USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1874 > Part 12
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" To him that hath it shall be given, and from him that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he hath."
This COMMISSION is not querulous. It neither seeks nor main- tains controversy with those who are appointed and presumed to mend our ways. It takes things as it finds them, which is occa- sionally pretty rough. It pursues the even tenor of its way, as is its wont ; surmounting all obstacles, climbing over where it can- not go around the lopped limb and prostrate trunk ; and eyeing without audible murmur, even if askance, the wholesale devasta- tion. It foregoes the Manure and hankers not after the Offal. But it expects to be esteemed very magnanimous when it condones the unauthorized felling of a noble elm; that stood, eminent and
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
erect, in the gorge of a highway, for a period contravened by the memory of few living men; which caused no fear while the roadway was but thirty feet broad but, upon its being widened to eighty feet, inspired panic terror, and was therefore as summarily as furtively doomed. "We have a half-dozen sharp axes !" over- heard a pair of convenient ears.
The grading and general improvement of the COMMON being substantially finished; and the Honorable Council not having supplied funds for the construction of that JET D'EAU which would be so fit a complement of its ornamentation ; the COMMIS- SION improved the opportunity afforded by the interruption of its ordinary labor, through the erection of the Soldiers' Monument, to commence the work upon ELM PARK which had been deferred, with greater or less excuse, for a generation.
Previous thereto, however, the Honorable Council, moved by a desire to relieve suffering when it could be done consistently with public interest, had, upon the 2d day of February, at the request of this COMMISSION, adopted an Order in manner and form following, to wit :
" Ordered,-That the Joint Standing Committee on Highways be, and they hereby are, authorized, with the concurrence of the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, to cause the earth to be excavated and spread, in ELM PARK, in such places and to such extent, as said COMMISSION shall direct : the expense not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and to be charged to the appropriation for Shade-Trees and Public Grounds, when such appropria- tion shall be made."
Pursuant to this Order, idle laborers were set at work by the Commissioner of Highways, and were diligently occupied for some weeks. The intention of this COMMISSION has been express- ed, in former Reports, of so combining the system of drainage, in the PARK, that might be found indispensable, with the forma- tion of a basin or Ornamental Pool at the head of the Sewer, as to receive and maintain at a suitable level any water that should flow into it from surface or under-drains. Accordingly this labor thus supplied by the City, was so directed, succeeding under manifold obstacles of frost, mire and water, in the removal of something like Ten Thousand Yards of clay and peat. This mass was so saturated with moisture, freezing as it fell from the wheel-barrows, that it could not be spread at the time.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
Neither was it until months later, when a contract was made with Mr. Michael McGrath who had no occasion, and it is believed little inclination, to boast of the profits of the job. Ice was found from top to bottom of the entire heap, causing great delay and loss to the contractor, who naturally anticipated no such ob- stacles during the heats of summer. Park Avenue had then been finished ; so that this COMMISSION could put the dirt " where it would do most good," sloping the sides of the Avenue as it crosses the PARK in an embankment which, without such gradual reduc- tion, would be awkward and uncomfortably precipitous. More labor and material can be expended wisely, in this direction ; but the work can be done at odd moments, and it will continue to be the motto of the COMMISSION as it was ever, to make little haste that there may be less waste.
The anticipations of the COMMISSION are more than realized in the appearance and utility of the POOL, as it will be officially styled : furnishing as it does superior facilities for draining the Park ; grati- fying the eye when sparkling with water, as it may always look after it is completed ; and enabling the little boys and girls, that frequent it, to enjoy a cheerful, and above all safe, place whither to resort for skating. Sufficiently enlarged, as it should and will be, if the designs of the COMMISSION are realized, and it will con- stitute beyond all question the chief ornament and attraction of that PUBLIC GROUND. For the purpose is also to place within it a Jet, the iron castings of which are already in possession ; operating it upon Public Holidays, should the supply of Water stored up at the time admit of its use for such end and occasions.
Great attention has been bestowed upon the proper direction of the Walks requisite to afford easy access to the various portions of the Park. In cases where it would obviously be traversed by persons on their way to and from meals, and to whom each moment of time is an object, the straightest course was adopted. In others, especially when suggested by the slope or trend of the land, a more devious route was pursued; in curves that present an admirable chance to interrupt a monotonous landscape by planting, here and there, in corner and nook, hardy shrubs and trees. It is believed that but a single additional and short Walk will be essential, to render any part of the PARK accessible
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
to every other. All that have been laid out were first ploughed, and then thoroughly spaded over, the courses being first defined by bounds and metes set by the COMMISSION. They will be cover- ed with a top-dressing of Gravel, extensive beds of which have been found, as anticipated, upon the ridge that was cast up by the waves of the lake or river, that unquestionably, at some period not very remote, covered the whole western valley of the City. Twenty-Five Hundred (2500) Lineal Yards of Walks or Path- Ways, have been constructed; or One and Forty-Two Hundredths (1,4%) Miles. In every instance, where insuperable obstacles did not prevent, they were staked out and worked to a width of Twelve (12) Feet ; a measure ample for pedestrians, to whose use they are restricted. With an exception of the preliminary ploughing, the entire labor has been performed by two (2) men, at odd times, one only executing the major portion.
A number of Maples ( Acer Saccharinum) have been thinned out from the Nursery at the S. W. corner of the Park and planted by the sides of such Paths as were seasonably prepared. A less number of Elms occupy conspicuous positions in lower and wetter places, for which they are better adapted by Nature in their capacity to absorb moisture, thereby saving so much arti- ficial drainage. This work will be resumed as soon as the Frost leaves the ground. Very many Ornamental and Flowering Trees and Shrubs have also been set out, with such view to effective contrast, yet agreeable repose for the eye, as a somewhat careful study of an imperfectly developed landscape could dictate. Changes will doubtless be required ; but change is the lot of all things whereof man has positive knowledge. Those Trees and Shrubs appear to be in fair condition, at this time of writing, although the drought was hard upon them, and their vitality suffers for lack of that Manure from the Equine Factory of the City to which reference is made elsewhere in this Report. Snow in quantity will remedy even that needless deficiency, supplying a warm blanket, ammonia, and penetrating moisture. Neverthe- less the chief danger to be apprehended is from the cold, cutting winds of March, which sweep over that plain like the wild " Northers " of our far Territories, blighting generation and withering life. Yet the chances must be taken.
22
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
A list of the Trees and Shrubs, planted by the COMMISSION, is appended for more exact comprehension and permanent record :
TREES.
NUMBER.
COMMON NAME.
BOTANICAL NAME.
Six
(6),
European Weeping Ash,
Fraxinus excelsior pendula. Thuja Americana.
Ten
(10),
Arbor Vitæ,
Six
(6),
(American),
Hoveyi.
Six
(6),
(Siberian),
Siberica,
Thirty-Six (36),
Spruce (Norway),
Abies excelsa. Pinus strobus.
Twelve
(12),
Pine (White), 66 (Austrian Black),
Austriaca.
Six
(6),
Abies Canadensis.
Twelve
(12),
Larix Europaeus.
Six
(6),
Elin (Camperdown),
Ulmus Pendula (Camperdown)
Six
(6),
Willow (American Weeping),
Salix Americana pendula,
Ten
(10),
(Kilmarnock),
caprea
Six
(6),
Maiden-Hair,
Salisburia adiantifolia.
Ten
(10),
Yellow-Wood,
Virgilia lutea.
SHRUBS.
NUMBER.
COMMON NAME.
BOTANICAL NAME.
Four
(4),
Snowball,
Viburnum opulus.
Twenty
(20),
Deutzia (Slender-branched),
Deutzia gracilis.
Three
(3),
White Fringe,
Chionanthus virginica.
Three
(3),
Syringa (Mock-Orange),
Philadelphus grandiflorus.
Three
(3),
Hydrangea paniculata grandi- flora,
Botanical name in common use.
Six
(6),
Sweet-Scented Shrub, or All- spice,
Ten
(10),
Deutzia (Crenata flore pleno),
Twenty
(20),
Weigela rosea,
Calycanthus. Botanical name only used. 66 יי
Fifty
(50),
Japan Quince,
Cydonia Japonica.
The COMMISSION considers the work of reclaiming Elm Park, at last, fairly under way. How far and how fast it shall be prose- cuted must depend upon the action of the Honorable Council. The Charter provides that the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS :
" Shall lay out said Public Grounds, or such part thereof as they shall from time to time judge proper; and it shall be the duty of said Commissioners, from time to time, as appropriations shall be made therefor by the City Council, to cause all necessary paths and avenues to be constructed therein, and to cause said Public Grounds to be planted and embellished with trees, as they shall think proper "; &c., &c.
Six
(6),
Spruce (Hemlock), Larch,
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Much has been achieved in the prescribed direction: much more remains to be done. The COMMISSION has not suffered itself to be hurried into rash and wasteful extravagance, notwithstand- ing complaint and criticism ; much of it selfish; some of it cowardly and anonymous ; and all of it unintelligent or prejudiced. Pursuing the even tenor of its way, it has elected to be governed by no arbitrary "plan "; but rather to guide its action by a delibérate and life-long study of the land-its capabilities and needs. The City-whatsoever it may get-has had no requisition upon the Treasury for elaborate crotchet, or pretty conceit, from architect or engineer. It gets that to which it was entitled, with- out pay and without price : it might be added,-without fear or favor. Having reflected seriously and late ;- too late as the impatient thought who recked not of the obstacles to action ; the COMMISSION at length sees a clear way to the execution of its conceptions,-the matured evolution of its inner consciousness, in more Germanico. Blame the COMMISSION, if you will, for eschewing an elaborate and formal "plan "! But nevertheless admit, as you must, that the substitute whereby it elects to work- its head-is level !
"Consider the Words of the PREACHER: 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.'"
All which is Respectfully submitted : for and in behalf of the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS ;
by EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN,
Chairman.
Worcester, January 25th, A. D. 1875.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE, WORCESTER, JANUARY 15th, 1875.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Council:
GENTLEMEN :- In conformity with section eleventh of an ordi- nance establishing a Fire Department in the city of Worcester, the Board of Engineers herewith submit their annual report of the condition and workings of the Department, for the year end- ing November 30, 1874, together with such suggestions, for your consideration, as will in our opinion promote more fully, the large and growing interests of the city. There will be found accompanying this report, a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures. A list of fires and alarms that have occurred during the year, with the amount of loss and insurance on the same, a roll of the members, their ages and number of their badge, and a list of Fire Alarm Boxes and their location. The Board are happy to say that your assistance and co-operation has always been promptly and cheerfully rendered, in aiding them in the discharge of their duties, and for which the Board desire to tender their sincere thanks.
MANUAL FORCE AND CONDITION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The manual force of the Department consists of a Chief Engineer and four (4) Assistant Engineers, fifty (50) members
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
of Steamer Companies, including drivers; seventy-two (72) hosemen of Hose Companies ; forty-one (41) of Hook and Ladder Companies, including.driver, and six (6) members of the Babcock Extinguisher Company, making a total of one hundred and seventy-four (174) men. In addition to the regular force of the Department, there is a volunteer Hose Company at Grant Square, that take great interest in the Fire Department matters of the city, and have responded to several alarms with promptness, for which their services are favorably appreciated by the Board of Engineers.
It is with great pleasure that this Board are enabled to report the Department in excellent condition ; as to its discipline, prompt- ness and efficiency, the officers and members of the Depart- ment deserve the highest praise for the promptness with which they have performed every duty, no matter how laborious or dangerous, for the intelligent care always exercised, for the safety of property exposed to damage by fire or water, having but one object in view, the protection of property from destruc- tion, and for the unanimous spirit they have shown, in maintain- ing the credit of the Worcester Fire Department, and winning the good will and esteem of all well-meaning citizens.
Of all the branches of our Municipal Government, the Fire Department is among the most important, and in order that it should be prompt and efficient in the discharge of duty, its mem- bers must be men of temperate habits, with a knowledge of, and a congenial disposition for, the discharge of the duties to be performed ; and we are pleased to say, that the men who have been appointed up to this time are fully up to this standard, the character and fitness of each have been carefully investigated and considered, and we assert without fear of contradiction, from any reliable source, that for moral character, and physical ability to discharge their responsible duties, they compare favorably with any portion of our community.
The Board of Engineers consider it their duty to impress upon the minds of the members of your Honorable Board, as also of citizens generally, the great importance of maintaining an ef- fective and reliable organization for the extinguishment of fires, the
167
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
experience of the past few years shows, as we have stated pre- viously, that a well equipped, thoroughly organized, and carefully managed Fire Department, is the most indispensable and valua- ble branch of a Municipal Government. It is an imperative necessity, and any action on the part of the authorities or citi- zens, tending to cripple its strength, reduce its resources, or impair its usefulness, is the height of folly.
Within the past few years, property valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, has been swept away by conflagrations, para- lyzing the business interests of the entire country, and bringing ruin to thousands of our fellow citizens. Every dollar of proper- ty thus destroyed is entirely lost. The capital of the country was reduced just so many dollars as fell prey to the flames. That which is destroyed by fire is totally extinguished, and can only be restored by the energy and labor of the people. In view of this indisputable fact, is it not our duty to provide the means to guard against such a calamity ? while the facilities are at our command and disposal, should we not avail ourselves thereof? If to encourage the faithful employés of the Depart- ment, small expenditures were made in rendering the houses and apparatus in their charge, attractive, thereby creating a spirit of emulation among them, and leading them to take extraordinary interest in keeping everything in perfect order, is it not money well expended ? We would not encourage wastefulness or ex- travagance ; we never have, but we do insist that some regard must be had for appearance, that the men who actually reside in the Department houses may feel a just pride in keeping in perfect order, the valuable property intrusted to their care. We feel fully satisfied in saying that it is not economy to attempt to reduce the expenses of the Department a few hundred dollars annually by substituting sheet-iron for brass, or a priming coat of paint for finished work. During the past year there has been a decided improvement in the morale of the Department, nearer to perfection are the forces approaching ; the officers and men vie with each other in the prompt execution of their duties, and their devotion to the interests of the community. When the alarm sounds, the Department moves with a precision that is truly gratifying, and a coolness that is commendable. We have
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
no isolated instance to bring to your notice, where all are so worthy, and we must here tender, through you, gentlemen, our warmest thanks to the entire Department, for their uniform courtesy towards their officers, and unswerving devotion to the cause in which they are engaged.
WATER AND HOSE.
Our water supply is all that we can ask, as far as it goes, but we would recommend that a sixteen (16) inch pipe be laid the coming season without fail, the entire length of Main street ; the old pipe is entirely insufficient ; it is but a six (6) inch, and no doubt but it is filled up with rust, so that now it is probably not more than four (4) inches. Two (2) of our steam-engines will take all the water that it will supply, so that our Hose Companies would be comparatively useless should a fire occur on Main street of great magnitude. In the list of appliances for extinguishing fires, water and hose must be given the foremost place, the one being of small account without the other, compels the classifica- tion of both together as equal necessities, but there is one sense in which quality comes in to give to hose the precedence in im- portance ; it makes no difference what kind of water is used, so long as it reaches the flames, it does its work ; but it does make a difference what kind of hose is used, for upon the quality of the hose it depends whether the fire shall be put out, or left to work its disastrous way at will. Poor, unreliable hose neutralizes the value of all efforts of the Firemen, and their apparatus, however costly and well-appointed; it will be seen, therefore, that every- thing depends upon good strong hose, and without such, fire ex- tinction is always in doubt, and often a dangerous delusion. Ex- perience has abundantly proved the truth of these assertions ; time and again, it has been demonstrated that property, capital, and even life itself, has been sacrificed by placing undue reliance upon such hose as proved to be literally weaker than water, worse than useless at the most critical moment; so that it is of vital importance that our Fire Department be furnished with the best quality of hose that can be obtained ; and this Board would recommend that quite a quantity be purchased the coming year.
169
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We desire to call your attention to the necessity of increasing the number of fire hydrants ; we think, as a measure of economy, that the number of hydrants should be doubled, particularly in the business centres. We believe it is much cheaper, and will render the Department much more efficient. If the hydrants were placed nearer together, in case of a large fire the engines would be concentrated in a smaller space, and be under more efficient control of the officers. There is no section of the city at this time where the entire Department could be put in service effectually. A few companies would get position within a reason- able distance of a large fire, but the rest would have to force water through a line of hose of perhaps 800 or 1000 feet, or it may be still greater distances, and this would, and does, materi- ally reduce the effectiveness of the Department. It is also more destructive to the hose, as the longer the line the more pressure it has to sustain and the more liability of bursting, and there is nothing that tends more to delay the operations of firemen, or causes more annoyance, than the changing of a length of hose, just at the time, perhaps, when the men are mnost in need of a good supply of water. If we had more hydrants, the engines could be brought into close proximity to the fire, could operate more effectually, and more fully under the control of its officers, as we have before stated.
To place a hydrant on any water main costs about $35 or $40. One hundred (100) feet of good hose, such as is used by this department costs from $120 to $150. The hydrants require but few repairs, the hose has to be renewed about every three years, so that we are of opinion that it would be of great advantage, and would save many thousands of dollars, if a three or four way hydrant was placed at every corner of our streets in the business centres.
We will take a fire that we had last year, between Pearl and Pleasant streets, for an example : a three or four way hydrant on the corner of Main and Pearl, or Main and Pleasant, or Pleasant and Chestnut, or Chestnut and Pearl streets, the engines could be concentrated, and all playing through short lines of hose ; the lines could be doubled, if necessary, we could completely sur- round the square without having the hose stretched across the
23
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 29.
streets to be run over by vehicles, this being a great saving in hose. At the fire of the Episcopal Church, on Pearl street, last April, between seven and eight thousand feet of hose were laid.
We lay these facts before your Honorable Board for con- sideration.
STEAM FIRE ENGINES.
This Board would recommend the purchase of one steam fire engine. The old " Gov. Lincoln," which is now used for a relief engine, would make a first-class engine by an addition of a new boiler. Her running parts, engine and pumps, are in good con- dition. The cost of a new boiler would be about 1,500 dollars. The number of engines at present in the Department will answer all ordinary purposes and enable the Department to battle suc- cessfully with fires, such as our city has been visited with in the past. We cannot, however, but feel that our city, extending as it is in every direction, and being built up, to a great extent, of wood, may, some day, be the scene of a destructive and ruinous conflagration, one that it would take years to recover from, if we have to depend on the present force of the Department. The actual cost to the city of these additional engines would be trifling, compared with the loss the city would sustain at one fire, should the present force of the Department be overpowered, or the engines that we have in service be disabled. Another view that suggests itself in considering the cost, is that the engines will be required by the Department within a very few years, as with the growth of the city will necessarily follow the growth of the Department ; so that, in fact, the only cost to the city would be the interest on the money expended in the purchase of the engines, and they could be put in service whenever needed.
It seems to us to be an imperative duty on the part of the city authorities to take every precaution that human forethought can suggest to prevent the visitation of a calamity by fire, which would seriously affect the future prosperity of our growing city. We believe our city to-day offers as great an opportunity for an extensive conflagation as any in New England, and we think
171
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
that you will agree with us that this is not an extravagant esti- mate of the danger by which we are surrounded when you consider the fact that a large portion of our city is composed of wooden buildings.
HORSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The number of horses belonging to the Department is eleven (11); three (3) are attached to Steamer No. 1, two (2) on Hook and Ladder No. 1, three (3) on Steamer No. 2, one (1) on Steamer No. 3 hose carriage, and one (1) on Hose Nos. 6 and 7 respectively. They are all in good condition and reflect credit on the drivers having them in charge. We are of the opinion that the horses go too far from the apparatus, when at work on the streets ; this is one of the greatest obstacles the Department has to contend with ; this is the difficulty which has been experienced in not having horses ready to draw the apparatus to fires during the day as well as the night. You are already aware that two of the Steamers and one of the Hook and Ladder trucks are drawn by horses owned by the City, and kept, but not exclusively, for the use of the Depart- ment ; the rest of the apparatus are drawn by horses hired for that purpose. It is well known, and is the subject of general comment, that the machines respond to an alarm more readily in the night than during business hours. That there is any difference-and it must be admitted that there is-is not the fault of the men in the Department ; it is rather to be attributed to the practice of using the horses on the highways. Would it not be well for your Honorable Body to establish regulations, defining the limits in which they are expected to work ? It often happens, that the horses used for drawing the apparatus are sent over a mile from the houses where the machines are kept, and on one occasion the driver of the horses used for drawing Steamer No. 1, was ordered to report, with his team, near the new hospital grounds, near lake Quinsigamond. This order was not carried out, but it has often happened that the horses have been at work a mile from the house where they are kept, while horses used exclusively for the Highway Department, have been at work within sight of the engine house. On one occasion the driver of Steamer No. 1
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