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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