to transfer the offices of the poor department from the Police station building to the engine house. While the work of reconstruction was going on, it was further deter- mined that the upper story of the old building should be placed at the disposal of our local Grand Army post. In order to adapt the building to so many uses, extensive alterations and slight enlargement were necessary. A new heating apparatus was also required. The sum of $5,000 was appropriated to defray the entire expense of the undertaking, but it proved inadequate. Members of the City Council and the Mayor were much sur- prised when it was learned that the committee on public prop- erty, without asking for an increase of the appropriaion, had expended more than $11,000.
Had it been known in advance that the improvement of the old building would cost, as it did, $11,600, radical changes in the plans might have been decided upon by the City Council. The one item of architect's fees amounted to $547.90, and this, I be- lieve, was wholly uncalled for. But for the fact that the work of the Superintendent of Public Buildings has become too onerous for one man, he could supervise the remodeling of old buildings, and thus the services of an architect might be dis- pensed with. These comments are not intended as a criticism of the committee on public property or the architect, but merely to call attention to existing defects in the method of carrying on public business. The time is near at hand when the Superin- tendent of Public Buildings, who also acts as Inspector of Build- ings, should be provided with an assistant.
The adaptation of the old fire station to public uses meets with my cordial approval, not only because it furnishes con- venient quarters for some of the city departments, but also for the reason that it makes more distant the day when it will be necessary to erect a costly city hall. The slight additional ex- pense incurred in fitting up apartments for Willard C. Kinsley
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Post will not be regretted by the tax-payers of Somerville. True patriotism has a large place in the hearts of our people, and in no better way can it be shown than by kindly service to the men who, in days of deadliest peril, were their country's defend- ers and saviors. It was my privilege to be present when the new hall was dedicated to the use of the post, and to witness the gratitude and joy displayed by the old battle-scarred veterans as they took possession of their cozy home. As I sat under the beautiful flag and looked into the faces of the men who had dared and done so much in the sacred cause of country, I realized, as never before, the impossibility of finding any earthly recompense adequate for services and sacrifices which had saved the Republic and washed from its glittering shield the one dark stain of human slavery.
REVISION OF CITY CHARTER.
The citizens of Somerville have again undertaken a task which ought years ago to have been performed-the revision of the city charter. A former effort in this direction met with in- glorious defeat at the hands of the City Council, but I cannot doubt that you will cheerfully co-operate with the citizens' com- mittee in drafting and adopting an instrument to take the place of the patched and antiquated document which so illy merits the name of "charter." At a later date I shall lay before the com- mittee my own views upon the question of charter revision, but will not take time to-day to make any specific recommendations.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
For the third time, I carnestly ask that a monument may be erected on Central hill in commemoration of the services and sacrifices of the loyal sons of Somerville in the days of the Civil war. Everything which I have said in former inaugural addresses in behalf of this patriotic measure holds good to-day, and God forbid that the curtain should fall upon the present century-a century which has been made glorious by the deeds of the Union army-with this sacred duty unperformed. I respectfully refer
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you to my previous statements under this head, and plead for early and favorable action on the part of the City Council.
STREET RAILWAYS.
In former inaugural addresses I have referred to the sub- ject of street railway accommodations, and urged diligence on the part of the city government in securing the best and cheapest service from the corporation which carries on its money-making business in our principal streets. No word coming from my lips or pen has been inspired by animosity toward the West End Street Railway Company. The management of the corporation, in many particulars, has been such as to merit the commendation of intelligent and fair-minded men, and its present service, taken in connection with the free transfer station at Charlestown Neck, is better than at any time in the past. Believing, as I do, that the public has a right to demand of a monopolistic railway com- pany the best accommodations and the lowest fares compatible with a reasonable return to the company's investors, I have en- tered my protest against the crowding of cars and the refusal to grant free transfers, at a time when the West End stockholders were receiving from seven to ten per cent. dividends on stock which they held free of taxation. Great improvements must yet be made in the operation of the West End road before the cor- poration performs its full duty to the men and women who are, compelled to bestow upon it daily patronage.
The relations of the city to the street railway corporation were radically changed by the action of the Legislature at its last session. The so-called "amended charter" of the Boston Elevated Railway Company takes from city councils, and from the Legislature itself, much of the power of supervision and con- trol formerly lodged with municipal and state tribunals. While the elevated railway charter was before legislative committees, I raised objections to some of its provisions, but so great was the influence of the promoters that the bill was reported substantially as asked for by the corporation. There can be little doubt that the measure would have passed both branches of the Legislature,
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without material amendment, had it not become known that some of its features were obnoxious to the Governor of the Com- monwealth. A conference of the representatives of the corpora- tion, members of the Legislature, and the Governor was held, with the result that many important changes were agreed upon, and the bill, amended at every point where I had criticised it, was enacted. Even in its final form, the bill is open to grave objec- tions, conferring upon the corporation, as it does, the most ex- traordinary privileges and immunities, and at the same time plac- ing it beyond municipal and legislative control.
My attitude toward the elevated railway project has been misunderstood and misrepresented, but I cannot prolong this address by entering into any detailed explanation of my position, or pointing out the objectionable features of the elevated bill. Reference is made to the subject at this time because of its super- lative importance to the people of Somerville. For twenty-five years, and this means during the life-tinie of many who are now listening to my words, this community must remain at the mercy of a great monopolistic corporation, acting under a charter which, as the Massachusetts board of railroad commissioners
has aptly said, "exempts the West End system . . from any legislation specifically designed to secure or promote the due and safe transportation of the public on its line." So firmly are the people bound by this Gordian not of legislation, that the only hope of release is based upon the rather doubtful assumption that the Supreme Court will declare some of the provisions of the charter to be in violation of those constitutional safeguards which have been set up against the bestowal upon individuals or corporations of "particular and exclusive privileges," and to insure equality of contribution to the expense of protecting the sacred rights of person and property.
In the past, it has been the policy of the state to retain in its own hands, and in the hands of local municipal authorities, general supervision and control of the great public service cor- porations, the value of whose franchises depends largely upon the right to make use of the people's highways. The enactment of the elevated railway bill established a new principle, giving to
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one of these corporations a fixity of profits and immunity from burdens which no other form of enterprise or investment enjoys. Why should not the great cotton manufacturers of Fall River, who have been compelled this year to accept an average dividend of 3.39 per cent. on their stock, knock at the doors of state and national legislatures, and demand a guarantee of seven per cent. on their investments during the next quarter of a century? Are not these men, whose enterprise has built up the great manu- facturing cities of the Commonwealth and given employment to thousands of worthy people, as deserving of the fostering care of our legislators as the millionaire stockholders of the West End road? These are serious questions, and some day the citi- zens of Massachusetts will demand that they shall be fairly answered.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
There is no institution in our city more highly appreciated by the people at large than the free public library. Under the management of the present able librarian, it has grown rapidly in usefulness, and is to-day one of the best-equipped libraries of its size in New England. It cost the tax-payers last year a little more than $7,500 to carry on the library, the balance of the ex- penditures having been met, as provided by law, from the dog tax. This expense is a mere feather's weight as compared with the intellectual pleasure and profit which it confers upon its patrons. The library has been in existence a little more than twenty-five years, and its trustees have at all times displayed great wisdom and skill in adapting it to the needs of a rapidly growing city. The results have been very gratifying, but still greater benefits will be conferred upon the public when the city's. finances permit of more liberal annual appropriations. More books, and better facilities for their circulation, are required. With mingled pride and regret, we learn from the forthcoming report of the trustees that in circulation of public library. books Somerville is the third city in the Commonwealth, in population eighth, in library facilities twenty-third.
Last year, for the first time in its history, the library re-
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ceived a donation of cash to be set aside for the permanent uses of the institution. The generous donor, Mrs. Harriet Minot Laughlin, placed one thousand dollars in the hands of the trustees, the income to be expended for the purchase of works in the department of English poetry. The worthy precedent, established by the daughter of the first librarian of the Somerville Public Library, may well be followed by other generous citizens who have the higher interests of the city at heart.
The commendable practice, adopted in 1896, of delivering books at the various public school buildings for the use of pupils was continued last year, and met with the warm approval of the school committee and teachers. The boys and girls are allowed to take the books home and retain them fourteen days. Not only the pupils, but other members of the family, participate in the delights of reading, and a taste for good literature is culti- vated. An interesting and instructive book is a magnet strong enough to hold a boy in his home in the evening, and thus save him from the temptations of the street and the evils of corrupt companionship. How much better it is that our boys and girls should spend their leisure hours in fellowship with the noble men and women who have written the best of their lives into books, than with frivolous associates engaged in pursuits which stifle the best impulses of the youthful heart.
The trustees will ask for an appropriation of $9,000 the pres- ent year, and I trust you may be able to accede to their request. Before the lapse of many years, it will be necessary to enlarge the library building, and the trustees are already considering plans for the purpose. When the enlargement is undertaken, a memorial room should be provided, in which to preserve and display mementoes of the Revolutionary and Civil wars, and such other relics of by-gone days as possess historic value. Sug- gestions from the Somerville Historical Society and Willard C. Kinsley Post, as to the size and character of this room, would be of great value.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
We will direct our thoughts for a few moments to the con- dition and needs of the public schools. With their practical
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management the City Council is not officially concerned, and yet every member of your honorable boards feels the deepest interest in the welfare of our free educational institutions. The statutes of the Commonwealth create an independent body to direct the policy and control the expenditures of the public schools, and the city government merely provides the school. buildings and makes the necessary appropriations for carrying on the educational work. Somerville has been fortunate in the character of the men and women selected to serve on the school committee, and there has never been a time when the board was not composed of the most intelligent and high-minded of our citizens. Let us hope that the standard will never be lowered, as it has been in so many cities, by making the school board a mere appendage of a political machine. If any official board. should be raised high above the smoke and dust of partisan con- tests, it is the one in whose hands we place the moral and. intellectual well-being of our boys and girls.
In this Commonwealth, a continual enlargement of the- function of free public education is going on, and this means a steady increase in the per capita cost of schooling. While the maintenance of public schools imposes a heavy burden upon the tax-payers in a city like ours, no thoughtful man can doubt that the results justify all the outlay. There is sweeping ever through the hospitable gateways of the Republic a tide of ignorance, poverty, and discontent. From every quarter of the globe it comes, sometimes rising so high as to imperil the very founda- tions of the government. In some way we must purify the waters of this turbulent flood, else they will poison every political fountain and corrupt the manhood and womanhood of the na- tion. All thoughtful men are agreed that the one mighty safe- guard against the destructive forces of imported illiteracy is found in the public schools. Our earnest, broad-minded, warm- hearted teachers take the children of the ignorant, unaspiring immigrant under their care, patiently guide them along the path- ways of knowledge, until at length they stand on the shining table-land of free, intelligent, self-respecting citizenship. No. grander work has God ever committed to the hands of man.
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No narrow definition of education will satisfy the demands of the present age. It must aim at nothing less than the harmonious development and discipline of all the powers and faculties, physi- cal, mental, and moral. If our schools are properly conducted, they will produce cultured and aspiring manhood, pure and exalted womanhood. Is there any price too high to pay for these richest, most indispensable elements in the life of a Republic?
The pupils in our public schools who make the most trying demands upon the time and strength of teachers are those who come from the homes of the illiterate and debased. Much of the best effort of public instructors is required merely to neu- tralize pernicious influences exerted upon the minds of chil- dren outside the schoolroom. These unpleasant facts serve but to emphasize the importance of the work done in the public schools. These schools are not only training young men and young women for the hard battle of life, but they are also laying the foundations of future homes, in which the spirit of culture and refinement shall dwell, homes where children will no longer be compelled to breathe an atmosphere heavy with the effluvia of ignorance and vice. Let us not lose sight of the work done by the public schools in the upbuilding of clean and refined homes, those sacred nurseries of the grandest civic virtues.
I will make brief reference to a few of the more important and costly undertakings in the school department last year.
First .- The Sanford Hanscom schoolhouse, at the corner of Webster and Rush streets, was completed and is now fully oc- cupied. It is a six-room building, and one of the most attractive and best arranged structures of its size in the city. The edifice was planned by a Somerville architect, Mr. Thomas M. Sar- gent, and is a fine specimen of schoolhouse architecture. The total cost of land and building was $42,032.19.
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