USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1913 > Part 8
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1
1
Collecting junk without license,
2
2
Disturbing the peace,
31
31
Disorderly house keeping,
1
1
Delinquency,
12
12
Drunkenness,
113
1 114
Eavesdropping.
2
2
Fornication,
1
1
2
Gaming on the Lord's Day,
6
6
Gaming, being present where gaming was going on,
6
0 6
Gambling nuisance,
2
2
Idle and disorderly,
6
1
Insanity,
4
1
5
Larceny,
23
23
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation,
1
1
2
Murder,
1
1
Non-Support,
6
6
Obtaining money by false pretense,
1
1
Peddling without license,
3
3
Rape,
1
1
Receiving stolen goods,
2
2
Sodomy,
1
1
Setting fire to building,
1
1
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Setting fire in woods,
1
1
Tramps,
1
1
Vagrancy,
1
1
2
Violating liquor laws,
19
1
20
Violating Motor vehicle laws,
9
9
Violating Clam laws,
3
3
Violating pure food laws,
3
3
294
9 303
Lost children taken in charge by the police and returned to their homes,
5
Night's lodging given,
2
Doors 11?, windows 15, reported left open at night and closed and locked by the police.
I would recommend the installation of three or four red lights located in different parts of the town, arranged so that they could be operated from the Police Station. Also three or four telephones for the use of the department. In that way we could keep in close touch with the officers on duty and they could com- municate with headquarters at any time.
Would also recommend that before another winter, the pur- chase of a steam heating plant for the Police Station. The County now has two boilers installed there, one large tubular boiler, and one small sectional boiler, the sectional boiler we are now using, but it is too small for the work it has to do. The larger one is out of commission and I do not think it advis- able to lay out any money on it for repairs.
I wish to thank the officers and members of this department for their hearty co-operation and their prompt obedience to orders. When somewhat new to the business of this office they rendered me valued assistance. Also to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen and all others who have assisted me in the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. BAKER,
Chief of Police.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen-
The Board of Engineers present the following report cover- ing the year 1913.
APPARATUS.
The following apparatus is in commission : Three steam fire engines.
Two hose wagons.
One ladder truck.
Two chemical engines.
One combination chemical and ladder truck.
One fire alarm wagon.
One combination chemical and Hose auto truck.
During the year there has been a combination hose and chem- ical truck added to the apparatus at the central station and has given good satisfaction.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
The underground wire from the central station to Park av- enue has been replaced with lead cable. Two underground fire
nex
an the
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and cable test boxes have been installed at box 37 and 38, taking, the boxes from wooden poles, giving them individual receptacles. New underground has been installed between Park avenue and Nelson street. A new box number 461 to be located at the cor- ner of Towns and South streets, has been purchased.
ALARMS.
23 Bell alarms and 57 still alarms.
BUILDINGS.
The buildings of the department have been repaired and improved as occasion required and are in good condition except the North Fire Station which will need to be painted this year.
HYDRANTS.
Five new hydrants have been set this year, two old ones taken out and replaced with new ones.
HOSE.
The department had 5,200 feet of 2 1/2 cotton, rubber lined hose in service December 31, 1913.
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FINANCIAL.
Appropriation, Expenditures, Balance unexpended,
$14,500 00 14,161 94 338 06
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The board recommends a tractor for the No. 2 engine this year at the central fire station.
The board recommend the usual appropriation of $14,500.00 to meet the ordinary expenses during the year 1914.
JOHN E. SULLIVAN, ISAAC L. HEDGE, ALTON D. EDES, JAMES S. KIERSTEAD, ALVIN A. HALL,
Board of Fire Engineers.
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
The Directors of the Library respectfully submit the following report of the work of the Library during the past year, and of its present condition :-
Bound volumes added for circulation in 1913, 304
Bound volumes added for reference, 26
Total number of volumes added, 330
Number of volumes for circulation, Jan. 1, 1913, 14,528
Number of volumes added in 1913, 304
14832
Withdrawn from circulation,
171
Total number of circulation, Jan. 1, 1914,
14,661
Number of volumes in reference department,
Jan. 1, 1913, 3,247
Volumes added in 1913, 26
Total number of volumes for reference, 3,273
Total number of volumes in Library, Jan. 1, 1914, 17,934
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PERIODICALS.
Monthly ---
American Journal of Archaeology, gift of Dr. Helen Morton. Atlantic Monthly Bird Lore
Bookman
Century
Country Life in America
Craftsman
Etude
National Geographic Magazine
Good Housekeeping
Harper's Monthly
Indian's Friend, gift of Dr. Helen Morton
Library Journal
McClure's Magazine Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, gift of the Museum Musician
New England Magazine
North American Review
Our Dumb Animals, gift of the S. P. C. A.
Popular Mechanics
Popular Science Monthly
Public Libraries
Review of Reviews
St. Nicholas
School Arts Magazine Scribner's Magazine World's Work
Weekly- Fibre and Fabric Harper's Weekly Literary Digest Old Colony Memorial, gift of the Publishers
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Outlook Scientific American
Scientific American Supplement
Survey, gift of Miss Lucia Bartlett
Youth's Companion
Daily-
Boston Transcript
Christian Science Monitor
New York Tribune
Religious Weeklies, provided by individuals-
America
Christian Register
Congregationalist
Watchman
Zion's Herald
Books circulated in 1913-
General Works,
243
Philosophy,
86
Theology,
78
Sociology,
514
Language,
81
Natural Science,
444
Useful Arts,
570
Fine Arts,
519
Literature,
937
Travels,
1,409
Biography,
697
History,
623
Fiction,
22,534
Total circulation for 1913, 28,735
The Directors desire to publicly and gratefully acknowledge the gift of 67 volumes of the best books of the year from the
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Plymouth Book Club, and also the gift of fifty dollars from Miss Mary Pratt for the purchase of books.
The new rule allowing each patron to take out two books at a time and the adoption of the open shelf system have both given great satisfaction to the public, resulting in an increased circula- tion of the books during the past year.
WILLIAM HEDGE, President.
February 3, 1914.
For the Directors.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The improvements of the different Parks have been carried on to a greater extent this year than ever before. Thousands of white pine trees have been transplanted in different sections of Morton Park. The old paths leading to various points of in- terest, have been repaired, and new paths are under construc- tion. A new storehouse has been erected which has been very much needed in the past for taking care of the numerous settees and other various things connected with the parks. We have also purchased fire extinguishers and have kept them sta- tioned at various points in Morton Park to be convenient in case of fire.
The tent caterpillars were very numerous in some parts of the Park this season and only by constant spraying with arsenic of lead were they kept from destroying large areas of fine wood- land for which Morton Park is famous. The gypsy and brown tail moth were found widely scattered in different portions, but we hope, that with the careful search that was made for the eggs of the moth and the destruction of the same that the exter- mination of this pest ended in 1913.
The improvements that were begun on South Street Park last year are completed.
On the street side of Burton Park, several hundred feet of new fence has been built and painted which thoroughly defines the sidewalk and greatly adds to the appearance of this beautiful spot.
Bates Park and Training Green have been kept in order as usual.
Plymouth
12
A
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Beach Park. Owing to the increasing demand of the public for bathing purposes at this place we would recommend an extra appropriation of ($300) three hundred dollars, to be used in making additional shelter and several more small rooms connect- ed with the present bath house.
We ask for an appropriation of $1500 for Parks, $185 for the care of Training Green, also an additional appropriation of $300 for shelter and rooms at Beach Park.
Appropriation for Parks,
$1,500 00
Receipts from Morton Fund,
50 00
$1,550 00
PAYMENTS.
Park Department.
Administration-
General,
$5 05
Salaries and wages,
1,006 95
Teams,
112 72
All other,
425 21
Appropriation Training Green,
$1,549 93 $185 00
PAYMENTS.
Park Department.
Salaries and wages,
$161 85
Teams.
4 25
All other,
18 90
$185 00
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Several receipts of this department amounting to $43.40 not collected before January 1st, 1914, does not show in this report, but will be shown in next year's report.
Respectfully submitted, BENJ. F. RAYMOND, JOHN RUSSELL,
Park Commissioners.
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REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen- I hereby submit the annual report of my department for 1913.
Dr.
To appropriation,
$1,000 00
To reimbursement contingent fund, 33 30
$1,033 30
Cr.
By labor,
$749 33
By horse hire,
157 87
By telephone,
18 00
By insecticide,
72 00
By printing,
1 75
By tools and other supplies,
34 35
$1,033 30
Some twenty odd street trees which were dead have been re- moved, including the large elm formerly located at the junction of Leyden and Carver streets. A large majority of the remaining trees have been trimmed and large quantities of dead wood re- moved.
There is still work of this nature to be done the ensuing year in order to keep the trees in proper condition. There is a neces- sity also that sixty or more trees should be planted, especially to take the places of those removed and others that are to be cut down.
Spraying was done as usual for the elm beetle, the result being that no signs of this pest were perceptible and the trees retained their foliage throughout the dry summer. I respectfully recom- mend an appropriation of $1,000.00 for the ensuing year.
C. S. MIXTER,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
I respectfully submit the following report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1913.
I have had reported 52 fires during the year, over one-half of these being in the vicinity of the South Pond Road, and no doubt were set. We were unable to secure sufficient evidence to prosecute any one for setting fires.
The fires began April 1, near Gravilly Hill, and they occurred every week, sometimes three or four fires being set on the same day. August 1st, fires were set on land near Morton Pines, and this was kept up by new fires being set until the woods from South Pond Road to Triangle Pond had been burnt over, the last fire occuring August 23, 1913, burning over probably 500 acres of woodland, and destroying some of the best pine wood in Plymouth.
For the financial statement of this Department I refer to the report of the Town Accountant. I respectfully ask for an appro- priation of $2,000.00 for this Department.
HERBERT MORISSEY,
Forest Warden.
-182 ---
GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
Dr.
To-
Appropriation,
$2,700 00
Cr.
By-
Superintendent,
$681 75
Labor,
1,373 55
Trucking,
343 05
Supplies,
285 29
Rent,
14 00
Printing,
2 00
Balance unexpended,
36
$2,700 00
Dr.
To-
Special appropriation for power-sprayer, $8 00
Reimbursement from Contingent Fund, 6 20
$806 20
Cr.
By-
Power-sprayer,
$650 00
Long-Worthley nozzle,
12 50
Hose and Freight,
143 70
$806 20
There has been very little change in the moth work during the year, except in relation to the Brown-tail, which have swarmed
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in larger numbers than in previous years. These are now being cared for as rapidly as possible.
The Gypsy Moth are not much trouble in the residential sec- tions, but are giving a very hard fight in the woodlands ; especial- ly in the pond districts and bog localities, where it is essential that they are kept under control, as they have proved to be a bad pest to the cranberry growers. Thus far they have been kept from doing much damage.
Much spraying was done with the new power-sprayer, which proved to do excellent work.
Owing to the amount of work that many of the large estate owners wish done, and for which they are willing to reimburse the town, I respectfully recommend that an appropriation be made for the ensuing year of $3,800.00.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Superintendent.
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REPORT OF FISH COMMITTEE
Nothing of consequence has been done by the committee during the past year and none of the appropriation has been used.
Owing to the injunction against Vallor and Griswold in the suit brought by Ida Douglas against them, restraining them from taking fish from Ship Pond, they have been unable to sup- ply the committee with white perch for stocking purposes as in past years, and the committee knows of no other source of sup- ply.
In previous reports the committee has signified its intention of securing black bass for stocking purposes on the theory that new blood would prove beneficial.
It has been impossible to do this during the past year owing to the limited supply at the hatcheries.
The committee recommends an appropriation of $300.00 for the ensuing year.
DR. E. DWIGHT HILL, GEOFFREY D. PERRIOR, HARRY B. DAVIS, Committee on Inland Fisheries.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
During the month of January, 1913, we had a serious out-break of rabies in this town, fortunately most of the dogs affectedl with this disorder had it in what is known as the dumb.
In January,twelve dogs were killed suffering from rabies, dur- ing the month of February two more cases of rabies developed and were killed.
On February 15, the bureau of Animal Industry ordered the annual inspection of cattle and other live stock, the work to be completed by April 1st, this inspection included an examination of the buildings where the animals are kept and the surroundings.
As a result of this inspection two cows were found suffering from a contagious disease and were destroyed.
There were inspected 164 stables containing 424 head of milk cows, 118 head of young stock, 6 oxen, 4 goats, 378 pigs, 13 bulls, and 96 sheep.
There has been a marked improvement in many of the stables where cows are kept the past year, many of the stables being cleaned up and white-washed and in some places new windows being put in to make the stables lighter.
The bureau of Animal Industry is making a special effort to have the stables improved and made more sanitary and comfort- able for animals, the past year their agent has visited this town several times and has looked over many of the stables and has made some suggestions as to what should be done to make some of the stables better. In many cases these suggestions have been carried out.
We have found a good many cats the past year which seem to
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be owned by no one, suffering from a form of mange, many of those have been killed and buried.
November 14 there was a meeting of the inspectors of this district at the State House. Mr. Fred F. Walker, Commissioner of the Bureau of Animal Industry addressed the meeting, out- lining the way he wished some of the work done this year.
FREDERICK H. BRADLEY,
Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF SHORES
Plymouth, Mass., Dec. 31, 1913. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
I herewith submit the following report as Supervisor of Shores and Flats.
As near as can be ascertained about thirteen thousand four hundred and fifty (13450) buckets of clams have been dug on our shores and flats the past year making an increase of about twenty-two hundred (2200) buckets over 1912. The flats are yielding more clams than for years, giving the public the advant- age of a better quality.
The Andrew Kerr Company have now fifty (50) acres of flat planted that will furnish spat the coming season.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOLMES, Supervisor of Shores and Flats.
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HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
Plymouth, Mass., Dec. 31, 1913 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
I herewith submit my report as Harbor Master and Wharfinger of Pilgrim Wharf.
The Wharf will require some repairs this coming year. There is a concrete bulkhead needed at the end of the wharf, a num- ber of piles to be driven and a run-way needed for the public float. I recommend an appropriation of three hundred and fifty dollars, ($350.00) for the above mentioned repairs, which I consider absolutely necessary for public convenience, and for the proper maintenance of the wharf.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOLMES,
Harbor Master.
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit the following report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures' Department for the year 1913.
Property of the Town in the Department:
One brass beam scale and cabinet; one each 50 lbs., 25lbs., 20 lbs., 10 lbs., 5 lb. weights, nickel plated ; one each 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 lb., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz., 1 oz., 1-2 oz., 1-4 oz., 1-8 oz., 1-16 oz., brass. Dry Measures, 1-2 bushel, 1 peck, 1-2 peck, 2 quarts, 1 quart, iron. Liquid measures, 1 gallon, 1-2 gallon, 1 quart, 1 pint, 1 gill, iron. Linear measures, 1 steel tape, 1 yard measure, brass.
Working Set.
Nineteen 50 lb. weights ,iron; 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 1b., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz., 1 oz., 1-2 oz., 1-4 oz., 1-8 oz., 1-16 oz., brass.
Dry Measures, 1-2 gallon, 1 quart, 1 pint, 1 gill, brass ; 1 gal lon, 2 quart tin.
One portable balance with case.
One hanger weight, nickeled.
One sealer's case with tools.
One hand press seal.
One sealing clamp.
Wired and paper seals, rubber stamps, marking acid, record book, steel alphabet dies and numbers, safe.
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Scales, etc., Tested.
Sealed
Adjusted Condemned
Scales over 5000,
4
1
1
Scales under 5000
74
9
1
Computing Scales,
31
5
1
Slot Weighing Scales,
5
2
1
All other Scales,
530
17
10
Weights,
9
2
Dry Measures,
5
Liquid Measures,
35
Milk Jars,
22
Linear Measures,
37
Oil and Molasses pumps,
20
5
Cranberry Crates inspected,
300
Cranberry Barrels,
43,000
Coal Weighed in Transit.
Weigher's Weight.
Sealer's Weight
6523
6523
6767
6675
3765
3765
3765
3765
3765
3765
2750
2735
Fees Collected, $91.37.
BENJAMIN F. SNOW, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
The Board of Health, in compliance with custom and the public statutes, herewith presents its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1913.
Organization.
Early in the year, the Board elected Dr. George Jackson as its chairman and medical advisor ; Harry R. Talbot as its secretary ; and Freeman Manter as its inspector. Dr. Frederick H. Bradley was reappointed inspector of meats and provisions ; and Arthur Sampson and Michael D. Welsh were re-appointed as inspectors of plumbing.
Meetings.
The Board has held its regular meetings twice each month and special ones whenever required.
Complaints.
During the past year, the Board as a whole has investigated numerous complaints; and the inspector alone reports that he has personally inspected about one hundred and fifty cases.
Fumigation.
The inspector reports the following cases of fumigation :-
Diptheria, 9
Scarlet Fever, 27
Tuberculosis, 6
Infantile Paralysis, 3
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Summary of Contagious Diseases.
During the past year there has been a total of seventy-one cases of contagious disease, as compared with one hundred sixty- six of the preceding year. The following tabulation gives an adequate idea of the prevalence of each of the contagious diseases from month to month; also, it will be noted, that not at any time did an epidemic occur, which the Board believes is due to the efficient quarantine measures being carried out in those cases deemed most dangerous to the Public Health.
Jan. 2 3 co Feb.
Mar.
₩ Apr.
+ May
A June
July
Aug. Or Sept.
Oct. Nov.
Dec.
Scarlet Fever,
Diptheria, 0 03121000101
Measles, 1 0 2 0 0 000000
Chicken Pox, 1 0 0000000001 2
Opthalmia,
2 0 0 0 0 0001000
3
Tuberculosis, 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Typhoid Fever 0 0 000000230
8 5 2
Infection of Rabies, 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 German Measles, 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Infantile Paralysis, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2
3
71
Of the seventy-one reported cases, twenty-nine were furnished proper medical attention and whatever else was required by law. The expense for such cases has been taken from the appropria- tion, but wherever an outside settlement could be determined, the Board has required re-imbursement from the proper source.
Disinfection in all cases of contagious disease has been done as in the past, a competent person always having it under his personal supervision. In no case has a second infection occurred after quarantine has been removed from an infected quarter and the work has in all ways been satisfactory to the Board.
Biological products furnished free from the State Laboratories
9 3
0 0 1 6 34
--- 193-
have been secured and in turn. furnished the local physicians whenever so desired.
Analysis of drinking water has been made whenever a service was suspected of pollution and in such cases, when analysis proved the water unfit for drinking, notices have been posted in conspicuous places warning the public of the same.
Shipping from Foreign Parts.
Fifteen vessels from foreign parts have arrived here between March 8, 1913 and January 1, 1914. In all cases, thesc vessels have been boarded by our inspector and whenever sickness las been found, prompt investigation on the part of the Board has followed before allowing any of the crew to land.
Contagious Hospital.
In our last report, the attention of the Town was directed to the Law requiring the maintenance within its limits of an iso- lation hospital for contagious diseases with a separate Tubercu- losis ward, the law providing a five dollar per week subsidy to be paid by the State for each Tuberculosis patient therein.
The Board is confident that in the near future some arrange- ment can be made with the Jordan Hospital which will satisfy the provisions of the Law. The Board has reason to believe that if the Jordan Hospital builds a Tuberculosis ward, the same subsidy will be paid as if the Town erected the building, i. e .: the State will recognize the Tuberculosis ward as if it were a separate hospital.
Disposal of Rubbish.
The Obery dump has been under the daily personal inspec- tion of Mr. Edward Morse as a regular caretaker. This has caused an increased cost to the Town, as may be seen in the Accountant's report; but the result has fully justified the same. The Board has $200.00 available for the purpose of a new site for a dump, but as yet has been unable to find the desired loca- tion for the same.
Plymouth
13
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Plumbing Inspection.
The inspectors report that 188 permits were granted, 29 examinations, and 203 inspections were made.
The cost of the above work as reported by the Town Account- ant is $665.00, the Law regulating the fees which the inspectors shall receive for the various kinds of work done by them.
Of the number of permits granted, 119 were for work in old houses and 40 for new dwellings.
Meats and Provisions.
Below is given the report of Dr. Frederick H. Bradley, In- spector of Meats and Provisions :-
"During the year, the following number of animals were slaughtered and examined for food :-
Pigs
Cows
Calves
Sheep
January,
57
14
4
February,
28
11
2
March,
21
9
5
April,
14
5
19
2
May,
3
8
22
June,
5
15
July,
4
5
August,
2
8
4
2
September,
5
15
4
October,
8
15
4
November,
32
23
2
1
December,
87
28
4
3
Totals,
268
146
92
8
Three cows, three calves and one pig were condemned as unfit for food and were disposed of according to the Law.
The past year, the State Board of Health has required the
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inspectors to be present at the time the animals were slaught- ered and to remain until the animals were dressed; this has taken much time and it has been necessary to fix certain days for slaughtering in the different sections of the Town and we are arranging the slaughtering at present as follows :-
Mondays and Thursday, in centre of Plymouth.
Tuesdays, in Manomet.
Fridays, at Long Pond.
Saturdays at North Plymouth.
Plymouth having such a large area, it has taken a good deal of time to reach all the places that have animals to slaughter, and the absence of slaughter houses makes it harder and causes a good deal of travelling for the inspector.
In Manomet, there is no slaughtering place of any description ; each owner has to slaughter his animal on his own premises and do the best he can. The same condition is at Long Pond.
In the centre of the Town, we have two places that are called slaughter houses; they are far from satisfactory, being small and without sanitary conveniences.
The Town should have an up-to-date slaughter house in a central location with plenty of room and town water in the building."
Expenses.
The citizens are referred to the report of the Town Account- ant and the bills on file for details of expenditures. The gen- eral increase in the cost of living has affected the expenses of the Board as well as the tendency of the State in requiring more and more to be done for the indigent placed in charge of the Board.
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