USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1906-1908 > Part 17
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We may confidently hope, therefore, to control both gypsy and brown tail moths by careful, thorough work each year at the proper season; but it will be dangerous to neglect the work for a single year. If we keep up the fight the annual expense need not be large; if we neglect it for a single year it may cost much to recover lost ground.
New trees have been planted, trimming has been done where necessary and several dead trees have been removed during the year. Successful experiments have also been made in feeding some of the older trees which showed a lack of proper nourish- ment.
GEO. R. BRIGGS,
Tree Warden.
-
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
.
CHIEF OF POLICE
FOR THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31st
1907.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-
Gentlemen : I have the honor to respectfully submit the fol- lowing report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1907.
ORGANIZATION.
Arthur R. Gledhill, Chief.
Patrolmen.
1. Michael Casey. 4. Augustine J. Hogan.
2. Freeman Manter.
5. Edward Manter. -
3. Samuel Ferguson. 6. William H. Goedecke.
Keeper of Lock-up Janitor
Freeman Manter Thomas J. Kennedy
Special Policemen Without Pay.
James M. Cameron
John M. Amstrong
Alfred W. Sears
Eugene Henry
James P. Hogan
William F. Dunn
Charles J. Grandi Gustavus G. Sampson
William E. Baker John McIllwraith
Edward F. Stranger John Bodell
William D. Carleton
Bertram H. Wilbur
Thomas W. Reagan
Galen E. Pratt
John H. Geary
Silas B. Corey
William T. Eldridge
Russell Dixon
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Special Policemen in Limited Territory and Without Pay. South Ponds and vicinity, William H. Drew, Charles F. H. Harris, Herbert F. Whiting.
Casino, Thomas Kennedy.
High School, Benjamin F. Walker.
Mt. Pleasant school, William H. Raymond.
Pilgrim society grounds, John S. Cassidy.
Pilgrim Hall, Daniel J. Carland.
Beach Park, Harry L. Sampson.
Standish Mills, James T. Eddy.
Morton Park, Darius Chase.
Motormen and conductors of the Brockton and Plymouth Street Railway.
Fire Police.
James P. Hogan
William D. Carleton
Constables.
Samuel Ferguson
Edward Manter
William H. Goedecke
Michael Casey
Freeman Manter
Arthur R. Gledhill
Richard T. Hudson
Herman W. Tower
Business of Police Department.
Total number of arrests,
212
Males,
24
Females,
6
Arrested for others,
19
Held for other officers,
38
Minors,
182
Residents,
54
Non-residents,
2
Applied for lodging,
87
Number of fines imposed,
236
Augustine J. Hogan
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Amount of fines imposed,
Committed to jail for non-payment,
$2,100.46 5
House of Correction,
12
Appealed cases,
15
Complaints dismissed,
23
Discharged,
23
Released without arraignment,
18
Placed on file,
27.
Put on probation,
15
Taunton Insane Hospital,
5
Foxborough State Hospital,
1
Women's Reformatory Prison, Sherborn,
6
Defaulted,
3
Bound over,
12
Bonds to keep the peace,
4
State board of charity,
1
Home for destitute Catholic children,
5
Number of Arrests by Months.
Males
Females
Total
January,
10
10
February,
11
1
12
March,
8
2
10
April,
17
17
May,
22
4
26
June,
25
1
26
July,
31
3
34
August,
25
1
26
September,
22
5
27
October,
12
1
13
November,
17
1
18
December,
12
5
17
212
24
236
8
32
54
2
87
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Number of Arrests for the Past Five Years
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
Whole number,
171
517
253
225
236
Drunkenness alone,
64
366
125
69
Offences.
Males
Females
Total
Adultery,
1
1
2
Affray,
1
4
Arrested for others,
6
6
Assault,
10
1
11
Assault and Battery,
4
4
Assault with dangerous weapon,
1
1
Assault with intent to kill,
1
1
Bastardy,
4
4
Burning building,
4
4
Breaking and entering,
1
1 2 1 2
Capias,
2
Cruelty to animals,
2
2
Demented,
1
1
Delinquent child,
3
3
Deserter,
1
1
Destruction of property,
8
8
Disturbance of Peace,
13
3
16
Disturbing assembly,
1
1
Dog, unlicensed,
1
1
Dog, unmuzzled
1
1
Drunk,
69
69
Fornication,
1
1
2
Horse injuring shade tree,
1
1
House of ill fame,
1
1
Idle and disorderly,
1
1
Insane,
5
5
Interfering with lobster traps,
1
1
Interfering with officer,
1
1
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Intimidation,
2
2
Killing deer,
5
5
Larceny,
12
1
13
Lewdness,
1
3
4
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation, 2
2
4
Liquor laws,
18
3
21
Manslaughter,
1
1
Neglected children,
2
5
Non-support,
3
3
Runaway child,
1
1
Stubborn child,
1
1
Threats,
3
3
Trespass,
2
2
Truancy,
1
1
Vagrancy,
2
2
Violation by-laws,
3
3
Violation clam laws,
1
1
Violation junk laws,
2
2
Violation veterinary laws,
1
1
Wrecking train, '
1
1
212
24
236
NATIVITY OF PERSONS ARRESTED.
United States, 148; England, 5; Greece, 2; Portugal, 14; Italy, 26; Nova Scotia, 7; Germany, 8; Canada, 12; Russia, 7; Azores, 2; Sweden, 1; Brazil, 1; New Foundland, 1; Norway, 1; at sea, 1; Ireland, 6; Cape Verde Islands, 3.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Besides the ordinary work of the department, the officers have investigated numerous complaints, and settled disputes without bringing the cases into court; have reported to the proper de- partments, lights out, defective wires, defective sidewalks and streets ; and have restored several lost children to their parents.
Plymouth 8
1
1
1 1 1
1
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FINANCIAL.
Overdraft, 1906,
$327 54
Appropriation,
6,000 00
Reimbursement,
9 00
Expenses, Overdraft, 1907,
$6,318 35
309 35
$6,318 35
$6,318 35
POLICE DISTRICTS.
The 'Town has been divided into three Police Districts, which, . in turn, have been divided into routes. Officers are assigned to districts and their patrols systematized. With the small force, these patrols are of necessity extended, but the main part of the Town is well covered.
In view of the fact of a large and increasing population at the North part of the Town, I would suggest that provision be made for a night officer for that district.
TELEPHONE SIGNAL.
Owing to the smallness of the police force, it is impossible that a man be on duty at the Police Station all of the time, and it frequently happens that telephone subscribers call the station and fail to get an answer. To remedy this, a proposition has been made to the Telephone Company, which has been favor- ably received, to install a signal at the station so that when an urgent call for the police is sent in and no one is at the station, the operator can take the subscriber's number and set the signal, which will be answered by the first officer coming in.
FIRST AID TO THE INJURED.
Realizing that a police officer should be equipped to render intelligently, first aid to the injured, a class of eight officers
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has been organized to receive instruction in this subject, under the direction of the National First Aid Association of America, of which Miss Clara Barton is president.
Dr. George H. Jackson has volunteered to act as demon- strator, and the class will follow the course as laid down by the Association, after which an examination will be given, and di- plomas awarded to those who pass a satisfactory per cent.
In conclusion, I take this opportunity, in behalf of the Police Department and myself, of extending to you our most sincere thanks for your kind consideration and support during the per- formance of the trying duties of the year.
Very respectfully, ARTHUR R. GLEDHILL, Chief of Police.
er
In Memoriam. Patrolman Michael J. Casey
DIED DECEMBER 2, 1907.
He was born in Ireland in 1840, and came to America in his youth. He was appointed a special officer in 1875 and a regular patrolman in 1886, always having performed night duty.
He was a zealous and faithful officer, and in his death the Town has lost a most efficient servant.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE
Year ending December 3 I
1907
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
INCREASE ROBINSON,
1910
WILLIAM W. BREWSTER,
1910
JOSEPIL T. COLLINGWOOD, 1908
ELIZABETH THURBER, 1908
J. HOLBROOK SHAW, 1909
EUGENE P. ROWELL, 1909
Chairman, William W. Brewster.
Secretary, Elizabeth Thurber.
The committee meet at their rooms in Town Square on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7.15 p. m.
Superintendent of Schools, Francis J. Heavens.
Office hours, 4 to 5 p. m., each school day.
Truant Officer, A. J. Hogan.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Finance-Messrs. Shaw and Brewster.
Repairs-Messrs. Collingwood, Rowell and Brewster.
Janitors and School House Supplies-Messrs. Rowell and Rob- inson.
Heating and Ventilation-Messrs Robinson and Brewster.
Text Books and Course of Study -- Miss Thurber and Dr. Shaw.
SCHOOL SESSIONS.
High School-8 a. m. to 1 p. m. North Schools, Grammar and Primary-Morning session, 9 to 12 o'clock; afternoon session, 1.30 to 3.30 o'clock.
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Centre Schools-Morning session, 9 to 12 o'clock ; afternoon ses- sion, 2 to 4 o'clock (except from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15, when the afternoon sessions are from 1.30 to 3.30 o'clock.)
The sessions of the other schools are as prescribed from time to time by the committee.
CALENDAR FOR 1906 AND 1907.
Winter term began Monday, Jan. 6, 1908.
Summer term begins Monday, April 6, 1908. School year ends Friday, June 26, 1908. Fall term begins Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1908. Fall term ends Friday, Dec. 24, 1908.
VACATIONS.
March 28, 1908, to April 6, 1908.
June 26, 1908 to September 8, 1908. December 24, 1908, to January 1, 1909.
HOLIDAYS.
Every Saturday, Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Me- morial Day; from Wednesday noon before Thanksgiving, the remainder of the week.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee present this annual report for the year ending December 31, 1907, with the reports of the Superinten- dent of Schools and the School Physician.
RECEIPTS.
Unexpended balance from last year,
$ 22 89
Appropriation,
49,500 00
From Murdock Fund,
18 25
Rent of building,
25 00
Insurance dividend,
23 70
$49,589 84
PAYMENTS.
Salaries,
$34,244 99
Books,
895 86
Supplies,
1,619 68
Fuel and Light,
4,199 37
Repairs,
2,563 07
Janitors and care of School Houses,
3,242 86
Building Supplies,
230 06
Freight and Teaming,
670 50
Night Schools,
851 18
Transportation,
100 00
Truant Officer,
351 03
Furniture and Furnishings,
120 00
Printing,
171 24
Incidentals,
189 84
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Census, Tuition, Unexpended, balance,
41 00
11 25
87 91
$49,589 84
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Appropriation,
$300 00
Expended,
190 08
Balance,
$109 92
In compliance with Chapter 502 of the Acts of 1906, Dr. J. Holbrook Shaw was appointed to make the required inspection of the schools, and his report, which is herewith presented, will indicate the efficient manner in which he has attended to this duty. The list of diseases reported shows the need of such in- spection. The balance shown above is needed to provide for the interval from January first until the annual town meeting when provision is to be made for the coming year. Unlike other school expenses, this work must be suspended when no funds are on hand, by appropriation, for the purpose.
We urge upon the voters of the town an appropriation of three hundred dollars for the medical inspection in next year, being the same as that made last year.
The insurance policies covering the High School House ex- pired last summer and were not renewed. There is now no in- surance on any of the school buildings. The Committee have acted. in this matter in accordance with their understanding of the wishes of the town and after having called attention to it in their last annual report.
It is of the first importance that we secure the services of good teachers and we believe there is greater economy in having bet- ter teachers although it be at a larger expenditure for salaries. Each year it seems to be more difficult to retain those whose services have become valuable and we are obliged to relinquish them to the cities and towns which can pay the larger salaries. This year we have been very unfortunate in losing teachers who have found tempting offers elsewhere. The vacancies have been
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happily filled, yet there is an injury to the school by the change. We have to ask of the Town a wise liberality in this matter, and the suggestions of the Superintendent relating to this subject should receive especial consideration.
A year ago it was anticipated that we should be obliged to pro- vide before the close of the year additional school rooms, but this has been avoided by transfers and a considerable outlay for transportation. The building of a new school house cannot be much longer delayed, and we think we may soon have to ask for funds and authority to provide another building at the north part of the town. When this is to be done a lot should be se- lected, which will allow the building to be enlarged as the growth of the neighborhood may require it.
True patriotism requires a wise and liberal expenditure for the education of the young. With constant changes in the condi- tions about us we cannot hold to the plans and methods which served in the years that are gone and to retain a respectable posi- tion in the lists from the Board of Education we must keep in constant touch with all lines of development and carefully study all proposed changes. Your attention is therefore directed to all that the Superintendent has presented on the matter of In- dustrial Education.
A growing school attendance, with other canses, makes the cost of supporting schools increase each year, and we think that it is only with strict economy that the School Department can be maintained the coming year with an appropriation but five hundred dollars more than last year, and we therefore ask an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars for the support of schools.
WILLIAM W. BREWSTER, ELIZABETH THURBER, JOSEPH T. COLLINGWOOD, INCREASE ROBINSON, EUGENE P. ROWELL, J. HOLBROOK SHAW.
School Committee.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Plymouth-
The report of the Superintendent of schools for the year 1907 is herewith respectfully submitted. The table of statistics re- quired by the state authorities and the other data that usually accompany the report are given below. They show an in- creased number of pupils in the schools over last year, a good record for regular and punctual attendance, more teachers ir the service, and a larger expenditure of money, caused by the increased and increasing needs of the department :
The school census taken in September, 1907, gave the fol- lowing :
1907
1906
Children between 5 and 15 years of age :
Boys,
920
. 919
Girls,
1003
949
1973
1868
Children between 7 and 14 years, the compulsory school age :
1907
1906
Boys,
208
654
Girls,
200
669
1408
1323
Attendance record for school year ending June 21, 1907:
1906
1907
Whole number of pupils enrolled for year,
1987
2018
Number under 7 years of age,
369
357
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Number between 7 and 14 years,
1353
1394
Number between 14 and 15 years,
109
117
Number over 15 years of age,
156
150
1987
2018
Average membership of all the schools,
1880
1878
Per cent. of Attendance,
93.6
93.5
Number days absence of pupils,
23,766
24,270
Number cases of tardiness,
13.755
3,750
Number dismissals before close of school,
1,440
1,124
Number of cases of truancy reported,
62
45
Number days teachers absent from school,
249
122
Number school buildings in use,
22
Number school rooms in use, including High school,
56
Number teachers regularly employed,
58
High school,
ry
Grammar school,
19
Primary school,
29
Ungraded school,
3
Special teachers, one each for
3
61
To meet the requirements of the State Board of Education the following statistics cover the period of the school year, from September to July, 1906-1907, and are compared with the same items for the preceding school year :-
1905-6 1907-8
Whole number of pupils enrolled for the year,
1,987
2,018
Number under 7 years of age,
370
357
Number between 7 and 14 years,
1,353
1,394
Number between 14 and 15 years,
109
117
1906
1907
Average daily attendance,
1:59
1756
music, drawing and sloyd,
a
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Number over 15 years,
156
150
Average membership of all the schools,
1,880
1,878
Average daily attendance,
1,758.7 1,756
Per cent. of attendance,
93.6 93.5
Number days absence of pupils,
23,766 24,210
Number cases tardiness,
3,755
3,750
Number of dismissals before close of school session, 1,440
1,124
Number of cases of truancy reported by teachers, 62
45
Number of days of teachers' absence from school, 249 122
Number of visits made by superintendent, 892 680
Present number of pupils enrolled January 4, 1908, 2,036
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The items given below are based upon the expenditure for school purposes during the financial year 1907. The financial and attendance periods are not therefore identical, but since each covers a full year, the one period being only a little in advance of the other, the returns they furnish are fairly reliable.
1. Assessed valuation of real and personal property in Plymouth, May 1, 1907, $10,277,443 00
2. Per cent. of valuation expended for cur- rent expenses of schools in 1901, .004587
3. Expense per pupil on average membership, 24 65
4. Expense per pupil on same for schools, of State, 1906-1907, 29 22
5. Expense per pupil on average member- ship on total expenditure for schools in 1907-1908, 26 12
36 60
6. State average on same basis, 1905,
7. Average monthly wages of men teachers in Plymouth in 1906, 102 50
8. Average monthly wages of men teachers of the State, 153 02
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9. Average monthly wages of women teachers in Plymouth in 1902, 50 29
10. Same paid women teachers in the State, 1906-1907, 58 62
In this statement the items are based upon the average mem- bership of the schools, 1878. Items 2 and 3 are based upon the whole amount ($49,711.80) which the Committee has spent, less the cost of repairs ($2.564.95) building supplies ($189.84) and expense of evening schools, ($670.50). The items which make up this amount are payments for salaries, transportation, fuel and care of schoolhouses, text books and supplies, incidentals. The sum thus expended ($46,286.51) is by the act of the Legis- lature, to be regarded as the current expense of the schools, and is the sum to be certified to the State authorities as having been raised by taxation and expended "for the support of the public schools." This sum shows that during the past year the town raised by taxation, and expended for the school support of each child in the average membership (1878) of the schools, the sum of $24.65. The State average on the same basis was $29.22. While the town, in the total expense for its schools paid an average of $26.12 for each pupil in the average membership, the State average for each child on the same basis was $36.60.
There are 354 cities and towns in Massachusetts. During the past year there were 134 of these cities and towns which im- posed upon themselves a heavier tax for the school support of each child in the average membership of their schools than Plymouth, and 219 that imposed upon themselves a lesser tax. There were 196 of these same communities which paid a larger percentage of their assessed valuation for school purposes than Plymouth paid. and only 157 of them that paid less.
ATTENDANCE.
The schools have been in session for forty weeks, less seven days caused by holidays coming in term time. The attendance
B
fa
CO ren the
drer
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of most of the children of school age has been fairly regular during the whole year, save for the necessary absence caused by the usual amount of children's illness. A good measure of har- mony and interest and success has marked the work of the year.
Two thousand and eighteen pupils have been connected with the schools for a longer or shorter period during the year, while the average number belonging,-the number which shows the constant membership of the schools for the same period,-has been 1878. The average daily attendance was 93.5 per cent. of the number in the average membership. These figures, com- pared with those of last year, show only a small increase in the total number enrolled for the year ; and the schools have no more than held their own in maintaining their last year's record of regular and punctual attendance of those enrolled.
There were present each school day 931% per cent. of the average number belonging to the schools. That is, about seven per cent. of the whole number of pupils were absent, meaning a loss of nearly seven per cent .- about $6,000-of the current school expense. Not all of this loss is preventable. Sickness, and those debarred from school because of illness in the immed- iate family, account for some of it, but much of the loss is pre- ventable. Many of the children covered by the seven per cent. of absentees are out of school unnecessarily, and for no good purpose. Many of the parents who keep them out or who are responsible for their absence, show as reasons for non-attendance no excuse except that which indicates neglect or indifference. In a shifting population such as one finds here, there are many families that do not stay in any one place long enough to be- come interested in what the schools may have to offer their child- ren. Indifferance or carelessness, or hopelessness induced by the probability that they cannot stay long enough in one place to make it worth while, explain their failure to send their chil- dren to school until forced to do so, and to keep them there only so long as the pressure of necessity evoked by the law is applied.
But in the main, the sentiment of the children as well as the
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homes from which they come, strongly favors a regular and punctual attendance at school, and supports any reasonable ef- fort to enforce such attendance.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
The need for more school room, especially at the north, still continues. Of the 2,036 pupils today in school, about 470 live near the Knapp school, and should be enrolled there. That school can accommodate legally about 360 pupils, and all others who apply for admission there must be allowed to over-crowd the rooms or be sent elsewhere. At present, nearly one hundred children from that district are sent to school at Cold Spring, Alden street and to Russell street, about thirty being carried to Russell street at an expense of about $250 per year. As a tem- porary expedient, this arrangment is working well, but it is one that cannot be continued indefinitely. The places occupied in the Cornish school by pupils from the north, are needed to pro- vide for the increasing number of pupils applying for admission at the Cornish school. This larger number of pupils at the Centre and at the Knapp represents only the normal increase, and is likely to be permanent. All the school rooms at the Centre are so full as to render it impossible to send more pupils there, and relief must be sought elsewhere. A building placed in the vicinity of the Knapp school would provide for the in- creased and increasing number of pupils in that locality, and would also afford opportunity to relieve a few crowded school- rooms at the Centre.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Children five years old, or who will reach that age before the end of the fourth week of school, are admitted to the primary
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schools during the first four weeks of the fall term only, if they have never before attended school. Children of the legal school age are admitted to school at any, time in the districts where they live, if there is room; otherwise, they are sent to the nearest school where there is room.
The whole number of children enrolled in the schools at present is 2,036. Of this number 1,070, about 53 per cent. of the total number, are in the primary schools, grades one to four, inclusive, distributed in twenty-nine school rooms, making an average of thirty-seven pupils to each teacher. The smallest number in any one room is twelve, and the largest, forty-nine.
These 1,070 pupils are enrolled in the four primary grades as follows :
Grade I, 323
272
Grade II,
Grade III, 250
Grade IV, 225
1,070
None of the primary schools have crowded rooms except two or three at the north. These have each a larger number of pupils than any teacher can well care for; and there appears no way of lessening the numbers in attendance until additional school accommodations are provided.
In these schools are many non-English speaking children, ranging in age from eight to fifteen years. Some of these can read and write a foreign language, but most of them are illiter- ate. The only place for them in school is with the primary classes ; and here they remain often to their own detriment and to that of the classes. , Most of these children are apt pupils and eager to learn, and make rapid progress in the use of English if they are given the right opportunity. They need individual help and instruction, but the teachers are already working against heavy odds in these full classes, and find it impossible, in justice to the rest of the class, to give to these foreign chil-
Plymouth 9
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dren the help their condition requires. For such children there should be formed special classes containing not more than twenty-five pupils each, and taught by teachers especially fitted to understand and meet the particular needs of these pupils. Where such classes have been tried they have proved a financial and economical success. The pupils in them are rapidly fitted to enter the regular classes of children of their own age; or in case they must contribute to their own support, and they are old enough to do so, such classes save much time in helping children gain the knowledge necessary to secure their employment cer- tificates. When more school room is provided, there appears no good reason why one or more such special classes cannot be formed.
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