USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1934 > Part 20
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
3
0
3
3
2
10
0
1
1
10
1
5
3
6
3
7
3
1
3
1.3
1
3
7
1
3
3
10
3
Horace Riley-Communist Party
101
1
2
1
-
€
1
0
G
126
Secretary
Walter Burke-Communist Party
2
4
10
8
6
11
5
4
S
00
11
10
-
T-
Frederic W. Cook-Republican
386
319
549
298
13
929
413
511
682
66
1
%
626
423
616
1
3
750
448
5
0
174
374
447
643
607
827
872
1007
703
6
551
872
52!
657 16608
1
George 1 .. McGlynn-Soc. Labor Party
9
3
6
19
11
6
2
3
3
=
10
6
4
2
3
19
-
Leslie A. Richards-Socialist Party
3
3
10
10
14
S
16
5
13
10
S
12
S
163
7
Joseph Santosuosso-Democratic
649
693
.05
192
519
16
10
772
400
S8:
359
$10
737
400
733
363
413
410
SOS
644
408
243
653
577
324
332
360
32
10
282
369
William R. Taylor-Prohibition
377 1592x
3
2
1
3
2
2
3
3
3
-
2
2
6
2
4
2
1
1
1
5
Treasurer
Oscar U. Dionne-Republican
25
343
22.
41
34
115
73
164
388
,14
476
28
490
555
335
263
331
513
439
8
58
William R. Ferry-Prohibition .
11
7
853
45g
24
11
13
10
S
10
20
19
12
18
18
16
12
12
19
12
23
757
56
758
27
41
15
532 12650
16
1
Thomas Gilmartin-Soc. Labor Party ...
11
12
24
17
13
15
11
10
G
11
8
7
6
17
6
7
428
S
2
4
7
5
Charles F. Hurley-Democratic
770
814
476
G20
542
891
156
1002
768
657
460
747
903
537
840
463
562
500
902
737
754
715
531
10
23.1
445
415
470
484
394
70
Harry Maltzman-Socialist Party
4
10
4
5
4
10
479 19170
1
S
19
3
11
6
12
10
46
4
5
13
G
5
3
7
15
7
10
9
4
14
8
11
8
5
3
1
6
8
5
1
1
5
3
Frederick S. Reynolds-Com. Party
14
23!
-
7
1
1
5
00
1
6
2
121
to
Auditor
Henning A. Blomen-Soc. Labor Party
S
14
12
12
2
11
S
5
2
6
14
9
S
850
982
478
9
12
741
440
73.
5
706
763
514
130
914
77
443
567
8
-
Thomas H. Buckley-Democratic ..........
467
561
628
447
5
5
S
881
7
148
121
200
283
409
53
53
719
681
398
462
349
549
392
470
477
377
37
148
22!
Alonzo B. Cook-Republican
439
427 18268
321
249
474
45
99
39"
38
Walter S. Hutchilns-Socialist Party
5
7
14
9
14
3
24
28
19
555
479
716
148
776
15
19
16
16
12
27
843
603
10
21
489
756
434
16
599 13582
14
12
15
1
11
2
3
5
C
Paul Skiers-Communist Party
6
3
3
1
10
4
4
16
6
0
0
17
402
2.
4
4
2
1
6
87
Attorney General
Morris Berzon-Socialist Party
S
13
10
10
12
1
20
10
S
10
14
19
=
13
9
772
462
566
519
85
440
959
743
12
10
409
714
47
784
15
41
877
16
10
12
5
614
5
71.
3
Paul .1. Dever-Democratic
688
671
461
394
355
431
S
14
31
373
35
Charles A. Flaherty-Com. Party
6
2
5
4
10
3
5
7
3
437
416 17900
12
2
2
4
?
4
8
A
8
5
S
F
6
5
4
6
3
2
3
2
George F. Hogan-Prohibition
10
15
4
2
5
1
5
18
12
2
5
10
Fred E. Oelcher-Soc, Labor Party
5
2
4
2
2
3
5
3
1
3
6
6
180
Joseph E. Warner-Republican
315
393
25
463
5g
150
88
122
193
328
456
544
547
345
553
6
10
20
A
3
613
400
2
2
287
395
6
559
178
763
651
811
5
170
933
640
495
79
458
610 141>3
Senator In Congress
Albert Sprague Coolidge-Soc. Party ....
12
S
12
14
11
17
5
16
7
10
15
22
14
18
12
75
W. Barnard Smith-Prohibition
10
6
11
1
6
1
7
6
11
7
14
14
5
6
S
7
11
21
17
14
6
5
7
10
15
367
t
10
14
13
8
12
10
David 1. Walsh-Democratic
774
85:
505
6G
550
876
45
1002
802
700
50
775
995
560
50
615
533
778
:09
492
471
539
Robert M. Washburn-Republican
264
327
209
379
33
125
76
94
148
356
506
399
479
265
456
526
830
786
529
479
520
10
7
9
2
10
328
248
4
6
6
304
450
710
151
550 20484
1
5
385
24
546
809
535
416
662
36.
474 11761
51
5
3
2
36
Albert 1 .. Waterman-Soc. Labor Party
2
2
4
6
3
D'aul C. Wicks-Communist Party
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
5
7
4
6
4
5
3
14
0
4
152
2
0
2
1
79
Congressman-8th District
Arthur D. Healey-Democratic
787
845
489
637
55€
915
461
1023
80
652
453
775
962
566
879
496
253
421
123
10G
431
445
595
511
948
278
42
180
318
361
767
763
745
526
455
427
505
35f
539
412
WillinDi S. Howe-Republican
500
300
483
510
409
575
491
262
345
476 19815
538
462
70S
621
787
86
578
473
745
419
562 13163
-
Counciller-6th District
James J. Brennan-Democratic
717
761
445
569
532
873
135
966
75:
573
426
710
855
49.
80
312
271
464
59
140
436
519
462
133
198
367
572
312
$16
856
695
Eugene .\. F. Burtnett-Republican
395
693
661
477
393
369
427
421
360
309
50ª
533
523
380
295
409
413 17820
384
578
499
747
650
SOS
910
640
514
82
48]
616 14204
Senator-3rd Middlesex District
Harvey E. Frost-Republican
324
403
260
471
50
148
91
130
212
30.
440
597
468
533
355
53
703
770
451
569
560
865
440
975
755
631
450
653
434
689
895
492
767
435
513
389
399
379
538
493
735
James C. Scanlan-Democratle
765
647
809
902
630
487
770
459
590 14236
685
717
667
491
405
378
422
425
375
355
429
432 17906
Representative In General Court-23rd District
Ward Two
1
2
3
A
Total
Edward T. Brady
567
911
454
988
3743
All others
1
.....
1
Representative In General Court
Ward One
Ward Three
Ward Four
24th District
1
2
3
Ward Five
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
William J. Bell-Republican
371
433
282
489
357
454
600
1
2
613
3
681
1
648
373
Totals
543
272
321
226
390
277
380
494
464
41"
Edith B. Davidson-Republican
419
469
581
600
637
265
533
37
461
562
John J. Donahue-Democratic
494
567
391
698
858
393
624
304
240
309
337
448
473
420
6282
Eugene H. Giroux-Democratic
719
SO-
487
59€
549
398
622
360
654
591
776
454
743
361
47
649
594
398
691
9269
656
625
58
Edith L. Hurd-Republican
288
350
251
401
315
404
526
493
504
525
599
336
368
9932
Francis E. Ryan-Democratic
635
393
487
505
360
743
642
322
602
370
354
567
568
327
411
342
449
7111
All others
765
590
589
1
3
589
8858
1
.....
......
.....
10
Representatives in General Court
Ward Slx
Ward Seven
25th District
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5 Totals
William G. Barrett -- Democratic
410
342
335
373
365
328
266
385
353
Joseph M. Barry-Democratic
449
368
355
383
320
336
3154
39
389
419
3416
Hiram N. Dearborn-Republican
677
609
761
860
559
Daniel P. Falvey-Soc. Party
35
17
474
739
412
536
23
5627
19
15
10
12
14
16
Philip Sherman-Republican
652
583
690
771
613
455
682
4223
546
5415
Herbert L. Wanamaker-Soc. Party
13
24
15
16
27
13
18
144
Ward One
Ward Two
Ward Three
Ward Four
Ward Five
Ward Six
Ward Seven
District Attorney
1
2
3
1
2
3
5
2
3
2
3
1
1
2
1
337
421
4
1
5
4
1
2
3
1
1
2
3
5 Totals
Warren L. Bishop-Republican
293
133
123
101
707
244
12
271
493
422
579
403
435
341
615
797
663
$30
530
James J. Bruin-Democratic
665
495
438
27
27
756
306
843
567
441
536
697
845
543
644 15777
19
15
662
543
352
609
757
422
710
379
398
$05
627
630
595
416
331
330
373
372
292
285
349
351 15768
Richard S. McCabe-Independent
22
20
27
18
459
33
27
34
25
31
19
34
21
23
20
46
38
30
2-
29
19
30
17
37
Clerk of Courts
-
John J. Prennan-Democratic
701
756
447
58
530
876
441
968
760
614
434
904
474
728
688
489
394
375
441
37
352
435
422 18243
Ralph N. Smith-Republican
302
377
253
145
36
126
720
497
822
536
443
117
441
876
71
180
316
422
540
458
502
518
593
365
283
351
534
718
643
788
893
607
483
773
14
441
580 13479
V. Philip Toriglan-Soc. Party
12
12
18
15
23
13
13
288
461
13
15
14
21
17
19
8
13
15
2
16
23
9
12
15
24
446
00
14
9
Register of Deeds
John Gordon Duffy-Democratic
70-
763
453
557
523
$54
446
950
384
450
47
151
757
617
425
686
185
868
484
794
428
466
871
705
306
512
693
667
461
38
372
439
135
367
33
416
422 17850
Thomas Leighton-Republican
256
82
130
318
436
568
485
529
328
527
618
378
360
580
192
742
65.
SOS
00-
625
490
794
461
594 13970
County Commissioner
Thomas B, Brennan-Democratic
712
76.
460
574
510
844
437
93
747
625
432
695
883
490
85:
18
21
15
24
43€
11
523
470
701
701
662
485
386
372
43
433
364
345
42.
431 17935
Earl C. Hamilton-Soc. Party
19
12
1
232
117
23
39
17
20
21
23
1.
20
25
15
25
25
27
26
15
27
16
15
21
11
24 G37
Victor Francls Jewett-Republican
271
343
48
126
107
154
295
408
527
441
486
282
501
568
355
262
336
452
697
615
765
859
586
466
742
437
552 12943
Associate County Commissioners
Robert D. Donaldson-Republican
260
331
214
402
97
68
85
14
272
383
488
419
485
281
490
342
831
541
687
410
525 12180
Edward L. Harley-Democratic
624
685
376
502
435
740
5.60
38.
S03
627
558
652
25
319
490
42!
646
575
691
383 16827
Thomas Murray-Democratic
65
731
546
414
732
380
810
383
793
438
685
369
476
403
775
621
632
597
414
357
330
383
399
317
290
386
24
579
Alfred H. Pigott-Soc. Party
15
21
23
23
22
18
613
397
663
834
458
731
397
43
20
196
1
15
27
429
804
653
654
604
437
366
338
374
399
337
318
405
397 16410
40
26
13
28
42
21
18
29
29
15
99
755
Melvin G. Rogers-Republican
255
320
215
$63
19
103
69
78
130
16
18
15
26
373
477
480
29
407
441
256
31
535
40
326
713
819
532
431
68
394
508 11801
John D. Sexton-Soc. Party
36
14
16
1
12
16
15
20
25
244
287
400
641
29
38
3º
475
564
25
21
32
17
25
28
34
26
18
29
16
13
20
16
23
663
Sheriff
-
Donald P. Hurd-Soc. Party
30
36
19
31
26
17
Joseph M. McElroy-Republican
318
272
475
23
28
246
123
20
184
226
378
31
28
32
31
46
25
34
14
36
12
12
471
618
35
85
520
546
342
30
38
30
38
18
39
21
21
18
26
Ascanio diRago-Fuslonist
6
8
0
1
2
680
772
8
52
64
4
11
5
25
0
6
367
326
395
599
535
749
638
$27
902
642
788
515
599 14767
429
36
455
407
55
9
2
1
Ralph W. Robart-Democratic
735
2
900
705
377
625
816
151
724
16
4
10
0
1
3
178
418
46
444
815
664
653
606
462
400
334
124
422
35f
326
368
397 16719
QUESTION NO. 1
QUESTION NO. 1 Law Submitted Upon Referendum after Passage
Shall a law described as follows: This law amends General Laws, chapter 131, as previously amended, by repealing section 105A, thereof and add- ing thereto three new sections, 105B. 105C, and 114A.
Section 105B provides that whoever uses any trap or other device for cap- ture of fur bearing animals, which Is not designed to kill such animal at once or to take it unhurt und which Is likely to cause continued suffering to an animal caught therein, shall be fined Afty dollars, but traps or other devices for protection of property, set not more than fifty yards from any building, cultivated plot, or enclosures used for rearing poultry or game birds, to the use of which the presence of vermin may be detrimental, are ex- cjuded from the application of this section.
Section 105C provides for the sub- mission to the voters at a municipal election in any city or town upon petl- tion, of the question of whether the operation of section 105B shall be sus- pended or if it has been already sus- pended, of the question whether it shall again be operative in such city or town.
Section 114A provides that the Com- missioner of Conservation may suspend the operation of section 105B for a period not exceeding thirty days within any specified territory under the con- trol of his department.
The law also provides for the sub- mission, by the selectmen to the voters at a special town meeting in the cur- rent year, upon petition, of the ques- tion as to whether the provisions of section 105B shall be suspended in any town: and which was approved by both branches of the General Court by vote not recorded, be approved? YES
NO
To obtain a full expression of opinion, voters should vote on both of the fol- lowing questions:
(a) If a voter desires to permit the sale of any and all alcoholic beverages in this city (or town) he will vote "YES" on both questions.
(b) If he desires to permit the sale of wines and malt beverages only hereln, he will vote "NO" on question 1 and "YES" on question 2.
(c) If he desires to prohibit the sale of any and all alcoholle beverages herein, he will vote "NO" on both questions. 1. Shail 1lcenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages, whisky, rum gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ? YES NC
2. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ? YES NO
. Shall the pari-mutuel system of betting on licensed horse races be per- mitted in this county? YES NO
2. Shall the parl-mutuel system of betting on licensed dog races be per- mitted in this county YES NO
LOCAL QUESTIONS
"'Shall an act passed by the general court. in the year nineteen hundred and thirty-four, entitled 'An Act providing for the Appointment of the City Au- ditor of the City of Somervlile by the Mayor, Subject to Confirmation by the Board of Adermen', be accepted ?" YES NO
364 385
245
366
120
296
154
271
254
342
367
513
61
436
382
484
504
310
445
366
486
414
496
433
479
600
419
363
497
333 404 13166 371 12018
"Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and thirty-four, entitled 'An Act providing for the Appointment of the City Treas- urer of the City of Somerville by the Mayor, Subject to Confirmation by the Board of Aldermen', be accepted?" YES NO
444
482
284
416
299
479
253
285
149
278
26
338
371
507
513
448
376
492
312
329
449
444 349
470 498
463
435 516
372
464
459
437
468
614
425
381
498
341
377 12804 380 12165
"Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and thirty-four, entitled 'An Act reducing the Membership of the School Commit- tee of the City of Somerville', be ac- cepted ?"
YES NO
408
452
307
404
27
427
243
498
467
430
394
556
658
396
484
337
513
32
472
449
499
479
48:
446
462
526
432
373
463
357 425 13423
403
422
248
403
149
340
161
323
25.0
335
299
467
417
429
422
442
340
180
361
488
408
466
352
463
648
405
328
446
326 351 11763
"'Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and thirty-four, entitled 'An Act reducing the Membership of the Board of Alder- men of the City of Somerville', be ac- cepted ?"
YES NO
400
441 436
292 268
411
272 163
432 342
236
495
467
449
394
563
634
411
480
368
546
342
166
462
529
501
495
450
486
643
351
439
636
405
328
427
368 421 13624 359 11651 319
341
350
241
345
186
314
168
357
314
305
405
428
33A
407
303
35-
270 204
381 220
336 208
384
377
387
310
370
418
312
295
361
215
238
185
228
213
104
187
181
253
344
356
266
219 294
315
48"
656
313
304
382
176
431
676
530
635
77
549 414
654
357
554 17082 401 12969
383
432
238
115
95
262
145
281
264
386
451
398
648
491
775
396
510
493
801
610
715
677
619
451
492
499
451
415
430
453
555
609
442
579
380
627
315
682
595
519 345
235
398
383
54
459
255
506
270
767 282
582 357
423
405
525
476
600
711
467
381
567
32
470 548 17107 362 11791
360 390
226
383
89
241
133
262
762
65
583
168
26
482 283
720 404
770 416
602
822
514
630
539
655
784
736
712 374
554
607
696
605
501
548 550
612 19587
185
170
253
61
160
7
168
542
50-
453
330
527
55:
446
646
357
459
405
658
480
593
535
478
406
443 550
490 648
439
591
315
437 14499 396 11503
343
228
341
216
110
250
225
335
374
495
53
409
282
459
496
299
288
345
432
398
507
458
455
343
294
231 287 8790
527 279
671
375
495
360
446
308
494
260
563
465
429
316
485
556
379
531
287
436
358 609
445
496
473
467
386
451
472
422
334
401
316
39
330
367
372
276
392
119
167
341
320
29
458
422
424
425
423
433
338
488
353
470
390
149
307
283
321
300
385
395
295
235
339
287 339 10214 21" 252 7932
555
636
450
575
415
641
328
719 609
516
352
381
791
67
472
760
417 440
53
611
719
646
643
470
496
514
499
429
481
706
494
658
439
707
369
763 245
330
302
260
221
407
226
332
322
184
372 526
496
34
485
288
559
488
324
418
552
449
307
559
446
371 362
354
400
455
48
322
396
465
132
377
405
417
368
406
276
239 286
806
290
343
LAW DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
The Annual Report of the Law Department for the year ending December 31, 1934 is hereby respectfully submitted for your information and consideration.
The year 1934 witnessed two important changes in the City Charter of Somerville. Since the passage of our City Charter in 1899, there have been comparatively few vital changes in the fundamental structure of our government. The change in the composition of the School Committee brought about by an amendment to the Charter by Chapter 354 of the Acts of 1904, the change in the tenure of the term of certain municipal officers, such as the City Clerk, Chapter 332, Acts of 1901, and the Municipal Auditor, Chapter 373 of the Acts of 1905, were changes in the nature of regulation to secure in- creased efficiency.
A radical alteration in the method of elections was brought about by Chapter 281 of the Acts of 1932, which establishe.l non-partisan municipal elections in the City of Somerville.
In 1934, however, our City Charter was amended in sev- eral important respects.
Chapter 294 of the Acts of 1934, provided for the appoint- ment of the City Auditor of the City of Somerville by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Board of Aldermen. This was a change from the original charter which had pro- vided for the election of the City Auditor by the Board of Aldermen.
Chapter 295 of the Acts of 1934 also effected a change in the original charter. This Act provided for the "Appointment of the City Treasurer by the Mayor, Subject to Confirmation by the Board of Aldermen." Herebefore the City Treasurer had been elected annually by the Board of Aldermen.
344
ANNUAL REPORTS
Likewise, Chapter 297 of the Acts of 1934, brought about a radical change in the membership of the School Committee. This Act reduced the membership of the School Committee from sixteen to nine.
Similarly a radical change in the membership of the Board of Aldermen was brought about by Chapter 298 of the Acts of 1934. This Act provided for the election of one ward alderman from each of the seven wards and four aldermen-at-large, mak- ing a total of eleven aldermen as contra distinguished from a membership of twenty-one as originally constituted.
All four of these Acts were submitted to the voters of the City of Somerville in accordance with the requirement to that effect contained in said Acts, at the State Election held in November of 1934, and were accepted.
Chapter 295 of the Acts of 1934 went into effect in Jan- uary, 1935. Chapters 294, 297 and 298 go into effect in accord- ance with the respective provisions to that end contained in said Acts.
As usual, I was called upon to attend some hearings before various committees of the Legislature, the Public Utilities De- partment, and certain special Commissioners on matters af- fecting the interests of the City. Wherever such Legislative, Departmental or committee action would cause additional as- sessments on the city or result in the imposition of additional tax burdens on the tax payers of our city, I appeared in behalf of the city and opposed such action or legislation.
As is usual it was necessary to hold conferences with vari- ous State departments on business affecting the city and city departments.
Likewise much time was occupied in conference with E. R. A. and P. W. A. officials in regard to Federal Projects being carried on in our city.
BOARD OF TAX APPEALS
There are now pending before the State Board of Tax Ap- peals something more. than fifty (50) cases, brought by tax payers who have appealed from the decision of the Board of Assessors refusing abatements of certain taxes levied on vari- ous property owners during the years 1932 and 1933. In ad- dition to those pending, there are now coming in to our depart- ment and to the Board of Assessors notices of new petitions
345
LAW DEPARTMENT
brought in said Board of Tax Appeals at the rate of two and three a week since June of this year.
The handling and defense of cases brought against the city before the Board of Tax Appeals is becoming an increasingly serious part of the work of the Law Department and is taking up an increasingly large part of the time of the City Solicitor. The increase in the number of these cases since 1930 is ex- tremely great. One of the cases now pending before said Board of Tax Appeals, notably the Ford case, involves requested abatements of $200,000., $300,000. and $400,000., for three years beginning in 1932.
In order successfully or even adequately to defend these cases it is obviously necessary that either the Board of Assessors or the Law Department should be given sufficient funds so that the cases may be properly prepared before trial and competent real estate and industrial experts employed to make surveys of the property concerned in each case and to prepare facts and testimony for the guidance and assistance of the Board of As- sessors and the City Solicitor in the preparation, handling and trial of such cases.
As I have pointed out in several communications to his honor the Mayor and to the Board of Aldermen, if this neces. sary expense for such assistance is not provided by the city then the city will be at a great disadvantage in attempting to meet the corresponding testimony of high priced real estate experts, industrial experts, and civil and building engineers, who, as we have seen in other cases, are employed by various petitioners and corporations to secure reductions in so-called "large assessments" on their property.
Up to the last year, most of the cases pending before the Board of Tax Appeals were not complaints on the part of small home owners of tax payers but were rather the com- plaints of large property owners, such as large corporations and large tax payers who have the financial resources to em- ploy special counsel and high priced experts of all kinds to assist them in the presentation of their cases before the Board of Tax Appeals. During the past year however, the records show that in addition to the large tax payers, many of our smaller tax payers and even the ordinary two or three family house owner have become tax conscious and are bringing peti- tions before the Board of Assessors, and, if dissatisfied with the action of the Assessors, are bringing petitions before the Board of Tax Appeals. I understand that many attorneys are now
346
ANNUAL REPORTS
handling these cases on a commission basis, which would ac- count in some respect for the increase in number of claims. Regretfully, I cannot say that I see any hope of a decline in the number of these claims for some years to come.
During the year, as is usual, it was necessary and I pre- pared various contracts and forms for publication or proposals for contracts as required by the comparatively new law requir- ing advertising on all contracts over $1,000. for the different departments, and also advised the departments on these con- tracts.
Numerous bonds required to be furnished by various city officers and the large number of bonds required by Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Federal regulations in E. R. A. and P. W. A. projects were submitted to me for approval as to form. Various contracts, entered into by the city, were either drafted by me personally or examined and approved by me as to form only, as part of the duties of the City Solicitor, to the end that the legal interests of the city would at all times be protected.
Many conferences were held with Department Heads in relation to legal questions involving their department, and written opinions or advice furnished at their request.
Various orders and ordinances were prepared by me dur. ing the year for the Board of Aldermen, and many opinions, in writing, on various subjects were given on request of the Board of Aldermen, to which reference may be had in the rec- ords of the Board.
Although the work of the Law Department has been rather arduous and certain angles of it seem to be on the increase, I have found it a pleasure to work with the Board of Aldermen and the various Department Heads on the diversified problems concerning the city, and I wish to thank them individually and collectively for the cooperation which they extended to me. Their help has been of great assistance to me in the perform- ance of my duties.
During the year 1934, my assistant, Arthur F. McCarthy, Esq., has had charge of the settlement of claims against the city by reason of alleged defects in highways. He has exhibited careful and painstaking work, both in the settlement of claims and trials of various actions in court against the city. He has been of cooperative assistance in many ways and I have found it a pleasure to have had him associated with me in this work.
347
LAW DEPARTMENT
Before Mr. McCarthy had an opportunity to prepare that portion of the report of the Law Department, which is custom- arily prepared by the Assistant City Solicitor, he left the ser. vice of the Law Department of the city for the purpose of handling some legal business for the Federal Government, and Joseph R. Corish, Esq., was appointed Assistant City Solicitor in his place.
The report covering that portion of the work of the Law Department in charge of the Assistant City Solicitor, for the year 1934, which ordinarily would have been prepared by Mr. McCarthy, has, therefore, been prepared by Mr. Corish, in be- half of Mr. McCarthy.
Respectfully submitted,
CHRISTOPHER J. MULDOON, City Solicitor.
348
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF JOSEPH R. CORISH, ESQ. FOR THE YEAR 1934
I am herewith submitting a report covering that portion of the Law Department work handled by Arthur F. McCarthy, Assistant Solicitor during the year 1934.
The following is a brief recapitulation of claims and suits against the city handled in 1934 :-
Highway Accident Notices of Claim
Pending, December 31, 1933
110
Notices filed in 1934
105
Disposed of, settled, or put in suit
75
Pending, December 31, 1934
140
Cases in Suit
Pending, December 31, 1933
73
Suits entered in 1934
21
Disposed of and settled
20
Pending, December 31, 1934
74
Respectfully submitted,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.