USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1904-1906 > Part 13
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The intimate relationship existing between the library and the schools has been a blessing. The plan in operation, which
220
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
enables teachers to select from the shelves of the library ten or twenty volumes at a time and retain them for two months, enables the teachers to direct the reading of the pupils. Doubt- less a well stocked school library would reach the homes of more pupils, but the initial cost would be large and the benefits as now derived are great.
I wish now to speak of two subjects connected with the fundamental work of school life. While this part is the most essential, the discussion of it in detail lies within the scope of the Committee rather than in a general report :
No. 1. During the first three years of school life, the pupil has aquired the ability to recognize words and pronounce them, unassisted by the teacher. This system of teaching reading, in in which the books are free from the markings of quantity and silent letters enables the pupil to pass from the special to the supplementary book without difficulty. In the fourth grade, however, where they read with considerable facility, there is apt to be a carelessness in enunciation and articulation, where, if agreeable to the Committee, it is proposed to introduce a series of vocal exercises which will eradicate this defect.
No. 2 The actual use of arithmetic by the average adult is limited to the four fundamental operations, with now and then a few simple fractions and the decimals of the United States money. So much effort is devoted to other principles and to examples which require much thought and time that not enough practice can be given to the preliminary steps. Hence, unless a definite period is set aside foi abstract work of this nature and unless speed and accuracy are demanded, the pupils will leave school weak in what they need most in later life. To overcome this trouble, if the Committee approves, I pro- pose to send, on Fridays mornings, to the teachers of grades VI to VIII inclusive four simple abstract examples with a time limit.
221
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
At the risk of seeming lengthy I wish to call your atten- tion to the matter of promotion in our schools. From a knowl- edge based upon seven years experience in these, schools, I should say a fair estimate of the total number who fail to pass from one grade to another lies between eight and twelve per cent. I do not wish to blame anyone in particular for this state of affairs any more than I blame myself. In fact, it is a condition extending throughout and beyond New England, and to such an extent that educators for a period of years have endeavored to solve the problem on the basis of the individual as the unit for school instruction.
It is difficult to believe that two hundred pupils, now repeat- ing the work and thereby losing a year of school time, in many cases discouraged, and in some resulting in an estrangement of the parent and his condemnation of the schools, are mentally deficient. There have been several experiments tried to over- come this prevailing tendency. The scheme of double promo- tion, an abridgement of the course with an extra teacher to advance those more certainly qualified, the division of grades into classes with a flexible course of study. Those which have attracted the most attention are the ones employed to some extent in California and Elizabethtown, New Jersey. From an examination of reports, I am led to believe that the system in use in Batavia, N. Y., has come nearer, at least in theory, to solve this vexed problem, than others.
I can do no better in closing this report than to quote the words of the editor of the Journal of Pedagogy after an inspec- tion of the schools. He said, " It makes me long to see the people who will be walking the streets twenty-five years hence." The Batavia system is no longer confined to Batavia. Its use is spreading, and it bids fair in a short time to supplant the old system of graded school instruction. Among places that have introduced it partially or completely, I may mention, New
222
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
York City, Buffalo, Lockport, Washington, D. C. and several western and Canadian cities. It is difficult to predict the result should that system be engrafted on our own, neither would it be wise without a more intimate knowledge of the details contained therein. It appeals to me, however with such force that I recommend that some representative of the Board, without expense to the Town or Committee, be requested to make a personal examination of the same and report his findings to the Committee.
Thanking the Committee for their confidence, this report is
Respectfully submitted,
F. S. SUTCLIFFE, Superintendent.
Arlington, Mass., Dec. 17, 1904.
REPORT OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
Arlington, December 31, 1904.
The Board of Registrars of Voters herewith submit their report for the year 1904.
Mr. Franklin T. Anderson was appointed, January 16, 1904, a member of the Board to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Frank C. Allen.
The total number of registered voters as reported Jan. 1, 1904, was 1,619. During the year one hundred and twenty- five names were stricken from the list on account of death and other causes.
At the meetings held by the Board for registration the num- ber added was as follows : -
Town Hall, February 20, 1904, 3
Union Hall (Heights), Feb. 26, 1904, 2
Town Hall, Feb. 27, 1904, 18
Town Hall, Sept. 19, 1904, 14
Town Hall, Oct. 21, 1904, 76
Union Hall (Heights), Oct. 24, 1904, 45
Town Hall, Oct. 29, 1904, 106
making a total number registered for the year, 264
The list as revised to Jan. 1, 1905, is as follows : - Whole number registered, 1,876
Whole number of males, 1,758
Whole number of females, 118
Total, 1,876
WM. H. PATTEE, JOHN W. BAILEY, FRANKLIN T. ANDERSON, THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Registrars of Voters.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Board met March 17, 1904, and organized as follows :
Chairman
Edward S. Fessenden.
Clerk
Horace A. Freeman.
APPOINTMENTS. - Medical Inspector of Schools, Roy D. Young.
UNDERTAKERS. - Licenses, as undertakers, have been issued to J. Henry Hartwell & Son, Daniel W. Grannan, James P. Daley, William D. Grannan.
BOARD OF INFANTS. - The Board has given its approval to two applications to the State Board of Charity for licenses to Board Infants, namely, Mrs. S. Scanlan, 41 Teel street and Miss Annie C. Sullivan, 60 Mystic street.
ASHES AND OFFAL. - Ashes and offal have been collected the past year as usual by the Highway Department. It is believed, however, that the offal can be collected cheaper by contract with outside parties for a term of years and the same may be disposed of in this way the current year.
The ashes should be collected by the Highway Department . as it affords employment of the Town horses at a season of the year when little is done on the streets.
For detail expenses in collection see Health Department, Auditor's report.
FUMIGATION : - Occasions for fumigation both from conta- gious diseases and otherwise have been more than usual the past year, and will be increased as tuberculosis is now regarded a menace to public health and thorough disinfection demanded in each case.
225
BOARD OF HEALTH.
NUISANCES. - The attention of the Board has been given to complaints relative to offensive cesspools and defective drains, connection with Town sewer having been required when avail- able.
CENSUS. - A careful census of the number of swine kept in Town has been made and shows that the number is less than at any previous time, being less than one thousand in all, with a prospect of a material reduction in the near future. The con- ditions are much improved and no person, to the knowledge of the Board, is keeping any swine in violation of the Town regu- lations.
MANURE. - A number of formal and informal complaints have been made both as regards manure in heaps and the land- ing of the same by cars on railroad tracks. The offensive odors from this manure are reasonable cause for complaint and the action of the Board in every case has been towards reducing to a minimum the objectionable features. The problem, however, is a difficult one.
A proposition is now under consideration by the railroad for providing a new location for the delivery of manure by cars and we hope for an early improvement in this direction.
A regulation has been passed by the Board to the effect that vehicles conveying manure through the streets of the Town shall be securely covered by canvas, to avoid littering the streets, and to prevent the spread of the offensive odors. A violation of this regulation subjects the person failing to comply with it, to a fine. We feel that this regulation must be en- forced and ask all parties interested to render all possible aid in its observance.
HOSPITAL CASES. - Bills amounting to $248 were paid for care and nursing two cases of scarlet fever and one case of diphtheria at City Hospital, Boston, said patients having settlement in Arlington, but residing in Boston.
226
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. - During the year ending December 31, 1904, the total number of contagious diseases reported to the Board of Health has been 142.
Of this number 18 were diphtheria, 83 scarlet fever, 9 typhoid and 32 measles.
Nearly as many cases of diphtheria occurred in January as in the following eleven months.
Probably the January cases were those infected near the close of the 1903 epidemic.
There were five months of the year when there were no cases of diphtheria reported, cases of scarlet fever, however, were reported to the Board of Health every month of the year, - the first instance probably in the history of the Town.
Of the 83 cases reported, 71 were in the Russell and Crosby school districts, and only 12 in all the other school districts of the Town.
Within these same districts were 17 cases of diphtheria, against one in the rest of the Town.
Why should nearly all the diphtheria and scarlet fever be practically confined to one section of the Town?
In 1903 nearly all the diphtheria and scarlet fever was in the same territory.
In the report of 1903 the Board of Health urged that those caring for diphtheria and scarlet fever, be more careful in thoroughly isolating the sick ones from the family, and espe- cially from the children of the family.
Why should not scarlet fever spread when children, who are dequamating, are allowed to go out of doors, playing with the other children of the family, and talk at arms length, through the picket fence, with any child who happens to pass ?
Such instances have come to the attention of the Board during the past year, and the parents wonder why the disease spreads.
.
227
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Such carelessness on the part of any one who cares for these diseases, is little less than criminal, and deserves severe criti- cism.
Not until the parents realize the grave danger they are sub- jecting the community to, and heed the quarantine instructions always given by the attending physician, will it be possible to stop the spread of these diseases.
It is the intention of the Board to send printed instructions to each infected household, for the proper care of diphtheria and scarlet fever, when the quarantine card is posted on the residence.
It is hoped that such printed information, may be of great service to those caring for these diseases.
Arrangements have been make for the immediate examina- tion of diphtheria cultures, taken on Saturdays and Sundays for diagnosis, and in cases of second culture for release from quarantine.
Such culture tubes may be obtained of H. A. Perham.
As consumption is a contagious disease, communicable to others, it is hoped that all will co-operate in reporting such cases to the Board of Health, that suitable instruction may be given for the care of such patients.
The unusually large number of cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever during the year, and in many cases the inefficient means of quarantine, largely owing to limited accommodations, has strongly impressed the Board of Health with the necessity of a building to which such patients may be sent for better care, when the proper isolation is impossible at home.
MALARIA-No attempt has been made toward the removal of the weeds in Spy Pond during the year 1904, owing to the lack of funds,
The presence of acres of these weeds, seriously mars the beauty of this little lake, even though the water may not be polluted, or the health of nearby residents endangered.
228
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The mosquito breeding area, lying between Mystic street and the Cemetery, is being filled as rapidly as possible.
It is hoped that ere long the wet lands, lying along Alewife Brook, may be so thoroughly drained, that there will be no opportunity for the growth of mosquitoes, and therefor of malaria.
INSPECTION OF PLUMBING. - During the year 1904 eighty- five applications have been placed on file and plumbing permits duly issued therefor. Twenty-one new buildings are included, also reconstruction for improvements, restoration from damage by fires, etc. In the progress of such work under competition contracts, more or less contention arises, to secure compliance with Town Regulations and avoidance of sanitary or other defects.
Improved bath room fixtures have been manufactured re- cently, and brought to the attention of householders, who now consider a properly fitted up bath room, with bath tub, water closet and lavatory, indispensible for the preservation of health.
To satisfy the demand, therefore, an increased amount of plumbing is required.
PUBLIC SANITARIES. - Sanitaries for public use should be provided without delay. One to be located near the Town Hall and one near the junction of Massachusetts avenue and Park avenue, Arlington Heights.
Careful consideration hereof is desired that ways and means may be promptly obtained to secure the much needed public accommodations.
FINANCIAL. - For detail as to expenditures reference is made to the report of the Auditor.
EDWARD S. FESSENDEN, EDWIN B. STICKNEY, M.D. EDWIN MILLS,
Board of Health.
229
BOARD OF HEALTH.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.
ARLINGTON, December 31, 1904.
To the Board of Health : -
GENTLEMEN, -The following report is respectfully sub- mitted for year ending December 31, 1904 : -
Number of children examined, 790
Number of children sent home,
71
They were sent home for the following reasons : - -
Pediculi, 27
Impetigo, 3
Revaccination, 24
Chicken-pox, 5
Vaccination, 7 Itch, 2
Tonsilitis, 3 Measles,
2
Fever and Headache, 3 Ring Worm, 1
Mumps, 3 Otitis Media,
1
During the year 251 children were examined for vaccination. Of this number 24 were asked to be revaccinated and 7 were requested to be vaccinated for the first time. Upon inspection later all of these had complied satisfactorily with the regu- lations.
A large number of children have been advised to be exam- ined for glasses. Though considerable sickness, no school or room has had to be closed or fumigated.
Respectfully, ROY D. YOUNG.
230
ROARD OF HEALTH.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Total number of deaths from all causes, exclusive of stillbirths. 134 Number of stillbirths. 12
NOTE-For names of persons dying see report of Town Clerk.
DEATHS BY SEXES.
(Stillbirths Excluded.)
63
" females.
70
unknown
1
134
DEATHS BY AGES.
TOTAL. MALE. FEMALE. UNKNOWN.
Deaths of persons under one year ....
20
11
8
1
From 1 to 2 years ...
1
..
1
. .
2 4 3
3 . 4
4 .
5 " 10
10 " 15 15 "20
20 "30
30 " 40
19
10
9
. .
40 "50
10
5
5
50 “60
18
8
10
60 “ 70
20
11
9
70 “ 80
20
5
15
. .
Over 80
11
5
6
..
Ages unknown.
. .
..
..
Total
134
63
70
1
Average age of deaths: 45 yrs. 8 mos. 18 days. Age of oldest person : 101 " 4
DEATHS BY MONTHS.
(Stillbirths Excluded.)
1903. 1904.
1903.
1904.
January .
10
16
July.
13
6
February
16
15
August.
9
15
March. .
16
11
September
14
11
April
7.
8
October.
5
9
May.
· 12
10
November
4
14
June.
9
9 December.
9
10
Total.
124
134
Stillborn
14
12
Total.
138
146
.
1
.
3
2
1
..
. .
.
..
5
4
1
5
2
3
. .
.
. .
1
1
1
..
-
t
Number of deaths of males.
231
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CAUSES OF DEATH. (Stillbirths Excluded.)
Deaths from phthsis or consumption .. 6
scarlet fever.
1
bronchitis.
3
diphtheria and croup. 2
diseases of heart ... 15
Cerebro-spinal meningitis 5
" kidneys. 1
erysipelas
1
66 66 cancer. 5
66 cholera infantum. 4
dysentery 1
From suicide.
C
accident . 4
20
38
Number of deaths from all other causes not specified above, (not including_still-birtlis 76
Total.
134
SOCIAL RELATIONS OF DISEASED.
(Stillbirths Excluded.)
Married.
54
Single.
45
Widow.
23
Widower
9
Divorced
1
Unknown.
2
134
NATIVITY.
Nativity of Deceased. (Stillbirths excluded.)
Nativity of Parents.
Father.
Mother.
Arlington
30
6
5
Massachusetts
38
32
36
Other New England States
23
22
16
Other States.
6
8
5
Canada and the Provinces.
11
11
13
England, Scotland and Wales.
. .
10
3
Ireland.
22
34
35
Italy ..
1
2
Norway and Sweden
..
.
. .
Russia ...
1
3
4
Unknown
2
5
14
Total
134
134
134
American parentage. 59 Mixed parentage.
8
Foreign 54 Unknown
14
Number of non-residents dying in Arlington. Number of residents dying in other places. ...
15
18
1
1
Other countries
Deaths from pneumonia
8
DEATHS FROM VIOLENCE.
20
232
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED IN 1904.
Small Pox.
Diph- theria.
Scarlet Fever.
Typhoid.
Measles.
Total.
January .
February
. .
822:1 2
12
2
16
March .
11
21
April.
8
15
24
May .
1
6
June
1
:
2
3
July
3
:
·
10
October
1
10
1
. .
20
December
3
7
1
. .
11
Total
18
83
9
32
142
LOCATION OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Drawing a line through the Town Hall Building, and extending it north and south, the location of the above contagious diseases would be as follows : -
East.
West.
Total.
Diphtheria
18
18
Scarlet Fever.
67
16
S3
Typhoid Fever
5
4
9
Measles
14
18
32
Total.
104
38
142
.
10
.
. .
12
November
1
15
4
2
12
2
: : 111 1 1 1
8
3
August
2
2
September
. .
7
THE
REPORT OF JOINT BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works respectfully present their first annual report for year ending December 31, 1904.
ORGANIZATION .- The Board, consisting of George I. Doe, Warren W. Rawson, and James A. Bailey, Jr., as Selectmen ; and Peter Scwamb, William N. Winn and Samuel E. Kimball, as Board of Public Works, met March 19, 1904, and elected Warren W. Rawson, Chairman, and Horace A. Freeman, Clerk.
DUTIES OF THE JOINT BOARD .- The duties of the Joint Board are set forth in Section 5 of Chapter 3, Acts of 1904, "an act to authorize the Town of Arlington to establish a Board of Public Works," said act being approved by the Governor January 28, 1904 and accepted by the Town February 8, 1904. Section 5 reads as follows : -
"SECTION 5. Upon the election of said board of public works all the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Selectmen in said town now existing or hereafter created by law, relating to highways, town ways, the laying out and discontinuance of ways, bridges, sidewalks, guide posts, monuments at the termini and angles of roads, public squares, playgrounds, shade trees, sewers, drains, street watering, street lighting, the assessment of damages and betterments, water pipes, gas pipes, conduits, poles, wires, street railways, the granting of locations, rights or licenses for structures upon, under or over highways or other ways, shall be exercised, enjoyed, performed and incurred
234
JOINT BOARD.
by a board consisting of the selectmen and the board of public works created by this act, sitting jointly as the board of survey."
MEETINGS AND BOARD ACTION .- The Board has generally met weekly and its policy has been to discuss and determine action on all important matters legitimately coming before it, and then as far as possible refer the same to the Board of Public Works or other proper officials to carry out.
APPOINTMENTS .- For appointments made by the Board see the list of Town Officers.
STREET WATERING .- Contracts for street watering for the season beginning May 1, and ending November 1, (six months) were awarded Messrs. Henry J. Green, Timothy Ryan, John Kelly, James Barr and the Highway Department, (five different routes) at a cost of $2,000, which with incidentals make the total expenditure for the year $2,500,86.
This expenditure is met by appropriations of $694, receipts of $226.50 and assessments committed of $1,580.36.
The cost this year is greater than would otherwise have been because of extra repairs and painting of carts.
The assessment committed by the Assessors is 2 1-6 cents per foot, being the three-fourths cost charged the abutters.
Requests have been made for the extension of the street watering territory, and it may be desirable to extend the sea- son also. If these are done a larger appropriation will be nec- essary .
STREET LIGHTING. -- Street lighting has been placed on a basis of lower cost as was desired by the Town in its action at the Annual Town Meeting. This was effected by mutual agreement between the Town and the Edison Electric Illumi- nating Company through accredited representatives by which the number of arcs was reduced from 105 to 80 and the num- ber of incandescents increased from 195 to 218, the quality and cost per light being unchanged.
235
JOINT BOARD.
The number of street lights December 31, 1904, is as fol- lows : -
80 arcs of 1,200 candle power.
218 incandescent lights of 32 candle power.
Both arcs and incandescents are lighted every night until one o'clock A. M. Amount appropriated for street lighting was $11,676.00. The amount expended $11,626.23. Balance on' hand, $49.77.
In readjusting the lights to these changes the Inspector of Wires gave valuable assistance.
The changes above referred to appear to give satisfaction and make a saving from the original of about $1,200. The Town is under obligation to the Edison Company for this modification of contract. The present contract for street lighting was given for five years and does not expire till May 1, 1907.
READJUSTMENT OF LIGHTS. - A further readjustment in the location of lights is needed in order to secure wider and more equitable distribution. It is the intention of the Board to give this matter early consideration.
OUTS. - The Town is allowed three cents per hour for each arc remaining unlighted, and one cent per hour for each incan- descent unlighted. These outs are reported by the police. The Town, however, is not receiving sufficient credit, because many outs are not reported, as it is impossible for the police to get them all. This matter also, will receive special attention on the part of the Board.
ADDITIONAL LIGHTS. - Several petitions are on file for more lights, some of which should be granted. This will necessitate an additional appropriation.
SIDEWALKS. - The Board were unable to grant all petitions for edgestone and for sidewalk because of lack of funds, there being prior claims for edgestone on Henderson street, grano-
236
JOINT BOARD.
lithic walk in front of Squire estate and brick sidewalk on Massachusetts avenue, much of it being laid under the sidewalk act.
The Board are of the opinion that brick for sidewalk should be more generally used, being more durable, less destructive in relaying and therefore more economical.
The Town appropriation for permanent sidewalk represents 'only the Town's share of the expense, which for new walks, first laid, is about one-half the cost.
The vote of the Town Jan. 3, 1905, enables the borrowing of a sum equal to the assessments for new work, and this makes said assessments available for immediate use.
The amount appropriated by the. Town was $1,000, amount expended including deposits and assessments $2,355.90. Bal- ance on hand, $69.06.
For further detail see reports of Board of Public Works and Town Engineer.
POLE LOCATIONS. - All the petitions from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for pole locations were granted and all from the Edison Electric Illuminating Com- pany, except one.
This exception was where the Edison Company desired loca- tion for eighteen poles on Warren street and two poles on Broadway for trunk line wires to connect Power Station at Woburn with South Boston Station. The Board, thinking it was safer for said lines to be placed under ground, refused the location of poles asked for.
It has been the policy of the Town to have as few poles in the public ways as possible, and to lessen the number when able to do so.
For further particulars in regard to pole locations see report of the Inspector of Wires.
ACTING AS BOARD OF SURVEY .- Plans have been approved establishing grade of Henderson street, also establishing lines
237
JOINT BOARD.
and grade of Gray street extension and Pine Ridge road. The approval of plans relative to Gray street extension and Pine Ridge road was made by the Selectmen before the Joint Board was installed.
For further details on these matters see report of the Town Engineer.
ASSESSMENTS AND BETTERMENTS .- Assessments under the sidewalk act have been committed to the Treasurer for collec- tion, to the amount of $435.86, the balance having been pre- viously paid.
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