USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1930 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Respectfully submitted,
WIILIAM A. STONE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
164
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF CLAM COMMISSIONER ROBERTS
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
As one member of the Clam Commissioners I wish to make the following individual report :
The clam industry is now the largest industry on which the people of Ipswich depend for income.
There were 191 permits issued in 1930 which at $5.00 each gave the town $955.00 or $155.00 more than · was appropriated for the Clam Commissioners at the last town meeting. About half of this money was paid back to the clammers for seeding flats.
Besides these 191 clammers there are seven dealers who handle clams at wholesale and including the large number sold at retail and cooked and those dug for in- dividual use makes it probable that nearly one fifth of the people of the town are dependent on the clam flats.
Few people in Ipswich outside of those especially interested realize how much the clam flats mean to Ips- wich.
The greatest handicap the clam business has to con- tend with is the large area closed by the State Board of Health due to the illegal pollution of the river water by sewerage. It is safe to say that those closed flats mean the loss of an annual income of from $50,000 to $75,000. This is not only a financial loss but a source of disrespect for law, as the clammer sees no more harm in breaking a State Health law by digging on closed flats than in breaking a local Board of Health by-law in running the sewerage into the river. When the people realize that this condition makes not only for a financial loss to the clammers and tradesmen of Ipswich but is reflected in tax bills of every property owner then something may be done.
Many plans have been suggested and appeals have been made to several state departments for the opening of all or part of these closed flats but the only way that
165
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
this will be brought about is by doing away with the con- ditions that cause the trouble.
It is a difficult matter to say just what is the total income to Ipswich from the clam flats as there are so many ways in which the clams are handled, whether sold by the dealer at wholesale, by the barrel or the gallon or as hundreds of barrels are, at retail to the automobile trade or cooked as fried clams, etc. A barrel of clams may bring into Ipswich anywhere from $6.00 to $30.00.
There is another problem that confronts the clam- mers and that is the disposal of the shells. Some system- atic arrangement should be made for taking care of this matter and finding some way in which they may be util- ized.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS R. ROBERTS, One of the Clam Commissioners.
1
REPORT OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
The Unemployment Committee submits the follow- ing report :
On November 18, a committee was formed in Ips- wich for the relief of the unemployed. This committee consisted of one representative from each organization and church of the town. Mr. J. F. Claxton, Jr. was elect- ed chairman, Mr. Albert Hall, secretary, and Mr. J. F. Morton, treasurer. An executive committee of five mem- bers was appointed, consisting of Mr. J. F. Claxton, Jr., chairman, Mr. G. A. Schofield, Mr. Ray Purdy, Mrs. Vera Ross and Mrs. Amy Goodhue. Early in January Mr. Scho- field resigned from this committee and Mr. Arthur Mar- corelle was elected to fill the vacancy. 1
The duties of the committee as seen by the members were, first: to bring before the town ways and means of providing work for the unemployed, and secondly, to in- vestigate all applications for work and allot the work to those men whom we considered to be in the direct need.
By contributions from organizations and churches an employment office was opened for eights weeks in the selectmen's room of the Town Hall with Mr. Albert Hall in charge. Approximately 250 applications were filed during that period.
A circular letter was written by the committee, des- cribing the unemployment situation in Ipswich and ask- ing that the townspeople employ extra help during the winter.
An appropriation of $2,000.00 by the Town and $2,000.00 by the State made it possible to employ 60 men on the town highways, in two shifts of 30 men each. That work lasted about six weeks. At an adjourned Town Meeting on November 29 the sum of $2,830.00 was voted to be expended on the Eagle Hill Road. Thirty men were
167
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
selected for this work in two shifts of 15 men each. This work was completed January 15.
On December 22 the committee brought before an adjourned Town Meeting a plan for the removal of the main cell block in the former County Jail, now owned by the Town. This plan was approved and it was voted to do this work at an expenditure of not more than $3,400.00 and under the supervision of the Selectmen. Thirty men in two shifts of 15 each were employed in this work. This number was later increased by the Selectmen. On Janu- ary 31 the work was finished.
The committee have tried to be fair in their selection of men for the work. Ex-service men, citizens and men with families were chosen first. Priority of application was necessarily a factor. With the funds available 130 men were given part time employment and both men and women put in touch with short time jobs. Not only have our activities relieved the unemployed to the extent stat- ed above, but the work has been accomplished at a rea- sonable cost which was thoroughly worthwhile. We be- lieve that work thus provided will reflect a substantial saving to the Town in the Welfare Department as it did last year. While we feel that the object was to find work for the unemployed the funds provided were inadequate and left us without means of continuing the work in the middle of the winter when the need was most serious.
After the County Jail job was under way the Select- men took over the work of this committee and we were discharged.
JOSEPH F. CLAXTON, JR., Chair. RAY PURDY, ARTHUR MARCORELLE, VERA ROSS AMY L. GOODHUE.
REPORT OF PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT OUTDOOR RELIEF
Notwithstanding the general impression that work was scarce and times hard during the past year, this Division of Public Welfare felt no unusual strain. In fact, the strain was considerably less than that of the previous year. Not only was the appropriation sufficient to meet the need but $1,200 of it was transferred to the Infirmary and $690 returned to the town treasury.
The condition created by the closing of the Mill has been gradually settling itself, the operatives one by one finding other employment, some here, others elsewhere. In the work of the past year the Department has received material aid from the S. P. C. C., for which acknowledg- ment is hereby made. The work has been supervised with care, due regard being paid to the needs of the applicant and the safeguarding of public funds. The offer of part- time work at moderate wages in the woodyard or on the Farm has proven to be a good test as to the actual needs of several applicants. No man who was able to work has been assisted since the opening of Spring. It has not been necessary during the present winter, as it was a year ago, to solicit contributions of clothing from the general pub- lic. The number of dependents has been somewhat de- creased. In a general way the foregoing are the reasons for the creditable showing of the Division of Outdoor Re- lief.
Desertion remains the principal reason as to why relief is needed. Many other towns and cities are con- fronted with the same problem, which from year to year defies solution. Complaint in Court is followed by a gen- erally unavailing search for the deserter. If an occasional one is found and returned to his home and family he may shortly absent himself again and so effectually hide him- self as to make a second discovery impossible.
Attention is called to the fact that the Ipswich Hos- pital is not a free institution. Treatment there must be paid for if not by the individual then by the town. All bills not paid by the individual are sent by the Hospital
169
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
to the Public Welfare. If the Department finds the indi- vidual able to pay, the bill is returned to the Hospital to take such measures as seem proper for collection. If the Department finds the individual unable to pay, the amount is credited to the Hospital Contract with the Town, the bill is filed with the Town Accountant and the individual becomes a Town Charge. Every person re- quiring treatment at the Hospital should hold the bill as a matter of conscience and whenever possible should make provision to meet it himself.
It is noticeable that many persons once they have been relieved by the Town, come back again and again for relief, and the coming develops into a habit. In the majority of instances this could be avoided. Industry and economy during Spring, Summer and Autumn would provide in most cases for Winter's need. The head of the family should set the example for the children above schooling age to follow and should see to it that they do the following with a reasonable degree of faithfulness. This would be best for all concerned. But where the pa- rents abdicate and the children rule, disaster is quite sure to follow.
Town Infirmary
In this Division of the Public Welfare success or failure is largely in the hands of the Superintendent and Matron. They should be equally capable in their spheres of labor. Lack on either side may mean loss. Lack on both sides leads to certain disaster. It is not easy to find the ideal couple, because such seldom lack employment ; and where they are found they cannot be engaged be- cause the wage paid is not attractive.
During the past year affairs at the Infirmary have been managed with considerable difficulty. It was im- peratively necessary to make two changes in the su- perintendency within eight months. The work was not progressing in the right direction. Prospects now how- ever seem much improved.
The fact that last year owing to the long drought was not an average farming year added materially to the
170
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
difficulties of management. Crops in general were much below what might have been expected, the hay falling off over fifty per cent.
During the past two or three years, the milk was not up to standard. It was not unwholesome when pasteu- rized but was below the grade demanded by law. Sus- pecting what might be the trouble, the Overseers request- ed the State to make a series of tuberculin tests. The first test found fourteen reactors; the second test is yet to come. The loss of this stock has helped to cause a shrinkage in the inventory, though the Town received from salvage and the State $528.50. In time to come nothing but an accredited herd will be kept, the milk from which will not require pasteurization. Farmers will readily understand this experience at the Infirmary as they are practically all having or have been through the same experience.
It was necessary to buy a new mowing machine, hay rake and motor for the pump; also to dig up and relay long lengths of water pipe and drain tile. These were unusual items of expense. The income, however, considerably exceeded that of the previous year. The average number of inmates was 9, the present number is 8; the weekly cost per inmate is a trifle under the previ- ous year and compares favorably with the average cost in Infirmaries throughout the State.
If the Town is to maintain the present Infirmary, the Public Welfare department recommend that the bounds of the highway leading to it be re-located and the road kept in reasonably good condition. Also that electric lights be installed in the house and barn.
Mothers' Aid
The State created this Division of Public Welfare about seventeen years ago. The object was to provide for children under sixteen years of age more support than towns ordinarily were able to give. If the father of a family of small children had died, deserted or become incapacitated so as to be unable to support the family, the mother, if a good woman, could appeal for relief under the Mothers' Aid Law. Her appeal would be made
171
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
to the local Public Welfare Department who would in turn notify the State Department and the agents of these departments would visit the applicant, appraise her home and its surroundings, make suggestions for improvement wherever needed, and agree upon the amount of relief which would be extended. The total amount would be paid weekly from the appropriation of the local Depart- ment the State to reimburse the Town to the extent of 33 1-3 per cent at the end of the year, this reimbursement to be the sum which the family would receive in excess of what the Town was able to afford. By this means the family was to be kept together and the home supplied with necessities and ordinary comforts the same as if the father had been the provider. The object sought is good, the beneficent results of the law depending upon the intelligence and character of the mother.
Three families are now being relieved under the Mothers' Aid Law. A year ago there were five, but the State discontinued to aid two because the mothers were found not to be proper mothers within the meaning of the Statute. The mother's influence upon the children must be salutary, if they are to be expected to develop into exemplary men and women.
The number of children in the three families now supported under Mothers' Aid is thirteen, and the ex- pense for the year $2.296.00
Old Age Assistance
This Division of Public Welfare which was created by the Act of the 1930 Legislature, is the subject of much misunderstanding.
Contrary to general opinion and many newspaper representations, this act is not a Pension Law, and does not carry the pension idea. Therefore, the word pension is out of place and should not be used in this connection.
It seems to be the general belief that on and after July 1st of this year, all persons seventy years of age and over regardless of physical conditions can cease from labor and thereafter be supported at the expense of the Commonwealth. It is thought that a check large enough
172
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
to cover all their needs will each week come down from. the State and they will be privileged to cash it and spend the money as they wish, without supervision on the part of either Town or State. It will be disappointing to learn that such is not the fact.
Dropping the word pension, the act in question is properly called the Old Age Assistance Law and is the counterpart of the Mothers' Aid Law. This new law seeks to do for old age precisely what the Mothers' Aid does for the children-to provide necessities and ordi- nary comforts for the aged when these things are not otherwise to be had.
When a person seventy years of age applies to the local Public Welfare for Old Age Assistance, the case is investigated by the local and State agents. His ability to earn is considered, also that of the sons and daughters to help. If support by his own labor and the contribu- tions of kindred and others is sufficient, the Town and State provide nothing ; if it is partial, the Town and State make up the deficiency; if there is none, the Town and State supply the whole. Thus it will be seen that there is no pension check with a stated weekly amount coming to all persons over seventy years of age and that no per- sons able to perform ordinary tasks will be excused sim- ply because they have reached that age.
When the local and State agents are agreed that Old Age Assistance is needed and when the amount of such assistance has been determined, the habits of the bene- ficiary, place and manner of living, associates, etc., are all taken into consideration, and kind but careful super- vision is maintained throughout. Reasonable liberties are to be allowed, but abuses are not to be tolerated. The money is to be paid weekly by the Town, the State to re- imburse to the extent of 33 1-3 per cent at the end of the year.
This is the same as in the case of Mothers' Aid. An appropriation must be made for the carrying out of this law. How many will apply and how much will be needed are at this distance matters largely of conjecture.
The ancient custom of making separate appropria- tions for Outdoor Relief and the Infirmary is now out-
173
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
worn and should be cast off. Other towns long since dis- continued this custom. The Public Welfare Department now has four divisions, and we recommend that a budget be presented for each one, a separate record of each be kept and published in the Annual Report, and that a sin- gle appropriation be made covering the total of the four budgets and the sum be expended in whichever Division it may be required. This will work to advantage all around.
WALTER F. POOLE, JOHN R. MORRIS, FRANCIS E. WOOD,
Board of Public Welfare.
174
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Inventory of Stock, Tools, Furnishings, Etc., at Ipswich Infirmary, 1931
January 1st, 1930
January 1st, 1931
Cows
11
Value $1,000.00 100.00
No. 4
$
Value 200.00
Gain
Loss ... $800.00 100.00
Steer
0
1
25.00
25.00
Heifers
11
550.00
5
200.00
350.00
Calves
3
45.00
0
45.00
Horses
3
275.00
3
275.00
Fowl
96
192.00
28
42.00
150.00
Ducks
8
16.00
11
11.00
5.00
Turkeys
7
8
2
85.00
2
87.00
2.00
Carts-Wagons
6
295.00
6
345.00
50.00
Spreader
1
100.00
1
90.00
10.00
Mow. Machine
1
38.00
2
110.00
72.00
Plows
3
48.00
2
50.00
2.00
Cultivators
4
34.00
3
30.00
·4.00
Horse Hoe
1
4.00
1
4.00
Hay Fork
1
54.00
1
54.00
Harrows
4
71.00
4
65.00
6.00
Horse Rake
1
15.00
2
65.00
50.00
Potato Digger
1
2.00
1
2.00
Pung's
2
10.00
2
10.00
Sleds
18.00
10.00
Drag
4.50
4.00
.50
Roller
27.00
25.00
2.00
Wheelbarrow
4.00
4.00
Tedder
22.00
20.00
2.00
Tools
72.00
72.00
10 00
Blocks and Ropes
28.00
28.00
Dairy Utensils
30.00
50.00
20.00
Scales
18.00
18.00
Grindstone
10.00
10.00
Grinders
2
10.00
10.00
Winnowing Machine
Sprayer
2
47.00
2
87.00
40.00
Pump Jack
10.00
10.00
Wood Saw
16.00
16.00
Lawn Mower
10.00
10.00
Water Tank
60.00
60.00
0
50.00
Shoats
80.00
0
80.00
No.
Bulls
2
0
10.00
10.00
50.00
50.00
Engines
Harness and Blankets 120.00
110.00
Hog's
50.00
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
175
Furniture & Bedding 320.00
150.00
170.00
Ranges & Fixtures
235.00
235.00
Heating Plant
1,620.00
1,500.00
120.00
$5,725.50
$4,162.00
$341.00
$1,904.50
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Inventory of Produce, Supplies, Etc., at Ipswich Infirmary 1931
January 1st, 1930
January 1st, 1931
Hay, 65 tons
Value $1,340.00
Value $ 500.00
Gain
Loss $840.00
Grain
25.00
$25.00.
Mulch
20.00
20.00
Wood, 11 cords
110.00
110.00
Coal
Potatoes
45.00
30.00
15.00
Onions
7.50
3.00
4.50
Carrots
1.00
1.00
Squash
20.00
6.00
14.00
Cabbage
4.00
2.00
2.00
Roots
.50
4.00
3.50
Beans
7.00
35.00
28.00
Apples
7.50
7.50
Salt Pork
10.00
10.00
Lard
9.00
9.00
Sauer Kraut
5.00
5.00
Preserves
250.00
9.00
241.00
Groceries & Provisions 100.00
50.00
50.00
$1,936.50
$ 810.00
$ 72.50
$1,199.00
5,725.50
4,162.00
341.00
1,904.50
$7,662.00
$4,972.00
$413.50
$3,103.50
4,972.00
413.50
$2,690.00
$2,690.00
Number of inmates at the Infirmary January 1, 1931
8
Average number of inmates in 1930
9
Total number registered in 1930
10
Net expense 1930
$4,448.71
Average weekly cost per inmate .
$9.50
4.00
4.00
Turnips
12.00
12.00
-
REPORT OF HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the annual report of the High- way Department for the year 1930.
The general maintenance work has been cared for in a rountine way. 32,002 gallons of oil, and 10,428 gal- lons of tarvia were applied to the streets covering approx imately 16 miles. The tarvia retread used on High, Coun- ty, East, and North Main streets has well proved its val- ue, and I can highly recommend more of it to be used in 1931.
Autocar worked 2,127 hours covering 5,284 miles.
Ford truck worked 2,295 hours covering 6,757 miles.
Autocar used 1,672 gallons of gasoline and 130 quarts of oil.
Ford truck used 896 gallons of gasoline and 106 quarts of oil.
INVENTORY
1 pair of Stable Blankets
$ 10.00
1 Two-Horse Cart
50.00
1 Two-Horse Sled 25.00
1 Two-Horse Sweeper
250.00
4 Road Machines
350.00
2 Road Plows
50.00
11 Gravel Screens
55.00
2 Two-Horse Shovels
25.00
1 Two-Horse Stone Roller
25.00
4 Road Drags
50.00
1 Gasoline Roller and Scarifier
5,000.00
2 Dump Trucks
2,500.00
1 Pick-Up Truck 400.00
1 Fordson Crawler Tread and Sargent Plow 1.000.00
177
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
1 Fordson Tractor
300.00
1 Fordson Tractor Grader
900.00
2 Fordson Snow Plows and Wheels
300.00
2 Blade Snow Plows
500.00
1 V-Shaped Snow Plow
375.00
1 Tractor Sidewalk Plow
375.00
1 Mixer
250.00
1 Forge and Anvil
35.00
1 Gravel Loader
300.00
Tractor Scoop Shovel
45.00
1 Watering Cart
50.00
1 Oil Wagon
150.00
1
Tar Kettle
35.00
7 Snow Plows
100.00
Snow Fences
600.00
All Other Tools
1,200.00
Total
$15,305.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS E. WOOD, .
Supt. of Streets.
REPORT OF THE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE
To the Selectmen of Ipswich :
The Committee which you appointed in accordance with the vote at the special town meeting held May 2, 1929 "to arrange for the participation by the Town in the Massachusetts Tercentenary Celebration" organized as follows :
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Charles E. Goodhue, Jr., Chairman Edward S. Cogswell, Secretary Joseph T. Morton, Treasurer
Mrs. Augusta Appleton Grenache Joseph W. Ross
Mrs. Miriam Waters Titcomb Ralph Warren Burnham
Hon. George A. Schofield Arthur W. Johnson
Rev. Carroll Perry Amos E. Jewett
Nelson R. Purdy
Arthur W. Johnson was engaged as director and his report appended hereto outlines briefly the purpose and nature of our celebration. Its success and high standard was due largely to his genius and persevering efforts.
An outside opinion is given by an editorial which ap- peared in the Salem Evening News during the Ipswich Old Home Week, viz :-
"I like the Ipswich Tercentenary program. There seems to be a pleasing avoidance of the stereotyped pa- rade - banquet - speechmaikng show that is apt to be un- inspiring. These features seem to have been restricted to the minimum. The opening of old houses and gardens is a real feature, as is the art exhibition feature. Lacking the whoopee idea that is apt to be over-emphasized in any modern exhibition the Ipswich program is attractive be- cause of its appeal to ones appreciation of things scenical- ly and architecturally beautiful. I believe that the people who are visting old Ipswich these days are getting more out of the town's quiet magnificence than they would get elsewhere in places where the more common and noisy attractions are exploited."
179
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The financing was met by appropriations of the town and by private subscriptions. The following is a sum- mary of the report of our treasurer which will appear in detail in the annual town report.
SUMMARY OF TREASURER'S REPORT
Income
Appropriated by Town
$1,250.00
Less : Receipts from "Andros
378.00
Resistance"
$872.00 992.00
Contributions
Sale of Tickets :
To Gardens
$274.00
To Houses
232.50
To "Andros Resistance
378.00
Rental of Costumes
70.60
Sale of Programs
24.00
Sale of maps and other receipts
20.00
$999.10
$2,863.10
Expenses
As detailed in Treasurer's Report $2,624.98 Less: Payment for
·share of printing
by Essex
$30.00
by Hamilton
15.00
45.00
2,579.98
Unexpended Balance $ 283.12
The members of the executive committee are unani- mous in recommending that the balance of $283.12 be reserved toward observing the tercentenary of the incor- poration of Ipswich in 1934.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES E. GOODHUE, JR.
Chairman.
180
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
-
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE TERCENTENARY
To the Tercentenary Committee of Ipswich :
As Director of the Ipswich Tercentenary Celebra- tion my duties were clearly defined in the title. First, to construct a programme which would express as fully and completely as possible the contribution of Ipswich to the growth and development of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The next step was to put this programme into operation. . To these two ends we devoted our time and energy over a period of several months.
In constructing the programme we kept one ideal in mind, namely to make the Ipswich celebration as simple and dignified as the lives of those founders of Ipswich had been. Much time was taken to eliminate all of those cheap and tawdry elements, which commercialized inter- ests outside of the town, tried to inject into the various programmes. In this we think we had a good measure of success.
The success of any undertaking depends ultimately on the cooperation of many individuals. Ipswich was fortunate in that, with only one individual exception, every person who was asked to do a given thing, did what was requested with wholesome enthusiasm.
As the events are so fresh in the minds of all this is hardly the place to insert a description of them. Our interest here is to record that they all were presented without friction or failure.
As Director it became my duty to oversee to consid- erable extent the raising and expenditure of funds. It is with satisfaction, that we record at least ninety cents of every dollar raised and expended, was expended in Ipswich to Ipswich people.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.