USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1923 > Part 6
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All of which is respectfully submitted,
JOSEPHUS SAMPSON, Inspector of Animals ..
118
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES of the THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Braintree:
The Trustess of Thayer Public Library have the honor "to submit their report for the year 1923, incorporating the „ statements of the Treasurer and the Librarian.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. AVERY, JOHN W. HARDING, Secretary and Treasurer,
HERBERT F. KNEELAND,
AMY C. MANNING
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH
"1-22-24
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS, 1923
*Number of books in the library 21,677
*Number of books added during 1923 416
Number of books circulated during 1923 30,602
Number of books circulated in East Braintree 3,746
Largest daily circulation Dec. 1, 1923 257
Average circulation 99.1+
Percent of fiction circulation 56.6+
Total number of days 294
Number of borrowers
3,213
Number of borrowers in East Braintree.
609
-* This includes bound magazines
119
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Periodicals
:
The library receives regularly the periodicals on the "following list.
America
American City
American Cookery
American Magazine
American Poultry Journal
Antiques
Arts and Decoration
Asia
Atlantic Monthly
Bird Lore
Booklist
Book Review Digest
Bookman
Braintree Citizen
Braintree Observer
Bulletin of Bibliography
Carnegie Pittsburg Bulletin
Catholic World
Century
Collier's Magazine
Country Life
Cumulative Book Index
Current Events
Current Opinion
Delineator
Dial
Education
Etude
Everybody's
Forum
Garden Magazine Good Housekeeping Harper's Monthly
12
House Beautiful Illustrated London News Ladies' Home Journal Library Journal Life Literary Digest
Literary Review (N.Y.Post) Living Age London Punch
McClure's Magazine
Modern Priscilla Musician National Geographic Magazine New Republic
New York Times Book Review
New York Times Current History
Nineteenth Century and after
North American Review
Outlook
Pictorial Review
Popular Mechanics
Popular Radio
Public Science Monthly
Public Libraries
Publisher's Weekly
Readers'Guide to Periodical Literature
Review of Reviews, American St. Nicholas Science and Invention
Scientfic American Scientific American Monthly Scribner's Magazine
Survey System Time Woman Citizen Woman's Home Companion World's Work
121
Yale Review Youth's Companion
·
TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
John W. Harding, Treasurer. Treasurer's Report for the Year ending December 31, 1923.
Receipts:
Cash on Deposit, January 1, 1923 .
$831.43
From Town Treasurer, Appropriations
2,750.00
Fines, Lost Books, etc. . 199.27
1
Interest on Bank Balances .
19.45
Income from Foundation Fund
484.35
Income from Caleb Stetson Fund
128.75
Income from Rachael R. Thayer Fund.
7.74
$4,420.99
Expenditures:
Salaries
$1,983.00
Coal.
785.60
Binding
218.40
Insurance .
214.61
Repairs to Building
73.15
Transporting Books
45.00
Electric Light
79.30
Water
6.00
Supplies
16.98
Rent of Safe Deposit Box
10.00
Printing, Postage, Stationery, etc.
50.00
Miscellaneous .
33.65
Librarian's Expenses .
182.82
Cash in Hands of Librarian
16.45
Cash on Deposit, December 31, 1923.
705.73
$4,420.99
-
122
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOUNDATION FUND
Principal Acount :
$7,500 Fourth Liberty Loan
Bonds 414% (at cost) . $6,479.09
750 Town of Braintree Notes
4% due 1924 . 750.00
700 U. S. Treasury Certifi-
cates 534%
700.00
Weymouth Savings Bank
2,070.91
$10,000.00
Income Account:
Income for 1923 . $484.35
Paid Trustees Thayer Public
Library
$484.35
$484.35
$484.35
CALEB STETSON FUND
Principal Account:
$1,000 U. S. Treasury Cer-
tificate 534% . $1,000.00
Braintree Savings Bank
1,500.00
$2, 500.00
Income Account:
Income for 1923 . 128.75
Paid Trustees of Thayer Public Library 128.75
$128.75
$128.75
123
RACHAEL R. THAYER FUND
Principal Account:
Home Savings Bank, Boston 172.50
Income Account:
Income for 1923 7.74
Paid Trustees of
Public Library
7.74
7.74 7.74
We have examined the account of John W. Harding, Treasurer of the Trustees of Thayer Public Library and find it correct with all bills and receipts properly vouchered and balance of $705.73 in State Street Trust Co., Decem- ber 31, 1923. We have also examined the assets and in- come of the Foundation Fund, the Caleb Stetson Fund and the Rachael R. Thayer Fund, which we find correct.
RALPH W. ARNOLD,
PAUL MONAGHAN,
CHARLES H. TOBEY, Auditors for 1923.
NATHANIEL H. HUNT LEGACY INCOME ACCOUNT
John W. Harding, Treasurer.
Income:
Cash on Deposit January 1, 1923 $578.29
Income received for year 1923 1,050.94
Interest on bank balances 7.40
$1,636.63
124
Expenditures:
Books. 824.23:
Magazines and Papers
228.79
Cash on Deposit, December 31, 1923 583.61
$1,636.63
We have examined the account of John W. Harding, . Treasurer, showing income and receipts of Nathaniel H. Hunt Legacy Income Account and find it correct and proper- .. ly vouchered. Balance on hand December 31, 1923 in State Street Trust Co., $583.61.
RALPH W. ARNOLD, PAUL MONAGHAN, CHARLES H. TOBEY, Auditors for 1923.
125
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1920.
· Outstanding January 1, 1923,
per detailed list.
$663.02
Collections
January 1, 1923,
to Dec. 31, 1923.
$296.08
Abatements January 1,
1923
to Dec. 31, 1923
366.94
$663.02
$663.02
1921.
· Outstanding January 1, 1923, per detailed list. $29,457.23
· Collections
January 1, 1923
to Dec. 31, 1923
$27,740.04
Abatements January 1,
1923
to Dec. 31, 1923.
1,717:19
$29,457.23
$29,457.23
1922.
Outstanding January 1, 1923, per detailed list.
$159, 500.59
Collections
January 1, 1923
to Dec. 31, 1923.
$129,432.77
Abatements January 1, 1923
to Dec. 31, 1923.
1,221.44
« Outstanding
Dec. 31, 1923
per detailed list.
28,846.38
$159,500.59
$159,500.59
126
1923.
Commitment of Taxes. $400,016.57" Commitment of Moth Assess- ment. 1,246.65
Commitment of Poll Taxes . . .
16,375.00
Supplementary Commitment of Taxes. 221.76
Collections March, 1923 to Dec. 31, 1923
$308,352.85
Abatements
March, 1923
to
Dec. 31, 1923
2,897.02
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1923 as
per detailed list .
106,610.11
$417,859.98 $417,859.98 Respectfully submitted, WALTER N. MCKEAN, Collector of Taxes.
We have examined the above statements and find that . they agree with the Accountant's books and that the above - amounts have been turned in to the Town Treasurer, and. are a correct reproduction of the Collector's books.
RALPH W. ARNOLD, PAUL MONAGHAN, CHARLESH. TOBEY, Auditors, 1923.
January 28, 1924.
127
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Braintree, Mass., January 1, 1924; To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Dear Sirs:
I herewith submit the report of the Police Department. for the year of 1923.
The whole number of arrests were. 190
Residents . 108
Non-residents 82
184
Female.
6
The causes of arrests were as follows:
Assault and Battery 14
2
Carrying loaded revolver
2:
Disturbing the peace
5
Disturbance in a public place
6
Drunkenness .
90
Failing to confine dog
1
Gambling nuisance .
2
Idle and disorderly
3
Larceny
7
Malicious injury to property
1
Neglect of family .
4
Suspicious persons .
4
Threats
2
Trespass .
4
Unlawful sale of property
2
Violation Auto Laws:
Driving under the influence of Liquor
14
Driving without License.
5
Failng to make self known after accident
. 2
Failing to stop for Uniformed Officer 6
Driving without proper lights
Overspeeding .
1
Violation of Liquor Laws
6
Violation of Probation . 4.,
I
Violation of Town by-laws
JEREMIAH F. GALIVAN, Chief.
Male
Breaking and Entering .
128
Recommendation
I recommend that the regular force be increased by three (3) additional men. The Town is growing every year and the Police force must be enlarged to take care of the demands that are being made upon it. We have arrived at the time when we need day patrolmen, who can also take care o^ the traffic situation in each section of the town.
I recommend that the salary of officers be increased $225.00 for each man.
I also recommend that police cell room be enlarged as soon as possible as we are unable to take care of only a limited number of prisoners at the present time.
I recommend that the Town vote to place the regular police force under Civil Service
JEREMIAH F. GALLIVAN, Chief.
129
REPORT OF THE WELFARE WORKER To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Overseers of the! Poor of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the annual report of" the welfare work for the year ending December 31,7 1923 ..
Number of families visited
83
Calls made 741
Divided as follows:
Overseers 55
Persons involved 168
Calls made 291
Families now aided
21
Mothers'Aid ..
17
Persons involved
85
Calls made . 344
Families now aided 12
Military Aid . 11
Families aided
11
Calls made
32
Now being aided
0
Forty-four visits were made to provide hospital care» and medical attention to twenty-one persons.
We wish to acknowledge the co-operation[of the F. A.A., various societies and individuals who have rendered valuable assistance in many problems for the care of families by giving- personal service, food and clothing.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. CAREY,
Social Worker ..
130
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1922 to Dec. 31, 1923
Printed by Order of the Town
B.
OF
R.
NMOL
E
1640
TS
SI
Printed by H. W. BAILEY & COMPANY SOUTH BRAINTREE, MASS.
1924
132
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Henry D. Higgins, 490 Washington Street; Braintree .. Mr. Ralph B. Woodsum 45 Holliss Avenue, Braintree .. Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, 75 Tremont+Street; . South Braintree .. Dr. Franklin H. Merriam, 1000 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, 110 Front' Street ;. East" Braintree. Mr. C. Frederick Tarbox, 27 Willard Street; East Braintree ...
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ..
C. Edward Fisher, 26 Frederick Road, South. Braintree .. Office Telephone 0782.
OFFICE HOURS.
On school days- Monday and Wednesday, eight:to nine a.m .. Tuesday and Thursday, four to five p.m.
CLERK Emily Erickson, 766 Washington Street, South Braintree ..
OFFICE HOURS. Eight to twelve, one to five, on days when schools are in session. On Saturdays, nine to twelve.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Second Monday evening of each month at eight o'clock in: the Town House, Washington Street, South Braintree.
133
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
January 2, 1924.
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree:
This Committee is pleased with the progress being made in the school system, but wishes to make still further pro- gress along lines which are common practice in modern school systems, which lines tend to promote better physical conditions of the children of today and the citizens of to- morrow, as well as mental training to develope sane and sound logical thinking based on knowledge and understand- ing. Much of the knowledge and understanding may be secured from books, and the larger the variety of the material which we may have to place in the hands of the school chil- dren for study and reference, the better the work which can be done, because of a greater degree of interest and attention on the part of the children.
During the past year continued attention has been given to the physical condition of our school plant, our ob- ject being to maintain by constantly keeping after the little things rather than through neglect and over-sight allowing them to grow. "A stitch in time saves nine." As far as funds will allow, this policy has been supplemented by im- provements such as electric lights in the Pond School, the Penniman School, and completing the installation of lights in the Abraham Lincoln School. It is hoped that this year . appropriations may be sufficient to allow of further improve- ments, by completing of facilities for providing artificial light in all school rooms in the town. Only three of the larger buildings are now not completely provided for artifi- .cial lighting: namely, High School, Jonas Perkins School, sand Noah Torrey School.
134
With the building of the new school in East Braintree, two portable buildings were released for other use and these were placed on the High School grounds for the use of High School classes, and even with this increase in the number of rooms (three) available for High School use, it has been found necessary to have one class conducted after the regular High School hour for closing, namely, two o'clock. Even the purchase of nine additional typewriters last fall could not eliminate this necessity.
Three factors and only three influenced the Committee in the location of these portables on the High School grounds: first, convenience in passing to and from the main building by the students which is necessary; second, shelter for the portables to insure comfortable temperature for the rooms; third, effective lighting of the rooms.
We regret the 'necessity of using these portables, but- feel that it will be necessary to have still further increase in facilities if other even less desirable conditions in our High School are to be avoided, and we, therefore, recommend favorable action at the next annual Town Meeting for the building of a new High School. This recommendation is- made fully as much to provide an increase of facilities for the grades in the west side of the Town which is needed, as for the High School. The east side of the Town is now well cared for with the opening of the Thomas A. Watson School. which was occupied by the children, January 2, 1924, but the west side needs more rooms. If a new High School is provided the present High School building (Monatiquot School) is so located as to conveniently accommodate a large number of grade children who are now attending the Hollis, Pond, and Noah Torrey buildings, thus relieving conditions in those buildings, and at the same time creating a condition such that a great majority, if not all of the 350 children, who because of their residence being nearer the Monatiquot building than any other building, would attend there and have to walk a shorter distance than they now do in order to attend school.
135
This Committee feels that some foresight should be exercised tending to anticipate future conditions due to the inevitable growth of the Town as time passes We believe it is good sound business and a policy of economy to increase the area about some of our present school buildings, and to secure additional school sites now, in order that in the future when additions to buildings are made or new buildings erected there will be adequate play ground facilities without the inflation of values due to a municipal purchase from neces- sity, or the taking by eminent domain.
We wish to have the best possible school system, but recognize the fact that it is impossible to exceed the desires of a majority of the citizens of the community. We con- sider the cost and regret the increase, but feel that the best possible use is made of every dollar you give us. The diffi- culty which is experienced in appreciating the return from the investment is that the return is not immediate. It is a long time in yielding a return, in fact a whole generation, and the return is a healthier, wiser, and more efficiently and effectively managed and conducted community in which to dwell: a more desirable community in every respect in which to pass one's time here on earth; these are the dividends which the investment yields.
Much of the time, energy, and planning in this depart- ment has been fundamentally basic, and not perhaps alto- gether always in evidence, but we feel that now there is beginning to appear some evidence that our labors are bearing fruit and if we may retain your confidence for a while, we are sure that satisfactory evidence will be apparent as to the wisdom of our actions.
136
A most delightful event took place on April 11, 1923 when our High School was presented with a large silk flag and standard by the retiring President of the Massachusetts Women's Relief Corps at their Camp Fire held at the Shawmut Church in Boston. The retiring President, Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, senior member of this Committee, was responsible for this gift which was accepted by the president of the class of 1923, and the Chairman of the Committee. During the evening several selections were creditably rendered by the High School Orchestra. The flag has been placed in a case situated in the lower corridor of the High School, and will long be cherished and always honored.
At this time we wish to express our appreciation for the co-operation of the Superintendent and the efficient manner in which our schools have been managed by him for the past year. 1
We feel that two more years of progress equal to the two years just passed will find the School Department in a condition to produce a maximum amount of results at a minimum cost per pupil.
Respectfully, submitted, HENRY D. HIGGINS, ALIDA N. STEVENS, FRANKLIN H. MERRIAM, C. FREDERICK TARBOX, CARRIE F. LORING, RALPH B. WOODSUM,
School Committee.
137
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
January 2, 1924.
To the School Committee:
I wish to present the Superintendent of School's report, for the year 1923 with the usual other reports in this depart- ment.
During the first few months of the year our attendance records were extremely poor, due to severe weather cond- ditions and children's diseases. Conditions are now very much improved in connection with the health work. Three school physicians have been appointed by this department and physical examinations are made and recorded of every child. These physical record cards will pass along from grade to grade with the child, and as time goes on these cards are sure to be of value in suggesting desirable treatments both curative and corrective. We have adopted a series of books on health and hygiene for grade five, six, seven, and eight, and a sufficient number was purchased so that every child in town in these respective grades regardless of what building he is attending has the same kind of a book. This practice of uniformity in text books will lead to a more exact course of study and more definite, exact, and uniform instruction by teachers. This, too, will mean more satis- factory conditions and results to the public, to the children, and also to the teacher. It will make possible effective and more valuable supervision. This policy of uniformity in text books with all the various effects which must ultimately follow as necessary consequences, has been applied in the last year and a half to the school work of the following sub- ects in addition to the one just mentioned: arithmetic, geography, history, grammar, and penmanship. I hope that the year 1924 may see this policy applied and completed in all the work of our schools, for then and then only, can the superintendent of schools do the most effective and most valuable work in supervision.
The only reason this work is not now completed is lack of funds, and to complete the work in accordance with this
138
policy in the one remaining major subject, reading, will require an appropriation larger than for any other subject because of the fact that at least six or eight different sets of books should be provided.
In every building there is a sufficiently large number of children who are retarded in their work to such an extent as to warrant the having of a special teacher for this work, but until we can have more room for grade work it will be neces- sary to get along with the makeshift arrangement of having two or three teachers going from building to building and working with this group of children occasionally in halls or corridors or wherever it may be possible, in an effort to do the most possible for these children. In the east side of the town we are sufficiently well provided now with class rooms so that an ungraded room for this special work could be had at the Jonas Perkins School, and at the Thomas A. Watson School, at the Abraham Lincoln and Penniman Schools the assembly hall could be used; at the Hollis School the corridor next to the principal's office could be used; at the Noah Torrey School a basement room could be used which would be better than nothing, and at the Pond School the principal's office might serve for this purpose. I feel that a teacher of skill and tact, specially trained for work with children of this type placed in each of our buildings would produce a wonder- fully great improvement in the accomplishments of all the children in our schools, because it would allow this type of child to make progress according to his ability, avoiding the - attendant discouragement and lack of interest at present found in these children because of their inability to keep pace with the rest of their group: furthermore, it would make possible better and more work for the regular classes and eliminate many troublesome cases of discipline, thus making it possible for the teacher to give much more of her attention and time to the scholastic achievements of the children.
Cases for discipline, the mischievous and troublesome ones, frequently arise because of the fact that not enough work or
139
not sufficiently difficult work has been given to keep the child busy and he looks for some thing to do, and usually finds it to the annoyance of the teacher, and to the distur- ance and distraction of the attention of the class. The slow pupil belonging in the special ungraded class, on the other hand feeling discouraged by the seeming impossibility of an assignment of work, looks for something else to do and finds it with the consequent loss to the class of the teacher's attention, time, knowledge, and teaching skill which the town is paying her to give, but which, under the conditions as they exist, is not being received in full measure according to our teachers' abilities because of no fault of theirs. The fault is to be remedied only by proper grading and this requires more class rooms and teachers than we now have.
I believe this whole situation can be completely remedied another year in the east side of the town and much improved in the west side but not completely remedied without more class rooms for grade work.
A new high school building provided for our use, which should be done, would release the present high school build- ing (the Monatiquot School) for grade purposes, and we would then be in a position to not only completely remedy the above condition in the whole town, but would also make possible the relief of crowded classes of too large numbers, and eliminate some of our portables and temporary rooms, and make again available the halls in the Hollis and Noah- Torrey Schools for use as is desirable, and as was intended when the buildings were built and first used.
I am of the opinion that it is not understood to any great extent how conveniently the Monatiquot School is placed to accommodate our grade school membership and I therefore, present the school membership under date of December 1, 1923 of the Noah Torrey, Pond, and Hollis Schools, and distribute this membership by grades to the four buildings on the assumption that the Monatiquot School was available for grade use, and that all children who
140
are transported to school were in attendance at the Monati- quot School. It should be kept in mind that at present there are two rooms for each grade at the Noah Torrey School, and that at the Pond School one room is for the kindergarten, and three rooms each have first and second grade children.
PRESENT FIGURES AND DISTRIBUTION
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL
Grade III
44
Grade III
46
Grade IV 46
GradeIV
47
Grade V 44
Grade V
40
Grade VI 43
Grade VI. 44
Grade VII
30
Grade VII 34
Grade VII 30
Grade VIII
30
478
POND SCHOOL
Kindergarten
45
Grades I & II 25 & 26
Grades I & II 32 & 21
Grades I & II 25 & 25
199
DISTRIBUTED IN FOUR BUILDINGS
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL
Grade III 30
Grade III 31
Grade IV. 36
Grade IV 36
Grade V
38
Grades V & VI.
13 & 18
Grade VI 38
Grade VII 36
Grade VIII.
35
311
POND SCHOOL.
Kindergarten 33
Grade I
35
Grade II 35
Grades I & II. 15 & 15
133
141
HOLLIS SCHOOL.
.
Kindergarten 43
Grade I.
36
Grade II 24
Grade II 27
Grade III
36
Grades III & IV . 18 14
265
MONATIQUOT SCHOOL
Kindergarten 29
Grade I 38
Grade I 39
Grade III 38
Grades III & IV 13
18
Grade IV 36
Grade V 43
Grade VI. 40
Grade VII 44
Grade VIII 37
407
HOLLIS SCHOOL
Kindergarten 26
Grade I . 30
Grade II 34
Grade III 32
Grade IV 31
Grade V 32
Grade VI.
30
Grade VII 34
Grade VIII 16
Grade IV 36
Grades IV & V 14 & 13
Grade V 29
Grade VI 39
Grade VII
39
Grades VII & VIII 11 & 28
375
Grand Total
1084
Grand Total
1084
A careful study of the above sets of figures will indicate a great many advantages to be derived from this proposed plan other than merely producing conditions such that first, children will not, in many cases, have to walk as far to get to school as they do with present conditions - in no case will they have to walk a longer distance - second, eliminate the use of the portables; third, remove the necessity of the use of the temporary rooms cut out of the hall at the Hollis, thus making possible for use the hall in its original size, a condition which is very desirable; fourth, reduce the number of mixed rooms from six to three, and fifth, reduce the size of classes with which the teacher has to deal, but it will also provide the town with High School facilities which
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