USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1916 > Part 4
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During the year a number of books have been added by request. Such suggestions are very welcome and will be noted and considered. We wish to make the library as helpful and efficient as possible. Of the total number of books added this year, both new and to replace worn-out copies, over 200 were for the youngest children. These. count up fast as the price of a primer is about one-fifth that of a . new novel.
The story hours were conducted by the Kosmos Club and eight mornings were given in the reading room on Saturdays beginning January the eighth. The attendance was large, the appreciation of the children was marked by excellent behavior and intelligent. comprehension and the whole series was a great success.
We have continued to borrow a few Polish books from the Massachusetts Free Public Library commission and this year, in addition, purchased a few to increase our own small collection.
The library was represented by the librarian and assistants at the Massachusetts Library Club meeting in January at the Widener
46
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Memorial Library of Harvard College and at a district meeting held in Malden in the new children's room of the public library.
Numerous gifts have been received this year. Charles N. Win- ship presented to the library a valuable set of books, the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, in sixteen volumes. The Superintendent of Schools has generously remembered us with ele- mentary books. Following this report is a detailed list of all gifts.
We are indebted to the Daily Item for the printing of weekly lists, often augmented by notes of interest concerning library activ- ities.
A few books have been borrowed through the inter-library loan system from both Boston and Malden. This privilege is much appre- ciated.
On the afternoon of March twenty third, the reading room was reserved for one hour for the exhibit, in charge of Miss Elizabeth Frances Ingram, of our collection of Shakespearian engravings, pre- sented to the library by George L. Wakefield. This exhibit was especially for the benefit of the high school pupils, who attended in goodly numbers and showed much interest. In December, we had a small exhibit in a case in the delivery room of good books for Christmas gifts for children, selected from the list issued by the H. W. Wilson Co. Copies of this list were freely distributed.
The reclassification of the library according to the Dewey sys- tem with Cutter author numbers is being carried forward as fast as opportunity permits. Fiction, poetry and drama are completed. Readings and recitations, biography and United States history are nearly finished and a beginning has been made in two other subjects. Compared with the numerical notation, the numbers often seem am- biguous, but the great advantage of having all books on a subject in one group is daily demonstrated.
The circulation at the Greenwood Branch was less than last year but in October the room was closed by the Board of Health while the school building, in which the room is located, was also closed.
When the magazine list for the reading room was submitted in March, two magazines were dropped, two discontinued publication, and two new ones were added, Field and Stream and House and Garden. There are now 57 magazines and 6 newspapers currently received and on file in the reading room. The Reader's Guide to Periodical Lit- erature is used continually and the room is well patronized for gen- eral reading and reference work.
The receipts and expenditures of the past year are as follows:
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
47
LIBRARY AND READING ROOM
Appropriation
$2,195.00
Income from Dog Tax .
831.06
Income from Trust Funds
280.20
$3,306.26
SALARIES
Librarian
$740.98
Assistants
478.23 $1,219.21
BOOKS
New .
$383.36
Replaced
333.09
Duplicate
25.48
Binding and rebinding
296.52
$1,038.45
Printing
136.50
Express .
9.95
Incidentals
106.31
Lighting
181.01
GREENWOOD BRANCH
Librarian
$145.50
Assistant
46.45
Janitor
26.00
Express .
25.00
Miscellaneous
22.17
Books. New
. $20.13
Replaced
17.95 38.08
303.20
READING ROOM
Daily attendant
$ 60.00
Sunday attendant
33.00
Magazines and newspapers
156.25
Magazine binders
16.55
Books
41.88
Incidentals and repairs
3.95 $ 311.63 $3,306.26
Library receipts for 1916, returned to town .
$ 193.14
STATISTICAL REPORT
Number of volumes Jan. 1, 1916 . 18,132
Added by purchase, new
613
Added by purchase, to replace wornout volumes
437
(11 by donation)
Added by donation .
172
Added by magazines bound
33
.
48
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Volumes added to the Greenwood Branch:
By purchase, new 46
By purchase, to replace wornout . 25
By donation
7
By magazines bound
2
80
19,467
Volumes worn out and discarded, Main library . 788
Volumes worn out and discarded, Greenwood 98
886
Total number of volumes, Jan. 1, 1917 .
18,581
Number of volumes rebound, Main library
694
Number of volumes rebound, Greenwood .
67
761
New names registered, Màin library
540
New names registered, Greenwood
113
653
Books and magazines circulated for home use:
Main library
61,931
Greenwood
14,214
Total circulation
76,145
Days open for circulation, Main library
304
Average daily circulation
203.7
Days open for circulation, Greenwood
147
Average daily circulation
96.6
Total number of cards registered, Main library
3,931
Total number of cards registered, Greenwood
872
Books used for reference, Main library .
2,989
Postals used for waiting list, Main library
599
Postals used for waiting list, Greenwood
128
DONATIONS
Books
Pamphlets
American Jewish Committee, New York .
1
Brooks, D. M. .
3
Burditt, Sylvester
1
Carey, A. A.
1
Carlisle, Ralph Edward, Jr. .
1
Carnegie endowment for international peace
1
Dolbeare, Harris M.
1
Friends
3
2
General Education Board, New York city
1
Iyenaga, Toyokichi
1
Kosmos Club
4 10
Lee, Edward E.
4
Lee, H. Gertrude
2
Low, Ruth I. .
1
Mansfield, Charles F.
1
Lawrence, Mrs. L. C.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
49
Massachusetts, Commonwealth of
28
Massachusetts, New Church Union
1
Maxim, Hudson
1
1
Morton, Mrs. Sarah Yale .
2
National Canners' Association
1
National City Bank of New York
1
1
Neis, A. M. .
Parker, Sir Gilbert
1
Pendleton, Miss Lucy
3
Ripley, W. S., Jr. .
11
Superintendent of Schools
40
Thompson, Slason
1
T. T. O. Club .
28
United States government
13
Winship, Charles N.
16
Yale, Miss Octavia
13
MAGAZINES DONATED
French, Mrs. G. R. Four-Footed Friends.
Friend, A. Yale Review.
Publishers. Our Dumb Animals.
Publishers. Stenotypist.
Skinner, H. J. National Geographic magazine.
Library Hours.
Daily, except Sunday, 2 to 8.30 p.m., Saturdays, 2 to 9 p.m. Reading Room Hours.
Daily, 8 to 12 a.m., 1.30 to 5, 7 to 9 p.m., Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m.
GREENWOOD BRANCH DONATIONS
Books
Lenoir, Thomas
1
Pittman, Mrs. L. J.
5
Ripley, W. S., Jr. . 1
MAGAZINES DONATED
Hall, Mrs. Mary K. Harper's magazine.
MacQuarrie, Cora. Cosmopolitan magazine.
Morrill, Mrs. Helena. Everybody's and Pictorial Review.
Publishers. Our Dumb Animals.
Pittman, Mrs. L. J. Miscellaneous copies.
Turner, Mrs. Ella. Miscellaneous copies. Wright, Mrs. C. W. Miscellaneous copies. Wyatt, Mrs. B. A. Miscellaneous copies.
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics. Annual report for year ended Dec. 31, 1916.
Beebe Town Library, Wakefield, Mass.
1
50
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Population. 12,781.
Terms of use. Free.
Agencies. Main library, one branch.
Days open during year. Main library
304
Hours open each week for lending.
Main library 39 1/2
Hours open each week for reading. Main library .
39 1/2
Days open during year. Branch .
147
Hours open each week for lending.
Branch
6
Hours open each week for reading. Branch
6
Number of volumes at beginning of year
18,132
Number of volumes added by purchase
1,121
Number of volumes added by gift
179
Number of volumes added by binding
35
Number of volumes withdrawn during year
886
Total number of volumes at end of year
18,581
Number of volumes loaned for home use
76,145
Number of borrowers registered during year
653
Total number of registered borrowers .
4,803
Registration period .
5 years
Number of newspapers (6) and periodicals (59) currently
received. Main library . 65
Number of periodicals currently received. Branch 12
LIBRARY RECEIPTS
Local taxation
$2,195.00
Income from Dog Tax .
831.06
Income from Trust Funds
280.20
$3,306.26
PAYMENTS FOR
Books
$ 821.89
Periodicals
156.25
Binding
296.52
Salaries
1,530.16
Light .
181.01
Other expenses
320.43
$3,306.26
Respectfully submitted, H. GERTRUDE LEE, Librarian.
EUGENE S. HINCKLEY Park Commissioner 1896-1916
51
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Report of Park Commissioners
In submitting our annual report for 1916, the Board desires to express its appreciation of the cordial manner in which its efforts have been seconded by the people. This is shown not only by the willing way in which the appropriation for the Park Department has been voted, but still more by the wider use that has been made of the park facilities, especially, of course, the Common and Park, and the Hart's Hill Reservation, by all classes, by not only the young but those of maturer years, -by not only those who have lived long in Wakefield and thus love it for association's sake, but by the newcomers and those of foreign birth.
We feel, as the Board of Park Commissioners, that we hold in trust one of the most valuable assets, perhaps the most valuable, (though not to be expressed in dollars and cents) which our town possesses.
The value of our beautiful Park with its outlying vista of lake and surrounding sward and woodland, in making Wakefield what it is in the estimation of not only its own people, but for its reputation abroad, is not to be easily estimated.
The laying out of parks increases the desirability of a town as a place of residence equally with the facilities for ready means of transportation, its healthful location and the character of its popu- lation This is recognized by all modern planning boards.
Welfare workers lay stress upon it. Municipal boards of trade en- courage it. It has become a part of the courses in civil engineering taught in the polytechnic schools. The development and the preser- vation of open spaces enhances the value of neighboring real estate.
For this park development other towns-to say nothing of the great cities,-have spent thousands and tens of thousands. Wakefield has acquired it almost as a gift. We have not had to develop new areas or purchase lands. Nature and the far-sighted way in which the town was laid out by its early settlers have given us what less fortunate communities have purchased at a great price.
A town does not grow into parks. It outgrows them, except in such happy exceptions as Wakefield. A town usually is built to meet the demands of commerce. Building is added to building, street to street. Sewers, electric lines and wires are pushed here and there. Thus the open spaces are crowded back. Thus, not only the extent but the direction of a town's growth is in a large degree controlled by the natural laws of development, resisting or directing the move- ments of supply and demand.
So it is that we feel our fellow-citizens should appreciate what a large asset our town has in its park system. Our open spaces did not have to be bought. The natural lines of our territory gave it the basis in beautiful outlooks and far-flung vistas of park lands which are unexcelled for beauty in all the picturesque towns of Massachusetts.
52
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
To conserve and develop these gifts of nature is the welcome duty which we as a board of park commissioners feel is placed in our hands.
In the line of this thought we may, as citizens, congratulate ourselves upon the acquisition of Hart's Hill Reservation. During the past year the walks and paths have been extended and improved. Spaces have been cleared to improve the outlying. views. It has been gratifying to note how much the public has appreciated this part of the town's natural attractions which has come into the possession of the people
The Board has had no unusual work in hand during the year. Our task has been to keep the Park, Wakefield's most beautiful feature, in neat condition and make it as serviceable as possible for the recrea- tion and rest of our people, and to care for the other park-spaces. In this purpose, the Board cannot too highly commend the services of Mr. William Murray, whose excellent judgement and constant conscien- tious labor have for many years been active in the care and beautifying of the Common and Park.
The small park-plat at the Junction has been improved and kept in good order by Mr. Eugene Lenners.
In providing band concerts on the Park in conjunction with the Metropolitan Park Commission, the town has afforded a means of en- joyment during the summer months to thousands. We believe no ex- penditure of public money could be put to better use as relates to the giving of enjoyment to the greatest possible number than the giving of these concerts. Aside from that, the concerts are a good investment for our business houses and the town, simply as an adver- tisement.
Improvements have been made in the municipal bath house. Its patronage was not quite so large as in years past.
The detailed account of the expenditures in each of the items mentioned above will be found in the town accountant's statement.
We have to record with sorrow the passing away during the year of our esteemed colleague, Mr. Eugene S. Hinckley. Mr. Hinck- ley was greatly interested in the work of the board and his zeal, and good judgment have been very valuable in the service of the town. We feel a personal as well as public loss in his death, and will ever cherish the interest, devotion and business ability which he gave to the service of his fellow-citizens for twenty years as Park Commissioner.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Sec'y A. PHILIP KNIGHT
53
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF SWIMMING
To The Board of Park Commissioners:
As Supervisor of the bath house, I beg leave to submit the fol- lowing report for the 1916 season.
Work began June 12th, cleaning up the beach and getting the bath house opened up. A complete new wharf was built from the porch down into the water. Several new planks and barrels were put in the raft, also a new diving board.
The bath house was officially opened June 17th.
Classes were organized in which the beginners were taught in the first part of the morning and afternoon and advanced lessons and perfecting of strokes and diving the latter part of the morning and afternoon.
The girls having only one day a week (Wednesday) had the same schedule. I wish to recommend at least one more day a week for the girls.
The attendance for boys was only half that of the previous year. This was due to the excessive growth of weeds in the lake, in the vi- einity of the bath house The wet, chilly weather of the opening and closing weeks also kept the bathers away.
The total attendance for boys was 4,390, an average of 73 a day. The total attendance for girls was 1,793, an average of 163 a day for eleven days. The girls' attendance was nearly the same as the previous year.
Safety First was practiced with the results of no serious acci- dents. First aid was administered to several youngsters who had stepped on something sharp or had bruised themselves.
In the closing weeks the annual tests were given which con- sisted of Junior, Intermediate and Senior events.
In the boys' classes, 50 learned to swim, 84 took the Junior test, a swim of 60 feet, 50 took the Intermediate test, swimming 100 feet, dive from raft, swim on back 100 feet; 20 took the advanced test across the lake from Beacon to Sweetser street, running front dive, and back dive from spring board and 8 yards under water.
Girls: 10 learned to swim 60 feet; 10 took the Intermediate test; 3 took the advanced test, making a total of 177 ribbons awarded.
I wish to recommend that some efficient means be available to keep the weeds cleared away from the near vicinity of the bathing beach.
The attitude of the bathers was orderly and helpful at all times.
I wish to extend my thanks to the ladies who were matrons, to . the Park Commissioners who willingly met the needs of the bathers and to Mr. William Murray.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH E. LOCKE.
.
54
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR GIRLS' DAY AT BATH-HOUSE.
To The Board of Park Commisioners:
Dear Sirs:
A committee from the Kosmos Club had charge of the bathing for girls at the bath house last summer.
The bath house was open for the girls on Wednesdays, from June 21 to September 6. There were 1793 who took advantage of the privilege-an average of 163 each time.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. C. B. Hall, Chairman
Mrs. C. E. Montague
Mrs. H. S. Bouve'
Mrs. W. B. Wiley
Mrs. G. A. Packard
Mrs. R. Dutton
Mrs. J. R. Green
Report of Town Counsel
Wakefield, Jan. 1, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
Gentlemen :-
Following is my report as town counsel for the year 1916.
The beginning of the year found the Bay State St. Railway Com- pany's petition before the Public Service Commission for approval of its revision of fares and fare zones undisposed of and the hearings thereon continued intermittently up to July 25, 1916, occupying sixty days in all, the greater part of which I have attended. There have been also in connection with this matter many conferences of counsel and meetings of representatives of the affected municipalities to dis- cuss the matter and I have acted as treasurer for the municipalities who contributed toward the expense of an expert for the remonstrants. Wakefield contributed $100 and a total of $1900 has so far been ad- vanced and paid to the expert whose bill is $2600 but no further obli- gation therefor is on Wakefield. I drew a bill for the legislature legal- izing such contributions and one was enacted and is now law and in the form it passed now allows municipalities to effectively protect their residents and the public generally whenever deemed advisable by con- tributing money for opposing such matters.
The result of the hearings is well known and as first construed by the company under the order passed August 31, 1916 by the Commis- sion was to increase all the fares so far as Wakefield was concerned but by direction of your Honorable Board I entered a protest to that
55
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
construction and after a hearing thereon the Commission ruled that in Wakefield we should have the benefit of the five cent fare on all routes theretofore charged at that rate which began or ended in Melrose or Malden. In effect this placed us between the cities allowed by the order to retain the five cent fare and those municipalities where the order allowed the six cent fare to go into effect. Practically because of the routes generally used by Wakefield residents, we have the five cent fare for by far the larger number of our citizens who use this service.
The hearings before the Special Commission to determine the amounts to be paid on Metropolitan Park and Wellington Bridge were concluded and their findings made and the Supreme Court by de- cree put the same into effect. From that decree several municipalities have appealed with respect to certain costs of construction of the Charles River Dam. If any relief is given under said appeal it will throw such costs on the cities of Boston and Cambridge and lighten those on all others in the district.
Briefs were prepared by me for the Supreme Court in the Lead Lined Iron Pipe Co. cases (2) against the town and on March 9,. 1916 the cases were argued before that Court which on April 6 overruled the exceptions of the plaintiff and judgment has been entered for the town and costs of $128.49 collected and paid to the treasurer.
The two actions of Samuel H. Perry in the Superior Court for damages from water escaping from the standpipe in Stoneham were tried and one by agreement dismissed and in the other Judge Irwin found for the plaintiff for $310.05 which with costs has been paid.
The case of Margaret R. Zinck for $5000 in the Superior Court for damages from a stream of water from a defective hydrant on Al- bion street striking and knocking her down was settled for $116.
CASES PENDING AGAINST THE TOWN
Three actions of tort for $5000 each, for alleged injuries from gas. Three actions for alleged injuries from defects in highways for $5000, $4000 and $2000 respectively.
One action to recover amount paid for alleged defective tax deed, $300. All the above are pending in the Superior Court.
One suit in the District Court to recover $100 in contract.
One action is pending in the Superior Court brought by me to recover taxes due the town.
I have advised the departments of the town many times on various matters and have attended many sessions of the various Boards. Collections without suit have been made for various departments.
· The compensation now paid for the services required of this de- partment, and each year they increase, is not adequate and an increase is respectfully requested.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. S. CLEMONS, Town Counsel.
56
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of the Chief of Police
WAKEFIELD, MASS., JANUARY 1st, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit to your Honorable Board, the report of the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31st, 1916.
Number of arrests 396
Number of arrests on warrants
24
Number of summonses served 32
Males .381
Females
15
Residents
290
Non-residents
101
Commorants
5
FOR THE FOLLOWING CRIMES, VIZ :-
Arrested for other officers 23
Assault and Battery 22
Assault with a dangerous weapon
1
Assault with a revolver
1
Assault on officer
1
Assault with intent to commit rape
1
Attempt to murder
1
Breaking, entering and larceny
9
Breaking, entering with intent to commit larceny
8
Bastardy
1
Being present
9
Carrying a loaded revolver without a permit
2
Carrying a sling shot
1
Cruelty to a horse
3
Capias .
1 207
Default warrants
2
Exposing and keeping
1
False alarm of fire
2
Fornication
2
Gaming on the Lord's day
11
Insane
5
Larceny
9
Manslaughter
1 1
Drunkeness
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
57
Maintaining a gaming machine
1
Non-payment of wages
2
Not having lights on vehicle
Non-support
7
Operating automobile under the influence of liquor
2
Search warrants for liquor
3
Search warrants for stolen property
2
Stubbornness
4
Safe keeping
18
Surrender warrant
1
Truancy
1
Violation of Town By-laws
14
Violation of Automobile laws
11
Violation of Traffic rules
2
Violation of Lord's day
1
Violation of Milk laws
1
Violation of probation
1
396
HOW DISPOSED OF
Appealed
6
Continued
20
Delivered to other officers
23
Dismissed for want of prosecution
1
Discharged
17
Defaulted
3
Fines imposed
73
House of Correction
2
Insane Hospital
5
Lancaster School
1
Probation
74
Placed on file
15
Released
149
Shirley School .
1
State Farm
6
Total
. 396
AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURT
3 at $ .01 each
.$ .03
1 at 2.00 fine
2.00
17 at 5.00 each
85.00
1 at 8.00
8.00
32 at 10.00
320.00
1
58
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1 at
15.00
15.00
3 at
20.00
60.00
7 at
25.00
175.00
2 at
30.00
60.00
2 at
35.00
70.00
4 at
50.00
200.00
Total
$995.03
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Amount of stolen property recovered $537.90
Amount of lost property recovered 47.50
Amount of property left outside of stores and cared for 55.00
Accidents reported
24
Bicycles found
2
Buildings found open and secured
121
Broken wires reported
7
Complaints and cases investigated
377
Detail for public assemblages
622
Detail for private assemblages
23
Defects in street and sidewalks reported
48
Defects in water pipes reported
12
Defects in gas pipes reported
3
Defects in hydrants reported
1
Defects in man holes reported
1
Dogs killed
8
Electric light poles blown down
2
Fires discovered and alarm given
3
Fires extinguished without an alarm
1
Fences blown down
3
Horses killed
3
Lost children cared for
27
Lost dogs found and returned to owners
7
Lanterns in dangerous places
132
Medical Examiner cases
2
Officers at fires
34
Obstructions removed from street
7
Posting Notices
30
Runaway boys cared for
8
Runaway girls,
1
Runaway horses stopped
1
Sick and disabled people assisted
18
Still alarm of fire given
2
Stray teams cared for
3
Stray horses cared for
2
Street lights not burning and reported
355 .
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
59
Wires burning trees
Water running to waste
12
There has been collected and disbursed through this office. the sum of seventeen hundred and fifty-six dollars and thirty-nine cents in non-support cases.
On duty calls, thirty-two thousand, nine hundred and forty.
To His Honor, Judge Charles M. Bruce and his Associates, E. Leroy Sweetser and Thomas P. Riley and to the clerk, Wilfred B. Tyler and his Assistant, Henry C. Bacon and to the stenographer, Hel- en L. Dooling, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their kindly as- sistance.
I desire also, to extend to your Honorable Board, my sincere thanks for your kind and courteous treatment accorded me during the past year.
DISCIPLINE
To the members of the Police Department and all who have in any way assisted this department, I want to thank them kindly for their hearty co-operation.
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