USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920 > Part 13
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LUTHER CONANT, I. WARREN FLAGG, HORACE F. TUTTLE, Trustees of Goodnow Fund.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
The overseers of the poor submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1918 :
There has not been many cases of outside poor aided this year, but some of this has been expensive; still we have been able to keep well within the appropriation.
We recommend that $1,300 be appropriated for this depart- ment.
46
The warden and matron of the town home, Mr. and Mrs. Stearns, resigned the first of June. We hired Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, who have since had charge of the home, but coming so late in the season, they could not accomplish the best results. A large sum was received from the sale of milk, apples, wood, and stock, but not enough to pay the running expenses. We have shingled the shed, repaired windows and doors, replacing some with new ones. Bought a horse, a sprayer and an engine for pumping water. We recommend that the amount appro- priated be large enough to meet the expenses of this depart- ment, or that the farm be closed or rented and the inmates be boarded out.
We recommend that all bills against this department be rendered monthly. Some bills were not received in time to get into this report. See town accountant's report for financial report of this department.
WILLIAM H. KINGSLEY, Chairman,
CHARLES J. HOLTON,
WARREN H. JONES.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
January 1st, 1919.
The board of health submits the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1918 :
Burial permits issued in Acton 32
Burial permits issued in other places 34
List of contagious diseases reported by the board of health, January 1st, 1918, to December 31, 1918 :
Deaths from influenza
3
Measles
6
Tuberculosis, 2; pulmonary tuberculosis, 1
3
Whooping cough
2
Scarlet fever
7
Influenza
62
Chickenpox 7
Your board would recommend that $1,000 be appropriated for use of the board for the present year, as the State board has added the duty of inspecting stables and the issuing of permits for the production and sale of all milk used in the town, the expense to be borne by the town.
Respectfully submitted,
ACTON BOARD OF HEALTH, By C. A. Dudley, Agent.
47
REPORT OF CATTLE INSPECTOR
I herewith submit the following report for the year 1918 : Dairy cows 560
Young cattle 190
Bulls
29
Swine
193
Sheep 37
I have quarantined in the year eight head of cattle with tuberculosis, which were taken by the State and killed. FRED S. WHITCOMB,
Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MEAT
Acton, Mass., January 1, 1919.
Selectmen, Town of Acton :
Gentlemen-Enclosed find beef inspected for the town of Acton for the year 1918 :
Cows
190
Condemned 6
Hogs
200
Condemned 0
Veal
793 Condemned 21
Total 1183 27
Yours truly,
EDWARD S. FOBES, Inspector of Meat.
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
Paid : James O'Neil, labor, team expenses $56.25
Arthur Manion, labor 22.50
$78.75
I would recommend the raising of $300.00 for spraying the elm trees this year.
JAMES O'NEIL, Tree Warden.
48
LIST OF JURORS REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN, JULY 22, 1918
Precinct 1
J. Sidney White Farmer
Willis J. Holden Farmer
Thomas F. McCarthy Stone Cutter
Arthur F. Davis Librarian
Herbert F. Robbins .Farmer
James B. Tuttle Farmer
Arthur Harris Stone Cutter
Fred Billings Housepainter
George E. Murphy . Farmer
William H. Kingsley Contractor
Precinct 2
Frank W. Hoit Merchant
William B. Franklin Farmer
Benjamin W. Ineson . Clerk
Nelson J. Cole Merchant
Laurin Pratt Carpenter
Walter E. Hayward R. R. Employee
Warren H. Jones
. Farmer
William S. Fletcher
R. R. Employee
Earl F. Hayward
Machinist
T. F. Newton
Clerk
Precinct 3
Everett R. Sanborn
Farmer
M. J. Handley . Farmer
James N. Berry Carpenter
George E. Holton R. R. Employee
Herbert W. Owens Decorator
Allen Brooks Parker . Lawyer
E. L. White
Woodworker
James E. McGregor . Carpenter
Albert R. Beach . Woodworker
William L. Tenney Machinist
WEEK OF MARCH 24-31
THE RED CROSS
WANTS ALL THE USED CLOTHING UNDERWEAR, SHOES and BLANKETS
IT CAN GET
To clothe and comfort The Refugees of the Devastated Countries of Europe
THE NEED IS URGENT
Notify your local Red Cross They will call for it
Mr. HOOVER'S APPEAL
M R. HOOVER has cabled the American Red Cross for an immediate supply of every kind of clothing for the millions of men, women and children in the war- devastated areas and countries of Europe. He says the sufferings of these people from lack of clothing are in- describable and the mortality will be of a magnitude which will double the horrors of the war unless the people are clothed at once. There are no materials in Europe to make clothing, the four years of war have consumed everything in the way of material, and in many places paper has been used to make clothing. But even paper cannot be had now.
The people suffering most acutely for clothing are those who have been freed from the German yoke in Northern France, Belgium, Serbia, Czecho-Slovakia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Northern Italy, Northern Greece, Poland and Armenia.
To meet this grave emergency the American Red Cross will begin a drive for used clothing of every description, on March 24 to continue to March 31. Every member of the Red Cross is asked to take part in this drive, collect all the used clothing and shoes possible and see that these are sent to the headquarters of the local or nearest Red Cross organization.
The Red Cross will attend to all of the collecting, packing and shipping of this clothing and the distribution in Europe will be under American supervision. Mr. Hoover will provide the organization and machinery to effect the dis- tribution.
This is a war duty as well as a humanitarian necessity.
Our soldiers won the war. Let us finish the job handsomely.
EN
THE THINGS MOST NEEDED
MENS' WEAR-
Shirts (preferably of light - colored flannels), under- shirts, underdrawers, trousers, coats, work-suits, suits, shoes, overcoats, jerseys, sweaters, sweater-vests, socks.
WOMEN'S WEAR-
Skirts, drawers, corset-slips, petticoats, blouses, shirts, coats, suits (2-piece), shoes, cloth hats, knitted caps, stockings.
e
maBOYS' WEAR-
Shirts, union suits, undershirts, coats, suits, trousers, shoes, overcoats, jerseys, stockings, sweaters, socks.
, (GIRLS' WEAR-
th hệ
Dresses, skirts, overcoats, night dresses, drawers, stockings, undergarments, petticoats, suits, blouses, waists, shoes.
""BOYS' and GIRLS' WEAR-
Hooded caps, pinafores, woolen union suits.
INFANTS' WEAR-
Cr tio er
Baby blankets, baby shirts, sweaters, bonnets, bibs, diapers, shoes, binders, baby dresses, cloaks, jackets, shawls, socks, bootees.
oll MISCELLANEOUS-
Bed-ticks, bed-sheets, pillow cases, blankets, mufflers.
Tie each pair of shoes together.
Woolen goods of any kind whatsoever are acceptable ; soft hats and caps for all ages, and sweaters of any kind and kisize.
ır¢ Men's shirts and pajamas, so worn or shrunken as no longer to be serviceable are particularly welcome, since the W. material can be utilized for making children's garments. · d
THINGS NOT WANTED
Ball dresses, high hats, straw hats, derby hats, trimming for hats, feathers, mattresses, flimsy dresses, collars, shoe trees, canes, pillows, rugs, clocks, carpets, toys, neckties, crutches, parasols, crockery, umbrellas, glassware.
b
the Cr
S
e
ng
If you cannot deliver the clothing yourself, sign your name and address
for the bundle-no contribution is too small-but give all you can. below and send this page to your local Red Cross Headquarters-they will call
I will have bundle ready for delivery on March.
Name
Street Address
a
NOTE .- Use pencil in filling in above.
C C
P m a
er sh
sa C
re
Organize the World through a League of Nations
Question I. Why should the world be organized ?
Answer. Organization has been made acutely necessary as the only way to prevent destruction of civilization by war. It is the next step in the develop- ment of civilization. The world should be organized as effectively as we have already organized cities, states, and nations.
Q. 2. What does world peace mean ?
A. It does not mean merely stopping war. If this war should come to an end without laying the foundations of organization between the nations, we should not have peace but only an armed truce. "Peace means a condition of organized living together among nations."
Q. 3. How can the nations have an "organized living together"?
A. The forty-eight nations can be organized eventually on somewhat the same plan as that on which our forty-eight states are organized, with a Supreme Court to settle disputes between them; with a conference or congress meeting regularly, its members chosen from all the nations; and with a common police force to ensure order and safety.
Q. 4. What is the first step to be taken toward such organization ?
A. Education of the public on the needs and methods of world organization and immediate preparation for a League of Nations as its initial feature.
Q. 5. What should the members of aLeague of Nations agree to do ?
A. The members should agree to settle all disputes between one another without resort to violence and bloodshed, and to protect one another from injustice and attack from outside their number. They should also provide for common defence against a possible recalcitrant member.
Q. 6. What should be the essential foundations of the League ?
A. (a) A World Court. (b) A Permanent Council of Conciliation. (c) A World Conference meeting regularly.
Q. 7. What should a World Court do?
A. It should settle international disputes capable of judicial decision.
Q. 8. What should a Permanent Council of Conciliation do?
A. It should be in constant session to study causes of friction and to take such action as will promote better understanding and good feeling. It should receive disputes exclusive of those that involve questions of law, and should
examine and report on them to the members of the League, with recommenda- tions for their settlement.
Q. 9. What should the World Conference do ?
. A. It should create new international law, and provide for new agreements needed to preserve justice in a world of growth and change.
Q. 10. What would happen if one of the great nations at the Peace Settle- ment should refuse to come into the League ?
A. It would leave the world divided, and thereby hinder the realization of international peace.
Q. II. Would a League be of any value if Germany remained out of it?
A. Yes; for though it would not ensure permanent peace, the members of the League, acting under collective control, might exert such pressure on Germany, both educational and economic, as would finally force her to enter the League.
Q. 12. What are the principal advantages of membership in the League ?
A. (a) Equal trade opportunities, by the abolition of preferential tariffs and the removal of economic barriers, so far as practicable. (b) Greater security without the necessity of huge rival armaments.
Q. 13. Is it likely that Germany, as a member of the League, would keep her pledges in the future, after having broken so many in the past?
A. Not only would it be for the material advantage of each nation to keep its pledges, but, as stated above, the League would exert compulsion on any recalcitrant member.
Q. 14. When should the organization of the League be consummated ?
A. At the Peace Conference. But its detailed plan or constitution should now be carefully worked out by the best international minds and accepted by the peoples. Since all t rritorial readjustments and other agreements will be profoundly affected by the decision as to whether or not there is to be a League of Nations and what its character is to be, it is therefore absolutely necessary to have a plan thoroughly thought out beforehand. The delegates to the Peace Conference should be instructed to present a plan for a League of Nations as a basis for all other settlements.
Q. 15. Would a nation lose any of its sovereignty if it joined a League of Nations ?
A. Yes; but on the other hand it would gain far more than it lost, as did our
thirteen states when they united under our Constitution and each surrendered a small portion of its sovereignty. Each nation would still regulate its internal affairs, yielding control only in matters of international concern.
Q. 16. What force would a League of Nations use in addition to a propa- ganda of education ?
A. Economic force, and the armies and navies of the nations of the League acting under collective control. As soon as possible, however, after the war, national armies and navies should by mutual agreement be reduced and trans- formed into a genuine international police force whose sole function will be to maintain law and order.
Q. 17. Would large and small nations have an equal vote in the World Conferences ?
A. There is as yet no agreement on this matter. It is possible that there might be an upper house representing all nations equally on the basis of our Senate, and a lower house based on population, as in our House of Representa- tives. National resources, education, and other elements might also enter into the consideration. Justice and satisfaction must be given the weaker nations as to their vote, otherwise suspicion of the strong nations might lead to a coalition of the small states. As soon as trade barriers and the consequent rival armaments are removed, there will be little to fear. Prosperity and safety will be as assured to a dweller in a small country as to one living in a large country ; -just as a citizen of a small town or small state is as prosperous and safe as a citizen of a large city or of a large state. A man, for example, is as prosperous and safe living in Westfield, Massachusetts, as if he lived in Boston; and equally so in Rhode Island as in New York State.
Q. 18. Can World Organization abolish war among nations ?
A. War can be abolished among nations as surely as it has been abolished between cities and between states. Six hundred years ago European walled cities had armies which fought one another; Scotland and England fought one another ; little princedoms in Germany fought one another. Internal peace came when all these little units became parts of a larger whole. Our Supreme Court has settled upwards of eighty interstate disputes. Without our federal organization and our Supreme Court, friction would inevitably have led to war in many cases. International war can practically be abolished by a League of Nations developing world organization. War between nations is bound to be abolished just as much as slavery and other long existing evils have been abolished.
1
Q. 19. What is to be said to those who argue that war is inevitable so long as human nature remains unchanged?
A. That the same human nature that has abolished war between cities and between states has only to go one step farther and to abolish it between groups of nations. It is not primarily a question of human nature, but one of organ- ization.
Q. 20. Why should we plan now for what is coming after the war?
A. If we wait until the last shot is fired, it will be too late to make sure that the peoples and not precedent and privilege shall dictate the agreements. The world will in any case be embittered and frightfully impoverished, and will find itself in a state of industrial and financial chaos. Under these conditions men new to such problems will be unable to grapple successfully with the colos- sal task of world organization. It is the duty of all patriots at this moment to enter on a new preparedness, based on President Wilson's ultimate aims as ex- pressed in his fourteen points on January 8, 1918. The ground plan for the new edifice must be marked out now, and the free peoples of the world must bring materials for its erection or the fruits of victory may be lost.
Lord Bryce has said: "If the opportunity which the close of the present conflict will offer for the provision of means to avert future wars be lost, another such may never reappear, and the condition of the world will have grown worse because the occurrence of the like calamities will have been recog- nized as a thing to be expected and their causes as beyond all human cure."
The leading statesmen of the world have signified their approval of a League of Nations. An informed public opinion is vital to its establishment.
No individual is unimportant in furthering this world plan. A taper may light a beacon fire ! . "
Will you help ?
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE LEAGUE FOR PERMANENT PEACE
421 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass.
Copies of this leaflet at $1.00 per hundred may be obtained from the League for Permanent Peace.
September 30, 1918.
49
THE REPORT OF THE ACTON PREPAREDNESS COM- MITTEE FOR THE YEAR, MARCH, 1917, TO MARCH, 1918
This committee was appointed in pursuance of a vote of the town of Acton at its annual meeting held in March, 1917. By that vote the moderator was made the chairman of the commit- tee and was instructed to appoint four other members. In ac- cordance with that authority the moderator appointed Messrs. Nelson J. Cole, Oliver D. Wood, Walter A. Tuttle and Ralph E. Gates. Mr. Tuttle attended but one meeting of the committee and has never acted with it. Mr. Gates attended a few meet- ings and took an interest in its work until some time in June last, when he left the country to engage in a lumbering enter- prise in Scotland. Consequently the active membership of the committee has been limited to three for the greater part of the year.
It was at first contemplated that this committee would de- vote its efforts mainly to the organization of a local company of men as a military organization, but it early became apparent that other duties would be expected to be performed by it. The organization of a committee of public safety for the State rendered it desirable that the Acton preparedness com- mittee should be the local representative of the State commit- tee and should attend to such matters as were of local character. This your committee has sought to do.
At the beginning of the year the committee was asked to conduct a campaign to increase the production of food stuffs. It seems to us that this important work could be more satisfac- torily conducted by the local Patrons of Husbandry and the local representatives of the Middlesex Farm Bureau. They were accordingly asked to take this work in charge and, we understand, have put forth some effort in the desired direction. Other work similar to that undertaken by the Red Cross socie- ties was asked of us, but we plainly saw that such work would be a duplication, attended with a loss of effort.
Consequently we have left untouched this important work with the knowledge that it was being done better than we could do it. Other work of the character of instruction in food con- servation and economics has been conducted by the Women's clubs, though the committee has received and distributed con- siderable literature upon this subject. Your committee has also
50
been asked by various State boards and officers to nominate men for important special duties and we have made the follow- ing nominations, all of which we believe have been appointed :
As a committee to keep an accurate record of the where- abouts and welfare of every Massachusetts man in the service of his country-Horace F. Tuttle, chairman; Frank W. Hoit, Allen Brooks Parker.
As a committee on fuel administration-Edgar H. Hall, chairman ; James B. Tuttle, Frank W. Hoit.
As an agent to aid in the enrolment of men of different crafts and trades to assist in the construction of emergency shipping for the country-William H. Kingsley.
As a war savings committee to aid in the sale of War Sav- ings Stamps-The several postmasters of the town.
A committee on food conservation and kindred activities- Mrs. Rachel Haynes.
A committee on food administration-Waldo E. Whitcomb.
In addition to the foregoing nominations your committee was asked to raise funds for the relief of the sufferers from the Halifax disaster and on the day following the calamity we be- gan the work. Altogether $239.05 was quickly raised and promptly remitted to the proper person. The larger part of this amount was raised in Precinct 1, where a house to house canvass was carried out.
The Home Guard-It was toward the organization of a company of the Massachusetts State or Home Guard that your committee bent its energy early in the year. A petition was circulated throughout the town to procure names of men who were willing to join such a company. Seventy-two names were procured and the petition filed with the State Guard board. Instruction in the elements of military drill began in April in each of the three precincts of the town, under the direction of
the committee. At first these drills were only slightly at- tended, but gradually the numbers increased. A supplemen- tary roll was subsequently prepared, so that the entire roster included ninety-eight names. Unfortunately quite a number of these were not regular attendants at drill and a few of the original signers never attended. Progress, however, was con- tinuous, and in May your committee called the members of the company together and they chose Allen Brooks Parker, cap- tain; Frank W. Chapman, first lieutenant; and Oliver D. Wood, second lieutenant. Drills were held weekly and with each drill interest and proficiency increased. The company was inspected in June by an officer of the State Guard and there was much to justify the opinion that Acton would again have within its limits a military organization as a part of the armed forces of the State. The hopes of your committee and of the public were, however, destined to be disappointed.
51
While the report of the inspecting officer recommended the mustering in of the company, he expressed a doubt as to the ultimate proficiency on account of widely scattered member- ship. The men were neither uniformed, nor armed. The State Guard board did not vote to accept the company and the men began to lose interest. It had been the attitude of the State Guard board not to uniform companies if possible to get them uniformed at private expense, and other things being equal to accept those companies that had uniformed themselves. The officers of this company did not feel justified in asking the men to uniform themselves at an expense which would have been burdensome to most of the members. Had this company been uniformed at the time of its inspection it might have been ac- cepted. Shortly after the inspection the captain called upon General Ames, the commanding officer of the State Guard, and was informed no funds were available for the purchase of uni- forms and unless companies uniformed themselves they would not be accepted. When this became known to the men attend- ance at drills began to grow smaller, until finally in July the officers decided to discontinue drills. The captain again in
February consulted with the State officials in regard to uni- forming the men this season, but was informed that nothing more could be done for the company. The officers of the com- pany feel that they did everything in their power to make a success of this undertaking and are grateful for the loyal sup- port of the men under their command. One regretable fact in this failure to maintain the past reputation of Acton in things military, is the fact that this undertaking failed to receive the support of some prominent citizens of the town, who would count it an insult to have their patriotism questioned, but who, none the less, apparently loved the ease of physical inactivity more than the salutary exercise and wholesome stimulation of being a citizen soldier.
We recommend that a committee of a similar character be continued, as it performs a very useful purpose in co-operating with the State public safety committee. Also that the town make a small appropriation to cover the proper disbursements of such a committee.
FOR THE COMMITTEE, Allen Brooks Parker, Chairman.
52
THE REPORT OF THE ACTON PREPAREDNESS COM- MITTEE FOR THE YEAR, MARCH, 1918, TO MARCH, 1919
This committee is a continuance of the committee of last year, except that its membership was reduced to three; the names of Mr. Tuttle and Mr. Gates being dropped.
In accordance with the vote of the town at its last annual town meeting this committee, which has generally come to be called the "Acton Public Safety Committee," herewith pre- sents its report. The report consists, in the main, of a compila- tion of the reports of the several war activities carried on in the town during the last two years. The committee has pro- cured statements from as many of these activities as possible and has condensed them. They appear in such form, under their several heads :
ACTON BRANCHES OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
There are, in this town, two branches of the American Red Cross, the West and South Branch, and the Acton Center Branch. Work was undertaken in all three parts of town very shortly after the great war began and a considerable time pre- vious to the affiliation of these branches with the national or- ganization. In April, 1917, the West and South Branches united and were recognized as a part of the Middlesex Chap- ter, which had its headquarters at Lowell. In January, 1918, this branch was transferred to the Concord Chapter. The Ac- ton Center Branch, comprising Acton Center, East and North Acton, became recognized as a branch of the Concord Chapter in May, 1918. The West and South Branch has collected by va- rious means, such as food sales, entertainments, sales of old paper and magazines and penny collections at its meetings, $2,934.53. It has expended for supplies, Christmas presents to "Our Boys," home service work, etc., $2,451.02. From the be- ginning of the work to January 1, 1919, this Branch has produced :
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