Report of the city of Somerville 1918, Part 14

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 396


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1918 > Part 14


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$1,000


1889


3.


Mrs. Lillian M. Wentworth, 248 Highland Avenue


950


1911


2. Olevia M. Woods, 116 Powder House Boulevard


950


1908


1. Hortense F. Small, 91 Electric Avenue


950


1912


...


1914


4. M. Eunice Young, 209 Washington Street, Winchester


950


1912


1916


3. Mrs. Katie L. Harmon, 187 Elm Street


198


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE 29 .- Teachers in Service January, 1919 .- Continued.


Name and Residence.


MARTHA PERRY LOWE SCHOOL.


Began Serv-


Grade.


Morrison Avenue, near Grove Street. Salary. ice.


George I. Bowden, Master, 92 Monument St., W. Med.


1908


4. May E. Small, Principal, 181 Orchard St., Camb. $1,100


1900


4. Stella M. Holland, 29 Hall Avenue 950


1903


3. Mrs. Jane M. Taaffe, 159 Morrison Avenue


950


1888


2. Katherine E. Hourahan, 15 Summit Street


950


1892


2. Clara G. Hegan, 100 School Street


950


1897


1. Martha A. Jencks, 38 Chester Street


950


1898


1. Octavia A. Stewart, 15 Kenwood Street


950


1917


EVENING SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.


Everett W. Tuttle, High


$6.00


John S. Emerson, Bell 5.00


Charles E. Brainard, Highland


4.00


CADET TEACHERS. ....


Catherine E. Giles, 5 Bradbury Avenue, Wellington $400


1918


Helen A. Moran, 483 Medford Street 400


1918


SPECIAL TEACHERS.


Music.


12, 7. James P. McVey, 29 Hammond Street, Cambridge $1.800


1915


6, 1. Mrs. Charlotte D. Lawton, 121 St. Stephen St., Boston 1,100 1898


Drawing.


9, 1. Clara M. Gale, 21 Willoughby Street


1,200


1911


Sewing.


Mary H. Brown, Supervisor, 5 Linnaean St., Camb.


*200


1913


6, 5. Mary L. Boyd, 74 Heath Street 950


1888


6, 5. Mrs. Emma J. Ellis, 54 Marshall Street 950


1900


6,5. Stella G. Bucknam, 319 Highland Avenue


±220


1918


Penmanship.


9,1. Ruth L. Whitehouse, 40 Highland Avenue


1,000


1915


Manual Training.


Harry L. Jones, Supervisor, 137 Pow. House Blvd.


+200


1911


Physical Instruction.


12, 1. Ernst Hermann, 9 Humboldt Street, Cambridge


¥1,250


1914


12, 1. Alma Porter, 43 Ossipee Road


800


1918


Atypical.


Mary A. Holt, 13 Pleasant Avenue


$1,000


1910


Mrs. Bertha M. Morton, 62 Highland Avenue Julia M. Riordan, 165 Albion Street


1,000


1913


* Additional to salary as Principal of Girls' Vocational School.


+ Additional to salary as Principal of Boys' Vocational School.


# Part time.


850


1914


3. Maude C. Valentine, 1098 Broadway 950


1901


199


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


TABLE 30 .- OFFICERS, ETC., IN SERVICE JANUARY, 1919.


Name and Address. SUPERINTENDENT AND SECRETARY


Salary.


Charles S. Clark, 75 Munroe Street


$3,850


Joseph A. Ewart, Assistant Superintendent, 11 Bigelow St., 2,750


CLERKS.


Mary A. Clark, 42 Highland Avenue


1,000


Mildred A. Merrill, 26 Cambria Street


950


H. Madeline Kodad, 1067 Broadway


15.35 per wk.


Ethel G. Carvell, 29 Minnesota Avenue


15.35 per wk.


ATTENDANCE OFFICER.


Benjamin R. Jones, 25 Loring Street 1,500


TABLE 31 .- SCHOOL JANITORS, JANUARY, 1919.


School.


Name.


Residence.


Weekly Salary


High School, assistant.


Robert A. Burns


58 Beacon St. $21.00


High School, assistant.


Jeremiah M. Brennan


482 Medford St. 20.00


High School, assistant.


John N. Quirk


202 Somerville Ave. 20.00


High School, assistant.


Nicholas J. Lacey 85 Franklin St. 25.00


High School, fireman


Charles Hoyt


18 Trull St.


25.00


E. Som. J. High, S, 11


James J. Quirk


3212 Tufts St. 22.50


Prescott, S, 12


H. L. Duren


163 Willow Ave.


23.50


Hanscom, S, 10


Charles F. Rose


15 Brastow Ave. 21.50


Boys' Vocational, F, 4


Charles B. Kelley


25 Clark St.


21.00


Bennett, S, 12


Michael Mullaney


167 Somerville Ave.


23.00


Baxter, S, 6


Andrew H. Finnegan


94 Concord Ave.


19.00


Knapp, S, 12


Maurice T. Mullins


13 Fremont Ave.


23.00


Perry, S, 6


Dan'l E. Cunningham


23 Fitchburg St.


19.00


Pope, S, 12


John J. Kilty


662 Somerville Ave.


23.00


Bell, S, 12


William Meskill


53 Partridge Ave.


25.00


Southern Junior High


Joseph F. McCormack 206 Washington St. 20.00


56 Prescott St.


16.50


Edgerly, S, 12


Charles P. Horton


22 Everett Ave.


23.00


Glines, S, 14


Roy C. Burckes


20 Jaques St.


24.00


Forster, S, 12


George W. Coombs


73 Bonair St.


23.00


Winter Hill J. High, S, 11 *Michael A. Mullin


16 Bowdoin St.


22.50


Bingham, S, 16


John F. O'Brien


347 Lowell St.


26.00


Carr, S, 16


John H. Lane


5-A Belmont St.


29.00


Morse, F, 12


John W. Cremen


69 Oxford St.


23.50


Proctor, S, 8


James F. Flynn


31 Linden St.


20.50


Durell, S, 4


Ellsworth C. Lundgren 50 Harrison St.


16.50


Burns, S, 8


Charles J. Elkins


35 Mansfield St.


20.50


Brown, S, 10


James J. Cooper


105 Willow Ave.


21.50


Highland, S, 12


E. Parker Cook


103 Willow Ave.


23.00


Hodgkins, S, 14


George A. Givan


17 Henry Ave.


24.00


W. Somerv' le J. High


James T. Eddy


38 Wallace St.


26.00


Cutler, S, 12


Daniel Campbell


85 Lexington Ave.


23.00


Cutler, Assistant


Walter M. Burns 23 Avon St.


20.00


Lincoln, S, 4


Thomas F. O'Day


134 Lowell St.


16.50


Lowe, S, 8


Frank H. Flagg


22 Clyde St. 20.50


Girls' Vocational, F, 6


Thomas G. Pullen


6 Madison St. 16.50


Buildings heated by steam are marked "S," by furnace "F." The num- bers show the number of rooms.


The high school is heated from the Central heating plan.


*Leave of absence.


Thomas H. Dickinson 5 Berkeley St.


22.50


Cummings, F, 4


Lewis G. Keene


200


ANNUAL REPORTS.


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


BOARD OF TRUSTEES.


THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D., President. J. FRANK WELLINGTON, Vice-President.


FREDERICK W. PARKER. HERBERT E. BUFFUM, M. D.


WILLIAM L. BARBER.


GILES W. BRYANT, M. D.


CHARLES L. NOYES, D. D.


DAVID H. FULTON.


HERMON C. BUMPUS, Sc. D., LL. D.


COMMITTEES. On Administration.


The President, Messrs. Wellington, Parker, Noyes, Fulton.


On Books and Cataloguing.


The President, Messrs. Barber, Buffum, Bryant, Bumpus.


On Buildings and Property. The President and the Vice-President.


Secretary of the Board. GEORGE H. EVANS.


201


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


Report of the Trustees.


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


Gentlemen,-The forty-sixth annual report of the Trustees of the Public Library is herewith respectfully submitted.


We wish at this time to call attention to the valuable serv- ices rendered the Library War Service by Mr. Geo. H. Evans, our Librarian, and, as evidence of the splendid work done by him, we will quote from a letter of the American Library Asso- ciation, "Our gratitude would be great if an extension of Mr. Evans's service at Hampton Roads could be arranged. We do not know where else to look for another man fitted, as Mr. Evans is, to carry on the matters there at the present time."


We wish also to commend the work done by Miss Carrie L. Williams at the Base Hospital Library at Camp Devens, Mass.


The report of the Librarian and tables of statistics is appended.


Very respectfully, The Board of Trustees, by THOS. M. DURELL, President.


202


ANNUAL REPORTS.


ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY AND STAFF PERSONNEL.


December 31, 1918.


GEORGE HILL EVANS, Librarian. NELLIE M. WHIPPLE, Assistant Librarian.


CENTRAL LIBRARY AND LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE.


Highland Avenue and Walnut Street.


Main Delivery and Reading Room. Open week days, except holidays, 9 a. m. to 9 p. m.


Children's Room.


Open during school term, Monday and Thursday, 3 to 8 p. m. Satur- day, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. Other week days, 3 to 6 p. m. Open during. vacation, week days 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.


GRADED SERVICE.


DEPARTMENT HEADS AND SPECIAL POSITIONS.


CARRIE L. WILLIAMS. (On leave in U. S. Hospital Service. Branch Librarian rank.)


VIVIAN J. MORSE, Executive Assistant."


CORA B. EAMES, Reference Librarian.


EDITH B. HAYES, Chief Cataloguer.


MARY S. WOODMAN, Reviewer and Classifier.


EDNA C. WOODBURY, Children's Librarian.


MARGARET M. KNEIL, High School Librarian.


ANNA L. STONE, Periodicals.


SUSAN W. CURTIS, Graded and Junior High School Deposits.


Senior Assistants. MYRTLE NICHOLSON, Desk Chief. HELEN P. SMITH, Assistant Cataloguer. MARGUERITE C. KELLY. NINA L. WINN.


Junior Assistants.


RUTH G. MARKLE. RUTH H. STRETTON.


UNGRADED SERVICE. Catalogue Department MARION L. FALL,


CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT.


Pages


LILLIAN MCGOWAN. EDITH LYNCH.


Attendants on Part Time.


LEILA BEARDSLEY.


BERNICE WATT.


MILDRED COOK.


203


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


Training Class Attendants. RUTH BURCKES. FLORENCE M. KENNEDY. BERNHARDENA H. MORRISON.


WEST SOMERVILLE BRANCH. Established 1909. 40 College Avenue. Open week days, except holidays, 1 to 9 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 9 p. m.


GRADED SERVICE. ESTHER M. MAYHEW, Branch Librarian. MABEL E. BUNKER, 1st Assistant.


Senior Assistants. GLADYS B. HASTINGS, Children's Librarian. EDYTHE L. MILLER. HELEN E. PULSIFER.


UNGRADED SERVICE. Pages MAE L. GORMLEY.


Attendants on Part Time.


S. LEONE WARREN. DUDLEY MOORE. HELEN CURRIE.


PAUL PARKER. HAZEL MOORE. WILBUR STANLEY.


EAST SOMERVILLE BRANCH. Established 1912. Broadway and Illinois Avenue. Open week days, except holidays, 2 to 9 p. m.


GRADED SERVICE. BEATRICE E. KELLIHER, Branch Librarian.


Senior Assistants. RUTH S. FALES, 1st Assistant. AGNES F. JUDKINS.


UNGRADED SERVICE. Attendants on Part Time.


CECIL MCDONALD. MARION DOw.


PHYLLIS MCDERMOD .. DORIS MCDONALD.


204


ANNUAL REPORTS.


UNION SQUARE BRANCH. Established 1912. Washington Street and Bonner Avenue. Open week days, except holidays, 2 to 9 p. m.


GRADED SERVICE.


MILDRED R. HOLT, Branch Librarian.


Senior Assistants. ABBIE G. GLOVER, 1st Assistant. EUGENIE CARTER, Children's Librarian. ETHEL M. NUTE (On leave).


UNGRADED SERVICE.


Attendants on Part Time.


BESSIE BERMAN. MILDRED CARTER. F. ADELAIDE FURLONG.


NOTE: For changes in staff personnel during the year see Librarian's report.


205


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


Report of the Librarian.


Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees :-


The Forty-sixth Annual Report of the Somerville Public Library, for the year 1918, is herewith submitted.


The abnormal and trying year now past brought with. it new and difficult problems arising from unprecedented social and economic conditions. The inadequacy of salaries in our. second and third grades has now become so serious as to affect adversely the efficiency of our staff. The approach of a crisis was recognized by the Trustees early in the year and a care -- fully considered revision of salaries, which could be put into effect within the limits of the present appropriation, was recom- mended by vote of the Board. The measure, however, failed to secure official approval. Somerville now has the unenviable reputation of paying its library assistants in these grades the. smallest salaries of any municipality of its class in the State. In fact, Somerville is now lagging in the rear of many smaller cities like Woburn, Malden, Quincy, and numerous towns. As. a result we are in the position of a training school for sur- rounding libraries that are able by the payment of better sal- aries to secure our younger assistants as soon as they become competent, while we are unable to fill our vacancies. This problem is entirely distinct from the competition of salaries paid by business positions, from which we have also suffered. It is most unfortunate that for the lack of a few hundred dollars a year the Somerville Public Library, which has for many years held a position of leadership, should be allowed to drop into a secondary place. particularly at a time when our national energies are being directed toward the processes of Americanization in which the library is emphasized as one of the two or three most potent agencies.


Our Central Library was open two hundred and twenty- two days in 1918. It was closed on account of fuel shortage and the prevalence of influenza eighty-one days. Our Branches were not affected by the fuel shortage but were closed fourteen days during the epidemic.


On account of a reduced appropriation at Central it was impossible to maintain the book collection. One thousand five hundred and fifty-seven more books wore out than we were able to purchase.


Under such adverse circumstances it is not surprising that- the total circulation of books, 354,343, was less than in 1917. Two of the Branches. however, show a creditable increase. Union Square of 4.938 and East Somerville of 16,386. The latter is noteworthy even for the most favorable of years. An in- crease of 31 per cent. in circulation and of over 100 per cent. in


206


ANNUAL REPORTS.


registration, is conclusive evidence of the interest of the people of East Somerville in their new building. Its more accessible location has brought a large influx of new readers. On the whole there has been less reading during the year in all public libraries. Our young men in the service have been reading their books in the Camp Libraries, to the support of which our public and library have contributed. Their relatives and friends at home have quite properly spent less time in reading and more time in working for the various civilian organiza- tions for war relief.


Through its Reference Department the Library makes a specialty of answering questions and finding information upon every subject under the sun. Some people not well informed concerning the resources of their own city send their questions to the Boston papers and then wait several days for the answers to be printed. The knowing ones of Somerville bring their problems to the library or call it on the telephone. We supplied the needed facts in reply to over forty thousand such questions in 1918. In the majority of cases only a few minutes were required to find the answer. Occasionally we were handed a har i nut to crack, that required a few hours of patient hammering to get at the kernel. Our six thousand, four hundred and thirty-six reference books, and long files of technical periodicals with their minute indexes, in the hands of trained specialists, make a source of information incom- parably superior to any similar agency possessed by a news- paper. The library is equipped to furnish authoritative in- formation promptly.


It cannot be too often reiterated that the Public Library is a part of the public educational establishment of the city. To supplement the work of the schools it has maintained a special collection of professional books for the use of teachers. it has lent to the graded schools over five thousand specially selected books, it has brought together for the use of the newly organized Junior High Schools another special collection al- ready numbering nearly two thousand, seven hundred. For the administration of this work it devotes the full time of two, and part time of a third, specially trained, college-bred, assistants.


The educational work of the library, however, is not con- fined merely to the provision of books for pupils and their ad- ministration, excellent as this work is. Beginning with the child barely able to enjoy pictures it initiates a program of American citizenship. The child who comes to the library is taught cleanliness, good manners, respect for public property, obedience to constituted authority, and intelligent patriotism. During the years of school attendance the schools deal with the pupil in the mass. The problems of the individual can receive but slight consideration. The library, on the other hand, deals


207


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


with the individual. It provides for him a continuation school after his days of formal instruction are over. It guides him in the choice of a vocation, and provides material for ad- vancement in his occupation. It teaches him the sources of information and the use of books as tools. It offers him the opportunity of acquiring an increased earning capacity where- by his standard of living may be raised, and of securing a better future for his children.


During 1918 the library suffered the losses by resignation of Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, Branch Librarian of the West Somerville Branch, who was succeeded by Esther M. Mayhew, transferred from the Reference Department; Helen Luitwieler, Director of the Training Class; Helen Martin, Children's Librarian at Union Square; Anna B. Truesdale, Children's Librarian at West Somerville; and the following assistants in the Second and Third Grades: Nectar M. Eksergian, Frances E. Haggens, and Evelyn V. Snow. The library granted an indefinite leave of absence to Carrie L. Williams, who volun- teered her services as Base Hospital Librarian at Camp Dev- ens ; it also granted a leave of absence to Ethel M. Nute for the purpose of additional study at Simmons College. The following appointments have been made: Cora B. Eames. Reference Librarian ; to the Second and Third Grades, Nina L. Winn, Ruth G. Markle, Ruth H. Stretton, Helen E. Pulsifer. Agnes F. Judkins. In September the library was glad to welcome back Miss Susan W. Curtis from a year's absence in study at Boston University. Miss Curtis has been placed in charge of work with graded and Junior High Schools.


During the year every member of our staff has contributed service of varying periods for war relief, through such agencies as the Red Cross and the American Library Association Camp Libraries. The Librarian was given a three months' leave of absence from October 6 for the purpose of organizing a Camp Library at the United States Naval Operating Base, Hampton Roads, Virginia. The Central Library has acted as a clearing house for the forwarding of books given to camp libraries at home and over-seas. The Trustees have allowed the United States Exemption Board free use of the second floor of the West Somerville Branch during the entire year.


The appended tabulations are submitted as a part of this report.


Respectfully submitted,


GEO. H. EVANS, Librarian.


The Public Library of the City of Somerville APPENDIX A. Statistics of Use and Growth, 1918. Circulation.


Central


West


East 44,920


Union 30,942


Total 242,533 111,819


Volumes circulated, juvenile .


25,781


32,044


22,918


31,067


Total circulation (A. L. A. rules)


107,035


117,461


67,838


62,009


354,343


Accessions.


Volumes in library (January 1, 1918)


94,344


11,499


4,602


4,771


115,216


Volumes added


2,978


1,015


1,004


822


5,819


Volumes transferred to


43


141


381


178


743


Volumes restored


11


16


3


5


35


Total added


3,031


1,172


1,388


1,005


6,596


Volumes withdrawn


3,722


751


364


648


5,485


Volumes transferred from


700


42


0


1


743


Volumes lost


166


23


34


21


244


Total loss


4,588


806


398


670


6,472


Net gain or loss


1,557 (loss)


356


990


335


124


Volumes in library (December 31, 1918) .


92,787


11,855


5,592


5,106


115,340


Registration.


882


1,014


845


657


3,398


New borrowers registered Valid borrowers' cards, i. e. registered or re -. newed within two years


14,206


ANNUAL REPORTS.


208


Volumes circulated, adult


81,254


85,417


·


.


.


.


.


.


·


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


·


.


209


PUBLIC LIBRARY.


APPENDIX B.


American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics.


Annual report for year ended December 31, 1918.


Name of Library, The Public Library.


City or town, Somerville; State, Massachusetts.


Population served (1917 draft estimate)


90,000:


Terms for use-Free for lending. Free for reference.


Total number of agencies.


Consisting of-Central Library


3 Branches (separate buildings)


1 Station


High School Department 157 School Rooms


4 Institutions


Number of days open during year (Central Library) 220 for lending, 220 for reading. (Closed 81 circulating days on account of fuel shortage and influenza).


Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) . . .


72


Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) ....


72


Number on staff (library service, adding part time em-


35


ployees to make whole units) December 31, 1918. .. . Number of volumes at beginning of year.


115,216


Number of volumes added during year by purchase 5,614


Number of volumes added by gift or exchange


85


Number of volumes added during year by binding ma- terial not otherwise counted.


90


Number of volumes withdrawn during year


5,485


Total number at end of year. 115,340


Adult. Juvenile


Number of volumes of fiction


lent for home use. . 180,870 62.486


243,356


Total number of volumes lent for home use. 242,533 111,810


354,353:


All books except 7 day and juvenile (2 weeks) lent for one calendar month.


Number of borrowers registered during year.


3,398


Total number of valid cards December 31 (used within two years) . 14,206


Number of newspapers and periodicals currently re- ceived, 210 titles, 550 copies.


167


210


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Receipts from :


Local Taxation :


Library Department


$33,238 14


Public Buildings Department


9,629 75


Endowment Funds:


Total Credit


1,417 89


Fines


1,438 01


Other sources: Dog licenses


2,168 85


$47,892 64


Payments for:


Books


$ 7,945 85


Pictures


45 00


Periodicals


1,153 09


Music


176 29


Binding


2,308 99


Salaries, library service


22,900 56


Other maintenance


2,778 43


Public Buildings Department:


Janitor service, heat, light, etc.


8,132 37


Transferred to other accounts


1,090 00


Balance


407 33


Balance from Appropriation


3 67


Balance from Endowment funds


951 01


$47,892 64


21.1


HEALTH DEPARTMENT.


.


BOARD OF HEALTH 1918


RALPH F. HODGDON, M. D., Chairman (resigned Nov. 8, 1918). ROBERT M. LAVENDER, Chairman from Nov. 15, 1918. WARREN C. BLAIR.


JOHN E. GILLIS, M. D. (from Nov. 15, 1918).


Clerk and Agent to Issue Burial Permits. LAURENCE S. HOWARD.


Agent. GEORGE I. CANFIELD.


Acting Medical Inspector. C. CLARKE TOWLE, M. D. (resigned Oct. 28, 1918). HERBERT E. BUFFUM, M. D. (from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8). RALPH F. HODGDON, M. D. (from Nov. 9, 1918).


Acting Bacteriologist. HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Ph. G.


Inspector of Animals and Provisions. CHARLES M. BERRY, V. S.


Inspector of Milk and Vinegar. HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Ph. G.


Milk Collector.


GEORGE E. PLIMPTON (resigned Dec. 1, 1918).


Plumbing Inspector.


DUNCAN C. GREENE.


212


ANNUAL REPORTS.


OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, City Hall Annex, January 1, 1919.


To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-


Gentlemen :- We respectfully submit the following as the forty-first annual report of the Board of Health in which is pre- sented a statement, tabulated, and otherwise, of the sanitary condition of the city and the business of the board for the year ending December 31, 1918.


Nuisances.


A record. of nuisances abated during the year, in compli- ance with notices issued by the board, or under the board's di- rection, is presented in the following table :-


Complaints referred from 1917 26


Complaints received during 1918 565


591


Complaints referred to 1919 .


48


Nuisances abated 1918


543


Second and third notices sent on nuisances . 60


Received during 1918


565


Total notices sent . 625


In addition to the above, 294 dead animals have been removed from the public streets. Many nuisances have been abated on verbal notice from the agent, without action by the board, of which no record has been made. Each spring the whole city is examined, and cellars, yards and alleyways where rubbish and filth have collected are required to be cleaned.


Glanders .- Eight cases of glanders have been reported during the year. Prompt action was taken in every case, and seven of the horses were killed, one being released from quar- antine by order of the cattle commissioners.


Record of Permits and Licenses Issued.


Cows .- Ten applications were received for permits to keep thirteen cows, all of which were granted.


Swine-Forty-nine applications were received for per- mits to keep ninety-four swine, forty-one of which were granted to keep seventy-nine swine. The fee is one dollar for each swine.


Goats .- Four applications were received for permits to keep six goats, all of which were granted. The fee is one dollar for each goat.


213


HEALTH DEPARTMENT.


Hens .- One hundred and ninety-seven applications for permits to keep 3,320 hens were received. One hundred and eighty permits to keep 2,921 hens were granted, and seventeen permits were refused.


Grease .- Twelve applications were received for permits for fourteen teams to collect grease, which were granted. The fee is two dollars for each team.


Melting and Rendering .- Three parties have been licensed to carry on the business of melting and rendering, under the provisions of the revised laws of 1902, chapter 75. Section 111, for which a fee of one dollar is charged.


Massage and Manicure .- Eight persons have been licensed to practice massage and manicure. The fee is one dollar for each license.


Stables.


No person has the legal right to erect, occupy or use any building in this city, as a stable, without obtaining a license from this Board for such occupancy. Each application is re- ferred to the Agent of this Board and no license is granted un- less all regulations of the Board are complied with. The fol- lowing is a record of applications received and licenses granted :-


Applications pending from 1917


23


Applications received during 1918 .


19


42


Licenses granted


17


Licenses refused


8


Stables vacated


11


36


Licenses pending


6


Board of Infants.


Twenty-six parties, whose applications were first approved "by this board, have been licensed by the state board of charity to care for fifty-two children in this city, under the provisions of chapter 83 of the revised laws of 1902.


Deaths.


There were 1,533 deaths and seventy-four stillbirths in the city during the year, as specified in the following table, which shows an increase of deaths over the previous year of 466, due largely to influenza or complications thereof.


Deaths at Somerville hospital during the year · Deaths at hospital for contagious diseases and tuberculosis


38


Deaths at home for aged poor (Highland avenue) ·


50


Deaths at city home 12


Deaths at other institutions .




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