USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1918 > Part 16
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Total
231
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
with the plan the lists were published in the Somerville papers each month. Much interest was at once shown by the medical profession and also by consumers who were forced to resort to bottle feeding for infants. Pint samples were taken from. the dealers' wagons and forwarded to the laboratory for analy- sis, both chemical and bacteriological, and the dealers notified of the result prior to its publication.
These monthly lists have been averaged and a table show- ing the yearly averages of each dealer follows :-
Bacteria per C. C.
Butter Fat Total Solids Maximum
Name of Dealer
Legal Standard 3.35%
Legal Standard 12.00%
Allowed Raw 500,000 Past. 100,000
Past. or Raw
Acton Farms Milk Co.
3.79
12.24
163,000
Past.
A. H. Andrews
3.71
12.09
174,000
Raw
J. Basher & Sons.
3.84
12.07
1,187,000
Raw
H. E. Bemis
3.78
12.22
108,000
Raw
H. C. Bennison
3.55
11.87
598,000
Past ..
H. A. Bergman
3.83
12.37
729,000
Past.
E. E. Breen
3.76
12.29
378,000
Past ..
A. W. Cummings
3.94
12.38
1,275,000
Raw
F. S. Cummings
3.84
12.34
136.000
Past.
J. F. Dillon
3.63
12.11
381,000
Raw
F. E. Edgerly
3.96
12.49
803,000
Raw
A. F. P. Gassett.
3.97
12.36
1,340,000
Raw
F .E . Giles
3.70
12.25
123,000
Past.
J. E. & H. J. Giroux
3.87
12.30
284,000
Raw
B. J. Griffin
3.80
12.30
360,000
Raw
J. P. Griffin
3.69
12.18
818,000
Raw
J. M. Hager & Son
3.72
12.38
536,000
Past.
F. E. Harris
3.63
12.07
365,000
Raw
H. P. Hood & Sons
3.84
12.49
73,000
Past.
Kendall Brothers
3.69
12.19
337,000
Raw
Maple Farm Milk Co
3.74
12.20
224,000
Past.
A. T. Martin
3.66
12.20
243,000
Past.
E. M. Monahan
4.00
12.62
976,000
Raw
R. J. Moody
3.71
12.16
652,000
Past.
W. F. Noble
3.98
12.41
189,000
Past.
P. O'Shaughnessy
3.77
12.26
591,000
Raw
S. E. Paige
3.74
12.21
327,000
Raw
H. A. Prescott
3.71
12.14
117,000
Past ..
T. F. Ronayne
3.75
12.14
117,000
Raw
Seven Oaks Dairy
3.79
12.51
102,000
Raw
M. P. Shattack
3.63
12.23
130,000
Raw
H. L. Stone
3.76
12.20
156,000
Past.
Swenson Brothers
3.75
12.31
117,000
Raw
F. P. & F. S. Thompson
3.81
12.40
439,000
Raw
Toothaker Brothers
3.75
12.17
133,000
Past.
Turner Centre Creamery Co
4.03
12.74
225,000
Past ..
A. S. Tyler
3.88
12.50
299,000
Raw
E. L. Tyler
3.61
12.07
242,000
Raw
D. Whiting & Sons
3.79
12.36
75,000
Past.
J. K. Whiting Co
3.76
12.27
275,000
Past.
C. A. Woodbury
3.77
12.24
94,000
Raw
232
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The higher the fat and solids the greater the food value. The lower the bacterial count, the greater care in production, better handling or more efficient pasteurization is shown. The analysis of special grades of milk supplied on request.
This method of giving publicity of the quality of the milk sold by the dealers has resulted in a marked improvement in the method of handling milk and it will be noted that only one dealer had a yearly average below the chemical standard.
It has also relieved the dealers from constantly appear- ing in court on a criminal charge as the Board of Health hoped that the publicity given the lists would be sufficient incentive to keep the milk of good standard quality. The yearly average has proven to be very satisfactory, though, at times during the year, there has been much to be desired in the bacteriological count. Taken as a whole, the experi- ment has been successful and it is hoped that during the coming year a much greater improvement will be noted. Like all experiments, the first year has been the hardest and the department feels that improvement will be much more rapid from now on.
On December 1st, Mr. George E. Plimpton resigned from the position of milk collector to accept a position in a com- mercial laboratory.
By reference to table one it will be noted that the income for the year credited to this department is the largest since the department was established. Table two shows another increase, the total work of the laboratory being in excess of any previous year.
Table 4 .- Infantile Mortality.
Year.
Births.
Deaths under 1 year, all causes.
Deaths under 1 year, enteric diseases.
Enteric Death Rate per 10,000 population under 1 year.
Population.
1914
1992
147
33
3.92
84,000
1915
1898
142
25
2.90.
86,000
1916
1952
132
23
2.58
89,000
1917
2035
136
18
2.00
90,000
1918
Returns Incomplete.
188
18
1.97+
91,000
Notwithstanding the fact that the birthrate is increasing yearly, the deaths from enteric diseases were the same as
233
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
the previous year and shows the lowest percentage of deaths from this cause in the history of the City.
DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATIONS. Diphtheria.
Months
Negative Positive
January
95
7
Total 102
February
76
8
84
March
118
20
138
April
78
32
110
June
63
30
93
July
72
31
103
August
40
22
62
September
70
17
87
October
50
9
59
November
146
43
189
December
136
32
168
Totals
1,032
.279
1,311
Tuberculosis.
January
29
12
41
February
20
6
26
March
38
10
48
April
32
6
38
May
26
9
35
June
15
8
23
July
15
7
22
August
11
9
20
September
10
9
19
October
17
5
22
November
15
5
20
December
18
6
24
Totals
246
92
338
January
11
0
11
February
2
0
2
March
2
0
2
April
8
1
9
June
3
1
4
July
11
2
13
August
10
0
10
September
7
0
7
October
16
3
19
November
4
2
6
December
2
0
2
Totals
90
10
100
Total Examinations 1763.
In addition to above there have been 14 examinations made for Malaria, Ophthalmia, Paratyphoid, Gonorrhea, and Pneu- monia.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT E. BOWMAN,
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar and Acting Bacteriologist.
14
1
15
May
Typhoid.
88
28
116
May
234
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT
Board of Overseers of the Poor. HENRY F. CURTIS, M. D., President. ALBERT W. EDMANDS, Vice-President, (Died October 14, 1918). FRED E. DURGIN, (Appointed October 29, 1918) . MICHAEL COLL.
Committees. On Finance, Investigation and Relief, and City Home. DR. CURTIS, MR. DURGIN AND MR. COLL.
Clerks. JEAN M. HUTCHINS. CORA F. LEWIS.
General Agent.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM, (Retired December 28, 1918).
Acting General Agent. JEAN M. HUTCHINS.
City Physician. C. CLARKE TOWLE, M. D.
Warden and Matron, City Home. MR. AND MRS. J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN.
Office.
City Hall Annex, Highland Avenue.
235
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1918.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-The report of the acting general agent, the warden of the City Home and the city physician, with tables showing the work, are herewith submitted.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY F. CURTIS, MICHAEL COLL, FRED E. DURGIN,
Overseers of the Poor.
236
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF ACTING GENERAL AGENT.
CITY HALL ANNEX, January 1, 1919.
To the Overseers of the Poor, Somerville, Mass :-
Gentlemen,-I submit the following as the report of the acting general agent for the year ending December 31, 1918 :-
Table No. 1. FULL SUPPORT (During the year).
In City Home, (men 49, women 32) 81
In City Home, December 31, 1918 47
In private families 19
In hospitals for the sick in other towns, cities and state 46
In care of state division minor wards (children)
10
Table No. 2. PARTIAL SUPPORT (Outside Relief).
Families
324
Persons aided (including hospital cases)
1321
Burials
·
8
Permits to State Infirmary
14
Average expense to the city for each (carriage for five) .
$2.37
Table No. 3. AID UNDER 1913 LAW (Mothers' Aid).
Number of applications from widows or deserted women .
91
Number of families aided at close of year
67
Number of children
207
Amount allowed each family, from $2.00 to $12.00 per week
Number of out-of-town families
10
Number having no settlement . . . .
.
13
COST TO CITY.
Somerville settlement
$13,988 79
Settled in other cities and towns (reside here) . 3,479 29
State
3,667 85
Somerville families living in other cities and towns . 1,163 91
·
$22,299 84
237
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Table No. 4. REIMBURSEMENTS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$12,543 21.
City of Boston
2,488 93.
Brockton
118 40
Cambridge
2,578 60-
66
Chelsea
88 00
66 66 Everett
397 54
66
66 Lynn
15 00.
Melrose
170 50
Newton
105 00.
North Adams
259 80
66
66 Woburn
199 36
Town of Arlington
173 34-
Cohasset
42 67
" Duxbury
298 66.
66
Hudson
18 00.
Sterling
100 00
Individuals
100 00,
$19,697 01
Table No. 5.
SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL (Patients on City Beds).
Patients having settlement in Somerville
89.
Patients having settlement in other cities and towns 31
Patients having no settlement (chargeable to State) 45
Total number of patients sent to hospital .
165.
Money paid hospital by the City
$6,593 57
Amount reimbursed to the City and paid to the hospital for patients not settled in Somerville 1,263 26
Total paid to the hospital
$7,856 83.
238
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table Nox 6. POPULATION AND GROSS EXPENDITURES, 1883 TO 1918, IN- CLUSIVE.
Year
Population (Estimated)
1883
27,000
$15.959 80
1884
28,000
. 17,272 52
1885
*29,992
16,430 32
1886
32,000
14,341 83
1887
34,000
13,430 89
1888
36,000
13,375 98
1889
39,000
14,610 92
1890
*40,117
15,261 14
1891
43,000
15,980 49
1892
46,000
17,015 30
1893
48,000
17,799 58
1894
50,000
19,733 13
1895
. * 52,200
20,755 46
1896
54,000
21,999 79
1897
56,000
25,681 47
1898
57,500
28,522 21
1899
60.000
28,924 39
1900
. * 61,643
Miscellaneous, $23,697 62
29,226 45
1901 .
62.500
35,793 58
1902 .
63,500
City Home, 7,396 64 (
36,063 68
1903
. 65,500
City Home, 7,548 39 (
( Miscellaneous, $20,476 54 )
27,039 65
1905 .
*69,272
City Home,
7,474 36 S
1906 .
. 72,000
City Home, 6,806 79
1907
. 74,000
City Home, 7,001 23
1908 ·
. 75,500
City Home, 6,875 56
1909 .
. 75,500
City Home. 7,562 83 6
1910
. * 77,236
City Home, 7,695 89
23,806 31
[ Miscellaneous, $16,327 56 1
24,169 59
City Home, 7,842 03 S
Miscellaneous, $19,201 33 }
28,200 30
Miscellaneous, $21,827 73
32,773 68
City Home, 10,945 95 1
1914
.
City Home, 11,200 25
56,709 63
1916
· 90,000
City Home, 11,593 41
63,353 03
1917
. 90,000
Miscellaneous, $53,653 33 City Home, 13,417 77
67,071 10
Miscellaneous, $63,420 48 )
1918
90,500
City Home,
15,411 20
78,831 68
.
·
·
.
City Home, 5,528 83
Miscellaneous, $29.171 15 1
City Home, 6,622 43
Miscellaneous, $28,667 04 )
Miscellaneous, $30,470 20 )
38,018 59
1904
.
69,500
City Home, 6,563 11 |
Miscellaneous, $17,527 88 )
25,002 24
Miscellaneous, $18,237 53
25,044 32
Miscellaneous, $17,852 20 )
24,853 43
Miscellaneous, $17,955 34
24,830 90
Miscellaneous, $16.843 17 }
24,406 00
( Miscellaneous, $16, 1 42 )
1911
. 78,000
1912 .
81,000
City Home, 8,998 97
1913
. 82,000
Miscellaneous, $35,619 68
46,819 93
1915 .
. 88.000
City Home, 11,218 65
Miscellaneous, $51,759 62
.
* Census.
·
.
85,000
Miscellaneous, $45,490 98 )
.
Table No. 7. EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL FOR THE YEAR 1918.
1918
Cash Allowance
Med. Att. and Medicine
Board.
Groceries.
Somerville Poor in other Cities and Towns.
Dry Goods and Shoes.
Burials.
Salaries.
Fuel.
Sundries.
Cash Paid Out.
Telephone.
Stationery and Printing.
Somerville Hospital.
State Institu- tions.
Other Institu- tions.
Nursing.
Somerville Poor in other Cities and Towns 1913 Law.
Total
January
$35.07
$19.14
$209.44
$885.00
$409.34
$93.54
$4.00
$3,997.85
$18.60
$27.49
February
34.00
17.30
366.11
564.80
$1,517.60
429.74
2,582.05
9.16
3.30
$6.21
$52.00
$33.75
5,616.02
March.
35.07
10.00
153.31
447.00
587.62
$25.00
454.91
41.00
2,817.86
8.93
8.75
$2,000.00
113.14
14.00
6,716.59
April
34.72
29.50
114.50
444.00
595.73
10.00
422.26
20.83
2,533.15
9.50
14.75
2,040.45
7.69
10.00
$234.75
6,521.83
May
29.07
14.91
121.94
445.00
134.17
25.00
479.91
2.80
37.08
2,769.61
8.93
14.30
1,314.27
17.00
2.00
110.49
5,526.48
June
28.72
25.28
114.50
732.46
170.50
15.00
507.26
8.33
2,478.75
9.33
522.86
105.14
2.25
177.16
4,897.54
July
30.43
13.10
116.94
396.50
843.46
59.00
430.60
8.33
2,579.24
3.68
261.43
150.55
3.00
273.34
5,169.60
August
30.43
12.68
724.17
243.00
546.47
463.25
11.33
2,831.96
19.48
25.00
661.15
8.50
5,577.42
September
30.29
18.17
97.85
291.00
56.00
430.60
14.33
2,476.50
16.21
430.95
105.14
10.25
368.00
4,345.29
October.
30.43
8.94
487.33
505.07
125.18
430.60
8.33
2,712.75
15.42
20.11
276.43
83.00
November
30.29
97.85
274.50
41.49
498.25
191.42
14.83
2,996.69
11.30
29.74
222.86
December.
30.43
50.67
451.78
170.50
167.88
427.01
199.00
8.36
1,732.50
1.63
126.43
22.00
649.09
4,037.28
Totals
$378.95
$219.69
$3,055.72
$5,398.83
$4,730.10
$190.00
$5,383.73
$486.76
$176.75
$32,508.91
$110.65
$164.96
$7,856.83
$247.45
$392.42
$139.75
$1,916.83 $63,358.33
4,703.59
34.00
104.00
4,547.22
$5,699.47
239
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR OF SOMERVILLE
Since the reorganization in 1885.
¿Hon. Mark F. Burns, chairman, ex-officio . 1885
1888
inclusive
¡Col. Herbert E. Hill
1885
1889
66
¡Charles S. Lincoln, Esq., chairman .
1885
1887
66
¡Hon. Edward Glines
1885
1887
66
¿Charles G. Brett (president 1888-1892) 1885 Apr. 1893
Edward B. West (president May, 1894- February, 1912)
¡Daniel C. Stillson
1888 Apr. 1892
¡Hon. Charles G. Pope, chairman ex-officio
1889
1891
Nathan H. Reed (president 1893 to April, 1894
1890 Apr. 1894
¿Hon. William H. Hodgkins, chairman ex- officio
1892
1895
¡James G. Hinckley
May, 1892
1894
¡Albert W. Edmands
May, 1893 Oct. 1918 .
(Died)
+Herbert E. Merrill
May, 1894 ·
1909
inclusive
*Ezra D. Souther
1895 Feb. 1898
(Died)
Hon. Albion A. Perry, chairman ex-officio
1896
1898
inclusive
James H. Butler
March, 1898
1899
66
Hon .George O. Proctor, chairman ex-officio
1899
Henry F. Curtis, M. D.
1910 to date* inclusive
Philip Koen
1912 Nov. 9, 1916
Michael Coll
. November, 1916
to date* 66
Fred E. Durgin
October, 1918
to date*
.
Table No. 8. RECAPITULATION (Miscellaneous).
Expenditures and transfers
$63,420 48
Reimbursements
19,697 01
Net cost to City
·
.
$43,723 47
* Present member.
¡ Deceased.
Respectfully submitted,
JEAN M. HUTCHINS,
Acting General Agent.
·
.
1888
to 1912 66
240
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF WARDEN OF CITY HOME.
City Home, January 1, 1919.
To the Overseers of the Poor, Somerville, Mass :-
Gentlemen,-I submit the following as the report of the. Warden of the City Home for the year ending December 31,. 1918 :-
Table No. 1.
Number of weeks' board of inmates .
2,442-2:
Number of males admitted during 1918
23
Number of females admitted during 1918
14
Number of males discharged during 1918 .
21
Number of females discharged during 1918
3
Number of males supported during 1918 .
49
Number of females supported during 1918
32
Number of males died during. 1918 .
9
Number of females died during 1918
5.
Number of inmates in home, December 31, 1918
47
City Home Hospital.
Number of weeks' board .
498
Number of patients admitted
35
Number of patients in hospital, December 31, 1918 .
11
Table No. 2.
Reimbursements
$10,043 73
Net expenditures
5,367 47
$15,411 20
Appropriation
14,500 00
Service transfer
911 20
15,411 20,
.
.
Respectfully submitted,
J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN,
Warden.
241
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
OFFICE OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN, Somerville, January 1, 1919.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :- Gentlemen,-The work of your City Physician during the year 1918 is presented in the following abstract :-
Office consultations and treatments
498
Total outside visits
1,527
Confinements .
7
Vaccinations
123
Visits at City Home
136
Attended at police station
42
Examinations :-
For legal department
22
For highway department .
15
For police department
43
For fire department .
24
For water department
2
Respectfully submitted,
C. CLARKE TOWLE,
City Physician.
242
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
December 31, 1918.
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- In accordance with the Acts of 1913 and as required by Section 2 of Chapter 494 of said Acts, the Planning Board herewith respectfully submits its annual report and recommendations for the year 1918.
During the year 1918 two new members were appointed by His Honor, Mayor Eldridge, namely George J. Rauh and Paul R. Valentine. The Board organized for the year by re- electing William F. Riley chairman, and David J. Kelley secretary, the other members being Harrison L. Evans, George J. Rauh and Paul R. Valentine.
The Board has been mindful of the duty delegated to it by the Act of the Legislature above mentioned, which requires it to carefully consider "the resources, possibilities and needs of the city." At the meetings of the Board held every month execpt July and August various matters relating to the general welfare of the city were discussed and the Planning Board was requested by the Board of Aldermen to report to it on two orders referred to the Planning Board for its consideration.
MYSTIC RIVER DEVELOPMENT .- The first order was adopted May 9, 1918, and related "to the practicability and advisability of the use of land bordering on the Mystic River for shipbuild- ing purposes."
After careful study of the question a report was submit- ted by the Planning Board to the Board of Aldermen, a copy of which is annexed to this report and marked "A."
The Board was of the opinion "that though it is highly ad- visable to do something to stop the waste of this navigable river which is a valuable asset of the City of Somerville, vet under existing conditions the use of land bordering on the river for shipbuilding purposes is not practicable."
SOMERVILLE HONOR ROLL .- The second order was adopted Oct. 15, 1918, and related to the planning of an "Honor Roll" for Somerville men in the military or naval service of our country.
The Planning Board submitted a report which is annexed to this report and marked "B." The Board was of the opinion that the City would do well to adopt the bronze frame plan
-
243
PLANNING BOARD.
for a permanent "Honor Roll" so that "later on if the memorial hall becomes a reality this bronze frame could very easily be built into the wall of the new building with very little, if any. expense, and could then still fulfill its purpose."
The Board is still of the opinion that this is the best plan, especially in view of the fact that it can be erected in about six or eight weeks at the most.
STREET CAR SERVICE .- There is still much to criticize in the deplorable street car service furnished by the Boston Elevated Railway Company. Many complaints have been made about the lack of heat in the cars, as well as the insufficient service on all the car lines. Whatever may be said about the in- sufficient service, it is the opinion of the Board that the failure to properly heat the cars is inexcusable, and a menace to the health of the riding public, and shoul.l be immediately corrected.
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON .- With reference to the plan re- cently proposed by His Honor, Mayor Peters, of Boston, relat- ing to the annexation of several surrounding cities including Somerville, it is the sense of this Board that such action at this time would not operate to the benefit or welfare of Somerville for the reason that it would tend to a lessening of the feeling of civic pride, which now exists, and also result in a neglect of needed public improvements.
PUBLIC PARKS AND BUILDINGS .- The Planning Board again recommends that a Playground be provided on the land owned by the city known as the City Ledge to adequately care for the needs of this rapidly growing section of our city in and about the Clarendon Hill section. The Board also respect- fully calls your attention to the advisability of stopping the dumping of street scrapings and cther refuse in the ledge because of the many complaints of the nuisance thereby cre- ated.
This matter is one that will not mean any great outlay of money and will be for the benefit of a large body of our citizens.
SOMERVILLE BATH HOUSE .- The Board again respectfully calls attention to the necessity of doing something at once to make the only bathing place in Somerville more attractive and popular with the people.
The Board recommends that the hills of mud now existing be levelled off or removed, and sand dumped into the river. so as to partly overcome the muddy condition.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
BRANCH LIBRARY, UNION SQUARE .- The approaches to and conditions existing on the grounds surrounding this branch library are still unchanged, and are not a credit to the city. In view of the fact that the other sections of our city have been provided with new branch library buildings the Board is of the opinion that sufficient money should be appropriated to make this branch library, and the grounds surrounding it, creditable to Somerville. The needs of the residents of the Union Square section should be attended to, and something done to remedy this condition.
APPROPRIATION .- The Planning Board is anxious to do all in its power to further the objects for which it was created. An appropriation of $50 was voted to the Board last year. It is obvious that this small sum is insufficient for its needs. The Planning Board was organized Jan. 9, 1914, and up to the present time it has no definite office space, and it is handicapped for lack of equipment to do its work. The Board has requested an appropriation of $200 this year, and respectfully calls attention to the necessity of appropriating this amount so that it may be able to render more valuable service to the city.
. WILLIAM F. RILEY, Chairman.
HARRISON L. EVANS, GEORGE J. RAUH, PAUL R. VALENTINE, DAVID J. KELLEY, Secretary.
COPY A.
To the Honorable Members of the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- On May 9, 1918, and order was adopted by your honorable body, and referred to the Planning Board the following, being a copy of the said order :-
"The Somerville Planning Board is hereby re- quested to make a study and report its findings to this Board in regard to the practicability and advisa- bility of the use of land bordering on the Mystic River for shipbuilding purposes."
F. W. COOK, City Clerk.
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PLANNING BOARD.
In compliance with the foregoing order the Planning Board herewith respectfully submits the following report for your consideration.
The subject of the development of the Mystic River for commercial purposes has been discussed frequently in recent years, and efforts have been made from time to time to obtain the assistance of the National Government.
In 1892 the United States government dredged a channel in the Mystic River from the B. & M. Railroad bridge to the head of navigation or Craddock Bridge in Medford. This channel is about one hundred feet in width for about one mile, and gradually narrows in width until it is about fifty feet wide at the Craddock Bridge in Medford. At the Wellington Bridge in Somerville the channel is about fifty feet in width and the natural channel of the river at this point is about eight feet deep at mean low water. From the Boston & Maine Railroad bridge up to Craddock Bridge in Medford the river is very crooked and unsuitable for the navigation of vessels over one hundred fifty feet in length, and is not of sufficient depth to accommodate vessels of a size suitable for commercial purposes.
Somerville has about thirty-six hundred feet of water front on the Mystic River. Part of this is owned by the Boston & Maine Railroad and private parties, and another part of it is controlled by the Metropolitan Park Commission. The only shipping interest on the Mystic River in Somerville at the present time is the Somerville Coal Company, which occu- pies Dennings Wharf, so called. The river is so winding and the draft so shallow that only barges of light draft can use the river for commercial purposes.
In order to make the Mystic River suitable for launching ships which would be of sufficient size to be useful for com- mercial purposes the channel of the river must be widened and dredged, as the existing channel is obviously inadequate.
The United States government has refused to expend any money for this purpose in that part of the Mystic River running through Somerville and Medford for the following reasons :-
1. Difficulty in navigation on account of the many bends in the river.
2. The use of the largest part of the land on both sides of the river for park purposes.
3. The small number of business concerns using the river in their business either in Somerville or Med- ford.
The only section of the river worthy of consideration for shipbuilding purposes in the opinion of the Planning Board
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
is that section lying between the Boston & Maine railroad bridge, and the Wellington Bridge. The land on the river bank in this section is at present owned or controlled by the Boston & Maine Railroad.
In view of the fact that the United States government is not disposed at the present time to appropriate any money for the dredging or widening of the Mystic River and in the absence of any willingness on the part of local interests to spend money for this purpose the Planning Board is of the opinion that though it is highly advisable to do something to stop the waste of this navigable river which is a valuable asset of the City of Somerville, yet under existing conditions the use of land bordering on the river for shipbuilding purposes is not practicable.
As a remedy for this condition the Board suggests that your Honorable body urge upon our representative in Con- gress the necessity of some action towards securing an ade- quate appropriation so that this water way with the adjoining terminal facilities furnished by the Boston & Maine Railroad may be fully utilized, and the commercial interest of the City improved thereby.
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