USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1918 > Part 7
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3
2
5
Auto laws, violation of ..
50
2
52
Breaking, entering and larceny.
2
0
2
Breaking and entering.
1
0
1
Bigamy .
1
0
1
Common drunkard
1
0
1
Cruelty to animals.
3
0
3
Carrying revolver without permit.
1
0
1
Carrying dangerous weapon.
1
0
1
Compulsory work law, violation of.
4
0
4
City ordinances, violation of.
1
0
1
Committing a nuisance. .
1
0
1
Collecting junk without license.
1
0
1
Drunkenness
163
5
168
Disturbance
12
2
14
Delinquent child
8
0
8
Deserter from army
1
0
1
Disorderly house
1
1
2
Evading Car-fare
1
0
1
Fireworks law, violation of.
2
0
2
Food law, violation of.
4
0
4
Gaming nuisance, maintaining.
2
0
2
Gaming, present at.
17
0
17
Habitual absentee
1
0
1
Larceny from Common Carrier.
3
0
3
Larceny from person.
1
0
1
Larceny in a building.
6
0
6
Larceny
11
0
11
Liquor laws, violation of.
5
4
9
Malicious mischief
18
0
18
Malicious injury to real property .
2
0
2
Neglect to provide.
12
0
12
Neglected child
3
4
7
Neglect
of children
0
1
1
Probation, violation of
5
0
5
Property, receiving stolen
6
0
6
Robbery
3
0
3
Riding on freight car.
1
0
1
Road law, violation of.
1
0
1
Stubborn child
4
0
4
Tramp
10
0
10
Trespass on railroad .
8
0
8
Taking auto unlawfully .
1
0
1
Vagrancy
1
0
1
Total
104
22
432
3
0
3
Adultery
1
86
ANNUAL REPORT
Incidents of the Year.
The number of persons arrested does not constitute all the work done by the Police Department during the past year. Owing to war conditions a great deal of work has been done by the Police that the general public is not aware of. Investigation of cases for different Government Departments, looking after draft delinquents, registra- tion evaders, etc. It has endeavored to perform these duties as prompt- ly and effectively as possible. There has been no serious crime com- mitted during the past year nor any great disorder excepting the Jewelry Workers' Strike. While they paraded and gathered in front of the different factories they were well behaved in most cases. With the exception of one case there was no occasion for the police to molest them. There has been a slight decrease in the number of per- sons arrested during the past year.
Offences committed by Juveniles have caused the Police con- siderable work notably in the way they have damaged buildings and electric lights. In many cases they were not brought before the Juvenile Court but were allowed to go after receiving a reprimand and being made to repair the damage or make restitution for the property damaged.
A most gratifying condition in this City is the comparatively few cases of violation of the liquor laws. This offence I believe has been reduced to a minimum.
Discipline among the members of the force has been good, gen- erally speaking. One case of charges being preferred against an officer for violation of rules occurred during the past year. No hear- ing was asked and he was dropped for the good of the service.
Equipment.
The Cadillac Auto purchased this year has given excellent ser- vice and is in good condition. Police Officers are equipped with the latest style of hand-cuffs and revolvers all in good shape. New fur- niture is needed in the office. Detention cells are in need of a coat of paint.
Recommendations.
The imperative need of a suitable building for a Police Station is a well known fact and is acknowledged by every person acquainted with Police work. I wish to reiterate what I have stated in past re- ports, that the City will never have efficient work done nor can it be done without an up to date Police Signal System being installed. The Police Department has long been neglected in these respects and I believe is deserving of attention for the benefit of its citizens whom it protects.
Five years ago a committee was appointed to look into this matter and never reported. I recommend that a new committee be appointed to obtain plans and specifications for the building of a Police Station, the installation of a signal system and the selection of a suitable site for this building.
I recommend purchasing a new Patrol Wagon as automobiles wear out naturally and the present one has given about all the real service that was in it which never was of the best. This car was not built for that particular kind of work, the chassis being too short and light in construction. It was a cheap investment and the cost of maintenance has been correspondingly high and unsatisfactory. A combination Patrol and Ambulance such as built by the Cadillac Motor Car Com- pany would insure good service for a long time and one that could be relied on.
87
ANNUAL REPORT
The neighboring City of Taunton is equipped with this make of car and it has given general satisfaction.
I recommend the appointment of a regular patrolman for the villages of Dodgeville and Hebronville. At the present time an officer is on duty Saturday nights and Sundays at a cost of $200 per year to the City. This makeshift should be done away with as it was in South Attleboro this year. The appointment of a regular officer there has given general satisfaction and should be duplicated in Dodgeville and Hebronville this coming year.
Owing to the large amount of territory covered by the officer in South Attleboro, the almost impassable condition of the roads in stormy weather some means of transportation should be provided for the proper patrolling of this district. The automobile question has and will be a serious proposition on Washington Street and violators of the law cannot be caught unless some means of pursuit are fur- nished the officer.
I recommend an auto for this kind of work in preference to a horse, the cost of upkeep of an auto being cheaper than that of a horse when a comparison is made of the number of miles which can be cov- ered by an auto, giving a more frequent and consequently better ser- vice to the community. This has been tried out in some cities and found satisfactory.
Pending the building of a new Police Station some arrangements should be made with the Bronson Bldg. Company for the erection of a garage in the rear of the Station for the housing of Police Cars. The present arrangements are not satisfactory and delay is caused in answering calls owing to the distance the cars are kept from the Station.
Regarding Salaries Paid the Chief and Lieutenant of Police.
At the present time the rate of pay to patrolmen nearly ap- proaches that of the Lieutenant so that with a few hours overtime their pay compares favorably with that paid to the Chief, while the number of hours employed would not be any more. I respectfully call the attention of the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council to the above and trust they will see fit to take some action on it. I recom- mend that an increase of $100.00 a year be granted them.
I recommend that the sum of $22,150.00 be appropriated for the maintenance of the Police Department for the coming year.
Conclusion.
The matter of having the Chief under Civil Service should be given more consideration and the same protection afforded him that is given the officers. This fact is recognized by the leading Cities of our Commonwealth who have placed their Chiefs under Civil Service. On behalf of the Police Department I wish to thank your Honor and the Municipal Council for the assistance and co-operation given the Department, manifested on many occasions during the past year.
. Respectfully submitted,
EDMOND H. GINGRAS, Chief of Police.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 11, 1919
To the Mayor and Council of the City of Attleboro.
Gentlemen :-
The past year of the city's Library has indeed been a "war" year. This condition has been made evident not only by the nature of the books that our citizens have availed themselves of but also by the ad- ditional activities in which the Library has interested itself. The most prominent of these has been the War Camp Libraries, Food Con- servation, Red Cross and Surgical Dressing classes. These activities together with the increase in the number of books circulated have brought about the greatest use of the Library in its history. Further- more these splendid results have been obtained in spite of the en- forced curtailment of library work during the periods of fuel scarcity of last spring and the influenza epidemic of the past fall.
During the year the Library had the misfortune of losing from its staff both its chief and assistant librarians; Miss Claflin joining the Brookline Library staff and Miss Bliss that of the Springfield Library.
In the selection of a new chief Librarian a serious problem was encountered owing to the unusual demand for librarians the country over. Through good fortune, however, Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, who was employed as Assistant Librarian at the Somerville Library, was procured. Those who have already been fortunate in making the ac- quaintance of Mrs. Spofford and her work realize that the Library is assured of pleasing and successful guidance in the' work that is be- fore it.
As you will note from Mrs. Spofford's report for the past year to the Trustees, which is attached hereto, and recommended to your careful reading, the co-operation between the Library staff and the High School, especially, has been most effective and satisfactory. By the maintenance at the High School of regular hours by one of the Library staff working in connection with the High School Library and the High School teachers, the Library has in reality, although glad- ly, taken over some of the legitimate work of the School Department. Furthermore the entire expense of this work has been borne by the Library and paid for out of its limited appropriation. It has been the hope of the Trustees that recognition of this situation might be made by the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund and a sum appro- priated therefrom that would at least offset this outside salary ex- pense to the Library.
As to our appropriation for the year 1919 we find ourselves faced by the prospects of a larger work to do, the continuance of high prices for all purchases made and in all fairness to the members of our staff a reasonable and long delayed increase in their remuneration. In addition, the tubes of the heating boiler are in bad shape and will
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89
ANNUAL REPORT
need renewal throughout during the coming summer at an expense of about $500.00. The result brings the total of the Library Budget con- siderably above $9000.00, but as it is the desire of the Trustees to co-operate with the Administration in keeping down expenses to the lowest point expedient to the best interests of all concerned we ask for but $9000.00 for 1919.
The Library appropriation must necessarily increase from year to year in order to keep step with our growing city and the increasing service the Library must and is rendering as is shown briefly by the following book circulation figures.
In 1907, the year that the new building was first used, 38,998 books were circulated.
In 1918 the total circulation has increased to 68,167 or over 74%.
The Library has three funds, namely, the Daniel H. Smith Fund of $5000, the Letitia Allen Fund of $500 and the Organ Recital Fund of $50. The income of the first two must be used in the procurement of books, that of the third for musical literature.
Respectfully submitted,
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library
JOSEPH L. SWEET, Chairman LEONARD I. LAMB, THOMAS E. McCAFFREY,
ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH,
ELEANOR S. CARPENTER,
CHARLES S. HOLDEN,
MARK E. ROWE,
IRENE T. HILL,
RAYMOND M. HORTON.
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Central Building North Main Street.
Hours -- Week days, 10 A. M. to 9 P. M.
The reading room is open Sundays and all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4, 3 to 9 P. M.
Children's room-School days, 12 to 1:30 P. M. and 3 to 6 P. M. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6 to 8 P. M. Sundays and holidays-3 to 6 P. M.
Branches. High School-School year, 8 A. M .- 2 P. M.
Hebronville School-School year, Wednesday 4-9 P. M. Dodgeville Neighborhood House-Monday 3-9 P. M.
Staff.
Helen M. Claflin, Librarian, September, 1915-September, 1918. (Mrs.) Lucinda Field Spofford, Librarian, September 1918.
Assistant Librarian.
Helen Bliss, September, 1915-April, 1918.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
Library Assistants.
Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant. Dorothea Wetherell, High School Librarian and Assistant in Children's Room. Alice Wetherell, Junior Assistant, October, 1918.
Attendants on Part Time.
Gertrude Fears
Marie Rowe
Grace Tregoning Miriam Payson
Rosamond Cook Carpenter.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the work done by the Attleboro Public Library during the year ending December 31, 1918.
Notwithstanding the war which brought many changes and sac- rifices, fuel shortage, daylight saving and the many unusual demands ; the epidemic which closed the Children's Room and our Branches for weeks, the Library shows a slight increase in its circulation. The total circulation of the Central Library and its Branches 68,167, be- ing an increase over 1917 of 1739.
The complete circulation figures for the past five years is an in- teresting comparison as an index of what people ask for and demand from the Library as a public institution, and interesting as reflecting the effects of the war and industrial conditions in the city.
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
General works
1,746
2,028
1,844
2,372
3,141
Philosophy
575
519
427
447
304
Religion
527
586
492
602
624
Sociology
2,302
2,588
2,883
4,376
3,705
Philology
185
220
162
309
156
Natural sciences
1,064
1,325
1,233
1,498
1,331
Useful arts
1,638
1,873
1,894
2,095
1,969
Fine arts
1,687
1,917
1,822
1,977
2,140
Literature
2,414
2,635
2,742
3,447
3,520
History
1,118
1,461
1,130
2,006
2,417
Travel
1,761
1,577
1,621
1,664
1,650
Biography
1,267
1,260
1,426
1,469
1,787
Fiction
49,108
53,436
49,521
44,166
45,423
Total
65,392
71,425
67,197
66,428
68,167
This shows a large gain in general works, fine arts and biography, with quite an increase in history. The adult circulation is 51,713 and the juvenile circulation 16,454. Pictures were used to the number of 2829, by designers, teachers and mission classes, both for decoration and instruction helps.
91
ANNUAL REPORT
Publicity and Special Service.
The old-time library was simply a storehouse of treasures. There were few who cared to read books; there were few books to be read, and those few were procured at great cost of labor and time. The library is no longer looked upon as a storehouse of learning, to be used by the already learned. It is a factor in the growth of the com- munity. Its province is all life, and it is the greatest of our popular universities. No other institution which society has brought forth is so wide in its scope; so universal in its appeal; so near to every one of us; so inviting to both young and old. The interests and lines of growth of the city are shown by the books that have been purchased and the use that has been made of the library building this past year.
The hall and its adjoining rooms have been used for Red Cross work, Hospital Aid, and Conservation meetings, and committee groups. However, these rooms might well be used more frequently and by a greater number of people.
The library can hold its books to the simple task of giving en- tertainment, inspiration and guidance to the few who spontaneously seek it. But the library may awaken interest and stimulate inquiry, invite and attract. In order to do this it must first make known its powers. It must make itself known not as a library in the conventional sense, but as an index, easy to reach and easy to use. A place where all the facts of history, trade, and literature can be found. In order to achieve this the "Attleboro Sun" has been a most helpful agent. It has given to the public many library notes and a record of the books added.
It has also printed lists of "Books for teachers" and "What people are reading other than fiction."
Lists have been printed and distributed on the following topics: "Twenty Cheerful Yarns," "Fifty Detective Stories, New and Old," "Best Books of 1917."
Lists of books on the subjects discussed were prepared and dis- tributed at the Attleboro Community Fellowship meetings.
A meeting of the District group of Librarians was held in April and Miss Guerrier, head of the Library section of Food Conservation gave an informal talk on the work which libraries may do in co-opera- tion with the Food Conservation Board.
A bulletin board and displays of books have been used to call at- tention to the need for canning, gardening, and a knowledge of food values and kindred subjects.
The telephone is used often to renew books, to answer inquiries as, "When did the daylight saving begin and end?"-the disputed definition of some word, or to find that a book, pamphlet, catalogue, journal, quotation or what not is in the library. In cases where the inquiries were for books along technical lines, books our library did not feel it could buy on account of the prohibitive price and limited appeal, the questions have been answered by borrowing the books from the Providence or Boston Public Libraries, through the Inter- Library Loan.
During the year the Library has collected over three thousand books and many thousands of magazines which have been distributed by the American Library Association to our soldiers both in this coun- try and overseas.
Branches.
The High School Branch shows a remarkable gain in the number of books circulated for home use. September-December, 1917, 1078; September-December, 1918, 3056. The High School Librarian is at
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1
ANNUAL REPORT
92
the High School Library from 8 to 11:30 A. M. and 1 to 2 P. M. daily during the school year.
The High School has a small permanent collection of books and a deposit of over 300 from the Central Library. These books are changed from time to time as the required reading changes and as new topics are studied.
Instruction was given at the Central Library in the elements of library practice, in classification, and the use of simple reference books. A course in library methods should be developed and made a part of the regular high school work.
High school pupils are using the Public Library freely for refer- ence work and general reading.
The Dodgeville Branch has had a circulation of 1172, which shows that it is still doing good work. While the demand is largely for children's books and fiction, and non-fiction of a recreative nature, there is a growing confidence in the library.
The Hebronville Branch was opened in April, 1918, at the Hebron- ville school under the direction of Miss Roberts as a part of the com- munity work. It is open during the school year on Wednesdays from 4 to 9 P. M. The speed with which books are taken by adults and children make it evident that the desire for reading is here, and only restricted by the smallness of the collection During the fourteen times the library has been open, 1813 books were circulated.
General.
The circulation rules have been further extended this past year. Each adult borrower may now have at one time on his card one seven- day book, two unbound periodicals, and any reasonable number of other books.
The Children's Room has been much appreciated by the young citizens. The need of an assistant who can devote her whole time to the children is very much felt.
There were two important resignations from the staff during the year, Miss Helen Bliss, the Assistant Librarian, from September, 1915, to April, 1918, and Miss Helen Claflin, Librarian from September, 1915, to September 1918. In a small staff where adjustment of person to duties and of duties to the full capacity of the person, such retire- ments mean much re-adjustment, and are very regrettable. In Sep- tember Mrs. Lucinda Field Spofford was chosen Miss Claflin's suc- cessor, and Miss Alice Wetherell joined the staff in October, 1918.
Members of the staff have attended the various Massachusetts State Library meetings, and two meetings of the New England School Library Association. Miss Laura Monnier and Miss Dorothea Weth- erell attended the summer course of the New York Library School.
The work of the coming year should be intensive rather than ex- tensive. A year devoted by all connected with the Library in making the Library buildings and other agencies used more freely and in making the learning, inspiration and comfort that is found in good books more easily available to all the citizens of Attleboro.
In closing this report the Librarian wishes to make formal acknowl- edgment of the loyal aid and support of the Library staff, and thank the trustees for their personal confidence and official assistance.
Very respectfully,
LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian
93
ANNUAL REPORT
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics
Annual Report for Year Ending December 31, 1918.
Name of Library, Attleboro Public Library.
City or town, Attleboro; State, Massachusetts.
Population served, 18,480.
Terms for use-Free for lending. Free for reference.
Total number of agencies, 13. Consisting of-Central Library, three Branches in two School Buildings, one Community House, nine School Rooms.
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 303 for lending, 362 for reading.
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) 71
Number on staff (library service, adding part time employees to make whole units) December 31st, 1918. 9
Number of volumes at beginning of year. 21,273
Number of volumes added during year by purchase 1,292
Number of volumes added by gift or exchange. 45
Number of volumes added during year by binding material not otherwise counted 29
Number of volumes withdrawn during year 1,409
Total number at end of year 21,231
Adult Juvenile
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use. . 35,822 9,601 45,423 Total number of volumes lent for home use ...... 51,713 16,454 68,167
Number of borrowers registered during year, 1,108.
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received, 150 titles, 154 copies.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council.
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit, herewith, the fourth annual report of the Public Works Department, of the City of Attleboro, for the year end- ing December 31, 1918.
This department has the general care of all public highways (streets and sidewalks), construction of new streets and sidewalks, street lighting, street sprinkling, street signs and house numbering, street cleaning, and all work connected with surface drainage; sewers, including filter beds; water system, including reservoir, filter beds, standpipe and pumping station, except the collection of water rates and other bills incident to the various departments; general super- vision over all engineering work which is done by the engineer of this department and of the A. B. C. Street Railway since Sept. 1, 1918, the date on which the City began to operate cars on this railway.
This year has been one filled with exceptional hardships to your superintendent and to the various departments under him. In the Water Department during the early part of the year on account of the cold weather a large number of services and mains were frozen and it was necessary for him and the men in this department to work night and day in order to relieve the situation as quickly as possible.
In the fall there were serious breaks in the mains at the Pumping Station which threatened the cutting off of the supply of water to the city. These happily were overcome without in any way affecting the fire or domestic supply. Up to the present time there is but one sup- ply line from all three of the pumps to the stand-pipe and city mains. We are now at work installing a new line which will give us two supply lines from the pumps and insure the city against the possibility of having its water supply shut off.
The troubles in the Highway Department were occasioned by the small appropriation, high cost of labor, and the scarcity and high cost of materials, so that it was not possible to accomplish anywhere near as much work as has been done in previous years.
The present organization of the department is as follows: Robert Beverage, Foreman, Water and Sewers; George Cook, Engineer of Pumping Station; Lula A. Fletcher, Clerk. The position of foreman in the Highway Department has been vacant since Sept. 14, 1918.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.
Contracts have been made for tar concrete, cement concrete, curbing, water pipe, etc. Minimum rates and excess water bills, ser- vice connections, repairs, and other charges of the various departments have been billed and delivered to the City Collector, and detailed ac- counts of expenditures of all the departments have been recorded.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
ยท ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
The resignation, in December 1917, of the engineer in charge of this department and the inability to fill the position by reason of the small salary we were able to pay has placed added work on your super- intendent, but with two assistants we have been able to do such work as was required in the various departments and also to prepare a preliminary plan for the assessment to the abuttors for their share of the cost of the A. B. C. Street Railway.
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