USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > Part 7
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On September 5, the First National Store near the corner of Pine and Maple Streets was held up by a lone bandit and the Manager robbed of approximately sixty dollars. The man responsible for this act was arrested later in the day, and is now serving a sentence of from nine to twelve years in the State Prison at Charlestown.
With the exception of the above mentioned, I am gratified to report that the city has been free from serious crimes or disturbances.
TRAFFIC
The establishment of a set of Traffic Rules has filled a long felt want in the city. For over two years automobilists parked their cars anywhere they felt like, and let them stay until such time as they came out of the shop or the office, many times automobiles remained parked in the same place all day. Thanks to the legislation adopted by the Municipal Council a set of Traffic Rules was put into effect, and two additional Patrolmen appointed to enforce them.
Considerable difficulty was at first experienced when the Officers began enforcing the new rules, but after a few weeks the operators of automobiles began to see the light, and at the present time it is only on very rare occasions thay they are violated.
For the protection of the school children a Police Officer is stationed at each of the following schools when the children are dismissed at the end of each session, the Village School in South Attleboro, the Lincoln School, the Washington School, the Dodgeville School, the Richardson School, and Sanford Street.
The necessity of having to place a police officer to stop automobiles while small children cross the street after being dismissed from school is a fact to be deplored. The very presence of a child on the street should be enough in itself to make a motorist with any intelligence whatever, slow down or come to a stop if necessary, until the little one has got across in safety. This is not so, however, if a police officer is not present, the majority of operators will proceed without reducing their speed, though the lives of several little ones are endangered.
I have instructed the officers to report to my office the names and license numbers of any persons who operate at a rapid rate of speed past schools while the children are being dismissed, these names will be sent to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles with a recommendation that both licenses and registrations be suspended for a time. I trust that in this way we may be able to put a stop to this reckless operation in the vicinity of the schools.
LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT
The enforcement of the liquor laws has during the year received the careful attention of the members of the department. Each officer has been alert to conditions on his route, with the result that the illicit traffic in liquor is at a low ebb in the city.
The repeal of the "Baby Volstead Act" will make little or no difference in the enforcement of the liquor laws, except in the case of transportation.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
WELFARE WORK
We have as in previous years done considerable welfare work, and followed the same principal of endeavoring to correct juvenile delinquents without Court procedure. With the kind assistance of the local Social Agencies, School Princi- pals, and in nearly all instances the hearty cooperation of the parents, the number of juvenile delinquents in the city is small.
EQUIPMENT
The Motor equipment consists of a Cadillac Patrol Wagon, a Studebaker touring car, three Ford Runabouts, two Indian motorcycles, and one Harley- Davidson motorcycle.
The Ford runabouts have given good satisfaction, they are now almost one year old, and will soon be gone past their usefulness for the work required for them to perform. It will be necessary to trade them in for new ones in the Spring.
The Studebaker touring car is a 1927 model, it has been in use four years by the department and covered more than fifty thousand miles. A new car must be purchased this year as the cost of upkeep would be exorbitant.
The Patrol wagon although twelve years old is still in good condition and can be used for another year. It received a thorough overhauling last Spring and is in good working order.
Two of the motorcycles have been in use two years, I believe it would be sound economy to trade them in for new ones in the Spring.
The equipment carried by the officers is of the most modern type, and in good order. We also have three riot guns ready for use at any time it is necessary to use them.
THE POLICE FORCE
The police force now consists of twenty-six regular men including the Superior Officers. One vacancy exists in the ranks of the Patrolmen, which I hope will be filled as soon as possible. There are also four vacant places on the reserve list. An examination was held about the first of November, and it is expected the results will be known at an early date.
Patrolman Louis J. Fournier was placed on the pension list November 8, 1930.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Again, I recommend the erection or purchase of a suitable building for a police station, with suitable accommodations to house the motor apparatus. With such a building should be installed a Recall Gamewell system with the colored lights attached. This would increase the efficiency of the department so much that it would more than pay for its installation and upkeep.
A system such as I mention is maintained in many cities smaller than ours, and even in some of the larger towns, and as Attleboro is so large in territory, the wisdom of installing a system of this type must be admitted by all.
I recommend the creation of another superior office in the department, either Captain, Lieutenant or Sergeant. This would enable the Chief of Police to designate one of the present Sergeants as night Sergeant, whose duties would be to look after the conduct of the officers on patrol at night and report daily to Headquarters.
93
ANNUAL REPORT
To the other duties of the Chief of Police has been added that of Traffic Authority. A considerable amount of time and work must be put in by that official in addition to the many other duties in the supervision of the department. I trust that your Honorable Board will take this matter into consideration when regulating salaries for the coming year, and make the salary of the Chief at least $3,000.00 which is then a lower amount than is paid in other cities and towns of similar size.
APPRECIATION
I take this opportunity to thank the Superior Officers and members of the department for their loyalty and cooperation during the year. The measure of success we have achieved is due in a large measure to the faithful attention of the Superior Officers and members of the rank and file to their duties. It would be a difficult task to single out any particular one for especial mention, each rendered splendid service and I take this opportunity to commend them for it.
CONCLUSION
I desire to thank the Honorable Fred E. Briggs and members of the Municipal Council, Judge Ralph C. Estes and the Associate Justices of the Fourth District Court, Clerk Edwin F. Thayer and Probation Officer John H. Nerney; also Court employees, newspaper men and all others who in any way assisted the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
TERENCE E. FLANAGAN, Chief of Police.
IN MEMORIAM
It is with the deepest feelings of regret that I chronicle the death of Patrolman Arthur F. Gaffney. Patrolman Gaffney was appointed to the Police Force on May 9, 1900, and served the city until he was pensioned on May 8, 1928. He was an able and efficient officer respected and admired by all who knew him. His death occurred June 8, 1930.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
ARRESTS FOR THE YEAR 1930
Male
Female
Total
Assault.
1
0
1
Assault and Battery
18
1
19
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
3
0
3
Assault to Rape
1
0
1
Bastardy
3
0
3
Breaking and Entering.
5
0
5
City Ordinance, Violation of .
26
0
26
Counterfeiting
1
1
2
Cruelty to Animals
1
0
1
Delinquency
12
0
12
Disorderly House, Keeping a,
1
0
1
Disturbance
10
3
13
Drunkenness.
113
0
113
Escaped Inmate from State Hospital.
1
0
1
Failing to Send Child to School.
1
1
2
Forgery .
1
0
1
Fireworks, Illegal sale of,
2
0
2
Fish and Game Laws, Violation of,
1
0
1
Fraudulent Check, Drawing a,
1
0
1
Fugitive from Justice
1
0
1
Habitual Truant .
1
0
1
Indecent Exposure.
1
0
1
Inciting Perjury
1
0
1
Keeping Unlicensed Dog
22
1
23
Larceny
24
0
24
Larceny, Attempt at,
1
0
1
Larceny of Automobile.
6
0
6
Leased Property, Removing of,
1
0
1
License, Peddling without a,
1
0
1
Liquor, Illegal Keeping of,.
12
1
13
Liquor, Illegal Manufacture of,
4
0
4
Liquor, Illegal Sale of,
9
0
9
Malicious Mischief
9
0
9
Motor Vehicle Laws, Violation of,
132
3
135
Neglect to Provide
31
0
31
Neglected Children
9
6
15
Present at Gaming
2
0
2
Probation, Violation of.
7
0
7
Pure Food Laws, Violation of.
2
0
2
Revolver, Carrying without permit,
5
0
5
Robbery.
7
0
7
Statutory Rape.
1
0
1
Stubborn Child .
1
2
3
Tramp.
21
0
21
Trespass.
1
0
1
Unnaturalized Alien, Having firearms in possession
1
0
1
Weekly Payment Law, Violation of,
1
0
1
517
21
538
1
2
3
Liquor, Illegal Transportation of,.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS CASES RECEIVING POLICE ATTENTION
Accidents reported and investigated. 228
Articles found by Patrolmen and returned to owner 52
Automobiles reported stolen in other cities. 364
Automobiles reported stolen in other cities and recovered here 15
Automobiles stolen in Attleboro and recovered. 3
Defective Hydrants reported . 4
Defects in streets and sidewalks reported by Patrolmen 45
Doors found open by Patrolmen and secured. 152
Dogs killed by Patrolmen.
27
Fire alarms sounded by Patrolmen 9
Insane patients committed 15
Larcenies reported and investigated. 167
Lost children found and returned to parents.
24
Missing persons located . 12
Miscellaneous reports. 382
Persons carried to Hospital in Ambulance 84
Persons arrested for other cities 16
Persons bitten by dog. 11
Reports of malicious mischief 47
Street lights reported out by Patrolmen 157
Wires reported down. 28
96
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joseph L. Sweet
Term Expires 1931 Mrs. Caroline S. Holden Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Term Expires 1932
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King
Edwin F. Leach
Term Expires 1933
Miss Edith Claflin Raymond M. Horton Mrs. Winthrop F. Barden
OFFICERS
Joseph L. Sweet.
President
Edwin F. Leach. Secretary
Raymond M. Horton
Treasurer
COMMITTEE
The President, Mr. Horton, Mrs. Barden, Mr. King Administration
The President, Mr. Leach, Dr. Murphy. . Building and Property The President, Miss Claflin, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Holden, Mrs. Barden. . . Books
STAFF
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer Librarian
Dorothy I. Hannaford.
Senior Assistant
Segrid Lindbeck.
Junior Assistant
Elizabeth Peckham
Junior Assistant
Angela Bowen Assistant in Charge of Children's Room
Evelyn Hoecke
Extra Assistant
PART TIME ASSISTANTS
(Mrs.) Aravesta H. Paul
* Annie Holther
(Mrs.) Mary H. Fisher
*Helen Keena
(Mrs.) Jennie L. Sturdy
*Frances Keena Hope Bosworth
(Mrs.) Dorothy Robinson
Miriam Bowen
Jean Walsh
*Celia Lindsay
*Helga Anderson Muriel Hodson
*Marjorie Rhodes
*Resigned
JANITOR William P. Barrett
97
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Attleboro, Gentlemen :
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report of the year ending Dec. 31, 1930.
It has been a satisfactory year in the library. The total circulation for the year was 133,472 books, larger than the previous year by 3,027. Volumes in the library are 32,540.
The work has gone along smoothly under the efficient management of our Librarian. The demand for more books continues and there is need of more duplicates of the popular editions. We hope to be in a better position later to take care of these requests.
We have held meetings of the Trustees, with the Librarian present each month, excepting during Summer vacation. The meetings have been well attended, and every effort has been made to give the best possible library service with the funds at our disposal. We regret that our President, J. L. Sweet, has been unable this year to attend on account of ill health.
We have submitted to you our budget for expenses for the year 1931, amount - ing to $18,217. Last year our total expenditures were $17,015.75. The library collected in fines $931.00 during the year which has been turned back to the City.
Attached is our Treasurer's annual report of invested funds, also amount received and expended from City appropriation and the report of the Librarian will give you an idea of the accomplishments of the past year.
The gifts of books from friends of the library received during the year have helped to a great extent and we wish to express our thanks, and also to others who have assisted the library in other ways.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. SWEET, President, MRS. CAROLINE S. HOLDEN, MISS EDITH CLAFLIN, MRS. ELEANOR S. CARPENTER, DR. FREDERICK V. MURPHY, MRS. WINTHROP F. BARDEN,
RAYMOND M. HORTON, EDWIN F. LEACH.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Receipts
City of Attleboro
$17,015.91
Expenditures
Salaries and Wages. $10,244.66
Other Expenses
Books. $ 2,452.48
Fuel.
446.45
98
ANNUAL REPORT
Light .:!:
661.80
Phone.
:42.29
Building and Grounds
1,004.70
Bindery .
924.43
Dodgeville.
13.95
Hebronville
90.34
South Attleboro'.
192.93
Washington
59.20
Printing. .
87.70
Postage ..
29:68
Trucking and Express.
38.67
Insurance,
190.50
Carfare:
23.55
Securing information.
14.01
Incidentals.
498.41
$ 6,771.09
$17,015.75
Unexpended Balance
.16
TREASURER'S REPORT OF INVESTED FUNDS
December 31, 1930
Organ Recital Fund-
Book No. 118 Attle. Trust Co. 12/31/29.
$ 774.61
Interest 12/1/30
31.28
$ 805.89
Letitia F. Allen Fund-
Book No. 3682 Attle. Trust Co. 12/31/29
890.43
Interest 12/1/30
35.96
926.39
Wm. R. Cobb Fund- Book No. 36652 Attle. Savings Bank
5,000.00
E. H. Horton Fund-
No. 2806 2 shares Attle. Savings & Loan
1,000.00
E. H. Bliss Fund-
Bellows Falls Hydro Elec. Bond 5% No. N3654 ...
1,000.00
D. H. Smith Fund-
Bond Inv. Trust No. 81
5,200.00
Edwin F. Leach Fund-
No. 38667 Attle. Savings Nank 12/31/29
1,328.36
Interest 10/1/30.
34.03
1,395.59
J. L. Sweet Fund-
No. 38666 Attle. Savings Bank 12/31/29.
1,328.36
Interest 4/1/30
33.20
Interest 10/1/30
34.03
1,395.59
Sarah F. Briggs Fund-
No. 41127 Attle. Savings Bank 12/31/29
619.33
Interest 4/1/30
15.48
Interest 10/1/31.
15.85
650.66
99
ANNUAL REPORT
Women's Library Aid-
No. 4047 Attle. Savings Bank 12/31/29:
354.56
Interest 4/1/30.
8.85
Interest 10/1/30.
9.08
372.49
E. H. Horton Reserve-
No. 34696 Attle. Savings Bank 12/31/29.
1,740.61
Interest 4/1/30
43.09
Interest 10/1/30
44.58
Deposit Oct./30
100.00
1,928.28
Balance Dec. 31, 1930. .$19,674.89
Balance Dec. 31, 1929.
19,236.26
Gain for year 1930.
$ 438.63
LIBRARY ACCOUNT, 1930
Disbursements
Jan. 4-Sun Publishing Co
4.50
No. Attle. Chronicle.
3.00
Evelyn Hoecke (Special Work)
13.60
R. L. James Book Shop. 36.67
R. L. James Book Shop
39.34
Apr. 21-Attle. Steam & Elec. Co. .88
A. C. McClurg Co .- Books
7.00
E. L. Palmer 8.70
Pope & Read.
20.10
Woodlawn Coal Co. (So. Attle. Branch)
35.00
June 26-Harris Forbes & Co.
Purchase of 1 bond, Bellows Falls Hydro Elec. Cl. at $99.50 and interest
1,006.67
Aug. 11-L. H. Cooper-Newspapers.
45.35
Transfer to E. H. Horton, Reserve Fund . 100.00
Oct. 8-R. L. James Book Shop 4.05
Chas. W. Clark Co. 29.16
Library Book House. 33.40
Dec. 1-L. H. Cooper Co .- Magazines for 1931. 247.54
3-Frank B. Eldridge-Stamp Catalogue.
2.00
Jas. Middleton-Books 3.14
Library Book House.
24.77
Russell Sage Foundation
1.13
Sampson Murdock-Directory
6.00
Chas. W. Clark Co .. 3.95
R. L. James Book Co.
2.55
$1,678.50
100
ANNUAL REPORT
Receipts
Jan. 1-Cash in Attle. Trust Co. $ 202.42
Apr. 17-Dividend Attle. Savings Bank $ 125.00 W. R. Cobb Fund Dividend Attle. S. & Loan. 27.50 E. H. Horton Fund
June 1-Div. Bond, Invt. Trust of Amer. 130.00
J. H. Smith Fund
Coupon Winter Bros. Bond. 35.00 E. H. Bliss Fund
Proceeds of sale of Winter Bros. 1,000.00 Bond Called
Aug. 6-Div. Attle. S. & Loan. 27.50
E. H. Horton Fund
Oct. 2-Coupon, Bellows Falls Hydro Elec.
Co. Bond, E. H. Bliss Fund .. . . 25.00
Oct 21-Div. Attle. Savings Bank.
125.00
W. R. Cobb Fund
Dec. 2-Div. Bond-Inv't Trust of Amer.
130.00
D. H. Smith Fund
1,625.00
1,827.42
$1,827.42 Receipts 1,678. 50 Less Disbursements
$ 148.92 Balance 1/1/31
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
The year 1930 has been a year characterized by steady, purposeful activity on the part of the Public Library. No unusual projects for expansion have been worked out, but the time and efforts of the staff have been spent on an intensive use of available resources.
Considerable weeding of out-of-date material has been done, especially in the non-fiction collection but the lack of funds for replacements in the fiction collection has made it necessary to retain hundreds of volumes of shabby and soiled books in order to partially meet the demand for various types of story. As a matter of future salvaging, the special recasing work done in 1928 was undertaken again, and some 800 books in both the adult and children's collections were reinforced to give longer wear.
When it is understood that the total book stock to date represents but 32,549 volumes (inclusive of bound periodicals and purely reference material) and that the year 1920-1930 have shown a circulation of 1,400,753 volumes the stock turnover is seen to be high and the cost to the city of $155,533, modest. The circulation for the year is 133,473, a gain of 3,027 over 1929. Taking the new census figures of 21,276 (population) as a basis, the percapita circulation is 6.6+ volumes. As in the past the library has been the grateful recipient of gifts of books and periodicals. This year the number of gifts represented over one-third of the new titles added. By means of these gifts and through the courtesy of other Libraries in lending special books, material was supplied to
101
ANNUAL REPORT
Attleboro people, that otherwise would not have been available. The library greatly appreciates this generosity on the part of individuals and organizations.
Reports of previous years have stressed the need of building up the book collection particularly as regards up-to-date reference material and books in foreign languages. Some progress was made in this respect during 1930, but much remain to be done, with special attention to be given to the sections on technology and history. There is a most urgent need for a revision of the fiction collection with more duplication of standard titles and the addition of a greater number of current titles.
In regard to the building proper, very few repairs were necessary, with the exception of some work on the boiler, the cleaning and redecoration of the walls in the Children's Room and the placing of glass doors on one of the references cases in order to better protect valuable and rare books.
The library has been fortunate in having but few staff changes. Miss Bowen was promoted to Children's Librarian, after full time attendance at the Summer Session at Simmons College. Some slight changes were effected in the personnel of the branches and the part-time staff. The library has profited by serving as the field for apprentice work of two students from Simmons College, one of whom was doing graduate work. Each visitor spent two weeks, without pay, at the library in observation and practice work, and aside from aid given in the accomplishment of definite tasks, brought new interests and ideals to local staff members. During the summer the Librarian gave a course of lectures in reference work, at the Library Summer School held at the University of New Hampshire. Various members of the staff have, largely at their own expense, attended meetings of state and district library organizations. The loyalty and intelligent efforts of the library staff are to be commended.
Staff meetings have been held more frequently than in past years, and aside from special discussions and reports, considerable attention has been given to the matter of book selection for the teen age. Assistants have been urged to give especial help to boys and girls who have just been transferred from the juvenile to the adult department. These boys and girls are somewhat overwhelmed by the size and unfamiliar appearance of the adult collection and they need help in choosing their books-books which bear no taint of "required reading", yet which are interesting and vital instead of consisting of that vapid stuff that en- courages the following of the line of the least resistance. One means of suggesting interesting, enjoyable books was worked out with the cooperation of the High School librarian. An attractive booklist, entitled Legacies, printed to conform with the High School Annual, was presented to each member of the graduating class. In this way the library hoped to introduce itself to the graduates, as a place where one might find personal enjoyment, now that book reports were a thing of the past.
An annual report is much in the nature of stock taking; it gives an organiza- tion the opportunity of making an inventory of accomplishments and failures. It also provides a time for looking into the future.
Libraries have been so accustomed to a hand-to-mouth existence that little thought has been given to anything beyond the minimum needs of the immediate present. Some far-seeing libraries are realizing that it might be possible to reduce the number of short-comings in library practice is more attention were given to more far reaching plans. In place of a brief one year program, might it not be wise to consider the library from a standpoint of a ten or even a five year plan of accomplishment? With reference to the three chief components of library organization, the staff, the book-collection, and the building, such a plan might well repay the thought and money involved, in the realization of the vision of greater usefulness to the community.
For the time, the counsel and the cooperation given by the Board of Trustees toward the solving of library problems, I express my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH LUCILE PALMER, Librarian.
-102
ANNUAL REPORT
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Attleboro Public Library
Free for lending and reference
Agencies:
Central Library Branches (Sub-branches)
4
Deposits (Schools)
.4
Deposits.
4
Hours of Opening-Central Library 10 A. M .- 9 P. M. Sundays and Holidays Excepted
Open Sundays-October-May 3-6 P. M.
Number of Volumes at Beginning of Year
32,549
Number of Volumes Added by Purchase
1,485
Number of Volumes Added by Gifts.
664
Number of Volumes Lost and Withdrawn
862
Replacements and Duplicates.
796
Number of Volumes Lent for Home Use-
Adult.
85,198
Juvenile 48,274
Total
133,472
-
Number of Periodicals and Newspapers Currently received, 165.
Number of New Borrowers Registered, 1066, Central Library.
CIRCULATION BY CLASSES, 1930
Adult
N. Fiction
Fiction
Total
Central
18,573
58,069
76,642
Dodgeville.
127
650
777
Hebronville.
123
1,852
1,975
South Attleboro
95
2,746
2,841
Washington
287
2,676
2,963
Total.
19,205
65,993
85,198
Juvenile
N. Fiction
Fiction
Total
C. Room.
11,408
12,358
23,766
Dodgeville
1,287
1,103
2,390
Hebronville
1,898
2,002
3,900
South Attleboro
966
1,455
2,421
Washington
4,363
5,674
10,037
Schools
2,248
3,512
5,760
Total
22,170
26,104
48,274
N. Fiction
Fiction
Total
Adult.
19,205
65,993
85,198
Juvenile
22,170
26,104
48,274
Total
. 41,375
92,097
133,472
103
ANNUAL REPORT
Dec. 30, 1930.
To His Honor The Mayor,
Dear Sir:
In submitting the Library Budget for the year 1931, your Trustees have followed out the suggestions and figures submitted and talked over at the joint meeting held on the evening of December 11th.
The item of salaries for the Librarian and Janitor remain the same as last year. The amount asked for Clerical help is $6,677.00, a matter of $21.00 less than last year.
By apportioning this amount, we are enabled to increase salaries when necessary, and at the same time keep the present staff at its present efficiency.
In the other divisions of the budget the only real increase is the item for books, which is increased from $2,250.00 to $3,000.00.
This item was discussed at length at the meeting, and we think you under- stand fully the reason for this increase.
The other items are practically the same as for 1930, with the exception of an increase of $100.00 for lighting, $30.00 for insurance, $300.00 for supplies.
In regard to lighting, your Trustees are having a survey made of the entire lighting system, with the intention of submitting (at some future date) a plan that will materially reduce the cost (to the city) of lighting the building.
Now, as in the past, your Trustees have prepared this budget with the sole intention of supplying your citizens with the best possible service at a mini- mum cost to the city. We realize fully that expenses must be kept at the lowest figure possible and have asked for an increase only where it is deemed necessary in order to keep the public well satisfied.
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