USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1886 > Part 24
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III
550
Maggie A. Mahony, .
II
500
60
Mary McBride, .
I
500
Mary A. Carney, Asst.,
.
Tolman,
Richard H. Mooney, Principal,
VIII-VII
900
F. May Prentice,
VI
500
Annie W. Newell,
V
500
Jeannie E. Sanderson,
IV
500
Mary A. Winter,
III
500
Alice V. Phelps,
II
500
Mary G. Smith,
I
500
Carrie M. Sweetzer,
I
500
PROVIDENCE STREET.
Souther,
Etta A. Rounds, Principal,
VIII
700
Etta R. Leonard,
VII
500
Anna G. Foley, .
VI
500
66
Marion C. Tucker, .
VI-V
500
Margaret F. Hagan,
IV
500
Swan,
66
Sarah J. Newton,
III
550
.
Mary O. Whitney,
550
Lydia W. Ball, . ·
IV
550
Lovering, 66
500
QUINSIGAMOND.
Nihill,
66
66
66
.
Tolman,
379
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Salary.
Swan,
Mary C. Smith,
II
$500
Cora A. Cooley,
I
500
GAGE STREET.
Drennan,
66
(Minnie M. Parmenter, ) Assistant,
VIII
500
66
Annie Brown,
VII
550
Mary E. C. Carroll, .
VI
550
66
Jennie E. Maloney, .
V
500
Adams,
Aloysia Radcliffe,
V
550
Julia A. Bunker,
IV
500
Lilla Ingalls,. .
IV
500
Kate C. Cosgrove,
III
500
Thompson,
Mary J. O'Connor,
III
500
Maggie E. Magone, .
II
500
EAST WORCESTER.
Guerin, 66
Anna T. Kelley,
II
500
Nellie G. McGillicuddy,
I
500
Ellen F. Fallon,
I
500
LAMARTINE STREET.
Swan,
Owen H. Conlin, Principal, .
VII
800
Abbie A. Wells, Assistant,
500
Mary J. Sullivan,
VI
500
Louise A. Dawson, .
V
550
Ellen T. Shannon,
IV
550
Taft,
Mary E. Russell,
IV
500
Mary E. Horgan,
III
500
Abbie F. Hemenway,
III
500
66
Ellen G. Daley,
II
500
D. J. Kelley, 66
Mary C. Morrissey, .
I
500
Edith M. Rolston, .
I
500
ADRIATIC.
Ratigan,
Emma A. Porter, Principal, .
VII
700
Eudora E. Hay,
VI
500
66
Lizzie E. Chapin,
V
500
66
Abby B. Shute,
IV
500
F. Brown,
Cora A. Baldwin,
IV-III
500
66
Mary A. McGillicuddy,
III
500
Mary M. Bowen,
II
500
Etta T. Whalen,
II-I
500
Alice L. Bainbridge,
I
500
ASH STREET.
Warner,
Mary J. Mack, Principal,
·
VI
700
Mabel Piper, ·
V
500
.
800
66
Nellie F. Saunders, .
.
·
Agnes J. O'Gorman,
II
500
66 Dexter,
Ella W. Foskett, Principal,
380
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
Committee.
Teacher.
Grade.
Salary.
Warner, Hughes,
Florence M. Waite, .
IV
$500
Kate A. Fallon, .
III
550
Sarah A. Boyd, .
II
550
66
Marina H. Tucker,
I
500
GRAFTON STREET.
Guerin,
Bridget T. Carlon, Principal,
V
700
Kate A. McLoughlin,
IV
550
Margaret J. McCann,
III
500
Souther,
Carrie M. Adams,
II
500
Katharine A. Hackett,
II-I
500
66
Minnie A. Davis,
I
500
SUMMER STREET.
Sanford, 66
Mary A. Gauren, Principal, .
V
600
(Anna De W. Pearce),
IV
Elma L. Studley,
III
500
Alice Chapin,
II
500
Agnes R. Stewart,
I
500
SALEM STREET.
Taft,
Minnie F. Whittier, Principal,
IV
600
Mary O. Whitmore, .
III
550
Addie M. Blenus,
II
500
Nellie J. Carlon,
.
I
550
UNION HILL.
McCafferty,
Etha M. Stowell, Principal, .
IV-III
550
Anna D. Stowell,
II-I
500
MASON STREET.
Drennan,
Mary E. Pease, Principal,
II
550
66
Effie L. Bennett,
.
I
500
66
Anna T. Smith, .
550
66
381
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Committee.
Place.
Teacher.
Salary.
Miss Barnard,
Northville,
(Mary F. Lewis),
$550
Ballard,
Tatnuck,
Edith M. Harding,
500
Myra N. Moore, Asst.,
200
Jamesville,
Ada D. Saunders,
500
Blithewood,
Susan R. Hartwell,
500
Bloomingdale, 16
Lizzie M. Urban,
VIII-V
500
Ada B. Braman,
IV-I
500
Souther,
Adams Square,
Olive G. Davidson,
550
Burncoat Plain,
Hattie L. White,
550
North Pond,
Etta M. Thayer,
500
Chamberlain,
(Fanny R. Spurr),
Guerin,
Lake View,
Minnie A. B. Chase,
VIII-V
550
Warner,
Valley Falls,
Ann Foskett,
VI-I
500
A. Brown,
Greendale,
Hattie M. Ruggles,
500
DRAWING.
Walter S. Perry, Teacher, $2,000. Annie N. Sinclair, Assistant, High School, $150.
COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Parker, Tolman, J. H. Kelley, Taft and Ballard.
MUSIC.
Seth Richards, Teacher, $1,650.
COMMITTEE. Messrs. Lovering, D. J. Kelley, Drennan, Miss Barnard and Adams.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
COMMITTEE. Miss Barnard, Messrs. Thompson, McCafferty, Moriarty, Souther, Guerin, F Brown, Hughes and Ballard.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
Henry E. Fayerweather, 105 Summer St. Michael J. English, Brackett Ct.
Alice C. Mason,
500
A. Brown, Tolman, 66
Josephine E. Bauer,
500
Rebekah L. Taft,
IV-I
500
Warner, J. H. Kelley, Guerin,
Joanna F. Smith,
382
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1887.
Vacation periods indicated by Full-Face Figures.
1887.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
1887.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8|
3
4
5
6
8
9
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
10 11 12
13
141516
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
17 18 19
20
212223
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
24
25
2627
28
2930
30
31
.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
41
5 6
6
7
8
9
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11
12
8
9 10 11 12 13
13
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17
18
19
14 15 16 1/ 18 19 20
2021
22 23 24
25 26
2122 2324252627
28 29 30 31
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5
·
4
5
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19
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13
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20
21
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23
24
25
26
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
25
26
27
28
29
30
. .
3
4
5
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8
9
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3
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5
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8
9
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23
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31
1
2
3
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5
6
- 7
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
10
11
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14
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
16
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18
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20
21
13
14
15
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19
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23
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27
28
20
21
22
23 2425
26
29
30
31
. .
1
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25 26 27 28 29 30 31
The 1st Term begins Nov. 29th, 1886, and ends Feby. 19th, 1887, comprising 11 weeks.
The 2d
66
Feb. 28th, 1887,
8
The 3d
66
May 2d,
Sept. 5th,
Nov. 26th,
12 "
·
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
SEPT.
APRIL.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
OCT.
242526
27
282930
·
JAN.
.
1|
1
2
JULY.
31
FEB.
AUGUST.
1
2
3
MARCH.
1
2
.
1
MAY.
NOV.
JUNE.
DEC.
April 23d,
July
2d,
28
29
30
1
2
.
66
9
The 4th
28
.
Assuming that Thanksgiving Day will be Thursday, November 24th,
REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
To His Honor the Mayor, and Gentlemen of the City Council :
The Board of Health submit the following report :-
Appropriations,
$2,400 00
Received for licenses, etc.,
95 50
$2,495 50
Expended (for items, see Auditor's report),
2,195 37
Balance unexpended,
$300 13
MORTALITY REPORT.
Cause of death-
Consumption,
165
Acute lung affections,
130
Cholera infantum,
98
Accidents,
32
Diarrhœal diseases,
32
Cancer,
24
Croup,
22
Typhoid fever,
21
Diphtheria,
21
Puerperal,
15
Measles,
6
Whooping cough,
4
Scarlet fever,
2
384
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
Estimated population,
75,000
Number of deaths reported, 1,271
Non-residents at Insane Asylums,
83
Still-born, 83
Actual number of deaths,
1,105
Deaths under five years,
524
Death rate per thousand, exclusive of still-born and non-resi- dents of asylums-
For,
1885. 1886.
17.38
14.73
Average death rate of Worcester since 1850,
21.28
Number of births,
2,075
The sanitary condition, as indicated by the above statistics of mortality, is exceptionally good.
The death rate is probably lower than in any year since Worcester became a city. Our records extend back to 1850, and at no time since has it fallen so low. This remarkably low mortality is due to the small prevalence of zymotic diseases throughout the State, and to the steady improvement of our sani- tary condition.
REGISTRATION OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
1884.
1885. 360
1886.
Number of cases of diphtheria,
398
170
Number of deaths from diphtheria,
64
49
21
Percentage of deaths,
16.00
13.61
12.35
Number of cases of scarlet fever,
60
73
123
Number of deaths from scarlet fever,
4
1
2
Percentage of deaths,
6.60
1.37
1.62
Number of cases of typhoid fever (six months),
49
Number of deaths from typhoid fever,
5
Percentage of deaths,
9.80
DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria has prevailed to a slight extent during the past year.
Its occurrence has been chiefly in scattered cases. At no time has it assumed the gravity of even a neighborhood epidemic.
385
· REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
SCARLET FEVER.
Scarlet fever has been unusually mild, although more pre- valent than for several years. One hundred and twenty-three cases were reported by physicians, and probably as many more occurred where no doctor was called.
At the suggestion of this Board, the School Board passed a rule, requiring children living in families where this disease had occurred, to remain out of school for four weeks from the out- break of the last case. The enforcement of this rule, under ordinary circumstances, will prevent the spread of this disease through the medium of the public schools.
OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The city has again been spared the inconvenience, danger and expense which arises from even a single case of small pox, cholera or yellow fever. We are fairly well equipped to take care of single cases of these diseases, but are in no condition to meet an epidemic. Our only safety lies in prompt action, and we earnestly invite physicians and householders to report immediately all cases which are in any way suspicious.
FUMIGATION AND DISINFECTION.
Most of our contagious and infectious diseases, are supposed to be communicated from person to person by the development of minute organisms in the sick, and their transfer to the well through the medium of the air, clothing, food, water, milk, fæces, &c. These disease germs may live for months or even years, and be carried long distances. They can be destroyed by heat and chemicals. It is therefore advised, that after small- pox, cholera, yellow fever, diphtheria, measles, septicæmia, or puerperal fever, all worthless articles of clothing be burned - all blankets, sheets, and valuable clothing be boiled in water for one hour, or baked in a temperature of 230° for two hours.
The house itself should be disinfected with the fumes of burn- ing sulphur, using three pounds of sulphur for every thousand cubic feet of air space. The furniture and walls should then be
386
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
washed with a one per cent. solution of chloride of lime, a two per cent. solution of carbolic acid, or a solution of corrosive sublimate, 1-1000 (four ounces to a gallon of water).
The Board is ready in all cases to supervise the disinfection of houses, after a case of contagious disease-whenever requested. Inspectors will fumigate all tenements in which deaths from diphtheria, scarlet fever, or small-pox have occurred.
The inspector of the Board makes the following report :
Whole number of complaints,
950
Number of visits,
2,850
Filthy yards,
131
Filthy cellars,
41
Filthy stables,
38
Foul henneries,
6
General nastiness,
8
Burning leather,
3
Putrid meat in highway,
1
Filthy tenements,
1
Foul privies,
139
Foul closets,
36
Foul cess-pools,
22
Dead animals,
15
Foul fish market,
1
Condemned meat-unfit for food,
1
Imperfect drainage,
32
Open pipe in cellars,
17
Imperfect ventilation,
29
Imperfect water supply in closets,
22
Defective plumbing,
39
Houses trapped,
50
Connected with sewer,
80
Wells contaminated,
4
Houses fumigated,
8
Pigs without license,
12
Tenements vacated,
12
DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIAL.
The disposal of waste material continues to be a source of anxiety and annoyance to the Board, and we again recommend that a
387
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
public service for the collection and disposal of the same be or- ganized. At present, ashes and house-rubbish are mixed with rags and refuse often-times infected with disease, carted through the public streets, in public truck-wagons, and all unloaded at the public dumps where all is picked over by the poor. It is im- possible to estimate to what extent our contagious diseases are spread in this way.
Undoubtedly, the unsystematic collection and disposal of old rags, feather bedding, etc., must be considered dangerous.
PUBLIC BATHS.
This subject has been called to your attention in several pre- vious reports. All the ponds near the city have become too public for promiscuous bathing, and the police authorities have been obliged to take this healthful recreation away from the people, without furnishing the substitute of well-managed bath- houses. Bathing at the lake, in the more frequented places, will also have to be forbidden very soon.
Other cities have for many years supported bath-houses for both sexes. Boston appropriated $16,000, and employed twelve men and seven women to superintend the houses in 1885, and they report seven hundred and sixty-two thousand seven hundred and thirty men and boys (762,730), and one hundred and ninety- seven thousand and thirty-five (197,035) women and girls, making a total of nearly a million persons who used the houses.
The Parks-Commission is ready and willing to make the exper- iment of maintaining a bath-house at the lake, if the necessary appropriation is made. The expense of the trial for a year would be about one thousand dollars ($1,000).
PLUMBING ORDINANCE.
The Plumbing ordinance has been in force throughout the year, and on the whole has been very satisfactory. The charac- ter of the work done by the plumbers has been in advance of that of previous years. There is still room for improvement, and the Board will probably ask you for additional legislation during
388
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
the year. Thus far it has been thought advisable to use some latitude in the granting of licenses, and all persons who could satisfy the Board that they possessed the requisite skill and ability to do honest work were allowed to carry on the plumbing business. All licenses expire February 1, and their renewal will depend largely on the character of the work done by their holders during the year.
The report of this division is as follows : -
Number of applications for license, 25
Licenses granted, 23
Applications refused, 2
Number of houses inspected, 235
Poor work condemned, 16
The result of the year's work is very gratifying, and the com- munity is growing to realize more and more the value of improved sanitary conditions as a requisite of good health. The people are of themselves adopting precautions to prevent the spread of con- tagious disease, and they submit willingly to the annoyance of disinfection, and the quarantine of school children.
The question of wakes and public funerals in cases of con- tagious disease, has almost ceased to trouble the Board. Only one case has occurred during the year which required official inter- ference.
. In this connection we would express our appreciation of the co-operation we have received in this class of cases from the physicians, clergy and undertakers.
The Committee on Sewers and the Superintendent of that Department have shown good. judgment in the extension of new sewers and have at all times been ready and willing to co-operate with the Board of Health in the improvement of unhealthy localities. The City Marshal and members of the Police Depart- ment have rendered us valuable assistance in the discovery and abatement of nuisances.
HENRY GRIFFIN, Chairman. JAMES C. COFFEY. LEMUEL F. WOODWARD, M. D.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE, FIRE DEP'T, WORCESTER, January 1, 1887.
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Honorable City Council.
GENTLEMEN :- In conformity with the ordinance prescribing the duties of the Chief Engineer, the undersigned has the honor of herewith submitting his Fourteenth Annual Report of the con- dition and operations of the Fire Department during the year ending December 31, 1886. Incorporated therein will be found a complete manual of the officers and members of the Depart- ment, a list of the fires and alarms of fire occurring during the year, with the losses occasioned thereby and the insurance thereon,* a detailed statement of the operations, together with such suggestions and recommendations as the exigency of the service appears to demand.
MANUAL FORCE.
The manual force of the Department was increased by two permanent men, one spare driver and one tillerman for truck No. 2, early in the year, and recently by two companies of nine men, eight call men and one permanent man to each company, making a total force of one hundred and fifty two (152); it is my opinion now as it was a year ago that two or three of the companies in the centre of the City should have their permanent force in- creased by three men, the evidence, which was then presented in
*For the information here referred to see Report of Worcester Fire Depart- ment in separate pamphlet.
28
390
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
support of this recommendation has not only been strengthened, but has been increased by the experience of the last twelve months. The rapid growth of the City and the numerous changes in the character of the buildings call for more men. The call of a year ago was urgent from the centre and outskirts alike. The outskirts have received attention. The centre demands it this year for it is of great importance that men should be ready for service as soon as the apparatus arrives. This is not possible without increasing the permanent force.
APPARATUS.
Two new combination wagons have been put in service during the year. They carry 2000 feet of hose, 256 feet of ladders. One new Hays truck has also been added to the service and although in use but a few weeks its practical workings have furnished abundant evidence of its value ; we are still without a ladder service sufficient to meet some of the demands which may pos- sibly arise and I recommend the purchase of another Hays truck of the largest size at an early day the coming year, and also the addition of another Hose wagon to be built to carry ladders.
HOUSES.
Two new houses have been built, one on Cambridge street, the other on Woodland street; the Cambridge-street house is a model for convenience and is built in a most workmanlike man- ner; the Woodland-street house is convenient in its arrange- ment but the material and workmanship are not satisfactory. During the present year I recommend that the house now occu- pied by Hose No. 5 be disposed of, as it is not large enough for the purpose for which it was intended, and cannot be enlarged as no more land is available. A house should be constructed in the same vicinity large enough for a Hose carriage or Hose wagon, and a Hook and Ladder truck now kept at the Bigelow- court house, or a new Hays truck. My judgment is the Hays truck should be placed in that locality as the Head-quarters House is not convenient for access and is over-crowded at the present time.
391
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHEMICAL ENGINES.
The chemical engines have done excellent work the past year, but the small ones of the Halloway pattern are worn out and should be replaced, as I do not consider them safe for further use in the department. The use of the small chemical engines is of great value as it reduces the loss by water ; in our larger cities while a full supply of Steamers and other apparatus are wisely kept on hand for cases of emergency, which are sure to come sooner or later, many fires are extinguished without the use of large volumes of water to leak through floors and destroy costly goods.
THE FIRE PATROL.
The value of the service rendered by the Fire Patrol is fully recognized by the public, but not more fully than by this De- partment. It was never more efficient than at present.
THE NEW ORDINANCE.
In its practical workings this new ordinance has given general satisfaction; I wish, however, to again call your attention to the need of a new building ordinance, and to ask again that this matter receive early attention. More can be done to prevent serious fires by making more careful provisions for the govern- ment of buildings and contractors, and every year's experience shows that this work has already been too long delayed. The lack of suitable and well-defined restriction leads to unnecessary and disagreeable complications, is an injustice to those who endeavor to build with a view to the prevention of serious fires, and discommodes the public. Whether the builders or those who are supposed to be responsible for the character of the buildings erected, are able under the present ordinance to equally determine their rights and duties, every year of delay makes the work of preparing an ordinance more difficult and increases the chances of a serious conflagration.
392
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
HORSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Early in the season the horses at the Prescott-street house were turned out to pasture and a new and heavy pair was pur- chased to draw the Hays truck which was located at that house, those formerly used there being too light for the heavy truck, they are now in use at the new house on Cambridge street a new horse has been purchased for the Woodland-street house, and the horse used for the hose wagon of Steamer No. 1 has been sold, being unfit for service, and a new horse has been purchased in his place ; it will be necessary to make two or three changes during the coming year that this part of the service may be efficiently maintained.
FIRE-ALARM SERVICE.
During the past year the Fire-Alarm Telegraph has worked satisfactorily to all and is to-day in thorough repair and most efficient working order. Every station from which an alarm was rung in worked perfectly. The great ice storms of last winter totally disabled the service for one or two days, but re- pairs were promptly made and the inconvenience was as slight as possible. The damage then done and the trouble which fol- lowed in repairing the broken wires, with other experience, demonstrated the need of a thorough reconstruction of the system. That work was begun and has been continued steadily throughout the year. The wires have been transferred from house-tops to poles so situated that the wires can be more readily reached in case repairs are necessary, thus reducing the cost of maintenance and putting the wires where they are less liable to damage. Although the condition of this branch of the service is the best possible endorsement of the efficient work of the superintendent it is only simple justice to that officer that his efficiency should receive recognition in this. It would be a very difficult matter to designate a point at which his work could be improved. I recommend that provisions be made for an addition of eight (8) new boxes the coming year. The number added the past year is six (6). I also desire to call public attention to the
393
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
use of the Fire-Alarm Telegraph and the purposes of the Fire De- partment. The Fire Alarm is for use in case of fire. The Fire Department is to respond to alarms. The use of the telephone and the increasing custom of calling one company is incurring unnecessary danger. In case of doubt always take the safe course and send in an alarm. Never call one company only, unless sure that the trouble will not grow to be serious. It is the better way to call out the whole Department ten times for nothing than to let one fire get even a few minutes headway. There have been but three false alarms during the year. Those I believe were given by boys more through curiosity than for mischief, and the practice of keeping keys to the boxes where they are accessible is working satisfactorily. For a detailed statement I refer to the Report of the Superintendent, Charles M. Mills.
HOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
During the past year 3,200 feet of hose have been purchased, 1,800 feet American Jacket, 600 feet of Balanced Woven, and 800 feet of Akron rubber hose. In the coming year provision should be made for the purchase of 2,000 feet that the new com- panies may be better equipped for service.
WATER SERVICE.
It is very necessary that early provision be made for more hydrants. The long distances lines of hose have to be laid in many cases causes an unnecessary expense which can be avoided by a more generous policy in setting hydrants, and which will also greatly increase the efficiency of the service of this department. There are some localities which are not properly protected where a great and unnecessary risk is being seen daily. Foster Street is one of the localities which should receive attention without delay, and I recommend that a conference be held, between representa- tives of the Water and Fire Departments, that the matter may receive more thorough attention in the future. In the end, I am confident that it would result in an annual saving in the cost of
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
maintaining the Fire Department without increasing the cost of the Water Department more than 25 per cent. of the amount saved to the Fire Department.
FIRES AND INSURANCE.
The number of fires during the year was: box alarms, 78; telephone, 12; still, 112; causing a loss of $124,894.43; in- surance on same $647,800.00. The most serious of these occurred early in the year when the weather was very cold and severe, and the wear upon the apparatus was unusually severe- on wear and tear of hose especially. The men, too, worked to great disadvantage, but they did their work faithfully and cheer- fully. It is exceeding good fortune as regards loss by fire. Worcester has been extremely fortunate in this respect, but never more so than the past year, taking all things into consideration. We have many combustible and dangerous localities, and they increase from year to year, by building and alterations of our many wooden and ir flammable structures. No city has material for large fires that the wooden city of Worcester has, and it is certain that we shall not always be as well favored as we have been the past years.
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