USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 7
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EQUIPMENT
The motor equipment consists of a Studebaker Special Six tour- ing car, two Ford runabouts, a combination Patrol and Ambulance, and three motorcycles. Two of the motor cycles are past their use- fulness for Police work, and might be traded in to advantage for a new one.
The touring car used by the Chief, and other members of the De- partment for investigating purposes, has given good satisfaction, it has now been three years in service and needs to be replaced by a new one in the Spring. The Patrol if it is to be continued in the service another year will have to receive a complete overhauling, and a new coat of paint. The Fords used for patrolling are in fairly good shape, but after covering an approximate eighteen or twenty thousand miles over for the most part country roads, I believe it would be good policy to turn them in and put new ones on the road.
The equipment carried by officers is of the latest pattern, it was in- spected recently by the Superior officers and found to be in good con- dition.
LIQUOR TRAFFIC
The enforcement of the liquor laws received more than ordinary attention during the past year. The department prosecuted a large num- ber of cases for transporting and manufacture, as well as for illegal keeping and exposing.
The substantial sentences meted out by the Hon. Charles C. Hagerty, justice of the Fourth District Court, for violation of the liquor laws,
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ANNUAL REPORT
when evidence enough to warrant a finding of guilty was presented, had a great effect on the illegal traffic of liquor in the city.
THE POLICE FORCE
The force is now to the number of eighteen men, including of course the superior officers. Four patrolmen are assigned to day duty, one to motorcycle patrol while the weather is favorable, one to station duty nights and to act as patrol driver, and eight night patrolmen.
The eight patrolmen cover the city from 6 P. M. to 8 A. M. by an overlapping system, which is not at all satisfactory, and which must sooner or later be remedied by the addition of more men.
The discipline of the department has, in the main, been good, never- theless, there is room for improvement in order to make it perfect. The ideal police officer is one that keeps his tongue as still as possible, and whose eyes are open to all that goes on about him. This is something that one or two of the members of the Attleboro Police force do not seem to realize, they feel that criticism of their brother officers to per- sons on the street is part of their duty. This matter is now receiving the attention of the superior officers, and we hope to have a stop put to it in a very short time.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend the installation of a Recall Gamewell system if the department is to be permanently located at the proposed site on North Main street. The increased efficiency of the department with this sys- tem would more than repay for its installation and maintenance.
I recommend the appointment of another patrolman for the Hebron- ville-Dodgeville section. Patrolman LaCroix now patrols this section alone in a Ford runabout from 7 P. M. to 4 A. M., and each night he leaves the station I am apprehensive for his safety. Thieves and rob- bers now go heavily armed, and band together for mutual protection, for this reason a lone police officer in the rural districts is placed in a dan- gerous position.
I recommend the purchase of a Ford runabout and the appointment of two more patrolmen for the covering of North Main Street, West Street, North Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Holden Street and Pleasant Street to the Chartley line. This section of the city receives little or no protection especially during the night, which seems hardly fair, taking into consideration that all other parts of the city are being patrolled.
I recommend favorable action by your Honorable Board on the pe- tition of the officers for shorter hours, and trust that when the budget is made up enough money will be appropriated to supply them with flash- lights and batteries for the year. Heretofore each officer had to pur- chase his flashlight and batteries, and this was a cause of general dis- satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
-
My thanks are due and are hereby tendered to His Honor, Mayor George A. Sweeney, the members of the Municipal Council, the justices, clerk and officers of the Fourth District Court, the chief and members of the fire department, the City Hall employees and newspapermen, also to many citizens for kind co-operation and valuable information. To the officers, patrolmen, and all others connected with the department, I de- sire to extend my deep appreciation for the excellent services rendered during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
TERENCE E. FLANAGAN, Chief of Police.
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ANNUAL REPORT
SUPPLEMENT TO ANNUAL REPORT
Arrests For 1925
Male
Female Total
Assault
5
0
5
Assault and battery
9
0
9
Bastardy
5
0
5
Breaking, entering and larceny
5
0
5
City ordinance. Violation of
7
0
7
Concealing leased property
2
0
2
Cruelty to animals
2
0
2
Desertion
2
0
2
Delinquency
15
2
17
Disorderly house, Keeping a
2
2
4
Disturbance
17
1
18
Drunkenness
207
5
212
Indecent exposure
3
0
3
Interfering with officer
2
0
2
Larceny
36
8
44
Lewdness
2
1
3
Liquor law, Violation of
31
1
32
Malicious mischief
3
0
3
Manslaughter
2
0
2
Motor vehicle law, Violation of
165
1
166
Neglect to provide
19
0
19
Neglected children
3
8
11
Present at gaming
9
0
9
Probation, Violation of
9
0
9
Pure food law, Violation of
3
0
3
Revolver, Carrying without permit
7
0
7
Stubborness
2
1
3
Throwing glass in street
2
0
2
Tramp
15
0
15
Trespass on R. R.
1
0
1
True name law, Violation of
1
0
1
Unlicensed dog, Keeping an
17
0
17
Uttering threats
2
0
2
Vagrancy
1
0
1
614
.30
644
1
Lottery tickets, Having possession of
1
0
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS CASES RECEIVING POLICE ATTENTION
Accidents reported and investigated 342
Articles found by patrolmen and returned to owner 100
Automobiles reported stolen in other cities 768
Automobiles stolen in other cities and recovered here 50
Automobiles reported stolen in Attleboro and recovered 19
Cases investigated 235
113
Fire alarms sounded by patrolmen
15
Larcenies reported and investigated
132
Lost children found and returned to parents
28
Missing persons located 44
Miscellaneous reports 487
36
Persons arrested for other cities
7
Persons bitten by dog 9
Reports of malicious mischief
78
Street defects reported by patrolmen 77
Street lights reported out by patrolmen
125
Doors found open by patrolmen and secured
Insane persons committed 15
Patients carried to hospital in police ambulance
Wire reported down 38
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ANNUAL REPORT
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT, 1925
To His Honor the Mayor and the Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit to you my report as Dog Officer from January 1, 1925, to December 15, 1925.
According to the records of the City Clerk, the year 1925 boosts our dog population to about 1400 licensed dogs exclusive of the kennel licenses, a gain of about 100 over the year 1924. During this year I have had occasion to answer 367 complaints concerning the keeping of dogs and have also killed 96 dogs within the limits of the city of Attleboro. I have had a list of 246 delinquent names of owners of unlicensed dogs given me by the City Clerk, sixteen of which were prosecuted and con- victed, according to Chapter 140 of the General Laws.
I think it quite fitting that I should again call to your attention the problem which seems to be increasing year by year of the disposal of the dead bodies of dogs, those that have been killed by accident on the street, together with those that had to be killed according to the Chapter of the General Laws relating to dogs. Permission is not easily obtained for the burying of these animals, consequently it necessitates their con- veyance to the local rendering plant in South Attleboro, Mass.
I have previously recommended to your honorable body that a larger appropriation be made to compensate for the increasing work of this department, and I shall once again reiterate that I would recommend that not less than $100 additional be added to the appropriation of this department for the year 1926.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFIELD E. DUNHAM, Dog Officer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Term expires 1926
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King
Edwin F. Leach
Term expires, 1927
Raymond M. Horton Miss Edith Claflin Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth
Term expires 1928
Joseph L. Sweet Mrs. Caroline S. Holden *Thomas E. McCaffrey Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Officers Joseph L. Sweet, President Edwin F. Leach, Secretary Raymond Horton, Treasurer
Administration Committee The President, Raymond Horton, Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth, William King
Building and Property Committee
The President, Thomas E. McCaffrey, Edwin F. Leach
Book Committee
The President, Mrs. Eleanor Carpenter, Miss Edith Claflin, Mrs. Caroline Holden
*Deceased, July, 1925.
100
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Central Building North Main Street
Hours-Week 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-10:00 A. M. to 8 P. M.
School Vacations-10:00 A. M. to 6 P. M .; Saturdays- 10:00 A. M. to 8 P. M.
Branches-
Hebronville School-School year, Tuesdays, 4-8:30 P. M.
Dodgeville Neighborhood House, Tuesdays, 3-8:30 P. M. South Attleboro-Thursdays 3-9 P. M.
Washington School-School year, Thursdays, 1-6 P. M.
Staff
(Mrs.) Lucinda F. Spofford, Librarian Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant *Margaret Kanaly, Junior Assistant Ethel S. Bickford, Junior Assistant Dorothy Richardson, Work with Children Mary Money, Attendant
Part Time Assistants
Angela Bowen Dorothy Lamond Catherine Meegan Elizabeth Peckham (Mrs.) Dorothy Poland
Sunday Assistants Emma Lewis Catherine Meegan Janitor Frank Chace
*Resigned, November, 1925.
101
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Mayor and the City Council of Attleboro : Gentlemen :
The trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1925.
The circulation of books during 1925 was the largest it has ever been in the history of the library. One hundred thirty-eight thousand eight hundred twenty-four books were circulated, which is an increase of 15,- 304 books over 1924. Of this increase, 10,717 was in the Central Library. We now have nearly a 7 per capita circulation. There were 27,519 books in the library, December 31, 1925. The branch libraries, South Attleboro, Washington Street, Hebronville and Dodgeville are proving a great convenience to the citizens of those sections of the city.
This increase in circulation is a satisfaction to the trustees, indicat- ing an added interest each year in our library service.
The reference service has been important during the past year. Con- siderable time of the Librarian and staff has been used in answering the inquiries and looking up data for individuals and manufacturing firms.
Our budget has been presented to you for expenses of the year 1926. The total, $15,775.00 is $425.00 more than for 1925.
Considering the increased circulation and the demand for new books we know we have figured very closely on our expenses for 1926. This you will observe in the itemized budget which has been submitted to you, and shows a comparison with expenses of last year.
It is our hope that some kind citizens will remember the library with gifts, so that a funds may be established in their name, allowing the in- come to be used. This will assist to a great extent in the need for spe- cial books. Many other city libraries are fortunate in this respect so that they have ample funds to take care of the increased demands.
Repairs to the interior of the library have been made as planned a year ago and the parts of the building that have been refinished and cleaned show a decided improvement. We hope to make other needed repairs this year to continue our policy of keeping this fine building in good condition. This will require $1000 during the year 1926.
We regret exceedingly the loss of our esteemed trustee and friend, Thomas E. McCaffrey, who died July 25, 1925. He was appointed trustee by ex-Mayor Harold E. Sweet in 1915 and has served your library faith- fully, until his death.
The following resolutions were passed by the trustees at a special meeting on July 27, 1925, and are set apart in the records.
Resolutions Passed by Trustees July, 1925
Resolved, It is with deep sorrow we record the death of our asso- ciate and friend, Thomas E. McCaffrey, taken in the midst of his useful- ness. Mr. McCaffrey was an affable, efficient and faithful public servant and a true friend.
We shall miss his genial presence at our board meetings and always count it a blessed privilege to have been associated with him as trustees of the Attleboro Public Library.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Today we share our grief with that of his widely distributed friends and to his bereaved family we extend our sincere condolences.
(Signed) JOSEPH L. SWEET, WILLIAM L. KING, RAYMOND M. HORTON, EDWIN LEACH, ELIZABETH WILMARTH, MRS. CAROLINE HOLDEN, MRS. ELEANOR CARPENTER, EDITH CLAFLIN.
Dr. Frederick V. Murphy was appointed August 5, 1925, to fill the unexpired term of Mr. 'McCaffrey.
Our Librarian, Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, has written a complete re- port for the year 1925, which is herewith appended. This report covers the accomplishments of the year thoroughly and we hope will have your attention as will also the report of the treasurer, Raymond M. Horton.
We wish to express our thanks to all who have assisted in the suc- cess of the Attleboro Public Library.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. SWEET, President, FREDERICK V. MURPHY, ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH, ELEANOR S. CARPENTER,
WILLIAM L. KING, RAYMOND M. HORTON,
EDITH L. CLAFLIN, CAROLINE S. HOLDEN, EDWIN F. LEACH,
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library.
-
103
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF INVESTED FUNDS
December 31, 1925.
Letitia S. Allen Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$ 730.55
Interest for 1925
29.50
$ 760.05
Music Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$ 451.47
Interest for 1925
19.05
Deposit from Chaminade
50.00 $ 520.52
Sarah J. Briggs Fund
May 23rd, 1925, deposited in Attleboro Savings
Bank $ 500.00
Interest for 1925
8.33
$ 508.33
Emily H. Horton
Reserve Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925 $ 838.04
42.40
May 5th, excess from sale of Liberty Bonds (X) 25.23
Nov. 2nd, transfer from checking account 100.00
$ 1,005.67
Edwin Leach Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$ 1,037.80
Interest for 1925
52.51
$ 1,090.31
Joseph L. Sweet Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$ 1,037.80
Interest for 1925
52.51
$ 1,090.31
(X) Sold the Liberty Bond from the D. H. S. Fund.
Women's Library Association
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$ 278.17
Interest for 1925
12.88
$ 291.05
W. R. Cobb Fund
Attleboro Savings Bank
$ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00
Emily H. Horton Fund Province of Saskatchewan 6% Bond
1,000.00
1,000.00
E. F. Bliss Fund
Winter Bros. 7% Bond
1,000.00
1,000.00
Daniel H. Smith Fund
51 Certificate Bonds, Investment Trust
5,100.00
5,100 00
Deposit Attleboro Trust Co.
186.37
186.37
$17,552.61
Interest for 1925
104
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Income Account
Balance, Dec. 31, 1924
$ 162.27
April 15th, W. R. Cobb Fund
$ 125.00
April 15th, D. H. Smith Fund
106.25
April 15th, Emily H. Horton Fund
30.00
June 15th, E. F. Bliss Fund
35.00
Oct. 20th, W. R. Cobb Fund
125.00
Oct. 24th, Emily H. Horton Fund
30.00
Nov. 2nd, Daniel H. Smith Fund
127.50
Dec. 15th, E. F. Bliss Fund
35.00
$613.75
$776.02
Disbursements.
Jan. 9th, Gregory's Bookstore
$123.92
June 5th, R. H. Hinckley
53.55
Oct. 20th, Library Bookstore
65.76
Oct. 20th, Burnett's Inc.
24.40
Oct. 20th, R. L. James Book Co.
169.56
Nov. 2nd, Transfer to Attleboro Saving Bank
100.00
Nov. 25th, R. L. James Book Co.
52.46
$589.65
Balance Checking Account Attleboro Trust Co.
$186.37
Investment Funds Dec. 31st, 1925
$17,552.61
Investment Funds Dec. 31st, 1924
16,536.10
$1,016.51
Gain from, Interest and changes :
Interest
$217.18
Gift
50.00
Gain from sale of securities
125.23
Transfer from income
100.00
$492.41
Sarah J. Briggs Fund :
$500.00
Gift
Increase in checking account
24.10
$1,016.51
RAYMOND M. HORTON,
Treasurer.
:
105
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Receipts.
City of Attleboro
$15,450.00
Expenditures.
Salaries and janitor service
$8,599.84
Bindery
900.00
Books
2,249.17
Building
1,298.71
Fuel and light
995.84
Incidentals
1,166.47
South Attleboro
199.49
Washington Branch
27.00
Total
$15,436.52
Balance
$13.48
106
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library :
I have the honor to submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1925.
Every librarian the country over, I feel sure, as he sets about writ- ing his annual report, rebels at the fact that it is only the material kind of book service, only the spectacular, concrete, and obvious work that is done in the library, that can make an impression, and that can justify our libraries to the general public. The spirit of the times de- mands that we measure its importance and its value by the concrete examples of personal service and the number of volumes circulated. Real library work means something much more than supplying men and women with books that teach them something useful. There are many examples of personal service rendered. There are the stories of the people who have built their houses by library books, stories of babies brought up by library books, stories of salesmen who have in- creased their sales by the study of library books, and prizes that have won by hours of study in the public library. We are forced to stress the education and service for making a living rather than education and service for living although every librarian known that the real work is done in the quiet, common, and every day task. We know stories of how books help people-help their souls-lift them above the hum- drum affairs of life, give them fresh outlooks and educate them in the real sense. When this materialistic age shall have passed and the people upon whom we are dependent for our support realize that this education is perhaps the best of all, this opening up new vistas of thoughts to those who know how to appreciate, is real library work, and that library work is after all true social service, at such time all forms of library service will be accepted for their full value. Until then, we have to measure our work by the concrete examples of ser- vice rendered, and the number of volumes circulated. There were many indications throughout the year that the circulation of books was active but not until the figures were compiled was it found that the circulation for the year ending December 1925 was the largest in the history of the library. A total of 138,824 books were issued from the library. 85,962 adults books and 52,862 juvenile books, a gain of 15,304 over 1924.
An analysis of these figures show an increase of 5,119 in the adult circulation from the Central library, a gain of 476 in South Attleboro, 3,478 from the Washington School Branch, and in addition, a gain of 5,681 in the circulation of books from the Children's room. Gratify- ing as this increase has been, it has meant heavy demands and a con- sequent depreciation upon the materials most available for general use. A circulation growing at that rate means a struggle by readers to get the books they want. Appropriations for books should keep pace with the increase in readers, for the books in hand are never sufficient for requests. A growing use of books on this scale, which is about 7 books per capita, is certain to call for duplication of the most used books.
The library has sent large numbers of books throughout the school year from its adult collection to the High School Library, for the use of pupils on the prescribed reading lists. Many of these books can be loaned for an extended period without loss to the general reader. However there are times when the need of them is felt both at the
107
ANNUAL REPORT
library and the school. To meet this demand for the students' type of book, such as biographies, books of poems and plays, either the li- brary should make special purchases, or ask the school department to provide such as are in yearly demand. The total expenditures for books from city appropriation was $2,250.00, and of this amount $265.00 was spent for periodicals. 1,098 new titles were added and 1,372 du- plicates. 435 were gifts, 163 were purchased from invested funds, 57 were acquired by binding. A total of 2,523 books were added during the year and 1,666 withdrawn, making 27,517 books in the library.
Table showing expenditures for books and periodicals from city appropriation for 5 years.
1921
$2,299.73
1922
1,999.86
1923
2,499.98
1924
2,249.39
1925
2,249.17
Still the circulation continues to increase. The largest number of books issued in a single month was in March, when the circulation reached a total of 14,321; the smallest in September, when 8,453 were circulated. New cards were issued to 962 borrowers. The circula- tion for the past ten years, as shown by the following table tells how the Library is reaching out to the people of Attleboro :
1915
71,425
1916
67,197
1917
66,428
1918
68,167
1919
82,272
1920
88,272
1921
119,666
1922
125,748
1923
118,100
1924
123,520
1925
138,824
CIRCULATION BY STATIONS
1924
1925
Gain 10,800
Loss
Central
99,537
110,337
Dodgeville
2,780
2,654
126
Hebronville
5,246
5,006
240
So. Attleboro
5,665
7,141
1,476
Washington
2,900
6,378
3,478
Schools
7,392
7,308
84
Total
123,520
138,824
15,754
450
Total Gain 15,304
We are not priviliged at the close of the year to announce any con- spicious acquisition or recognition, but the year just spent, though arduous, has been of peculiar and individual interest characterized by a concerted effort to intensive work along the various lines rather than do extensive work.
By placing at the command of the adult seekers after knowledge the courses of reading that the American Library Association is pub- lishing, we have declared ourselves in hearty accord with the project of "adult education".
More and more the library has become a civic center. The hall has been used for lectures and classes. During the winter, three Uni- versity Extension courses were held in the library hall. Professor
108
ANNUAL REPORT
Bratcher of Brown University conducted a course on the "Bible". Prof. Copithorne of Massachusetts Institute of Technology gave a course on "Contemporary English Literature" and Prof. Roger Williams of Brown University gave a series on lectures on "Radio" that were very popular to the men. A series of "Current Events" were given by a group of
the clubs. The Attleboro Chapter American Federation of Arts, held two art exhibits. In March, a selection of water colors by Provi- dence artists, which had previously been shown at the annual exhibi- tion of the Providence Water Color Club. With these, were two can- vases by Maurice Fromkes, well known painter of Spanish subjects. Col. H. Anthony Dyer, famous Providence artist, exhibited in October a collection of his recent paintings. In this way a new group of people who have before failed to realize the many ways that the library can serve have been drawn to the library. While this service has added to the lighting and cleaning expense of the institution, it has seemed to be a very wise expenditure, an expenditure looking toward greater usefulness for the library.
The importance of the newspaper as a means of publicity has been realized and through the kind offers of the "Sun" all our activities are advertised in this way; exhibitions, new books, etc.
To meet the demand of the public which seems almost to have be- come picture minded, to satisfy the request for illustrations along the line of education and advertising, the library has more and more de- veloped its picture collection. Mounted pictures have been used in clubs and schools, the commercial artist who is simply after ideas and the newspaper that merely wants to reproduce the print has made many uses of unmounted clippings. To meet these demands the library has circulated 1,558 pictures. Unfortunately the library is able to spend almost no money on this part of its work but has made use of illustra- tions from discarded books and magazine covers. Friends of the li- brary have donated such fine magazins as the National Geographic.
For several years we have tried to establish friendly contact be- tween the library and members of the Americanization classes and eve- ning school pupils of the High School. The annual visit of these groups to the library is made the occasion of an instructive as well as social affairs. All who have not registered are urged to do so.
The girls from the Continuation school visited the library twice during the year, inspecting the building, receiving instruction in the use of the card catalogue and the arrangement of the library and lis- tening to a discussion of worth while books. This piece of work seems very much worth while. This making these people who are our workers or soon to be workers feel that the library is a live institution, is a great privilige.
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