USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1909 > Part 34
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45-Medford street, 19 feet east from Glenwood road. 46-Montrose street, 204 feet west from School street.
47-Moreland street, 28 feet north from Meacham street. 48-Mt. Vernon street, 71 feet south from Broadway. 49-Mystic avenue, 33 feet west from Union street. 50-New Cross street, 64 feet north from Broadway. 51-Orchard street, 107 feet west from Dover street.
52-Otis street, 127 feet west from Cross street. 53-Packard avenue, 55 feet southwest from Powder House boulevard. 54-Paulina street, 26 feet east from Holland street.
55-Pearl street, 28 feet east from Myrtle street. 56-Pleasant avenue, 104 feet west from Walnut street.
57-Prospect street, 30 feet north from Somerville avenue. 58-Putnam street, 96 feet north from Summer street. 59-School street, 116 feet south from Broadway. 60-School street, 188 feet north from Highland avenue. 61-School street, 50 feet north from Berkeley street.
62-Shawmut street, 74 feet north from Shawmut place. 63-Somerville avenue, 150 feet west from Congress place. 64-Somerville avenue, 89 feet east from Mystic street, 65-Somerville avenue, 119 feet west from School street. 66-Somerville avenue, 35 feet east from Central street. 67-Somerville avenue, 92 feet west from Kent street.
68-Somerville avenue, 120 feet west from Oak square.
1
428
ANNUAL REPORTS.
69-Somerville avenue, 42 feet east from Mossland street.
70-Summer street, 14 feet east from Belmont street.
71-Summer street, 32 feet east from Cedar street.
72-Summer street, 35 feet east from Cutter avenue.
73-Sycamore street, 28 feet. west from Medford street. 74-Temple street, 31 feet north from Broadway.
75-Tremont street, 120 feet south from Webster avenue.
76-Tufts street, 114 feet east from Cross street.
77-Vernon street, 45 feet west from Central street.
78-Washington street, 96 feet west from Myrtle street.
79-Washington street, 7 feet west from Boston street. 80-Washington street, 34 feet west from Union square.
81-Washington street, opposite Leland street.
82-Wheatland street, 30 feet south from Mystic avenue.
Locations of Drinking Fountains.
Broadway, opposite park, near Winthrop avenue . H Union square, junction Somerville avenue and Washington street . H
Union square, in front of Hill building ·
DI
Lincoln park
·
D
Gilman square ·
DI
Cutter square
C
Davis square, in front of Medina building DI
Teele square H .
H, horse trough ; D, drinking fountain; I, ice water ; C, combination trough and drinking fountain.
Summary of Statistics
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1909.
In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association.
SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS. -
SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Population by census of 1905, 69,272.
Date of construction: commenced in 1868.
By whom owned: City of Somerville.
Source of supply: Metropolitan water system.
Mode of supply: Water is delivered into the city's mains, under both high and low pressures, by the Metropolitan Water Works.
STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER.
1. Estimated total population at date, 75,500.
2. Estimated population on lines of pipe, 75,500.
3. Estimated population supplied, 75,500.
4. Total consumption for the year, 2,310,815,000 gallons.
7. Average daily consumption, 6,331,000 gallons.
8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 84.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. MAINS.
1. Kind of pipe, cast-iron.
2. Sizes, from 4-inch to 20-inch.
429
WATER DEPARTMENT.
3. Extended 7,114 feet during year.
5. Total now in use, 94.27 miles.
7. Number of leaks per mile, 0.12.
9. Number of hydrants added during year (public and private), 18.
10.
11. Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 1,103.
Number of stop gates added during year, 32.
12. Number of stop gates now in use, 1,454.
14. Number of blow-offs, 141.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 35 pounds to 100 pounds.
SERVICES.
16. Kind of pipe: Lead; wrought iron-lead-lined; wrought iron- cement-lined; cast iron.
17. Sizes, one-half to six inches.
18. Extended 8,016 feet.
20. Total now in use, 78 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during the year, 211; discon- tinued, 10.
22. Number now in use, 12,018.
24. Average cost of service for the year, $20.28.
25. Number of meters added, 870; discontinued, 48.
26. Number now in use, 5,155. 1
27 Percentage of services metered, 43.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water, 49.
29. Number of motors and elevators added, 0.
30. Number now in use, 8 (included in number of meters).
FINANCIAL STATISTICS.
RECEIPTS .
From Water Rates :- A. Fixture rates . .
$113,341.33
B. Meter rates
.
.
.
C. Total from consumers .
M. From other sources :- Water service assessments Labor and materials
3,813.92
11,262.18
EXPENDITURES.
Water Works Maintenance :- AA. Operation (management and repairs) $25,733.77
BB.
Special :-
Miscellaneous accounts 11,281.41 .
.
CC.
Total maintenance
.
$37,015.18
DD.
Interest on bonds
.
2,460.00
.
EE.
Payment of bonds
6,000.00
Water Works Construction : -
GG. Mains
$7,553.90
HH.
Services
4,279.06
JJ.
Meters
.
6,181.44
KK. Total construction
$18,014.40
LL. Unclassified expenses : -
Metropolitan water assessment
112,573.20
MM.
Balance :-
(aa) Ordinary · .
62,128.24 ·
Total balance
.
62,128.24
N.
Total
$238,191.02 .
Disposition of balance: applied to other municipal purposes.
O. Cost of works to date $922,834.26
P. Bonded debt at date
56,000.00
R. Average rate of interest, 4 per cent.
430
ANNUAL REPORTS.
.
.
. .
N. Total
.
109,773.59
$223,114.92
.
$238,191.02
.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1909.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith present to you the annual report of the fire department for the year ending December 31, 1909 :-
Fire Alarms.
Number of bell alarms
215
Number of still alarms
157
Total alarms
Number less than 1908 .
372 35
Value of buildings at risk
$368,900 00
Damage to buildings
33,649 72
Insurance on buildings
260,382 87
Value of contents
159,600 00
Damage to contents
34,808 06
Insurance on contents
78,683 60
Total value of risks
528,500 00
Total damage
68,457 78
Total insurance
339,066 47
Manual Force. The manual force of the department consists of 116 men, divided into companies as follows :-
Permanent
Men. Callmen.
Chief engineer
1
Assistant engineer
1
Engine Company No. 1 .
7
7
Engine Company No. 2 .
7
5
Engine Company No. 4 .
6
8
Engine Company No. 6 .
6
5
Hose and Chemical Company No. 7
3
5
Hose Company No. 2
3
6
Hose Company No. 3
3
5
Hose Company No. 5
3
5
Ladder and Chemical Company No. 1
3
10
Ladder Company No. 2 .
3
10
Chemical Company A
3
Chief driver
1
Total
50 66
432
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Apparatus in Service.
Steam fire engines
4
Chemical engine .
1
Combination chemical and hose wagons
4
Ladder trucks
2
Ladder truck with chemical tank
1
Hose wagons
4
Apparatus in Reserve.
Steam fire engine in need of new boiler .
1
Hose wagons
2
Ladder truck
1
Horses.
There are forty-two horses owned and maintained by the department.
Bell Alarms and Causes Thereof.
Accidental
3
Automobile
2
Bonfires
3
Baker's oven
1
Clothing falling on stove .
1 15
Chimney fires
8
Cleaning clothes with naphtha .
3
Candle upset in chair
1
Chair near stove
1
Defective chimney
4
Electric wires
3
Electric car
3
Elevated wires under railroad bridge
1
Fat boiling over
3
Firecrackers on roof .
3
Firecracker in lace curtain
1
Fire in dump
2
Fires in Medford
4
Fires in Cambridge
2
Filling alcohol lamp
1 32
Grass fires
5
Hot ashes on floor
3
Hot ashes in barrel
2
Horse kicking over lamp
1
Incendiary
Kerosene lamp upset
9
Kerosene oil heaters .
2
Lighting matches going to closet
3
Match in waste barrel
2
Overheated oil stove .
3
Overheated coal stove
4
Overheated furnace
2
Carried forward
. 152
·
·
Children playing with matches
Combustion
9
Curtain in contact with gas light
3
.
.
7
False alarms
433
CHIEF ENGINEER, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Brought forward
152
Rats and matches
5
Rags used for wiping stove
2
Smoking in bed .
2
Stepping on snap match
2
Smoke from stove
2
Smoke from chimney
4
Spark in wood spittoon and sawdust
1
Spark in charcoal
1
Spark on awning
1
Spark on roof from chimney
9
Spark from tobacco pipe .
10
Sulphur candle on stand
1
Spark from engine on railroad
12
Thawing water pipe
4
Throwing lighted match on roof
2
Unknown
5
Total
215
Service of Companies in Fire Department, Year 1909.
JAMES R. HOPKINS, Chief Engineer, Fire Department.
Engine 1.
Engine 2.
Engine 4.
Engine 6.
Hose 2.
Hose 3.
Hose 5.
Hose and Chemical 7.
Chemical A.
Hook and Ladder 1.
Hook and Ladder 2.
Totals.
Bell alarms responded to
164
97
46
47
107
106
86
72
153
144
80
1,102
Still alarms responded to
10
31
5
23
17
12
17
00
22
6
1
157
Miles traveled
313
154
91
111
243
216
150
120
241 34
177
141 1/2
1,958 14
Feet of hose used .
·
·
.
12,500
11,600
1,300
3,350
13,050
10,750
3,900
6,400
500
·
. ·
63,350
Feet of chemical hose used
·
·
·
·
·
8,000
8,200
8,700
21,500
8,400
56,050
Feet of ladders used
..
.
75
50
150
54
70
.
·
71
2,675
1,683
4.828
Chemical extinguishers used
6
34
10
25
.
·
00
10
.
·
·
111
Gallons of chemical water used
1,005
4,250
800
8,991
Times on duty at other stations ·
·
·
·
.
.
1
1
1
·
.
. .
.
·
.
·
·
.
·
·
·
426
·
1,070
1,440
5
00
434
ANNUAL REPORTS.
.
. ·
.
.
18
·
·
1,250
·
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE, City of Somerville, January 1, 1910.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I have the honor to present a report of the work of the police department for the year ending December 31, 1909 :-
Arrests.
Whole number of arrests made
1,715
On warrant
1,157
On summons
558
1,715
Males
1,598
Females
117
Americans
1,056
Foreign born
659
Residents
1,175
Non-residents
540
1,715
Offences Against the Person.
Abduction
1
Assault
6
Assault and battery
178
Assault with dangerous weapon
5
Assault, felonious
1
Manslaughter
2
Mayhem
1
Murder
5
Robbery, attempt
1
Threats
7
207
Offences Against Property.
Arson
2
Attempt to wreck a railroad train
3
Breaking and entering
77
Breaking glass
4
Conspiracy
1
Concealment of property held on conditional sale .
1
Illegally moving baggage
1
Injury to building
2
Injury to personal property
6
Injury to real estate
1
Larceny ·
133
Larceny, attempt
1
Carried forward
232
.
1,715
1,715
.
436
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Brought forward
.
.
232
Larceny in building
14
Malicious mischief
8
Registered milk cans, unlawful use of
2
Receiving stolen goods
7
Selling leased goods
1
Trespass
23
Trespass with intent to steal
1
Unlawful appropriation of a horse
6
Unlawful use of a horse
.
297
Offences Against Public Order.
Adultery
3
Auto laws, violation of
46
Bastardy
5
Bigamy
1
Cigarette law, violation of .
2
City ordinances, violation of
90
Concealed weapons, carrying
1
Cruelty to animals
5
Disorderly conduct in a public conveyance
1
Disturbing the peace
14
Dogs, unlicensed .
5
Drunkenness
719
Drunkenness, common
17
Escape from Liversidge Institute of Industry .
2
Escaped prisoners from Industrial School for Boys
2
False alarm of fire
11
Fornication
2
Gaming house, keeping
2
Indecent exposure
2
Insane
4
Lewdness
3
Lewd cohabitation
1
Liquor laws, violation of
32
Lord's Day, violation of
81
Milk laws, violation of
6
Neglected children
23
Neglect to support family
54
Not being a registered veterinary
1
Perjury
1
Profanity
1
Runaway boys
3 4
Safe keeping .
3
Selling adulterated drugs
1
Sodomy ·
1
Storing gasoline, without a permit
1
Stubbornness
14
Unwholesome fish, in possession of
1
United States army deserter
1
Uttering forged check .
2
Uttering forged order .
2
Vagrants
18
Walking on railroad track
.
15
·
2
Oleomargarine laws, violation of Peddling, unlicensed
6
Rules of Metropolitan Park Commission, violation of .
.
3
1,211
CHIEF OF POLICE. -
437
Arrests for offences against the person
207
Arrests for offences against property
297
Arrests for offences against public order
1,211
1,715
Released by probation officer
65
Delivered to other officers
29
Delivered to East Cambridge jail
2
Delivered to Fort Banks
1
Delivered to superior court
6
Cases in which nolle prosequi was entered
7
110
Whole number of arrests made . 1,715
Released and delivered to other officers and places, etc., 110
Number of cases held for trial .
. 1,605
272 of the above number of cases were juveniles and delinquents.
Miscellaneous Reports.
Abandoned infant found
1
Accidents reported
37
Alarms given for fire
12
Amount of property reported stolen
$7,577.67
Amount of property recovered
$3,208.81
Amount of property reported lost
$8.00
Buildings found open and secured
454
Defective bridges reported
3
Defective electric and telephone 'poles
4
Defective hydrants .
1
Defective sidewalks reported
250
Defective streets reported
152
Defective voting list
1
Disturbances suppressed
2
Dogs killed
9
Fence dangerous
1
Fires extinguished without an alarm
6
Fire alarm box glass broken
1
Gas leaks reported
4 339
Obstructions in streets reported .
31
Obstruction in sidewalk reported
1
Panes of glass broken
7
Persons missing
1
Persons assisted home
2
Runaway boys found
2
Sign boards defective
5
Street lights not lighted
5,929
Suicide
1
Suicide, attempt
1
Trees broken and dangerous
41
Tree guard defective
1
Water gate projections above sidewalk
6
Water pipes leaking
124
Dead infant found .
1
Defective electric and telephone wires
36
Number of larcenies reported
Obstruction on sidewalk not lighted
1
438
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Police Signal Service and Ambulance Reports.
Number of on duty reports made by the patrolmen 218,945
Number of runs made with patrol wagon . 864
Number of prisoners conveyed to station in patrol wagon 916
Number of miles run with the patrol wagon
1,437
Number of telephone calls
22,751
Number of persons carried in the ambulance
590
Offical Roster of Department. CHARLES A. KENDALL, Chief of Police.
Robert R. Perry, Captain.
Edward McGarr, Sergeant.
Dennis Kelley, Lieutenant.
George H. Carleton, Sergeant.
Eugene A. Carter, Lieutenant
James M. Harmon, Sergeant.
Charles E. Woodman, Lieutenant. John A. Ray, Sergeant.
Thomas Damery, Inspector.
PATROLMEN.
No. 1 Edward M. Carter.
No. 30 Harvey R. Fuller.
2 George L. Smith.
31 Thomas F. McNamara.
66 3 Francis A. Perkins.
32 Louis F. Arnold.
66 4 William H. Johnston.
66 33 Charles S. Johnston.
5 Jacob W. Skinner.
66 34 James M. Lynch.
6 Theodore E. Heron.
35 Martin Sharry.
66 7 David A. Bolton.
66 8 Michael T. Kennedy.
37 Ernest Howard.
66 9 Ezra A. Dodge.
66 38 Claude L. Crossman.
10 Charles W. Stevens.
66 39 John J. Cummings.
66 11 Daniel G. Simons.
66 40 Lemuel J. Simons.
66 13 Frederick H. Googins.
66 42 Denis Neylon.
66 14 Jotham Chisholm.
66 43 Denis Downey.
66 16 Elmer E. Drew.
45 George A. C. Peters.
66 17 John A. Dadmun.
66 46 James E. Phillips.
18 Eugene A. Woodsum.
66 47 Louis J. Belzarini.
66 20 Myron S. Gott.
66
49 Dennis G. Mulqueeney.
66
50 Patrick J. Doolin.
6. 51 Joseph J. Burns.
66 23 Frank C. Hopkins.
52 Edward J. Hopkins.
24 Charles W. Allen.
66
53 William G. Kenney. 54 Walter L. Groves.
66 26 Ernest S. Goff.
66 55 Frederick G. Jones.
66
27 Sanford S. Lewis. 56 Joseph A. Dwyer.
66 28 Frank H. Graves.
66 57 Thomas P. Walsh.
66 29 Henry A. Sudbey.
58 Clyde W. Steeves.
RESERVE MEN.
No. 59 Augustine J. Fitzpatrick.
63 Harry C. Young.
60 Patrick McGrath.
66 64 Robert D. Dewar.
61 William E. Taylor.
66 62 Bernard McCabe.
PATROL DRIVERS.
Edward E. Ware. Martin E. Driscoll.
John J. Scannell.
Minnie F. Woodland, Matron,
66
12 Samuel Burns.
41 Edmund J. Keane.
66 15 William J. Davidson.
44 Edward M. Davies.
66 19 George L. Rice.
48 Walter Reed.
66 21 Herbert Hilton.
22 Charles W. Reick.
25 Hudson M. Howe.
65 Peter Moore.
.
66 36 Robert T. Blair.
439
CHIEF OF POLICE.
PENSIONERS.
Melville C. Parkhurst.
George W. Bean.
John E. Fuller.
Ira S. Carleton. James J. Pollard. Albion L. Staples. - -
The following patrolmen resigned during the year :-
Henry Y. Gilson, resigned March 25, 1909.
William J. Sutherland, resigned May 13, 1909. .
Reserve Men Thomas P. Walsh and Clyde W. Steeves were ap- pointed regular patrolmen July 22, 1909.
Performance of Duties.
Several times during the year a larger part of the force were on duty together, notably the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and the big football games. All of the officers performed their work in a creditable manner.
Police Building and Equipment.
February 27, 1909, your humble servant took charge of the department and found the interior of the building occupied by the police and the equipment in a dilapidated condition.
Improvements.
The chief's, captain's and inspector's offices have been thor- oughly cleaned, painted, and woodwork newly finished, also the furniture in them.
The captain's main office has had a wood and iron grill work partition put in, separating the officer in charge from the public.
The cells in the lock-up were thoroughly cleaned.
A partition has been put in the sleeping quarters on the first floor, and the sleeping quarters on this and the second floor are kept in a cleanly condition.
A telephone has been installed in the chief's residence.
A new cabinet for index description cards and for the finger print system has been installed.
The patrol wagon, ambulance and pung have been newly repaired, painted and varnished and a top put on the patrol wagon.
The uniforms have been changed to more modern ideas.
A new saddle horse and equipment were purchased and a mounted officer has been on duty nearly all of the time, in the western part of the city,
440 ! :
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Recommendations.
I respectfully ask for your consideration the advisability of the purchase of patrol and ambulance automobiles to replace the horses and wagons now in use. The horses are practically unfit for this service, owing to the long runs and steep hills.
The building of a sub-station at West Somerville.
Some means of conveyance for the head of the department, that he may visit all parts of the city, at any time.
Placing more signal boxes in different parts of the city. Replacing the signal system with a more modern one.
The brick cells in the lock-up should be replaced with steel cages, new system of plumbing and a cement floor, so that this part of the building can be readily cleaned at any time. Separate quarters for female and minor prisoners.
A competent matron should be on duty all of the time.
The addition of more men in order that an officer may be on duty all of the time in Davis, Teele, Magoun, and Gilman Squares.
Conclusion.
To the Mayor, Honorable John M. Woods, I wish to ex- press my heartfelt thanks for his interest, kindly advice and hearty support in all matters concerning the welfare of this de- partment, to the end that all of the residents of Somerville may have an orderly, cleanly and well-governed city in which to live.
To the members of the board of aldermen and the heads of other departments with whom I have had relations connected with this department, my sincere thanks are due.
To all of the members of the police department, who have assisted me in the administration of its affairs, I am truly grateful and tender my thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. KENDALL,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
OFFICE OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES,
City Hall Annex, Somerville, January 1, 1910.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
The following report of the sealer of weights and measures for the year 1909 is respectfully submitted :-
Section 21, chapter 62, of the Revised Laws provides that sealers of weights and measures shall annually give public notice by advertisement, or by posting, in one or more public places in their respective cities and towns, notices to all in- habitants or persons having usual places of business therein who use weights, measures or balances for the purpose of selling goods, wares, merchandise or other commodities or for public weighing to bring in their weights, measures and balances to be adjusted and sealed. Such sealers shall attend in one or more convenient places, and shall adjust, seal and record all weights, measures and balances so brought in.
Section 34 of the same chapter provides that each sealer of weights and measures, including the county treasurers, shall re- ceive a fee of one dollar for sealing each platform balance if weighing five thousand pounds or more, and fifty cents if weigh- ing less than that amount, and three cents each for sealing all other weights, measures, scales, beams or balances. He shall also have a reasonable compensation for all necessary repairs, alterations and adjustments made by him.
Where weights, measures and balances are sealed as pro- vided in Section 21 (that is, brought to the office), no fee is charged for sealing.
In compliance with the foregoing Section 21, the customary notice was given by advertising in the Somerville Journal and the Somerville Reporter in March, 1909.
During the year the sealer visited all places in the city where goods were bought or sold, tested all scales, weights and measures, sealed those which were found correct, and con- demned all found beyond repair and useless.
One hundred and seventy-eight scales, weights and meas- ures were adjusted before sealing, twenty-nine scales were tagged for repairs, twelve of which were repaired as ordered, and the remaining seventeen put out of use.
Work done in weights and measures during the year 1909 :-
-
442
ANNUAL REPORTS.
No. of Tests in the Office.
No. of Tests Outside of Office.
Total No. of Tests in and Outside of Office.
Number of scales sealed .
291
1,360
Number of weights sealed .
240
3,928
Number of dry measures sealed
698
1,105
Number of tin liquid measures sealed
596
1,403
Number of glass jars sealed
114,628
0
Number of yard sticks sealed
6
13
Number sealed, miscellaneous
5
5
Number of coal baskets sealed .
22
0
Total number of all kinds sealed . 116,486
7,935
124,421
Number of scales adjusted and sealed
29
47
Number of weights adjusted and sealed
39
44
Number of dry measures adjusted and sealed
6
4
Number of liquid measures adjusted and sealed
8
1
Total number adjusted and sealed
82
96
178
Number of scales tagged for repairs
6
23
Number of scales repaired as ordered
3
9
Total number tagged and repaired
9
32
41
Number of scales condemned
7
3
Number of weights condemned
0
0
Number of dry measures condemned
7
15
Number of liquid measures condemned .
1,288
11
Number of yard sticks condemned
0
0
Number of coal baskets condemned
1
0
Total number condemned .
1,303
29
1,332
117,880
8,092
Total number tested in and out of office
125,972
Receipts for the year 1909 :- Appropriation
$1,800 00
Received fees for sealing and adjusting
503 32
Expenditures for year 1909 :-
Telephone
$21 30
Printing books and supplies .
144 32
Amount paid for team
282 50
Amount paid for helper .
27 00
Deputy
700 00
Salary of sealer
1,100 00
Total expenditures
$2,275 12
Unexpended balance
$28 20
JOHN H. DUSSEAULT, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
$2,303 32
1
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR.
Somerville, January 10, 1910.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
The following is my report as city solicitor for the year 1909 :-
Abolition of Grade Crossings. The work of abolishing the crossing at Somerville avenue is nearly completed. Many claims for land damages have been adjusted by me with the ap- proval in writing first obtained from the railroad companies, the street railway company and the state. Six suits for land damages are now pending, brought by owners with whom no satisfactory adjustment could be made.
Hearings before the special commissioners on the abolition of grade crossings at Medford street, Webster avenue, Dane street and Park street were completed during the year and their report has been filed in court. It provides for the aboli- tion of all these crossings. It is probable that a decree on the report will soon be made.
Lowell-Street Bridges. An act was secured from the legis- lature authorizing the construction by the city of bridges across the railroad tracks at Lowell street. The railroad companies are to pay $15,000 toward the cost of construction. See chap- ter 307 of the Acts of the year 1909. Considerable progress has been made in the work, and agreements for the adjustment of land damages have been made with the owners of most of the estates that are damaged.
Mystic-Avenue Bridge. As the result of many hearings, a bridge over the railroad tracks at Mystic avenue was ordered carly in the year by the railroad commissioners, acting under the authority of chapter 47 of the Acts of the year 1909. Special commissioners appointed by the Superior Court later deter- mined that the cost of constructing the bridge should be paid as follows :-
Railroad companies
67 per cent.
Street railway company
181/2 66
City of Boston
10
City of Somerville
41% « 66
Their report, which has been approved by the court, also provides that: "The surface of the bridge and its approaches shall be maintained and kept in repair as follows: So much thereof as shall be occupied by the tracks of the West End Street Railway Company, the Boston Elevated Railway Com-
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