Report of the city of Somerville 1914, Part 2

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 596


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1914 > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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15


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


ing people in our country are having a hard time to-day to make both ends meet. Mercantile establishments have been running on short time, and the lack of employment and the high cost of living are making the struggle a hard one for many of our citizens. The overseers of the poor, the asso- ciated charities and other charitable organizations are doing their utmost to furnish help to those who need it. Our city has spent nearly $13,000 more in 1914 for outdoor relief than was expended for this purpose in 1913.


This increase is largely due to the new law which re- quires widows with dependant children to be adequately aided. This law is working in a most satisfactory manner, and is a most excellent one. It does not, and no law should, class the mother and child as paupers. Their treatment to-day is humane and far removed from that of the past.


We have had during the year ninety-three inmates at the city home, and there are to-day forty-nine persons in the home and hospital ward.


I want to suggest that the overseers of the poor con- sider the advisability of providing bags to be kept in the homes of our people in which may be thrown cast-off gar- ments of all kinds. This is something that is done most suc- cessfully by the Morgan Memorial in Boston. These bags could be collected by the city and the contents sorted and dis- tributed by the poor department. Many of the articles would need repairing, and it might be found feasible to have much of this work done by inmates at the city home. It seems to me that this suggestion is worth serious consideration.


Something should be done to provide work for the unem- ployed. I have had numerous applications for help from our citizens,-not for charity, but for work. Any mayor would be glad to find employment for all, but he has not the tinie to seek positions and has no knowledge of those who are in need of labor.


The establishment of a municipal employment agency, conducted under the supervision of some one of our present executive officers might furnish a partial solution of this problem. Such an agency should be absolutely free, both to the employer and to the prospective employee, and I feel sure


16


ANNUAL REPORTS.


that the business people of the city would be glad to give their hearty cooperation to such an agency.


If this suggestion meets with your approval, it is prob- able there will be no difficulty in securing such legislative authority as may be necessary.


Somerville Hospital


Again with pleasure I renew the annual recommenda- tion that the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the work of this institution. As I said last year, I regret that the city is not financially able to do much more for this hospital which is such a credit to the city.


Fire Department.


Good fortune, good management and good service have combined to give Somerville a good fire department record for the past year.


Of the economic problems of the day, one of the most important is the reduction of fire waste. Everything possible is done to effect the speedy extinguishment of fires, but greater effort must be put forth to prevent fires. This is be- ing well recognized, and clean-up days and fire prevention methods are to-day widely advocated ..


That our citizens are alive to this movement and are giv- ing it their careful thought and help, is evidenced by the fact that the fire department has been summoned seventy-six times less this year than last to extinguish fires.


On the first day of the year three new pieces of motor- driven apparatus were put into service, replacing worn-out. horse-drawn machines. The greater efficiency of this new type of fire apparatus is unquestioned. The advantage of at- tacking fires at the earliest possible moment is too evident to be discussed. Gasoline and oil are cheaper than hay and grain, and the standing motor does not have to be contin- ually fed,-another argument for the motor.


That fire prevention is an economy is evidenced by the fact that a saving of about $3,000 has been made in this de- partment from the amount appropriated at the beginning of the year.


17


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


The permanent force is sufficient, but I feel the city would be more safely guarded if we had more call firemen.


In view of the experience of Chelsea, Salem and other cities with conflagrations, it behooves us to keep our water system in the best possible condition for fire fighting pur- poses.


I would recommend the early extension of our high-ser- vice to the so-called packing house district and later to such other sections of the city as finances may permit.


The general court last year passed a law establishing a new commissioner. His title as stated in the act, fire pre- vention commissioner for the metropolitan district, gives a good indication of the intent of the law as to his duties. I do not wish the impression to go forth that I am in any way opposed to this law, for I am not. On the contrary, I con- sider it excellent, and one that should be a powerful aid in fire prevention. There are certain features of it, however, with which I am not wholly satisfied. The commissioner has the power to delegate his authority to the chief of the fire de- partment, and this he has done generally in cities and towns under his authority. The law makes a refusal or neglect to obey any lawful rule, order or regulation of the commissioner a misdemeanor with the liability of a heavy penalty.


The duties which the commissioner has delegated to the chief are enormous and I feel that this may indirectly work a hardship to the city by taking time of the head of the fire department that is needed for the work of his · department.


The act also vests in the commissioner powers formerly vested in boards of aldermen to license the keeping, storage or use of certain explosives and inflammables, including gaso- line which is to-day so commonly used. Although it is the very evident intent of the act to take this power away from boards of aldermen, the commissioner, acting under the power given him to delegate his authority, has made the mayor and aldermen his agents in these matters, with a fur- ther restriction that their action in all such cases is subject to approval of his local agent, the chief of the fire department. With no intention of reflection upon the commissioner or the chief, it is my contention that the action of the mayor and aldermen should not at any time be subject to the approval or


18


ANNUAL REPORTS.


disapproval of any officer who is appointed by and answerable to, them.


As I said before, I consider this law is fundamentally an excellent one, but I think it might be improved in several in- stances.


Police


Considerable has been done the present year toward strengthening this department. A captain, two sergeants and one patrolman, who had rendered faithful service for many years but had passed the age for usefulness in active service, have been retired and placed upon the pension roll. Two sergeants have been raised to the rank of lieutenant and the inspectors have been ranked as lieutenants. There are at present four vacancies in the position of sergeant. It was my intention to fill the vacancies the past year but, as is known to many of your board, there has been considerable controversy concerning the three different lists, varying materially from one another, certified to me for such appointments. I have had a number of conferences with the civil service commissioners and have made an earnest effort to clear the matter up, but without results satisfactory to myself. I hope, however, that the disturbance in the department created by this situation will soon pass away, and that I shall be able to send these appoint- ments to your board at an early date. When the reorganiza- tion is completed, the force will be well officered and, we have reason to expect, of a higher standard of efficiency.


Intoxicating Liquors


I want my position in the matter of granting licenses to druggists distinctly understood. As I have many times stated both in public and private utterance, I do not believe such licenses are needed in this city and I do believe a majority of our citizens are opposed to the granting of them. I realize that many differ from me in this belief and I should be very glad to have the matter left to the voters for decision. Al- though as a general proposition I am opposed to the refer- endum, this is one of the few exceptions to its employment that would receive my endorsement. In accordance with the request of last year's board of aldermen, I have prepared


19


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


petitions for presentation to the general court to provide for the submission of the question the present year.


I have also prepared petitions to amend the law relative to the granting of such licenses, so that it may be permissive rather than mandatory.


I realize that on the interpretation of this law all do not agree, but if the word "shall" were changed to "may" there could be absolutely no doubt as to the legal right of the board to refuse such licenses.


Somerville has been particularly free from the evil of intemperance. As I said in my first inaugural, the attitude of our city in this matter is one in which we take great pride. I consider Somerville as clean as any city in the commonwealth.


In this connection I desire to express in the strongest terms my condemnation of any attempt to slander the fair name of our city.


One of the candidates in the recent election was reported in the press as saying that "Somerville was spotted with kitchen bar-rooms." This statement, if correctly reported,- and it has not been denied, is a malicious falsehood. Follow- ing the election, I wrote this man as follows: "You are re- ported as having charged in numerous places during your campaign for mayor that violations of the liquor laws have frequently taken place in this city and are now going on, and that you have made other charges against members of the police department and city government. You are hereby re- quested to furnish me evidence on which your charges were based, in order that the guilty persons, if any, may be prose- cuted."


In reply to this letter no evidence whatever has been re- ceived.


Business Organization


The recent actions taken by our business organizations in getting together for "boosting" Somerville is worthy of commendation. The West Somerville Board of Trade, al- though declining to give up its identity and merge with the Somerville Board has changed its name to avoid any possible complication, and many of its members are identified with both organizations. There should be no differences in a city


20


ANNUAL REPORTS.


like ours, for the business interests of all sections are identical and increased business and mercantile development in any section of the city cannot help to benefit conditions as a whole.


The Somerville Board of Trade stands at the threshold of a new period of greater power and activity. It has met conditions bravely and squarely and will soon be in position to carry out its work along strong, up-to-date lines. I can- not speak too strongly my approval of the action of President Brown and his fellow members for their efforts to make the board a real live one. Their action at the last meeting is but a start in the right direction, but it is a good start and the board is thoroughly awake and eager to do things for our city. Business can be brought here and the work of this board is cut out to get it here and to stimulate its growth. New en- terprises are constantly seeking locations. During the past year I have received twelve such applications. Two large mercantile buildings are now being erected in our city and a large area of land has been purchased for industrial purposes and will soon be developed.


The city's interests are closely identified with those of the Somerville Board of Trade, and any help the mayor can give the board in its increased activities will be rendered with the utmost willingness.


Retiring Officials.


We are losing the services at this time of two officers whose labors surely deserve commendation.


City Auditor Bruce has left his impress of efficiency upon the work of his office. He is retiring at this time entirely at his own suggestion, and it is a pleasure for me to publicly ex- press to you, as I have to him, my appreciation of his service and his hearty cooperation with the executive at all times and in all matters.


Clerk of Committees Mitchell has served the city since 1882, faithfully and unselfishly. In forwarding his resignation a few days ago to the board of aldermen, I did so with extreme re- gret. No man in our public service has so long and intimate an acquaintance with the changing governments, and it must . be with pride and satisfaction that he can look back over that acquaintance through those many years, with a knowledge cf


·


21


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


the enduring love and respect of all his many associates. Ask of any man who has ever served as mayor, alderman or com- mon councilman of Somerville his opinion of "Billy" Mitchell, and his answer will be one of praise in no uncertain terms.


It is a pleasure to me to commend the service of these re- tiring officers.


The members of this city government who were members last year must realize that the results accomplished are due to a great extent to the harmony between the legislative and ex- ecutive departments and to the splendid spirit of co-operation throughout the year.


To the newly elected aldermen who are now entering upon their duties, I wish to say that it will be my constant endeavor, as I hope it will be yours, to continue this spirit during the present term.


The dictionary defines "Co-operate", as - " to labor jointly with another to the same end." Our one and only end should be to the advancement of Somerville and by laboring jointly we can attain that end. Upon us and upon our administration of the trusts imposed upon us depends in no slight measure the prosperity of our city.


We are elected to do the work of all, and not that of any party, political or otherwise. We are elected to give a broad, business-like administration of affairs, devoid of politics or petty sectional demands, and we should see to it that to the best of our ability we give to Somerville all its people have a right to expect in this direction.


The management of this civic business corporation is diffi- cult. It involves most serious obligations on the part of those who are delegated to assume it. It means that we are re- sponsible, in a large sense, for the welfare of some eighty-three thousand people. We have their interests to guard through- out the year.


Let us so govern ourselves in our official actions that we may best govern our city. Our troubles will be many, our ob- stacles at times hard to overcome, but let us meet them fairly and honestly, and with a supreme trust in God bravely trust the future.


Finance.


The total funded debt of the city January 1, 1914, was


22


ANNUAL REPORTS.


$1,674,000. This debt was increased during the year $145,000. It was decreased $203,000, leaving the funded debt January 1, 1915, $1,616,000, a decrease of $58,000.


Financial Statement


Funded Debt .- The funded debt of the city January 1, 1914, was as follows :-


City Loan


$1,161,000 00


Sewer Loan . 342,000 00


Water Loan 32.000 00


Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan 16,000 00


Lowell Street Bridge Loan


36,000 00


Municipal Loan .


87,000 00


$1,674,000 00


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations made by the board of aldermen, as follows :- Highways Construction, New Streets $25,000 00


Highways Construction, Permanent


Pavement . 50,000 00


Highways Construction, Macadam Pave-


ment


30,000 00


Sidewalks Construction


20,000 00


Sewers Construction


20,000 00


$145,000 00


The debt was reduced during the year by maturities as follows :-


City Loan


$165,000 00


Sewer Loan .


20,000 00


Water Loan .


6,000 00


Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan 1,000 00


Lowell Street Bridge Loan


1,000 00


Municipal Loan


10,000 00


!


$203,000 00


Leaving the funded debt of the city January 1, 1915, $1,616,000, in bonds classified as follows :-


City Loan at 31/2 per cent. . $178,000 00


City Loan at 4 per cent. .


724,000 00


City Loan at 414 per cent. . 94,000 00


Sewer Loan at 31/2 per cent. 76,000 00


Amount carried forward .


. $1,072,000 00


23


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Amount brought forward . $1,072,000 00


Sewer Loan at 4 per cent.


237,000 00


Sewer Loan at 41/4 per cent. 29,000 00


Water Loan at 4 per cent.


26,000 00


Metropolitan Park Assessment Loan


at 31/2 per cent. 15,000 00


Lowell Street Bridge Loan at 31/2 per


cent.


35,000 00


Municipal Loan at 41/2 per cent. 77,000 00


Highway Loan at 4 per cent. 125.000 00


$1,616,000 00


Taxes .- The assessors' warrant for the tax levy assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, as of April 1, 1914, was duly submitted to the collector.


The total amount of taxable property, not including non- resident bank shares, was $74,946,894.00, and the rate estab- lished was $21.10 on each $1,000 valuation, as follows :-


Real estate, valuation . $66,392,100 00


Personal estate, valuation . 8,495,700 00


Resident bank shares . 59,094 00


Total valuation . $71,946,894 00


At the rate of $21.10 on each $1,000 valua-


tion


$1,581,379 46


Polls, 24,192 at $2


48,381 00


Street Sprinkling ..


35,526 00


$1,665,289 46


Non-resident bank shares, $87,906 at


$21.10


1,854 82


Total amount of tax levy . $1,667,144 28


Appropriations were made as follows :-


General Government


$80,895 00


Protection of Persons and Property


246,750 00


Health and Sanitation


161,200 00


Highways


124,600 00


Charities


45,500 00


Soldiers' Benefits


37,100 00


Education


455,750 00


Libraries


43,750 00


Recreation


17,775 00


Unclassified


36,800 87


Amount carried forward


. $1,250,120 87


24


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward . $1,250,120 87


Municipal Indebtedness 272,163 10


· Water Works


176,759 13


Amounting in the aggregate to . $1,699,043 10


Less estimated revenue


432,865 24


Amount to be raised by taxation for city purposes


$1,266,177 86


STATE AND COUNTY TAXES, ETC.


State Tax


$137,812 50


County Tax .


75,576 51


Grade Crossing Tax


15,248 42


State Highway Tax


380 99


Abatement of Smoke, Boston and vicinity


285 51


Metropolitan Sewer Assessment


72,437 60


Metropolitan Park Assessment


37,242 19


Charles River Basin Assessment


6,638 16


Alewife Brook Assessment


1,323 29


Wellington Bridge Assessment .


648 06


Overlay and Abatement


15,992 37


Street Sprinkling


35,526 00


$1,665,289 46


Collected for state on non-resident


bank shares . ·


1,854 82


$1,667,144 28


25


MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


The following tables, giving a condensed history of the city's finances, are herewith presented for reference :-


YEAR.


Amount of Funded Debt.


Increase of Funded Debt.


Reduction of Funded Debt.


Tax Rate per $1,000 Valuation on Account of Reduc-


tion of Funded Debt.


Town .


$593,349


Dec. 31, 1872


643,354


$50,005


1873


809,354


166,000


1874


1,419,854


610,500


1875


1,571,854


152,000


1876 .


1,606,854


45,000


*$55,130 62


$2 07


1877


1,606.854


10,000


*58,828 59


2 30


1878


1,596,854


61,004 64


2 91


1879


1,585,000


64,915 76


3 42


1880


1,585,000


.


58,498 64


2 59


1882


1,585,000


61,390 59


2 65


1883


1,585,000


64,479 01


2 70


1884


1,585,000


.


71,305 66


2 87


1886


1,525,000


66,894 23


2 57


1887


1,525,000


70,252 88


2 56


1888


1860,500


25,000


37,000 00


1 28


1889


952,500


130,000


38,000 00


1 27


1890


1,057,500


150,000


45,000 00


1 38


1891


1,045,590


45,000


57,000 00


1 55


"


1892


1,194,500


253,000


104,000 00


2 73


1893


1,279,500


222,000


137,000 00


3 27


1894


1,344,500


172,000


107,000 00


2 42


1895


1,506,500


247,000


85,000 00


1 83


1896


1,531,000


177,000


152,500 00


3 11


1897


1,548,000


167,900


150,000 00


2 39


1898


1,552,000


176,000


172,000 00


3 99


1899


1,492,500


110,000


169,500 00


3 30


1900


1,478,000


152,000


166,500 00


3 17


1901


1,461,000


146,000


163,000 00


3 02


16


1902


1,447,000


175,000


159,000 00


2 86


1903


1,505,500


197,500


169,000 00


2 96


1904


1,498,500


132,500


139,500 00


2 40


1905


1,510,000


148,000


136,500 00


2 30


1906


1,464,500


100,000


145,500 00


2 41


1907


1,508,000


198,000


154,500 00


2 51


1908


1,466,500


110,000


151,500 00


2 06


1909


1,503,000


190,000


153,500 00


2 42


1910


1,500,000


160,000


163,000 00


2 26


1911


1,519,000


188,000


169,000 00


2 41


1912


1,674,000


832.000


177,000 00


2 54


1913


1,674,000


222,000


222,000 00


2 92


66


1914


1,616,000


145.000


203,000 00


2 63


*$10,000 applied to payment of bonds ; balance to sinking funds.


1Sinking fund applied:


55,739 35


2 72


1881


1,585,000


67,719 33


2 78


1885


+1,525,000


26


ANNUAL REPORTS.


·


YEAR.


VALUATION,


TAX LEVY.


RATE.


1872


$22,755,325


$274,374 45


$13 00


1873


29,643,100


389,214 48


12 80


1874


30,837,700


473,235 50


15 00


1875


31,317,000


518,161 40


16 20


1876


26,573,400


504,475 24


18 60


1877


25,479,400


471,789 14


18 10


1878


20,976,900


409,497 10


9 00


1879


18,950,100


352,553 80


3 00


1880


20,458,100


402,927 71


19 10


1881


22,569,100


452,945 45


19 50


1882


23,162,200


425,721 16


17 80


1883


23,812,900


411,645 43


16 70


1884


24,331,100


418,750 26


16 60


1885


24,878,400


428,605 44


16 60


1886


26,003,200


416,987 28


15 40


1887


27,471,800


424,309 14


14 80


1888


28,765,400


421,458 60


14 00


1889


30,004,600


440,324 40


14 00


1890


32,557,500


447,704 00


14 00


1891


36,843,400


539,137 10


14 00


1892


38,093,100


596,357 50


15 00


1893


41,873,600


675,886 80


15 50


1894


44,142,900


721,165 54


15 70


1895


46,506,300


745,609 02


15 40


1896


49,070,800


786,412 32


15 40


1897


50,231,000


913,574 42


17 30


1898


50,739,700


954,187 11


17 90


1899


51,262,400


882,580 96


16 30


1900


52,578,200


889,916 08


16 00


1901


53,924,200


907,439 82


15 90


1902


55,558,300


964,535 80


16 40


1903


57,062,000


1,038,849 84


17 20


1904


58,137,900


1,059,292 56


17 20


1905


59,233,000


1,144,000 14


18 30


1906


60,371,500


1,114,023 62


17 40


1907


61,627,200


1,144,434 92


17 40


1908


63,159,400


. 1,237,694 72


18 40


1909


63,658,953 20


1,260,144 32


18 60


1910


66,376,338 70


. 1,306,888 71


18 50


1911


67,284,066 00


. . 1.366,240 92


19 10


1912


69,632,540 00 . . 1,390,824 93


18 80


1913


71,906,464 00


. . 1.505.706 98


19 80


1914


74,946,894 00 .


. 1,665,289 46


21 10


REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


Treasurer's Office, February 11, 1915.


To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-


Gentlemen : The undersigned presents herewith the forty- third annual report of the financial condition of the city and a statement showing in detail the receipts and disbursements for the year ending December 31, 1914.


Public Property.


The property acquired during the year was as follows :-


City Hall Annex Remodelling


$3,500 00


New Cells, Police Station 3,999 93


Fire Department, Additional Apparatus 18,928 00


Sewers, Construction


. $9,898 30


Less Catch Basins, etc. 4,190 92


5,707 38


Incinerator Addition


3,100 00


High School Addition


13,756 31


High School Addition, Furnishing and Equipment


2,916 38


Central Heating Plant


12,140 07


Public Library Construction


9,407 61


Playgrounds Extension


676 46


Water Works Extension $17,289 71


Less Water Service Assessments . 4,223 54


13,066 17


$87,198 31


Items omitted from 1913 report :-


Charlton Lot, Murdock street


500 00


Reserve Strip, Hancock street and Spencer avenue, 120 square feet .


50 00


$87,748 31


Deductions.


Less City Hall Annex (old building corner Highland avenue and Walnut street),


torn down


$20,655 02


Less Fire Department apparatus, equipment,


etc., depreciation, sale of horses, etc., as per inventory of the chief of the · department . 21,797 35


42,452 37


Increase in 1914


$45,295 94


Value, December 31, 1913


5,977,905 82


Making the total public property December 31, 1914 . $6,023,201 76


28


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Funded Debt.


The funded debt December 31, 1913, as per Table B of the last annual report, was $1,674,000.00.


The debt was increased during the year by appropriations as follows :-


Loan dated April 1, 1914 :----


Highways Construction, New Streets


Highways Construction, Permanent Pavement 50,000 00


Highways Construction, Macadam Pavement 30,000 00


Sidewalks Construction


20,000 00


Sewers Construction


20,000 00


Total amount of appropriations on Funded Debt


account


$145,000 00


To provide for the above-mentioned appropriations, coupon bonds to the amount of $145,000 were issued, viz. :-


Dated April 1, 1914, 4 per cent. :- Highway Loan Bonds :-


Nos. 1 to 18, payable 1915 ·


$18,000 00


Nos. 19 to 36, payable 1916 ·


18,000 00


Nos. 37 to 54, payable 1917


18,000 00


Nos. 55 to 72, payable 1918 .


18,000 00


Nos. 73 to 90, payable 1919


18,000 00


Nos. 91 to 97, payable 1920


7,000 00


Nos. 98 to 104, payable 1921


7,000 00


Nos. '105 to 111, payable 1922


7,000 00


Nos. 112 to 118, payable 1923


7,000 00


Nos. 119 to 125, payable 1924


7,000 00


Sewer Loan Bonds :----


Nos. 594 to 613, payable 1915 to 1934 .


20,000 00


$145,000 00


The following bonds became due during the year :- City Loan Bonds :--


No. Reg. 188, interest 4 per cent.


$1,000 00


Nos. 1729 to 1732, interest 4 per cent. 4,000 00


No. Reg. 178, interest 4 per cent. 1,000 00


Nos. 2032 to 2036, 2042 to 2044, interest 4 per cent. 8,000 00


No. Reg. 196, interest 4 per cent.




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