USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1902-1906 > Part 16
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will see to it that all such records have places of honor upon its shelves, and that its doors shall always stand open with a hearty welcome for any contributions, no matter whether great or small in the estimation of the donor. Do not esteem any gift lightly. Every book and pamphlet and memoir is at some time valuable to somebody." Provision will be made during the current year to carry into effect the purpose and injunctions of the donor thus clearly expressed.
Including sums derived from various sources,-endowment, town appropriation, dog-tax, etc.,-the trustees find that they are able to apply a net sum, averaging about $500 per annum, towards the purchase of books. In their judgment this amount should be ample for additions to a library intended to meet the reasonable requirements of a town with a population no larger than that of Lincoln. Rare books, books seldom called for, or books on special subjects, should as a rule not be added to the collection. Scarce imprints, or copies of costly editions, are out of place on the shelves of a town like Lincoln. They are, when there, buried in an out-of-the-way place where no one would think to look for them; it is, so to speak, lighting a candle and putting it under a bushel. Such literary material should be accumulated and kept at centers like Cambridge or Boston, to which students and investigators naturally go. As to books relating to parti- cular subjects, professional or scientific, there is no call for such except from professional men, students or investigators, of whom there are not many in Lincoln; and those few naturally look elsewhere for what they want. If, however, such did look to the Public Library, it would be far cheaper and better for the town to furnish the applicants with transportation to Cambridge or Boston than to buy the books they wish to consult, and add them to a local collection. The most expensive and burdensome additions to modern libraries are thus, in the case of Lincoln, ruled out of considera- tion.
The periodical literature of the day furnishes one of the · most difficult problems with which the trustees of town libraries
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are now called upon to deal. The magazines published, nearly all well illustrated and containing a supply of fair reading matter, are well-nigh innumerable. They almost equal the newspapers. The subscription to a reasonable proportion of these involves no unduly large expenditure; their preser- vation is another matter. This demands not only immediate space, but it implies, also, a possible expansion of shelf capac- ity out of all proportion to what Lincoln, for instance, can afford. The sound rule in this respect, therefore, would seem to be to appropriate a reasonable sum of money each year for periodicals; to place them when received on the desk; to keep them on hand for a fixed time; and afterwards to dispose of them as waste paper, reserving merely one, or, at most, two or three, of the choicest and most valuable for binding, and preservation on the shelves.
The really perplexing problem, however, which always confronts the trustees of every public library not of the first class, is the intelligent and discriminating selection of new publications. The number of these may, without exaggera- tion, now be pronounced infinite. During the last year, for instance, it would appear that, in the United States alone, more than 14,000 books and pamphlets were copyrighted, besides over 21,000 numbers,-weekly or monthly,-of perio- dicals. The limit of the Lincoln Library might fairly and wisely be set at, approximately, 7500 volumes. It would hence follow that the whole shelf capacity of the Tarbell Library building would not hold more than one-half of the new books last year published in the United States alone. It would, on the other hand, be difficult to exaggerate the ephemeral, not to say worthless, nature of the larger part by far of this output. On this interesting topic there is much curious information to be found in the Publishers' Weekly for January 30th, 1904. (No. 1670). That information is, . however, in no way calculated to relieve the trustees of public libraries of their perplexity in the choice of books. "The books of 1903", we are told, "counted up 7865", including new editions of former issues; and it is pronounced as, in a .
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literary way, "not a year of great achievments, although a year of many books. In scarcely any department of literature can a very large number of books be pointed out destined to a long life. The low average of the year was especially notice- able in fiction". Fiction, naturally, led the long procession, with 816 new ventures and 644 new editions of old ventures, or eighteen per cent of the whole. In the total number of books thus "manufactured",-to use the expressive word of the Publishers' Weekly,-Fiction numbered 1960 publications in all, or eighteen per cent of the whole; Education (school- books) came next, (627); and Law (605) was third. But the books recorded as the "best-selling" presented few titles, or names of authors, familiar to the average trustee. For instance, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come and Filigree Ball are as titles otherwise than suggestive of literary permanence. It is not at once apparent what particular niche in the Temple of Fame has been, or should be, assigned to their authors or to them.
Matter of pure manufacture, as a rule, and, in this respect, not greatly differing from cotton cloth or articles of footwear, these volumes appear, are to be found on the counters of the book-shops and news-stands, or in the hands of readers, for a few weeks, or, possibly, months, and then disappear. They are never heard of, nor called for again. For instance, take, in the case of Lincoln, six works of fiction of largest vogue issued during recent years. With their names every reader is familiar, for the editions of each ran into the hundreds of thou- sands,-Robert Elsmere, Richard Carvel, David Harum, Ben Hur, Quo Vadis and Hugh Wynne. For a period, greater or less, each of these works was to be found on every news-stand, and could be seen in the hands of every reader. During the last year (1903) we find that they have been called for at the Lincoln Library as follows :- Richard Carvel, seven times; David Harum, three times; Hugh Wynne, three times; Quo Vadis and Ben Hur, once each; Robert Elsmere, not at all. On the other hand, of the books for which there was the greatest demand at our library during the last twelve months, few would be recognized as
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classics. It would probably be safe to say of the authors of these books, the names of not more than half a dozen have ever even been heard of by any person whose acquaintance with literature is of more than ten years' standing.
In the selection of books to be added to the library, the trustees have been under great obligation to the Committee, male and female, of the town, who have undertaken this delicate work. As a rule, the additions have been judicious. It is, none the less, more than doubtful whether out of the books thus placed on the shelves during the last twelve months one in ten will be called for by a single borrower during the twelve months now entered upon. Catalogued and shelved, they will remain undisturbed for an indefinite future. This fact presents a problem impossible to solve. The demand unquestionably is for new publications, and that demand should be met in a reasonable way; but it is equally unques- tionable that these new publications, having satisfied the curiosity of a limited number of readers, will pass into an early, but complete, oblivion.
There is much printed material for which no provision need be made in the Lincoln Library. This is largely true of public documents, national, state and municipal, especially the first. Indeed, so far as the average library, here or elsewhere, is concerned, the congressional printing plant long since became a bewildering menace. What disposition to make of its accumulating output, of which through the thoughtfulness of congressional representatives public libraries are, and will re- main, the natural and obvious recipients, has become more and more of a problem. Lincoln has not been in this regard exceptional; for, since its commencement, the library has been one of the many receptacles into which the national document-room seemed ordained to empty its accumulation. The material thus received is rarely called for ; and, not in- frequently, the covering for it as mail matter remains perma- nently unbroken. In order to provide room for other kinds of accumulation, though perhaps not in much more active demand, the trustees have this year made a considerable
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clearance, sending back to the proper department at Washing- ton a mass of congressional documents and publications which had accumulated since the library was organized. They amounted to some 1500 or 2000 volumes, in some twenty sacks. The clearance thus effected will furnish a much needed space for several years to come. It would, however, still further meet a growing need could some competent and judicious person be found to weed out of the library a large and miscellaneous collection of what may not unfairly be designated as printed rubbish, still cumbering the shelves. This would probably be found to include four out of five works of fiction, and at least one half of all the other miscellaneous literature, purchased during the last ten years. It has served its purpose; a purpose not the less useful, perhaps, because temporary.
Owing to some defect in the first construction of the Tarbell Library building, there has always been in it a marked ten- dency to seepage, or the accumulation of moisture on the interior walls. This has been destructive as well as annoying; and the building now stands in need of decoration. The work has been deferred until the cause of difficulty could be ascer- tained, and remedied. When designed, one of the architectural features of the building was a number of recesses in the orna- mental brick work immediately under the roof. The trustees were advised that this was not impossibly one considerable contributory cause of the seepage referred to. These inter- stices in the brick-work have, therefore, been filled up, and the accumulation of moisture on the interior walls seems since to have ceased. Whether the remedy has been effective and final, or otherwise, will be apparent during the coming spring. Should the interior remain dry, it would be desirable to have its decoration, now twenty years old, generally renewed. To defray the expense of this work, the trustees would ask for a special appropriation of $500.
During the year, Miss Howes who had been connected with the library as its librarian for many years, and whose services had been most intelligent, as well as efficient, found it neces-
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sary to resign for reasons connected with her health. Her resignation was received with reluctance, and the high estima- tion in which the trustees held her services appears in the record of their meeting of September 10, last :-
"VOTED: To accept the resignation of Miss Huldah A. Howes as Librarian.
"VOTED: That in accepting the foregoing resignation, the following resolutions of the Board, be entered upon the records of the Board, and a copy thereof sent to Miss Howes.
"VOTED: That the Board of Trustees of the Lincoln Library, are unwilling to accept the resignation of Miss Howes, without placing on record their sense of profound regret that circum- stances beyond her or their control should thus compel a severance of relations.
"VOTED: That the Trustees take this occasion to express their appreciation of the fidelity, capacity, and interest in the Institution, uniformly manifested by Miss Howes, since her acceptance of the position of Librarian in the autumn of 1887- a period of fifteen years; as also their sense of loss sustained by the Institution.
"VOTED: That the condition of the Library, the catalogue, and the interior arrangements of the Institution furnish con- clusive evidence of the services rendered the Library by Miss Howes."
Miss Howes has been succeeded by Miss Chapin, who, receiving her training from her predecessor, hitherto has evinced, and will doubtless continue to evince, an equal fidelity in the position to which she has been chosen.
During the year a much needed provision has been made for a weekly distribution of books to applicants in the outlying districts of the town, north and south. Practically, in a town like Lincoln, the necessity of going a mile or more, per- haps over winter roads, in order to take books from the public library, puts a practical interdict upon so doing, especially in the case of children. The arrangement now in force involves but a trifling expenditure of money, and no risk to the books. Until this system was inaugurated those living in the North and
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South part of the town did not enjoy equal advantages so far as the library is concerned, with those living near the Center. It was, in fact, impossible they should. Those of all ages at the Center were able to drop into the library at their con- venience, and there make their own selection of books, as well as examine the periodicals, etc., on the table. They could also consult the works of reference. From all this the dwellers in the outlying districts were debarred. Now, how- ever, using the catalogue, they can call periodically for such books as they desire to get, which are delivered at, or near, their doors. This is at least an equalizing movement, in so far as it goes. The trustees would gladly see the system yet further developed.
The usual report of the Treasurer, and statement of addi- tions to the library, etc., during the past year are appended.
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Report of Highway Surveyor.
The expenditures on account of repairs on highways and bridges have been as follows : Highway Surveyor with team, $650.50 ; unpaid bills for 1902, $373.83; for broken stone bought in April, May and June, $586.40 ; board of horses, $852; for repairs on Great road, $184.25; on roads from Great road to Concord, $50; from Great road to Wayland, near Mr. Brooks, $104; from Mr. J. F. Farrar's to Mr. J. Hunter's, $78.75 ; from Farnsworth's corner to Wayland, 12.25; from Great road to Weston, $12.25; from R. R. Crossing to Wayland, $20; Tower road, $46; from R. R. Station to the Center, $20; in the Center, $74.50; from the Center to Weston, $70.50; from the Center to Lincoln street, Waltham, $113.75; from the Center to State road, $102.83 ; on the Turnpike, $78.75; the Bedford road, $73; Virginia road, $28; the road from State road by Mr. Neville's, $10.50 ; the road from State road to Lexington road by the John P. Taylor Est., $106.75 ; from the Turn- pike to the Lincoln street road by Mr. Page's, $70; for labor, posts and poles for railings, beside roads, $85; for scraping roads, raking and picking stones and cleaning out gutters, $152.50; for gravel, $115.65; cleaning out gravel pits and removing loam, $51.50 ; for stone drag, tools, etc., $34.38; for one double cart, $150; for cart hire, $15.40; blankets and covers, $26.27 ; collars for horses and supplies for teams, $14.15 ; shoeing horses, $56 ; repairs on carts and tools, $25.45 ; lumber, $35.49 ; for veterinary, $5; broken stone bought in November, December and January, $465.02 ; and for teaming same, $105.75 ; making a total of $5,056.37.
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Received for work done by teams outside of Department, $131.37 ; received for 5 1-9 tons broken stone sold, $6.38.
Following is an inventory of property belonging to Highway Department.
Horses, 6.
Shovels, 20.
Harness, 3 sets, double.
Picks, 10.
Blankets, street, 6.
Bars, 3.
Blankets, stable, 4.
Drills, 6.
Covers, 6.
Stone hammer, 1. -
Halters, 6.
Axe, 1.
Carts, double, 3.
Gravel Screen, 1.
Sled, double, 1.
Drain pipe, about 38 ft. 10 in.
One Champion road machine. Lumber, about 1,000 ft.
Stone drag, 1.
Broken stone, 400 ton.
Wagon jack, 1.
Covering stone for culverts. Iron grate, 1.
Feed bags, 6.
DANIEL H. SHERMAN,
Highway Surveyor.
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Report of the Committee on Claims.
To be able to report that the town is at this time a party to no pending litigation, affords the Committee on Claims much satisfaction. The suits specified in the last report of the Committee (Town Book 1902-3, p. 113) have all been adjusted; and, in so far as the Committee is advised, but a single claim against the town on which suit might be brought, is now outstanding; and, in that case, no difficulty in reaching a satisfactory adjustment is apprehended. This gratifying result has at last been reached as the outcome of action taken eight years ago, at the annual town meeting of March 2, 1896. A Committee on Claims was then provided, and its duties and powers defined (Town Book 1896-7, p. 17). That Com- mittee has since been continued from year to year, and has pursued a consistent policy looking to the settlement of all matters of litigation in which the town was concerned, or of claims against it, or on its part, which had not yet found their way into court. Of these there were in 1896 a considerable number, some of them complicated in character, and involving not only large sums of money, but no little ill-feeling. The last of these have within the past year been satisfactorily dis- posed of. This gratifying result has been brought about through the active co-operation of all concerned. The several Boards of Selectmen, the Town Committees and Water Board, the Counsel of the Town have uniformly acted in harmony with the Committee on Claims, and no question has at any time presented itself concerning the disposition of which there was a serious divergence of opinion.
During the year all claims for damages, or other questions, arising out of the location and construction of the "Briggs" road, so-called, from the Trapelo Road, near the house of Mr.
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Storey, to the Waltham Reservoir Boulevard, have been ad- justed, and releases given.
The cases of Francis and Charles S. Smith vs. Town of Lin- coln, for land taken by the Water Board on the West Shore of Sandy Pond, have been settled.
One trifling matter arising out of the taking by the Water Board of a small parcel of land from the holding of Francis Smith as a necessary addition to the site of the Sandy Pond pumping station is not yet disposed of.
Under the vote of the town of March 2, 1896, defining the duties and powers of the Committee on Claims, it was pro- vided that the Committee should "represent the town before the Legislature of the Commonwealth in matters affecting the interests of the town"; and, in so doing, might "employ counsel to appear in the name and behalf of the town," etc. (Town Book 1896-7, p. 17). Several matters of proposed street railway legislation, including extensions of franchise and other private and special enactments all involving the town of Lincoln, were brought before the Legislature of 1902-3. Extended committee hearings upon them were duly notified and held, at which members of the Committee on Claims attended in person, and the town was also represented by counsel. Into the details or result of those hearings it is unnecessary here to enter. As throwing light on the course pursued by the Committee on Claims, in this matter, the fol- lowing letter of instructions to its counsel, for his guidance, is submitted for the information of the town. At the hear- ings referred to, the counsel acted in accordance therewith.
Feb. 3, 1903.
E. Irving Smith, Esq., Boston:
"MY DEAR SIR :- As our counsel representing the town of Lincoln in the pending street railway hearings before both the Legislative Committee on Street Railways and the State Rail- road Commission, the Committee on Claims desire to outline · the general policy which in their judgment should be pursued.
" The attitude of the town of Lincoln, as decided upon in its
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town meeting and through the action of its constituted au- thorities, is well-defined. There is no unreasonable opposi- tion to the extension of proper electric railway facilities in and through the town. It is simply demanded that, in making such extensions and developments, the peculiar territorial position and material conditions of Lincoln should be taken into account. Lincoln is an agricultural and residence town. As such, street railway companies could find no considerable source of revenue in Lincoln proper. There is no house to house street railway business. Accordingly, any lines which enter Lincoln can only do so with a view of going beyond, and reaching large outside centers at which they hope to find what, in street railway parlance, is known as a through, or pleasure, traffic. To accommodate this traffic, and running in competition with other lines and steam railroads, it will be absolutely necessary for the electric railway companies to run their cars through Lincoln at a high rate of speed. Prob- ably at least thirty miles an hour would be desirable. This is obviously incompatible with the safe use of our highways by other forms of conveyance.
" As the town has seen it, therefore, it is for the interest both of its inhabitants and of the street railway companies that the travel should be separated, the railway company operating upon a distinct right of way. Legislation looking to this result has been secured. To this policy, as we understand it, it is desirable strictly to adhere.
" We do not regard it as for the interest of the town that com- peting companies should be struggling for the possession of its territory. They can only desire it with a view to through traffic, and such a competitive conflict would inevitably be disastrous to Lincoln, as introducing the street railway ques- tion into our town politics without compensating advantages. The outcome for us would be what has been witnessed every- where else; that is, a period of forced and demoralizing com- petition followed by a consolidation of interests. The ulti- mate result does not admit of question. Ours would be merely the experience of others. Lines having been constructed
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through the town with regard to competitive effects only, we would ultimately see a consolidation, the system of lines hav- ing been devised not for the public benefit, but for the mutual injury of two competing companies. In the end, there would be duplicated and very expensive and ill-designed system, which would either have to be supported at the public expense, or else drag on an unsatisfactory existence with insufficient equipment and poor service.
" Under these circumstances, it is the wish of the Committee that you should do whatever may be in your power, as coun- sel, to preserve the town from the loss and moral injury inci- dent to being made the battle-ground of competing com- panies; you should, moreover, insist that whatever single company may be allowed rights in the town should be allowed those rights subject to the policy as respects a separate and special right of way above indicated, and the legislation which has been obtained and is now on the statute-book.
" We believe the foregoing instructions are sufficiently ex- plicit. Meanwhile, should you, in the course of the hearings, desire further instructions, you will obtain them from such members of the Commitee on Claims as may then be here. They will always be ready to meet any unforeseen con- tingency."
All of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES F. ADAMS, MOORFIELD STOREY, JULIUS E. EVELETH, Committee on Claims.
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Report of the Board of Health.
The Town is to be congratulated on the entire absence of any of the so-called infectious diseases within its borders during the past year, and we hope with the co-operation of its citizens for a continuance of this remarkable record.
We also wish to thank those of the citizens who have called the attention of the Board to existing nuisances.
S. H. PIERCE. JOSEPH S. HART. S. H. BLODGETT.
Regulations of the Board of Health of the Town of Lincoln.
ADOPTED JUNE 12, 1899.
PROTECTION OF WATER SUPPLY.
1. No person shall drive any horse, cow, or other neat cattle, to or into the waters of any pond in the Town of Lincoln, which is used as a source of public water supply, or place any such animal on or near the shore thereof, for the purpose of permitting such animal to wade in the waters thereof, or to drink therefrom.
2. No person shall permit any cow, horse, or other do- mestic animal, either belonging to him or in his care or charge, to go to or into the waters of any pond in the Town of Lincoln which is used as a source of public water supply, for any purpose whatsoever.
3. No person shall throw, put or discharge into the waters of any pond in the Town of Lincoln used as a source of public water supply, any manure, offal, sewage or refuse or decaying matter.
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4. No person shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, upon the shores of any pond in the Town of Lincoln used as a source of public water supply, between low water mark of such pond and a line measured one rod above the high water mark, any manure, offal, refuse or decaying matter.
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