USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 5
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139
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
ing the wrongs of an outraged community. We appealed to the Governor, Attorney General, Railroad Commissioners of this Commonwealth, to the President of the United States and to the Attorney General at Washington. Everything that could be done to arouse public sentiment in Rhode Island and Massachusetts we encouraged. The citizens of Southbridge gave us very good support, with the exception of a few small-minded men, who at every opportunity given them at meetings of so called commercial bodies and elsewhere, discouraged attempts to compel the fulfillment of promises and pledges made by the Grand Trunk.
These so called public-spirited men were very free in their expression of satisfaction and pleasure on the stoppage of the work and the prospect of the railroad not being built. It would be a good plan for the citizens to keep a close watch on these same men when some other measures come up affecting the interest of the Town, because they will probably be found supporting the money interest against the public good.
A hearing was held in Washington before the House Committee on Rules, for the purpose of investi- gating the stoppage of work on the railroad construc- tion.
The cities and towns along the line of the railroad, with the exception of a few small towns, were repre- sented, the Selectmen were present and favored a Con- gressional inquiry.
The Board attempted in every way possible to pro- tect the 'Town's interests before the different depart- ments of the government, every possible effort was made
-
140
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
to arouse public interest and sentiment and this finally compelled the government officials to act and resulted in the indictment of the offending railroad officials.
It is about time for the business interests of New England to call a halt to the stifling grasp of the Wall street interests that have held this state by the throat for years and have attemped to tie up this part of the country to the New Haven company at any cost.
Southbridge has been prosperous for years but we hope that the public-spirited men of the town will get together and try to boom the Town, its industries and its institutions. No community can long prosper where the favorite pastime is to knock the Town and everything connected with it. United efforts would help the Town to more prosperity and to the improve- ment of its public institutions.
Respectfully,
ALEXIS BOYER, JR., JAMES F. EARLS, CHARLES PROULX,
Selectmen of Southbridge.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Report of the Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Southbridge:
GENTLEMEN :---
In compliance with the town ordinance, I herewith submit for your consideration the third annual report of the police department for the year ending December thirty-first, in the year nineteen hundred and twelve.
The organization of the police department at the close of the fiscal year, December 31, 1912, was as follows :---
CHIEF-Jesse F. Coombs.
PATROLMEN.
Andrew M. Higgins, James Coughlin, Patrick Donnelly,
Oliver Paul, Jr.
Pierre A. Cormier, Joseph Paquin,
JANITOR AND ASSISTANT LOCKUP KEEPER.
Louis Peloquin.
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
SPECIAL OFFICERS WITHOUT PAY.
George Hebert,
Herbert S. Freeman,
Daniel Blute,
Origene Lacasse,
Roy Sanders, Jules Blain,
Jeremiah Wilcox,
Dennis H. Kenney,
Jules Therieault,
Louis Meunier,
Thomas Nichols,
Charles O. Cozzens,
Prosper Proulx,
Joseph Bachand,
Henry B. Mason.
George H. Chaffin,
Patrick Sheridan,
Alfred Langevin,
George O. Severy,
Louis Peloquin,
Honore St. Martin,
John Farquhar,
CONSTABLES.
A. M. Higgins,
Peter Caplette,
P. Laughhane,
P. M. Donnelly, Joseph Paquin, L. Lamothe,
Business of the Police Department
Business performed by the police department during the year expiring Dec. 31, 1912: Total num- ber of arrests, 344; arrests on warrants, 30; arrests without warrants, 314; males, 333; females, 11; non- residents, 157; residents, 187; minors, 36.
OFFENCES.
Adultery, 2; affray, 15; assault, 25; breaking and entering, 2; bastardy, 3; carrying fire arm, 1; carrying concealed weapons, 2; trespass, 19; drunkenness, 187; disturbing the peace, 14; held for other officers, 1; house of ill-fame, 1; insane, 4; keeping liquor, 4;
.
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
killing birds on the Lord's Day, 1; larceny, 19; lewd- ness, 5; non-support, 5; promoting lottery, 2; rape, 1; runaway boys, 2; stubborn child, 5; throwing stones at cars, 1; threatening to kill, 1; violating auto law, 2; vagrancy, 19.
OCCUPATIONS.
Agents, 1; barbers, 1; butchers, 1; blacksmiths, 2; clerks. 3; carpenters, 7; cigar makers, 1; chaffeurs, 3; card grinders, 1; farmers, 9; grinders, 2; hostlers, 1; house-keepers, 8; laborers, 223; painters, 4; no-occupa- tion, 25; spinners, 6; teamsters, 2; weavers, 11 ; plumb- ers, 1; bakers, 1; contractors, 1; steam fitters, 1; saw- yers, 1; boiler-makers, 2; farmers, 3; masons, 3; mill- hands, 11; chef, 1; loom-fixers, 1; sales-lady, 1; wait- ress, 1; salesman, 1; stable-keeper, 1; mat-maker, 1; tailors, 1 ; stone-mason, 1.
NATIVITY OF PRISONERS.
Austria, 8, United States, 198, Albania, 3 Eng- land, 5, Finland, 1 Greece, 3, Germany, 11, Holland, 2, Hungary, 1, Ireland, 18, Italy, 17, Scotland, 2, Sweden, 4, Turkey. 9, Russia, 26, Canada, 45.
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Discharged, 17, held for grand jury, 5, house of correction, 37, insane hospital, 2, fined, 114, released, 68, settled out of court, 3, state farm, 6, suspended sentence, 5, filed, 46, probation, 17, bail forfeited, 1, appealed, 9, Lancaster School, 1, Concord Reforma- troy, 2, boys sent home, 2, sentence to Shirley Indus- trial School, 1, held for other officers, 5.
144
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
FINES PAID.
One person paid a fine of $70, five persons paid fines of $50, one person paid a fine of $40, two persons paid fines of $25, two persons paid fines of $20, twenty persons paid fines of $15, one person paid a fine of $12, twenty-seven persons paid fines of $10, one person paid a fine of $7.90, nineteen persons paid fines of $6, two persons paid fines of $5.56, twelve persons paid fines of $5.00, seven persons paid fines of $3, one person paid a fine of $1.80, one person paid a fine of 60 cents. The total amount of fines paid on various charges amounted to $1,223.42.
COMMITTED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF FINES.
For non-payment of fines of $10.00, 6; $6.00, 4; $15.00, 3.
COMMITTED TO THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION
Committed for the term of one month, 4; for two months, 6; for three months, 5; for four months, 1; for six months, 2.
PROBATION.
Probation for one month, 1; for three months, 2; for six months, 4; for twelve months, 2; for twenty- four months, 2; indefinitely, 10.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Number of lights reported out, 229; number of doors leading to stores and public buildings found open and reported, 51; value of property reported lost, $112.00; value of property recovered, $58.00; number of accidents reported and investigated, 16; number of
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
men placed on the black list, 22; committed to insane asylum, 2; lost children, found and restored to their respective homes, 10; written communications received by the department, 283; communications answered and other official letters sent, 350; postal cards sent out, 50; complaints received by the police, 523; com- . plaints investigated, 428.
STATION.
The conditions and inconveniences of the police station are well known. Recently a leak was sprung in the roof over the desk officer's room. This will necessitate repairs. The need of a new station grows more apparent daily and I feel that the time must soon come when the station we be remodeled to an exten- sive degree or replaced.
During the last year we have made an exceptional effort to keep the cell room in the best sanitary condi- tion which we could considering our facilities. The present sanitary facilities are poor but it is hardly worth while to replace them with new, with the need of a new station growing the more and more eminent with each succeeding year.
The plans for the renovation of the present station are still in the hands of the department, drawn last year. These plans call for the location of the cell room down-stairs. The cell room of any police station should be on the ground floor of the building which the department occupies, as the facilities for the hand- ling of prisoners cannot be too many. Today we have to take our prisoners up a flight of winding stairs, a source of great inconvenience on many occasions.
146
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
The plans further provide for the accommodation of the district court. Whether or not the changes are made which relate to the location of the court within the present station, a number of changes should be made immediately in order not to hamper the efficien- cy of the department. The emergency room, started last year, but never finished, should be completed. The addition of this feature to the present facilities of the department would greatly aid the police and sur- geons in their work. This feature is one which has long been advocated. I believe that the necessary furnishings could be obtained at a low cost as compared with the advantages derived through their adoption.
During the year there have been more arrests than are common during the course of the average year in police work, here. The gain in number may be attri- buted to the railroad construction which was going on during the summer months. The coming of the con- tractors meant an increase in population. Perhaps the number of arrests increased at a rate more than com- mensurate with the increase in population.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would advocate the erection of a new police sta- tion, could the town afford. The station should have the police quarters on the ground floor. There should be a women's detention room and there should be miod- ern sanitary arrangements. We need a patrol wagon. The court room should be located on the second floor in the same building. Such a building should be of fire- proof construction and would probably cost between $8,000 and $10,000. With such a building the town
147
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
would derive a certain amount of revenue from the connty as rental for the court rooms. It has been sug- gested that the building be constructed beside the fire station, and that one wall of the central station be used as a party wall with the police station. Could this be done it would save much money in the purchase of a lot and in construction.
Failing in an effort to secure a new station, I believe that a small outlay should be made upon the present station. Our emergency room should be fin- ished. The roof ought to be repaired and perhaps . some repairs made upon our present sanitary system. With these alterations, I believe the department can continue without loss of efficiency, until that time comes when the town builds a new station.
One more recommendation I have to make. There should be two more officers for duty as regulars. We need one more officer for day duty and one more offi- cer for night duty. It will be remembered that when the police telephone system was installed an officer was taken from the street to perform the duties of station officer, No appointment was ever made to fill that vacancy. With relation to the situation during the day the ground which the day officer has to cover is too extensive. At times the day officer aids in investi- gating complaints. Of late there has been a very no- ticable increase in the number of complaints lodged at the station due to an increase recognition of the de- partment and its uses. In the investigation of these complaints and calls for assistance and protection the chief has much less time for outside work than formerly
148
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
and is often forced to call upon the day officer for as- sistance in the rendering of prompt services. When investigating complaints there are often times when it is necessary for the day officer to leave the business section uncovered for hours at a time. This year we have been hampered by the illness of our officers. In emergencies of this sort we stand in need of an addi- tional man.
REMARKS.
During the year the affairs of the department have progressed smoothly, due to the harmony which I · believe exists among the personal of our present de- partment. The officers have performed their duties in a creditable manner. I believe that the efficiency of the department is steadily increasing.
CONCLUSION.
I beg to be allowed to extend in behalf of the police department and myself a word of thanks for the kind and courteous manner in which the department has been treated and for assistance rendered. I wish to express my thanks for the same to the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Alexis Boyer, Jr., James F. Earls and Charles Proulx and to those others too numerous to mention.
To our Judical Superiors, Judge Henry J. Clarke and Clerk Frederick H. Berger; Associate Justice John M. Cochran; town solicitor Louis O. Rieutord and to Probation Officer Marcus L. Dillaber, we wish to express our gratitude for their kind interest and attention for their co-operation with this department.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE F. COOMBS, Chief of Police.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF POOR
For The Year Ending January 1, 1913
To the Citizens of Southbridge:
The Overseers of the Poor herewith submit the following report of the finances of the overseers' depart- ment of the town, for the year ending January 1, 1913, together with their recommendation of appropri- ations for the coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Honore Dorval, warden and matron who have had the manage- ment of the Almshouse for the past six years have ten- dered their resignation to take effect January 1, 1913. The Overseers have accepted their resignation and have engaged Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Payant, of Southbridge, to manage the Almshouse for the coming year. By engaging a new warden and matron, arrangements have been made to see if it is not possible to consume more of our products which are raised on the farm; pork, veal, fowls and beef, make our own butter, use our milk and cream, by so doing the inmates have the , benefit of the whole farm. Our warden believes in planting field corn to feed his fowls and make his own
150
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
meal. This will make a large item, as we are paying a large sum of money for grain every year.
The Overseers are considering whether the town farm can furnish wood to the outside poor. We have two pastures which are overgrown with wood, and by cutting off the wood, we make new pastures for our cattle and save hundreds of dollars to the town. The town owns a large wood lot at the farm that will be good cutting in two years and bring a good sum of money to the Almshouse.
New regulations have been posted at the Alms- house, all inmates at the Almshouse able to work will be kept dilingently employed, if they are idle and do not perform such reasonable task as assigned, or if they are stubborn and disorderly will be punished according to law .- See Revised Laws, Chap. 30, Sec. 21.
Inventory of Personal Property
AT THE ALMSHOUSE DECEMBER, 10, 1912.
Class 1, Cattle,
$510 00
Horses,
750 00
Pigs,
169 00
Hens,
27 00
$1,456 00
Class 2, Hay,
$550 00
Insilage,
80 00
Green oats,
12 00
Corn on ear,
37 50
679 50
Class 3, Wood, $104 00
Coal, 154 00
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REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
Manure,
$40 00
$298 00
Class 4, Potatoes, $84 00
Apples.
28 00
Onions,
2 00
Carrotts,
4 20
118 20
Class 5, Flour, 8 bbl .. $58 00
Butter, 300 lbs., 105 20
163 20
Class 6, Carts, wagons, harnesses and farm tools, 1,512 00
Class 7, Household furniture
and family supplies, 1,430 00
$5,656 90
Inventory of 1913 is two hundred eighty-three dollars and twenty-eight cents less than 1912.
ARTHUR HOWARD. ARSENE GIRARD, JOHN HALPIN,
Appraisers.
Farm and Almshouse
The whole number of inmates during the year, twenty-two with an average of nineteen.
A net cost of four dollars and forty-five cents per week including services of superintendent and matron and hired help. For the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of three thousand one hundred and seven dollars and forty-two cents.
152
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
Account of Cash
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912,
$481 68
Appropriation,
3,000 00
Sale of beef,
233 50
Sale of veal,
29,00
Sale of cream,
264 50
Sale of pork,
257 29
Sale of chickens,
4 00
Sale of windows, 6 20
Sale of one hide,
8 .00
Sale of corn,
2 50
Sale of miscellaneous,
1 62
$4,288 29
EXPENDITURES.
Meat,
$630 49
Butter,
210 66
Grain,
633 73
Provision,
1,210 27
Coal,
196 00
1 Cow,
55 00
Shoes,
44 10
Clothing,
104 04
Medicine,
40 65
For blacksmith,
51 50
Furniture and crockery, .
40 10
Sundries,
64 17
$4,395 71
Account overdrawn Jan. 1, 1913,
$107 42
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REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
Outside Poor
RECEIPTS
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912,
$837 60
Appropriation,
7,000 00
State Treasurer,
198 21
Town of Charlton,
120 90
City of Lowell,
3 65
Springfield,
2 00
City of Worcester,
52 53
Town of Sturbridge,
4 00
Reimbursement
by Bazile
Proulx, Jr.,
21 00
City of Boston,
10 00
$8,249 89
EXPENDITURES.
City hospital, Worcester,
$111 11
State Infirmary,
184 30
Memorial Hospital,
176 04
New Bedford Hospital,
17 00
St. Vincent Hospital,
140 00
Paid other towns for persons having a settlement in our town, 1,839 70
Paid for persons having a settle- ment in other towns,
274 08
Paid for unsettled persons,
416 41
Paid J. E. Donais, M. D.,
89 85
Paid W. G. Reed, M. D.,
12 00
Paid for persons in our town
3,984 61
154
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR i
Outstanding bill, $0 40
Orders drawn, $7,245 10
Balance Jan. 1, 1913, $1,004 79
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropria- tion of six thousand five hundred dollars.
Repairs of Farm Buildings
RECEIPTS.
Balance Jan. 1, 1912,
$70 87
Appropriation, 200 00
$270.87
EXPENDITURES.
Expenditures,¿
$142 10
Balance Jan. 1, 1913,
$128 77
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropria- tion of two hundred dollars.
Baseball Fund Report
As follows for balance left 1912,
Gedeon Gregoire,
85
The Edwards Co., 4 00
A. H. Wheeler, 10 58:
$15 43
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL T. MORRIL, GEDEON PINSONNEAULT, JR., NAPOLEON GIROUX, Sec. Overseers of the Poor.
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REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR
Clothing for the Poor
The overseers of the poor are pleased to offer their thanks to those who so faithfully contributed clothing for the worthy and needy poor. Our appeal was made through the local press and but a few hours later cloth- ing was given to the overseers for distribution.
We ask you to continue the contribution by giving what clothing you do not use. Mothers call and ask if we have clothing to give them, they make garments of them for their little ones, if you wish to give your cast away clothing to the poor, please give notice to the overseers and we will collect them, the mothers who ask for clothing do not want to make paupers with their children and be a burden to the town. All gifts will be appreciated.
Third Annual Report
OF THE
Playground Committee
If attendance and activity in the Playground games and industries are a measures of success than 1912 has indeed been a successful year in results at- tained by your committee.
Following the trail of supervised play at the Cent- ral street grounds in 1911, we this year purchased addi- tional apparatus for the School grounds and installed supervised play. A detailed account of the work and play is given in the report of the Supervisor, which is annexed and included in the report of the committee.
In January 1912, by arrangement, the Southbridge Water Company donated to the charge of this commit- tee during the winter, the use of reservoir number 1 situated off Glover street for skating and ice games. Purchase of tools for removal of snow cost $21.05 and labor of men and teams cost $47.19 for the season. That the clearing of this ice was a public benefit duly appreciated is attested by the attendance, which some days exceeded 1,000 people, men, women and children, although all of that number were not present at the same time. This winter we have purchased an ice
157
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
planer at a cost of $75.00 and have arranged with the Southbridge Water Company for the free use of the same reservoir. It might be well to explain, that this reservoir is not at the present time used to supply the citizens of Southbridge with water.
The Playground organization for 1912 was com- posed as follows: Playground Committee-Dr. C. A. "Tetrault, Chairman; J. A. Whittaker, Clerk, F. E. Corbin, P. H. Herbert, A. J. Thibault, F. A. Wald and A. B. Wells.
Supervisor-Miss Margaret G. Butler.
Directors-Central street, May O. Simpson ; School street, Agnes M. Meagher.
Teachers-Mary E. Meagher, Cora Gatineau, Bertha Foley, Annie Simpson. Irene V. Gough, Louise Corbin, Amelia Guinasso, Mary E. Butler, Kathleen Cozzens, Anna Coderre, Julia A. Morrill, Joseph Laughnane and Henry M. Delehanty.
Caretakers-Herbert S. Freeman and Phillip Tetrault.
Our financial statment is as follows :- Total receipts for the year 1912, $1,870 63
Expended for salaries, $746 71
Expended for new equipment, 266 50
Expended for supplies etc., 505 99
$1,519 20
Balance to credit Jan. 1, 1913, $351 43
As the committee expect to open the grounds on Union street the coming summer, we would respect- fully request the appropriation of $1500.00 to this ac- count for the year 1913.
Respectfully submitted, PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE, By John A. Whittaker, Clerk.
1
158
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Southbridge, Mass., Jan. 2, 1913
To the members of the Playground Commitee.
GENTLEMEN :--
The following is the report of work accomplished on playgrounds during season of 1912.
Monday, July 8, the Southbridge playground sea-, son was opened with two hundred fifty children present at Central street ground, and two hundred at the School street ground. A director and five instructors were assigned to each ground.
The Playground Committee had caused the School street ground to be prepared for play purposes and new apparatus placed, so that children living west of Pine street might enjoy play privileges without the incon- venience of the long walk to Central street. The ap- preciation of the children was shown by their attend- ance in large numbers.
Both grounds presented a neat appearance, the apparatus having received a coat of paint after being carefully tested. New apparatus set up at Central street consisted of slides, tether ball standards, may- poles, curtain ball standards, back stops, baby ham- mocks; and at Schools street, sand boxes, baby ham- mocks, slides, tether ball standards, curtain ball stand- ards, basket ball standards,
Supervised activities commenced on each ground at 1.30 P. M. continuing until 5.30 P. M., five days each week for seven weeks.
The average daily attendance at School street was two hundred, at Central street two hundred fifty. The largest attendance of boys over 12 years was between the hours of 2.00 and 3.30 (during the indus- trial periods) many leaving the grounds immediately after to work in stores, cutting lawn's, driving teams, feeding hens etc.
The plan and arrangement of time and groups for
159
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
industrial work, games, stories, play and drills were the same as the previous year, excepting the introduction of sewing groups on Monday's and Fridays.
A branch library was established, books being loaned from the Southbridge Public Library. The children were encouraged to tell stories and dramatize them, some of the children proved excellent story tellers entertaining a group of twenty or more.
Keen interest was manifested in the base ball games played Tuesday afternoons between the School street nine and Central street nine. A playground pennant was awarded the nine winning five games out of seven. Track events, contests and races for boys and girls were held Friday afternoons at each ground and were eagerly anticipated. The date of the contest with regulations was announced, any child desiring to enter was requested to hand name to the director and qualify by regular attendance at free gymnastic drills. At these contests prizes were awarded, visiting parents often acting as judges.
The industrial course for boys included the follow- ing articles: Coat hangers, waste, flower, fern, work and button baskets, jardinieres reed table mats, brush broom holders, shaving pads, curtain pulls, and caning of chairs. The course for girls included : Braided mats, braided baskets, dolls' hats, shoe string bags, shopping bags, sewing bags, twine bags, marble bags, sweeping caps, button bags, dolls' caps, dolls' hoods, flat iron holders, picture frames, pin trays, needle books. "
This work was exhibited at the Sturbridge Fair and received first premium as did also the collection of basketry.
Closing day, the hand work of the children was exhibited on the respective grounds, in the school building at School street, out of doors at Central street.
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