USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1922 > Part 6
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That fact alone with the increased efficiency which it gives the police for the better protection of its citizens, speaks volumes for this system, and its installation should not be delayed year after year as the cost is increas- ing rather than decreasing.
On Monday, February 6, 1922, the police were called for duty at the Crown Mill as the owners feared violence from Rhode Island strikers against their workmen who had not as yet gone out on strike because of a reduction in wages. Later they went out on strike and for fourteen weeks the police were on duty morning, noon and night in addition to their regular work. A total of 1523 hours strike duty was performed by the police at this plant at a cost to the city of approximately $725.00.
From January 1st to December 1, 1922, this department conducted forty three raids against places where viloations of the liquor laws were taking place. A total of $1,650.00 was collected in fines imposed by the Court for violations of the liquor laws, and while leaders of contraband liquor still ply their trade, they have been subjected to a constant sur- veillance which has resulted in practically driving the maker of illicit whiskey from our midst and our city has the reputation of being one of the cleanest in that respect in the Commonwealth.
In a great measure we are indebted to Judge Charles C. Hagerty of the Fourth District Court for the firm stand he has taken against those who persist in violating the liquor laws and are brought before him.
So much has been said about the need of a new police station that it would be superfluous for me to go into detail about it, but I would empha- size what I have stated in the past about its need which is more apparent each year. I hope that this project will receive the consideration which it merits and thereby give our city the credit of having one of the best police stations in the State instead of the poorest apology of its kind. I am not only speaking for the department which occupies these quarters, but there are those who are unfortunate enough to be detained there by
84
ANNUAL REPORT
law and certainly some consideration should be given to their health and comfort while occupying a cell awaiting trial. To postpone the building of a police station would bring deserved condemnation on the city for not being mindful of the needs of those who serve it in a capacity that many do not care to undertake.
I have not been able to find a better location for the housing of the police cars then where they are kept at the present time at the City Barn. This has proved a handicap in many cases and I cannot see how it can be bettered under existing conditions other than the building of a garage in the rear of the police station. This has been talked over with the owners of the property who do not seem inclined to build.
I recommend purchasing a new touring car and turning the old one in for exchange as it will require a much needed overhauling, painting, etc. to be in good running order and a fair allowance can be had in trade for it as it stands. The car has had seven years service five of which was in the police department. Two of our motorcycles should be renewed this year and I so recommend it.
For the better protection of citizens and property in South Attleboro, Hebronville and Dodgeville I recommend appointing two additional men for these districts. There is real need of additional patrolmen in Ward 1 A. and B. and in expressing myself as to the need of better police service I am also voicing the opinion of the citizens and property owners of this district.
I do not believe that the superior officers in this department receive compensation in keeping with the responsibility of their work and what is expected of them. It does not compare favorably with the wages paid to patrolmen and I recommend an increase in the salaries paid them.
It should be borne in mind that the police business goes on twenty four hours every day in the year. As Attleboro increases in valuation and population, additional appointments and improvements must be made to maintain its efficiency and standard of service to the public.
To realize this the department must have the constructive co-operation of the city government, citizens, and all those who would aid in making the police department a power able to cope with the evil influence and in- genuity of the law breaker.
To His Honor, the Mayor, Philip E. Brady, the City Council, for their consideration and advise, to members of the police department for the faithful performance of their different duties, I extend my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMOND H. GINGRAS, Chief of Police.
85
ANNUAL REPORT
His Honor, the Mayor.
DEAR SIR :--
Following is an estimate of requirements for 1923.
Payroll of permanent officers. $25,950 00
Vacations and days off.
3,779 00
Extra police service.
300 00
Court Fees.
700 00
Rent of police station.
1,380 00
Office and station.
400 00
Phone, water and light.
350 00
Maintenance of automobiles
1,600 00
Maintenance of motorcycles.
300 00
Lockup keeper and care of lockup
200 00
Police equipment and traffic.
200 00
Sickness and disability.
75 00
$35,234 00
Respectfully submitted,
EDMOND H. GINGRAS, Chief of Police.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Accidents reported and investigated.
47
Articles reported lost.
19
Articles found . 44
Autos on wrong side of street.
8
Autos on streets without lights.
11
Autos reported by telephone as stolen from other cities. 171
10
Autos reported stolen from Attleboro and recovered.
5
Autos left with motor running unattended.
3
Assaults reported .
13
Attempted suicide.
1
Breaks reported and investigated.
52
Black Hand letter received
1
Defects in streets reported.
50
Defective headlights reported.
3
Dead bodies found .
2
Doors found unlocked and secured.
95
Drowning accidents.
1
Explosion by bomb
2
Fires investigated .
2
Holdups. .
2
Indecent exposure reported.
7
Insane Persons committed to State Institutions
19
Larcenies reported .
96
Lights found burning in Public buildings
6
Lost children found
32
Miscellaneous reports
369
Malicious Mischief.
Reports of .
108
Nuisances reported.
1
Patients carried to Hospital in Police Ambulance
26
Persons bitten by dogs.
8
Persons missing and located.
18
Persons missing from other cities
Runaway horse captured. 1
6
Autos recovered for other cities.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
Suicides reported.
2
Street lights not burning
197
Solicitors ordered out of the city
2
Stray horse recovered.
1
Wires down in streets.
7
Committed to State Farm at Titicut.
10
Committed to Mass Reformatory at Concord Junction.
2
Committed to Boys Industrial School at Shirley.
3
Committed at Lyman School for Boys at Westboro.
4
Committed at House of Correction at New Bedford.
24
Committed at Womans Reformatory at Sherborn.
2
Committed at Lancaster School for Girls
1
Committed at Department of Public Welfare
11
SUPPLEMENT TO ANNUAL REPORT. Arrests during 1922.
Male. Female Total.
Assault.
3
1
4
Assault and Battery.
11
1
12
Animals, Cruelty to
2
0
2
Accessory before the Fact to Breaking and entering
1
0
1
Adultery
2
2
4
Abandonment of family
1
0
1
Bastardy
6
0
6
Breaking, entering and larceny
10
0
10
Bicycle, Riding without lights.
1
0
1
Breaking and entering, Attempt to, being armed. ..
2
0
2
Bigamy
0
1
1
City Ordinances.
Violation of
3
1
4
Drunkenness
119
5
124
Disturbance.
16
3
19
Delinquency .
21
0
21
Dog. Keeping unlicensed.
6
0
6
Dog. Failing to restrain.
3
0
3
Dog not properly collared.
1
0
1
Disorderly House
4
0
4
Disorderly conduct.
7
0
7
Dangerous weapon, Armed with, when arrested.
3
0
3
Escaped prisoner.
2
0
2
Failing to attend evening school.
1
0
1
Failing to send child to school.
1
0
1
Fornication. .
0
1
1
False pretense. Obtaining endorsement by
1
0
1
Fraudulent check. Drawing
4
0
4
Health Law. Violation of .
1
0
1
Habitual Truant.
1
0
1
Indecent exposure
6
0
6
Inn Keeper. Defrauding
1
0
1
Idle and Disorderly
1
0
1
Interfering with an officer
1
0
1
Larceny by false pretense
1
0
1
Larceny from a building
10
0
10
Larceny. Attempt to.
1
0
1
Larceny. Grand
1
0
1
Larceny
15
1
16
Lewdness.
0
1
1
Lewd and lascivious co-habitation.
1
0
1
Liqour Laws. Violation of
33
2
35
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Male Female Total
Motor Vehicle Laws. Violation of
166
0
166
Malicious Mischief.
1
0
1
Neglect to provide.
25
0
25
Neglected Children.
7
6
13
Neglect of children.
3
1
4
Night Walker. Common.
0
1
1
Prisoner. Aiding escape of
1
0
1
Probation. Violation of.
14
0
14
Rape.
Assault to
1
0
1
Rape.
2
0
2
Runaway boy.
1
0
1
Revolver, Carrying, without permit.
3
0
3
Stolen property. Receiving
1
0
1
Threats. Uttering
2
0
2
Tramp
7
0
7
Trespass on Railroad.
10
0
10
Trespass.
4
0
4
Trespass. Allowing fowl to
1
0
1
Traffic Rules. Violation of.
1
0
1
Throwing glass in public street.
1
0
1
Vehicle without light.
1
0
1
556
27
583
Respectfully submitted,
EDMOND H. GINGRAS, Chief of Police.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
DOG OFFICER
ATTLEBORO, MASS., Dec. 15, 1922.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council:
I herewith submit my annual report to you as Dog Officer for the year beginning Jan. 1, 1922, and ending Dec. 15, 1922.
The past year has exceeded all other years in the number of dog licenses issued, there being 1083.
I have killed 57 dogs, owners unknown according to the General Laws relating to unlicensed dogs. I have investigated 156 complaints concerning dogs.
In the epidemic of rabies in the southern part of the city during the first three months of the year, 5 dogs were killed, and upon examination proved to have been suffering from the rabies. In connection with this epidemic the County recompensed one person for 3 cows, having contracted this disease from dog bite.
The City Clerk gave me the names of 210 delinquent owners of dogs of whom there were 6 convictions according to the General Laws relating thereto.
In view of the conditions that may arise, and the amount of work that has to be done, I would suggest that no smaller appropriation for the en- using year.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFIELD E. DUNHAM, Dog Officer.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Term Expires 1923.
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King Edwin L. Leach
Term expires 1924.
Raymond M. Horton Miss Edith Claflin Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth
Term Expires 1925.
Joseph L. Sweet Mrs. Caroline S. Holden Thos. E. McCaffrey
Officers. Joseph L. Sweet, President Edwin L. Leach, Secretary Raymond M. Horton, Treasurer
Administration Committee.
The President, Raymond M. Horton, Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth
Building and Property Committee.
The President, Thomas E. McCaffrey, Edwin L. Leach.
Book Committee
The President, Mrs. Eleanor Carpenter, Miss Edith Claflin, Mrs. Caroline Holden.
.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Central Building North Main Street
Hours-Weeks days, 10 A. M. to 9 P. M.
The Reading room is open Sundays, 3 to 9 P. M., except during the months of June, July, August, and September. Children's room-School days, 12:30 to 6 P. M. Saturdays-10 A. M. to 8 P. M.
Branches-
High School-School year, 8 A. M. to 2 P. M. Hebronville School-School year, Thursdays, 4-8:30 P. M. Dodgeville Neighborhood House-Tuesdays, 3-8:30 P. M.
Staff. (Mrs.) Lucinda F. Spofford, Librarian. Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant. Agnes C. Norton, Junior Assistant. Margaret Brewer, High School Librarian. Helen M. Claflin, High School Librarian Alice Wetherell, Children's work.
Part time Assistants.
Ellen Bowen Dorothy Chace
Georgia Fuller
Dorothy¿Richardson
Zilpah Bennett
Sunday Assistant. Emma Lewis
Janitor
Frank Chace.
** Resigned.
91
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council of Attleboro, Attleboro, Mass.
GENTLEMEN:
The past year has been a successful one for the Attleboro Public Library The circulation for the year reached 125,748 books, with the total number of books in the Library 24,924-which is 1,279 volumes more than a year ago. The Staff has worked hard and efficiently to take care of the in- creased amount of work, which includes a decided increase in the High School Library, Children's room and a large amount or reference work in addition to much extra work in the main library. Much credit is due the Librarian for her efficient work.
It is gratifying to the Trustees that so much has been accomplished with no extra appropriation from the City. The generous gifts during the year have enabled the Library to do much, where otherwise its useful- ness would have been greatly curtailed. The Library has received in gifts $859.00 and $333.33 from interest on invested funds, a total of $1,192.33. Also the Library has been presented with a flag, a rug for the Children's room, extensive repairs made on the floor of the same room, and a combination bulletin board and exhibition book case.
The Board requests that you read thoroughly the annual report of the Librarian, which shows clearly the large amount of work being accompli- shed.
The total amount of the appropriation asked for 1923 is $14,500.00 the same amount as asked for in 1922. More than this could easily be used to good advantage, and we believe this the minimum amount required to defray expenses this year, as we see no signs of lower prices, at present. As to the amount asked for repairs, $900.00, we find the interior of the building is now very much in need of repairs in many places and it is our intention to do the repairing that is most needed as it would be false econ- omy to longer postpone the work. We have given you an itemized list of these repairs.
That the citizens of Attleboro, including the students and children, are each year making more use of their Library is apparent, and we ask your co-operation that the advantages offered may be continued.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. SWEET, Chairman THOMAS E. McCAFFREY. ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH. ELEANOR S. CARPENTER.
WILLIAM L. KING. RAYMOND M. HORTON. EDITH L. CLAFLIN. CAROLINE S. HOLDEN. EDWIN F. LEACH, Secretary.
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Report of the invested funds of the Attleboro Public Library for the year ending December 31, 1922.
Daniel H. Smith Fund.
1 Liberty Loan Bond 3rd loan of 1928 No. 44701 $5,000 00
Emily H. Horton Fund.
Attleboro Savings, Book No. 34696 $388 14
Emily H. Horton Fund.
Province of Saskatchewan 6% Bond No. A. K. 1471 $1,000 00
W. R. Cobb Fund.
Book No. 36652 Attleboro Savings Bank $5,000 00
Letitia S. Allen Fund.
Book No. 3682 Attleboro Trust Co . $674 95
Attleboro Public Library Music Fund.
Book No. 118 Attleboro Trust Co. $311 34
$12,374 43
INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS.
Balance January 1, 1922.
$168 90
Feb. 1, Province of Saskatchewan coupon $30 00
Apr. 18, Liberty Bond coupon due Mar. 15 106 25
Aug. 1, Province of Saskatchewan coupon 30 00
Sept. 15, Liberty Bond coupon.
106 25
Sept. 15, Interest accrued on W. R. Cobb fund. 60 83
$333 33
$502 23
Expenditures.
Feb. 3, Gregory's Bookstore-Purchase of Musician's Library
$42 00
.
Apr. 5,
Gregory's Bookstore-Books in
music 6 30
May 3, Encyclopedia Brittanica 3 vol
30 00
Nov. 8, George H. Polley Co .- Books 30 50
59 13 Nov. 8, H. A. Davis Comptroller-Books Nov. 10, Transfer to Attleboro Savings Banks. Deposited in Emily H. Horton Fund Book. 100 00
Dec. 15, Gregory's Bookstore-Books for Library. . 32 25
Dec. 15, The Bookshop for Boys and Girls. .
104 04
$404 02
$98 02
93
ANNUAL REPORT
LIBRARY. Receipts.
City of Attleboro
$13,550 00
Expenditures.
Salaries and janitor service.
$7,664 24
Bindery .
899 72
Books.
1,999 86
Building
699 78
Fuel and light.
1,052 72
Incidentals
799 91
Total payments
$13,116 23
Balance, Jan. 1, 1923
$433 77
RAYMOND M. HORTON, Treasurer.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
I have the honor to submit the report of the Attleboro Public Library for the year ending December 31, 1922.
If the success of a library in a community is measured by the circula- tion of books, then the Attleboro Public Library has had a successful year. Notwithstanding the fact that the circulation in 1921 showed a 30% gain over any previous year, there has been a surprising increase this year. The circulation has reached 125,748.
Up to the last few months of the year when industrial conditions be- gan to improve, the circulation was much larger than for the corresponding months of the year 1921. But as the industries became more active the circulation remained the same as in the year 1921.
Size and Growth.
1920 volumes were added to the Library. Of these, 628 were gifts, and 56 added by binding. There were 648 books withdrawn and 7 re- turned, making the number of books in the Library 25,924, a gain of 1279 volumes. The new titles, added during 1922 were divided into classes as shown by the following tables.
Class
Adult Juvenile
General.
051
11
8
Philosophy
100
14
Religion.
200
6
3
Sociology
300
42
81
Language.
400
3
Science .
500
15
17
Useful arts
600
53
15
Fine arts.
700
72
11
Literature.
800
67
16
History.
900
62
15
Travel.
910
35
9
Biography
920
48
5
· Non-fiction
Total
428
180
Fiction .
269
147
Total
697
327
There were 316 adult and 524 juvenile replacements and duplicates.
Music.
Our music collection for its size, is one of the most used and one of the most valued. Certainly there is a mission in good music as in the reading of good books and the public library can do no more helpful thing to our modern life than to assist the public to understand and love it.
During the past year the musical people of Attleboro have given gen- erously to this collection.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
Foreign Books.
In order to supplement our supply of foreign books, libraries in Portu- guese, Italian, and Swedish, were borrowed from the Massachusetts Free Library Commission and from the Woman's Educational Association.
Reference.
In the last fifty years libraries have changed. Some people know it and some do not. Libraries have changed in the kind of printed matter that they collect and preserve; in the kind of people to whom they make their appeal. They have changed from being first and foremost a collec- tion of material for scholars to being also of use to the busy citizen, to help him in what he is busy about, to make it possible for him to do more work in less time. The library is concerned much more largely than ever before with contemporary relations. It wishes to be helpful to the men and women who do things. Now let us get down to something concrete. Just what information has the library given to these professional, and business men:
The uses of lye in baking powder.
History and development of the plow.
Designs for book-covers, posters, letter heads.
Pictures of snow crystals.
How to silver glass-using a solution containing mercury.
Story of the American flag.
Books on window trimming.
Books on the spine.
Protective coloring of birds.
Greek words for owl and for friend.
A poem of Edgar Guest's-something about "Mother's pocket- book".
Who was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware?
The national flower of Italy and pictures of it in color.
Laws on the transportation of school children in Mass. Rule for making tomato catsup.
Coat of arms of John Winthrop.
How to make a fire extinguisher. Bugle calls.
To enable the Library to answer these and many other questions, a useful collection of pamphlets and clippings material has been built up. There are now 743 pamphlets on file. This, along with our picture collec- tion have been circulated for home use the same as books. Many readers have been appreciative for information found in this way. The picture collection has grown rapidly. 1819 pictures were circulated. Local de- signers, teachers, and others continue to make good use of the collection, special effort has been made to follow the work of public schools in the teaching of geography, history, literature and art.
Children's Work and School Work.
Circulation-Central Children's room, 1922 38,345
Circulation-Central Children's room, 1921. 33,443
Gain. 4,902
Circulation-School room deposits, 1922. 5,651
Circulation-School room deposits, 1921. 2,886
Gain. 2,765
From our school room deposits we report a home circulation of 5,651- 2,765 more than last year.
96
ANNUAL REPORT
For the past year, owing to a lack of book funds, our school collection contains only 479 books. This has made necessary the taking of much needed books from the Children's room, in order to send books to the schools too far away to have ready access to the main library or any of its branches. This method of sending out books introduces books into homes not otherwise reached, teaches the pupils how to use books, stimu- lates a taste for the best in literature, and shows the sources of culture.
Children's Room.
Circulation through the children's room was 38,345, a gain of 4,902. With no new agencies opened and but 524 new books added, this growth, while gratifying, so increased the duties in the room that but little time has been left for special features.
With only 4,297 volumes in the room, 296 of which are reference and 216 belonging to the "clean hands" collection, with books taken from the room for school deposits, for the High School, Hebronville and Dodgeville Branches, the books are given hard usage and the number of times each book circulates is very large.
One reason for the large increase of work in the room is the fact that this is the first year that the children of below High School age have been obliged to have a permit in order to use the adult reading room. Up to this time the eighth grade have done their reference and school work in the adult department.
Miss Wetherell reports in part-"The circulation of books for class room work, taken out on teacher's cards is an indication of the use of the room by the teachers in the city. 1584 books have been charged to teach- ers during the year, a gain of 322 over the preceding twelve months. The Children's room has furnished material for plays and entertainments for holiday and special reference work on many subjects. The interest in reference study advances each year.
The gift of Mrs. Gertrude Sweet made possible the addition of many beautifully illustrated books, new stories and new editions of old ones for the "glass case collection", and has supplied the greater part of new books for home circulation. Books from this special collection may be read in the room by any child who shows clean hands. That the children use and appreciate them, is indicated by the record of the number of books used during the year, a total of 471. The figures by months are given below:
Month.
Number of books.
Jan.
46
Feb
96
Mar
108
Apr
33
May
22
June
11
July
24
Aug
17
Sept
12
Oct
17
Nov
47
Dec
38
It has been interesting to note the popularity of different books. For instance, during the year, Dumas' "Three Musketeers" has been read by three different boys who have read several pages or a chapter at a time until the book was finished. This is only one incident in many, all of which show the pleasure the children derive from the collection.
97
ANNUAL REPORT
Two new magazines have been added to the periodicals, "Child life" for the younger readers and the "American Boy".
In August a travel club was formed to stimulate the interest in and circulation of books about our own and other countries. The member- ship grew rapidly, and by the last of September 101 children had joined. That the experiment was a success is proved by the circulation figures of travel books for the three months as compared with the same months of 1921.
1921
1922
Aug
35
173
Sept.
38
104
Oct.
77
82
Total.
150
359
Gain of 209 books.
The Arctic regions proved the most popular-France, Italy, Japan, United States, Spain, China, Africa, Holland and Mexico in the order named. Two boys visited fifteen places, one boy thirteen, and a boy and a girl each eleven places. On November 15th a meeting of the Club was held in the Children's room, from seven to eight thirty o'clock in the evening. The children came dressed in the costume of one of the countries they had read about. It was a stormy night but forty children were present. Mrs. Gertrude Lamb told stories and games were played.
Through the efforts of the Pierian Club, a story hour was held in the room for children under the sixth grade. About two hundred and thirty children enjoyed the program."
BRANCHES.
1921
1922
High School-Circulation
4,717
5,151
Hebronville-Circulation.
5,288
5,274
Dodgeville-Circulation
2,501
2,792
High School Branch.
At the beginning of the fall term the work was more or less interrupted by the resignation of Miss Margaret Brewer. Miss Brewer did work of high quality, and the last year was the most telling in library progress.
Miss Helen Claflin who has taken up the High School work writes:
"In these days of commercialism, when so few parents attempt to stim- ulate in their children a love of the best in literature and art, a great work lies before the school library. To reveal the world of knowledge which exists outside of the text-book, to supplement the work of the classroom, to instruct in the way of books and libraries, and to foster an interest in the best books by the display of fine editions and by the librarian's daily contact with the pupils, is the aim of the school library of today.
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