Report of the city of Somerville 1941, Part 7

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 430


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 7


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ARRESTS


Whole number of arrests made


2705


2705


Summoned by the Court


564


On Warrants


409


Without Warrants


1732


2705


Held for trial


2558


Delivered to other Departments


132


Released on Waiver


15


2705


Males


2558


Females


147


2705


Americans


2175


Foreigners


530


2705


Residents


1842


Non-residents


863


2705


REPORTS


Cases investigated


6249


Value of Property stolen


$14,037.92


Value of Property recovered


202,980.82


126


ANNUAL REPORTS


CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT


Death


Patrolman William R. Burnett


Died February 13, 1941


Appointments


Thomas J. O'Brien


Appointed Patrolman, April 24, 1941


Death of Retired Member


Patrolman George C. Peters


Died April 26, 1941


Members retired on half pay


Rank


Appointed


Retired


Hilton, Herbert


Patrolman


May 22, 1895


Dec. 2, 1911


Carleton, George H.


Sergeant


Jan. 9, 1883


Mar. 27, 1914


Drew, Elmer E.


Patrolman


May 22, 1895


July 25, 1918


Allan, Charles W.


Patrolman


Mar. 22, 1900


Mar. 26, 1920


Jones, Frederick G.


Patrolman


Oct. 11, 1906


Feb. 9, 1923


Howe, Hudson M.


Patrolman


Mar. 22, 1900


Sept. 14, 1925


Davies, Edward M.


Patrolman


May 22, 1905


Sept. 23, 1927


Heron, Theodore E.


Patrolman


Mar. 26, 1890


Sept. 28, 1927


Arnold, Louis F.


Patrolman


Sept. 16, 1902


Oct. 18, 1930


Rice, George L.


Patrolman


May 22, 1895


Apr. 11, 1931


Hawes, Albert C.


Patrolman


Jan. 13, 1910


Nov. 22, 1932


Burns, Samuel


Patrolman


Apr. 25, 1894


Dec. 31, 1932


Morrison, Alexander


Patrolman


Nov. 30, 1911


Apr. 14, 1934


Lacey, Charles F.


Patrolman


May 22, 1919


Apr. 14, 1934


Begley, Francis R.


Patrolman


Apr. 24, 1924


Sept. 14, 1936


Kennedy, Michael T.


Captain


May 11, 1892


Oct. 1, 1936


Dadmun, John A.


Patrolman


May 22, 1895


Oct. 1, 1936


Downey, Denis


Patrolman


Apr. 5, 1905


Oct. 1, 1936


Lynch, James M.


Sergeant


Sept. 16, 1902


Jan. 11, 1937


Raymond, Elmer E. G.


Patrolman


Apr. 12, 1917


June 10, 1937


Carey, Alfred J.


Patrolman


May 2, 1928


June 2, 1938


Roche, Frank J.


Sergeant


July 26, 1917


July 15, 1938


Crossman, Claude L.


Patrolman


Mar. 26, 1904


Dec. 1, 1938


Culliton, Edward F.


Patrolman


July 25, 1918


Sept. 18, 1939


Moore, Peter


Patrolman


May 14, 1908


Jan. 14, 1940


Hagerty, John J.


Patrolman


Feb. 14, 1929


June 1, 1940


Howard, Ernest


Captain


June 11, 1903


Nov. 1, 1940


During the year the following new Police signal boxes were placed in service.


Box No. 53 Broadway and Cedar Street


Jan. 7, 1941


Box No. 511 Highland Avenue and Cedar Street


Jan. 29, 1942


Box No. 324 Charlestown and Merriam Streets


May 13, 1941


Box No. 512 North and Gordon Streets


Nov. 14, 1941


Box No. 442 Marion and Dimick Streets


Dec. 4, 1941


127


POLICE DEPARTMENT


OFFICIAL ROSTER OF THE DEPARTMENT


Chief of Police


Thomas Damery


Deputy Chief of Police Charles J. Sharry


Fitzpatrick, Augustine J. Kenney, William G.


Captains


Sharry, Augustine F. Walsh, Thomas P.


Lieutenants


O'Connell, Daniel M. Sharry, Thomas M.


Sergeants


Pierce, LeRoy V. Reed, Walter Roche, Henry W. Small, Joseph F.


Allan, George R. Aucoin, Cornelius


Baird, William J. Baker, John H.


Barrett, John K. Begley, Cornelius T. Berg, Edward L., Jr. Blake, Joseph P. Blake, William F. Brennan, Jeremiah G.


Brosnahan, John J. Buckley, Timothy Burlingame, John F.


Burns, Allan S. Butman, Edward G.


Cameron, John L. Canavan, Cornelius P. Canty, Eugene M. Caswell, Lester A. Cidado, August S. Clark, John J.


Patrolmen


Coffey, Harold L. Collins, Cornelius J. Corkery, Timothy J. Courtney, John J. Cronin, John J. Crosby, George W.


Crowley, Joseph G. Cruise, John F.


Cummings, John J.


Curran, Joseph F. Curtin, John J.


Davis, Preston C.


Dewar, Robert D.


Dillaway, John E.


Donovan, Jeremiah F.


Donovan, Thomas A.


Donovan, Timothy F.


Donovan, William H. Doolin, Patrick J. Dowd, Michael J. Dunleavey, John M. Dwyer, William E.


Fulton, Charles J. Killourhy, John J.


Cavanagh, Francis X. Cunningham, Hugh R. Dwyer, Joseph A. Elliott, Earle W. Fitzpatrick, James A.


128


ANNUAL REPORTS


Ellis, Charles W. Estee, George R.


Fedele, Joseph F. Fitzgerald, William J.


Fitzpatrick, Augustine W.


Flanagan, Thomas J. Fleming, Thomas J. Forristall, Edward G.


Gallagher, John J. Gormley, Leo J. Griffin, William H. Gullage, George, Jr.


Hallion, Howard F.


Heafey, John F.


Higgins, Francis E.


Higgins, Francis P.


Higgins, James J.


Holmes, James F.


Hopkins, Edward J.


Hughes, James E.


Hughes, John E.


Johnson, William E.


Kearney, Dennis F.


Kelley, Arthur W.


Keniry, Jeremiah


Kiley, Edward J. Kilmartin, James M.


Landry, Frederick A. Lord, Henry A. Lyons, Patrick J.


MacDonald, George D.


MacRae, Walter J.


Mahoney, Thomas F.


Mahood, John T.


May, Edward A.


McAuliffe, Daniel F.


McAvoy, Charles H.


McCabe, Bernard McCauley, George W.


McDonald, Stephen D.


McFadden, Alfred J. McGahan, Thomas L. McGovern, Frederick W. Mckenzie, John H.


McNamara, Thomas F. Mehigan, Garrett F. J. Murphy, Daniel F. No. 1 Murphy, Daniel F. No. 2


Nelson, Ludwig Nicholas, Glen B.


O'Brien, John H.


O'Brien, Patrick F.


O'Brien, Thomas J.


O'Connell, Daniel J.


O'Connor, Jeremiah


O'Keefe, John P. L.


O'Loughlin, Michael J. Oesting, Walter C.


Phillips, George B., Jr. Powers, James M. Powers, John F.


Quinlan, William J.


Reardon, Leo C.


Reid, Garnet L.


Riley, Daniel J.


Robitaille, Alfred E.


Rogers, Francis L.


Rossi, Ricco J.


Scotti, James V. Shay, John J.


Sheehan, Jeremiah G.


Shepherd, Charles W.


Silva, Frank A., Jr.


Skeffington, Richard H.


Smith, James L. Smith, John J.


Souza, James


Spiers, George


Stokes, Herbert H.


Strangman, George H.


Sullivan, Timothy L.


Tanner, John J.


Warner, Chester F Wills, William F.


Young, Harry C.


Matron Ellen F. Kammerer


Assistant Matron Susannah F. Bolt


129


POLICE DEPARTMENT


IN GENERAL


Owing to the National emergency, the past year has been one to cause many additional hours of labor each week for all the members of our Department in our efforts to be fully pre- pared to deal with any eventuality that might arise, if, and when that emergency becomes local and immediate.


As a result of those extra hours and effort our entire de- partment has been fully instructed under the able leadership of our Deputy Chief, in the Air Raid Warden Civilian Defense program together with various other defense programs.


In addition our personnel have been instructed in Red Cross First Aid work in its various stages and a substantial number of those officers have passed the Instructor's course of Red Cross training and have secured certificates as Red Cross Instructors, showing their capability of instructing in our own Department or in Civilian classes should it become necessary to do so.


During the past Summer and Fall we have had classes from our Department attend the Air Raid Warden Courses at the Boston Latin School, sponsored by the Massachusetts Safety Council ; and the F. B. I. Civilian Defense classes at Harvard College under the auspices of the Federal Bureau of Indentifica- tion at Washington, thereby taking advantage of every op- portunity to better prepare our Department to render any and all aid to our Community should an emergency warrant it, and we shall continue our efforts in various lines of addition- al instruction still working toward that end.


Working in close collaboration with our Council of Muni- cipal Defense, we have for the purpose of assisting in our present emergency established an Auxiliary Police Force, which will eventually consist of 250 persons, this group of volunteers consisting of many of our best citizens, are enthu- siastically giving of their time and effort and are fast acquir- ing through the personal training of Deputy Chief Sharry, a surprising knowledge of Police procedure and will shortly be practicing what they are now acquiring in theory.


With this additional group of Volunteer Police Officers, who will function only in emergencies and to assist our regular Officers we feel we are making progress in our Defense efforts.


130


ANNUAL REPORTS


RECOMMENDATION


At this time I most sincerely recommend the installation of Two Way Radio in our Department. Should the present emergency develop locally to the extent of bombing, our tele- phone system would probably be disrupted and our communica- tion facilities rendered useless indefinitely ; whereas with two way Radio we would be provided with an auxiliary system which would allow us to carry on and we would still be pre- pared and in position to afford that protection to our Commun- ity, as we should be.


I have refrained heretofore of stressing this need too strong- ly because of the drain this installation would mean on our Municipal finances. But now whereas the Federal Government has allocated $100,000,000 to be expended toward Municipal emergency expense, ways and means may be found for im- mediate action toward the installation of this absolute neces- sary means of Protection to our Community.


IN CONCLUSION


I wish to thank our Honorable Mayor and Board of Alder- men, and the various Department heads of our City, for their whole hearted co-operation and their assistance rendered me and my Department throughout the year. Their assistance and co-operation enabling our Department to afford greater pro- tection to our Community.


I also wish to thank the Superior Officers and Patrolmen of the Department for their loyalty and co-operation to me through the year. and I am very appreciative of their uncom- plaining attitude toward the necessary long extra hours they were obliged to serve in their preparation and training toward Civilian Defense.


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS DAMERY,


Chief of Police


131


LICENSING COMMISSION


REPORT OF THE LICENSING COMMISSION


'To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :


The following factual information is respectfully submitted as the Annual Report of the Licensing Commission for the year ending December 31, 1941.


John F. McNamara reappointed by the Mayor, approved by the Board of Aldermen and sworn in on June 30, 1941. Re- elected as Chairman of the Commission July 18, 1941.


The results of the 1940 Federal Census were announced in 1941 formerly the number of liquor establishments permissable in the City were on the basis of the 1935 State Census which gave Somerville a population of 100,773. Using the Federal Census which supercedes the State Census and gives Somer- ville a population of 102,304 for the basis for compilation of liquor licenses permitted in Somerville. We find that the rise in the population increases the number of all form restaurant licenses permissable by law from eighty to eighty-two. The following table will show the number of licenses permissable by law as compared with number of licenses that have been grant- ed and are now in effect :


All Form All Form Beer & Wine


Pkg.


Rest.


Rest. or Pkg. Clubs Druggists


Allowed by Law


21


82


21


13 unlimited


Issued by Comm.


21


70


8


8


Bal. to issue


0


12


13


4 9 unlimited


During the year the Commission has not deemed it necessary to grant any new licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages in any form. Seven new applications received were given "leave to withdraw."


132


ANNUAL REPORTS


The established policy of the Commission relative to routine matters of office procedure has not materially changed. The Commission, after inspection and serious consideration restrict- ed, so called, entertainment in all liquor dispensing establish- ments by banning floor shows, master of ceremonies, and all brass musical instruments, and allowing only, piano, radio, music-boxes and vocalist. In certain localities stringed instru- ments are allowed.


On February 21, 1941, we adopted a regulation that any licensed liquor establishment found accepting Federal Food Stamps would have their liquor license suspended or revoked.


A general inspection of all restaurants brought out the fact that adequate toilet and washing facilities in a number of locations were lacking, however, with complete co-operation on the part of the restaurant dealers all establishments are now equipped with up to date facilities.


We acknowledge the splendid co-operation, wise counsel and whole hearted support given our Commission by our In- spector, Captain Augustus Sharry of the Police Department.


An itemized report of fees received during the year ending December 31, 1941, is as follows :


REPORT OF THE LICENSING COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 1941


Licenses granted and fees received :


6 Garage Licenses @ $2.00


$12.00


251 Lord's Day Licenses @ $5.00 1,255.00


2 Lord's Day Transfers @ $1.00 2.00


1 Lord's Day Duplicate @ $.50


.50


189 Common Victuallers' Licenses @ $5.00


945.00


1 Common Victuallers' Transfer @ $.50


.50


61 Entertainment Licenses $5.00


305.00


6 Entertainment Licenses $1.00


6.00


4.00


1 Entertainment License @ $4.00


79.00


79 Special Alcoholic Licenses @ $1.00


70 Renewals of all form rest. licenses @ $800.00


56,000.00


21 Renewals of all form pkg. store licenses @ $700.00 14,700.00


3 Renewals of Beer and Wine rest. licenses @ $400.00 1,200.00


4 Renewals of Beer and Wine Pkg. stores @ $300.00 1,200.00


6 Renewals of Druggist licenses @ $200.00


1,200.00


133


LICENSING COMMISSION


4 Renewals of Club licenses @ $150.00


600.00


2 Dance licenses @ $5.00


10.00


Balance Due of $400.00 on all form restaurant


400.00


$77,919.00


Expense


3,035.32


Net total revenue of the Department for 1941


$74,883.68


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN F. MCNAMARA, Chairman DAVID Y. Ross, JOSEPH D. LONERGAN,


Commissioners


Attest :


MARY I. KENNEY, Clerk.


12.4


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS


January 1, 1942.


To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :


The following report is respectfully submitted as the An- nual Report of the Board of Assessors for the year ending December 31, 1941 :


RECAPITULATION - 1941


City Appropriations :


To be raised by taxation


$5,514,252.15


To be taken from available funds In 1941


304,033.15


In 1940, since 1940 tax rate was fixed


397,622.72


$6,215,908.02


1932 Overlaly Deficit


100.25


1934 Overlay Deficit


487.50


1935 Overlay Deficit


634.30


1936 Overlay Deficit


1,007.18


1937 Overlay Deficit


3,815.98


1938 Overlay Deficit


15,205.33


1939 Overlay Deficit


30,307.23


1940 Overlay Deficit


16,221.21


67,778.98


1941 Estimates


1940 Underestimates


State: Tax and Assessments:


State Tax


$286,770.00


Audit of Municipal Accounts


5,524.86


Hospital and Home Care for


Civil War Veterans


498.00


Smoke Inspection Service


1,261.15


Veterans' Exemptions


240.98


$97.69


Additional State Assessments.


565,458.82


27.49


859,753.81


125.18


859,878.99


County: Tax and Assessments:


County Tax


164,115.56


Tuberculosis Hospital


54,442.49


218,558.05


Overlay of current year


70,230.78


GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED


$7,432,354.82


...


.....


135


BOARD OF ASSESSORS


ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS


Income Tax


$378,346.92


Corporation Tax


98,137.12


Gasoline Tax


151,990.49


Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise


144,762.89


Licenses


106,904.38


Fines


4,401.96


Special Assessments


1,200.48


General Government


12,248.98


Protection of Persons and Property


1,270.89


Health and Sanitation


26,974.33


Highways


796.50


Charities


434,286.91


Old Age Assistance


184,833.40


Soldiers' Benefits


14,435.33


Schools


53,184.50


Libraries


2,518.37


Recreation


631.83


Public Service Enterprises (Water, etc.)


460,198.66


Interest on Taxes and Assessments


57,142.48


Electrolysis


250.00


Chap. 49, Acts 1933, amended by Chap. 129, Acts 1941


2,595.54


Lien of Taxes


128.21


Dog Licenses


3,766.85


Proof Claim, Highland Trust Co.


63.69


Conscience Fund


9.00


2,141,079.71


Overestimates of Previous Year to be used as available funds :


Hospital or Home care for C. W. Vets.


115.45


Smoke Inspection Service


.01


Additional Overestimates 1940


3,973.16


Available Funds (Approved by the Commis- sioner)


701,655.87


705,744.49


Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds


$2,846,824.20


Net Amount to be raised by Taxation on Polls and Property


4,585,530.62


Number of Polls-32,953 @ $2.00 each


65,906.00


Total Valuation:


Personal Property


5,884,600


Real Estate


107,389,200


Tax 234,795.54 4,284,829.08


4,585,530.62


Tax rate: $39.90 per $1,000.


Int.


Highway Betterments


103.64


6.20


Sidewalk Assessments


27.64


2.24


Water Liens


780.24


911.52


8.44


919.96


136


ANNUAL REPORTS


Total amount of all taxes on polls and property committed to the Collector to date of fixing tax rate


$4,586,450.58


The Board of Assessors wishes to thank the other depart- ments for the co-operation extended during the year, especially the Legal Department.


Respectfully submitted,


MAURICE F. AHEARN AMLETO M. DIGIUSTO FRANCIS MACDONALD FRANCIS J. TAGUE ALBERT A. WALSH


137


SANITARY DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SANITARY DEPARTMENT


March 12, 1942.


To the Honorable, the Mayor


and the Board of Aldermen


of the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :


The report of the Sanitary Department for the year 1941 is respectfully submitted herewith :


COLLECTION OF ASHES AND REFUSE


January


1902


12,363


4280


February


1974


12,831


4442


March


1936


12,584


4356


April


2603


16,920


5857


May


2099


13,644


4723


June


1874


12,181


4217


July


1897


12,331


4268


August


1850


12,025


4163


September


1884


12,246


4239


October


1908


12,402


4293


November


1960


12,740


4410


December


1968


12,792


4428


Totals


23,855


155,059


53,676


COLLECTION OF PAPER


Yards


Tons


January


4,050


540


February


4,200


560


March


3,825


510


April


4,650


620


May


4,275


570


June


4,500


600


July


3,750


500


August


4,238


565


September


4,275


570


October


4,313


575


November


4,200


560


December


4,725


630


Totals


51,001


6,800


Loads


Yards


Tons


138


ANNUAL REPORTS


The above figures are approximate and are based on the general average of amounts carried by the trucks.


The ashes and refuse are being collected with motor trucks on account of the distance to the Medford dumps, which are being used by this department subject to the rules and regula- tions of the Board of Health of the City of Medford.


There is a general increase in the amount of paper being collected due to the fact so many householders have installed oil burners in their kitchen ranges and heaters. This paper is collected and taken to the incinerator, thereby, decreasing the fire hazard on the dumps.


The total estimated collections of garbage amounted to 4,000 cords.


The garbage has been collected by contract which provides for collection twice a week throughout the year from private dwellings and three times a week from restaurants, stores, etc.


The department as a whole is operating efficiently and with the citizens co-operation we shall continue to carry on in the usual manner.


I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, the Board of Alder- men and the employees of my department for their co-opera- tion extended during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN F. MESKELL,


Supt. Sanitary Department


139


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


CITY OF SOMERVILLE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


December 29, 1941.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOMS


Ordered, that the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools be adopted as the Annual Report of the Board of School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Board to the opinions or recommendations made therein; that it be incorporated in the reports of the City Officers ; and that six hundred copies be printed separately.


EVERETT W. IRELAND,


Secretary of School Board.


140


ANNUAL REPORTS


SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1941


WILLIAM J. KOEN . WALTER E. WHITTAKER


Chairman Vice-Chairman


Members


EX-OFFICIIS


JOHN M. LYNCH, Mayor . 52 Porter Street WALTER J. MORAN, President, Board of Aldermen, 25 Arthur Street


WARD ONE


135 Walnut Street


WARD TWO


20 Carlton Street


JAMES H. BUCKLEY


EDITH L. HURD


WARD FOUR · . 125 Central Street


WILLIAM J. KOEN


34 Lexington Avenue


*HAROLD W. RAMSEY ¡JAMES L. SULLIVAN


238 Willow Avenue 25 Warner Street


WARD SEVEN


5 Moore Street


WILLIAM F. CHISHOLM


* Resigned June 30, 1041


t Elected June 30, 1941


Superintendent of Schools EVERETT W. IRELAND


Office: West Building, High School, Highland Avenue.


Residence: 97 College Avenue.


The Superintendent's Office will be open on school days from 8:00 to 5:00; Saturdays, 8:00 to 10:00. His office hour is 4:00 on school days and 8:30 on Saturdays.


Assistant Superintendent of Schools


WALTER P. SWEET 71 Hume Ave., Medford


Superintendent's Office Force


Mary A. Clark, 15 Pisasant Avenue Mildred A. Merrill, 108 Highland Avenue Marion E. Marshall, 30 Gilman Street S. Regina Truelson, 38 Rogers Avenue Margaret R. O'Connor, 2 Adrian Street Frances C Geaton, 29 Tennyson Street


WALTER E. WHITTAKER .


CHARLES P. O'RIORDAN . WARD THREE . 73 Oxford Street


WARD FIVE


WARD SIX


141


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Standing Committees


NOTE: The member first named is Chairman: the second, Vice- Chairman.


TEACHERS O'Riordan, Whittaker


FINANCE


Koen, Hurd


CURRICULUMS AND INSTRUCTION O'Riordan, Hurd


HEALTH, PHYSICAL TRAINING, AND ATHLETICS


Whittaker, Ramsey


INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION


O'Riordan, Buckley


SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS


Hurd, Whittaker


RULES AND REGULATIONS


Hurd, Chisholm


Board Meetings


January 6 January 27


April 28


May 26


October 27


February 17 March 31


June 30


November 24


September 29


December 29


142


ANNUAL REPORTS


To the Honorable School Committee Somerville, Massachusetts


Dr. Hurd and Gentlemen :


In accordance with the provisions of the Rules and Regula- tions of the Somerville School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools has prepared and submits herewith his fourteenth annual report, which is the seventieth in a series of annual reports of the Somerville Public Schools, and covers the calendar year 1941.


This document is prepared in three sections, Part I of which is the report of the Superintendent of Schools to the School Committee, comprising a discussion of (1) the matters involved in the outstanding activities of the School Commit- tee, and (2) the conditions of the schools with respect to changes, improvements, and progress, which includes state- ments regarding personnel, membership and buildings, with recommendations concerning the immediate and necessary needs of our educational system.


Part II is prepared as a report of the School Committee to the citizens and consists of (1) a description of the school prop- erty, (2) statistical tables which set forth comparative figures covering a period of years concerning enrollment, membership, attendance, cost of instruction and maintenance, and other matters of organization, and (3) tables showing statistics, not necessary for comparison, covering the last fiscal year.


Part III presents the organization of the school system at the close of the year 1941 and the lists of graduates of this year from the secondary schools, the evening high school, and the vocational schools.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT W. IRELAND,


December 29, 1941.


Superintendent of Schools.


143


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 1941


Another year of activity of our municipality is about to pass into history and it becomes the duty of the Superintendent of Schools, as required by the Statutes of the Commonwealth as well as the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee, and also a privilege, to confer with the citizens of the City of Somerville that they be made acquainted with and kept in- formed of the well sustained progress of their public school system.


Inasmuch as it is impossible to meet the entire citizenry as individuals or even in large groups, a written statement is the only available means of reporting upon the activities and progressive accomplishments of our joint responsibility, the education of the youth of our community.


This is the fourteenth annual report prepared and sub- mitted by the present Superintendent in a series of seventy such reports since Somerville became a city in 1872. In each of these fourteen reports it has been a privilege and an honor to be able to show a sustained advancement of program in keeping with the tendencies of the times and the needs of the changing circumstances and requirements of our national social and welfare needs, and also an advance in provision of methods and curricula to the end that our school system will exist for its primary purpose. This purpose, as stated by Alonzo G. Grace, Commissioner of Education of Connecticut, is "that all the children of all the people, irrespective of race, creed, or economic status, may have the opportunity to develop those talents that permit free men to contribute their max- imum endowment of mind and body to the insurance of their own happiness and the welfare of their fellows and to become a contributing constructive force in the preservation and im- provement of the democratic state."


On various occasions attention has been directed toward the following situations :


144


ANNUAL REPORTS


In 1941 it was stated that on numerous occasions since the educational system of this country was established the schools have been called upon by necessity and public demand to assume obligations and accept responsibilities which the schools were not originally intended to shoulder.


Emergencies of national or world-wide scope bring about problems from education with which we must deal seriously and bring forth sane and sound solutions. School systems may have to revise, revamp, and remodel their programs in vary- ing degrees to effect these solutions. These changes may necessitate the revising of an entire curriculum, in fact, even to the extent of changing the complete complexion of the institution, be it elementary, secondary, or vocational in nature.




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