USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1912 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
THE POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.
One of the most valuable adjuncts to this department is the police signal system which was installed July 1, 1906.
At that time, although it was admitted that more boxes should be installed, on the ground of economy it was not done, and no recommendation was made by me to complete the system until it had been paid for. Since that time I have strongly urged additional boxes to complete the system, but without success. We need four more boxes this year. They will cost $560 and I ask that $560 be appropriated for this purpose.
Twenty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-eight duty calls have been rung in by the officers and eight hundred and one telephone calls received from them during the year in regard to the various happenings while on their routes.
Without this system this department would have been unable to perform its duty as well as it has. By its use the officers on their routes are in close touch with the office, and, in cases of emergency, they can be sent to a given point in a very short time. It not only registers the time officers arrive at a given point, but also gives them an uninterrupted telephone service with police
101
CHIEF OF POLICE
headquarters. Duty calls are rung in at a given time on every route unless some important matter is being attended to. Officers are not allowed to ring the same box twice in succession, except in cases of emergency, and are not to follow a certain course or ring a certain box at a fixed time.
MOTOR CYCLE.
Some criticism has been made in regard to the neglect of the outlying districts of the town and it has been declared that a mounted man is needed. I agree that we should have better facilities placed at our disposal to enable us to reach these places more quickly and I feel that if we had a motor cycle this could be done.
I do not want it to be understood that I think a motor cycle would be a good thing to patrol the streets at night, because I do not; but to have an officer reach the outlying districts quickly in the daytime and to assist in regulating the enormous auto traffic, there would be no question as regards its efficiency.
This proposition is no idle experiment. It has been tried out to the satisfaction of several cities and in each instance they have added to their equipment by the purchase of others. Therefore, I would recommend the purchase of a motor cycle such as is used by the Somerville, Newton, and Metropolitan police departments, and I ask that the sum of $250 be appropriated for this purpose.
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CASES.
During the year sixty-seven accident and emergency cases have been reported to and investigated by this department. Eight of these cases were fatal.
Practically all of these cases called for the services of the police, a physician and the ambulance. I think at this time it is fitting that I should express my deep appreciation to the staff of the Symmes Arlington Hospital and especially to our town physician, Dr. Harold R. Webb, for the prompt and efficient assistance rendered to this department in all accident cases. For this work they deserve the highest praise.
Owing to the failure last spring to appropriate money for necessary repairs on the combination patrol wagon and ambulance, it is out of commission and since that time when emergency calls
192467
102
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
have been received, an auto touring car has been used. The injured person, after being placed on a stretcher, has to rest cross-wise in the car and is exposed to the view of a curious public. This position, which adds to rather than relieves his sufferings, has to be endured until the hospital is reached.
I believe that a combination aut o patrol wagon and ambulance could be used to advantage and should be added to the equipment of this department. I understand that such an auto would cost $4500. I am told that your auto chemical, during the past year, responded to over 195 calls at a running cost of about $30, which, if true, certainly must impress one as to the economy of a power vehicle over a horse-drawn affair.
The amount of money we pay out each year on this service would about pay the interest on a car and if the fines from the court were used, the principal would be paid in a short while. I ask, therefore, that the sum of $4500 be appropriated for a combination auto patrol and ambulance for the use of this department.
EMERGENCY DUTY.
On two occasions during the year, this department was called upon under unusual conditions which necessitated the employ- ment of every available man. I refer to the smallpox epidemic from January to March and the strike of the employees of the Boston Elevated Railroad.
During the several cases of smallpox in the house No. 11 and . 13 Lowell Street, special officers Nolan, Lopez, Millett and Healey were employed to guard the house every minute, day and night. They did their work faithfully and well. The cost of maintaining these officers on guard was $240.
In June and July, during the Boston Elevated strike, every regular officer of this department and every available special officer was detailed for and did extra duty and I am pleased to say that so far as this community was concerned peace and quiet- ness prevailed.
On account of the strike, it was necessary to make two arrests only. One, a young man who had previously been em- ployed in the capacity of conductor and discharged some time previously for larceny, was arrested for pulling the bell rope
103
CHIEF OF POLICE
and giving the signal to start the car while passengers were alight- ing. He pleaded guilty and was fined $15, which he paid.
The other was a conductor of the company who was arrested ' for carrying a revolver without license. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $50.
The total cost of the strike to the Town which was paid for from the police appropriation was as follows:
1
To special officer Lopez for services rendered
$53.15
To special officer Nolan for services rendered
16.78
To special officer Spencer for services rendered
17.50
To special officer Hoffman for services rendered
14.26
To special officer Chapman for services rendered
14.26
To special officer Higgins for services rendered
12.58
To special officer White for services rendered
7.54
To special officer Millett for services rendered
3.36
To special officer Cleary for services rendered
2.50
To special officer Belyea for services rendered
2.50
To Houghton and Dutton for supplies
9.96
To New England Telephone Company
7.47
To Central Dry Goods Company
3.41
To Iver Johnson Company
3.00
Total
$168.27
Court fines returned to Town Treasury
65.00
Total cost to Town
$103.27
ARRESTS.
During the year there have been 235 arrests, of which 20 were for crimes against the person, 21 were against property, 3 were against public peace, 4 were against public justice and 187 were against chastity, morality, decency and good order. 28 of these arrests were made for the police of other cities and towns. 181 convictions were secured, 18 were discharged and 8 cases were dismissed on account of complainants withdrawing.
Officers have attended court 181 days, fines to the amount of $742.50 and 31 months and 20 days imprisonment have been imposed by the court.
Eighty-five of those arrested were born in foreign countries,
104
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
and 105 were non-residents of Arlington. The oldest person arrested was 87 years and the youngest 10 years. Thirteen were females and twenty-five were juveniles.
Fifty-two cases of larceny were reported to and investigated by the police and property to the amount of $2,575.35 was found to have been stolen. Of this amount, this department has suc- ceeded in recovering $1929.50, or about 75% of the amount stolen.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LIQUOR AND GAMING LAWS.
During the year two liquor raids have been made. One was at the residence of James Nigro, Dudley court, in which a gallon of ale was seized. A complaint was made against him for keeping and maintaining a liquor nuisance. He was found guilty and fined $75, which he paid.
The other raid was made on the premises of Olympia Ciaguoria, 51 Dudley Street. Sixteen gallons of lager beer, a gallon of wine and a pint of whiskey were seized. Complaint was made for keeping and maintaining a liquor nuisance. She pleaded guilty and a fine of $50 was imposed and paid.
I have not received any complaints as regards gaming and as far as the sale of liquor and gaming are concerned, I do not believe there is a town in this Commonwealth so free from these two evils.
STORES FOUND UNLOCKED AT NIGHT. 1
I would call the attention of our store keepers to the necessity of a more careful oversight, on their part, of seeing to it that upon leaving their places of business for the night they are properly secured and that a curtain be left up and a very small electric light be left burning in the rear of each store so that officers in passing and repassing may have a chance to observe the conditions inside. Very few stores leave a light at the present time and one hundred and thirty-six stores were found unlocked and secured by your patrolmen at night during the past year.
I would also call attention to the need of a by-law to regulate the height of awnings from the sidewalk. In the summer months it is almost impossible to walk along our sidewalks without brush- ing our heads or hats against the awnings which are hung so low. This is especially unpleasant in stormy weather when one carries
105
CHIEF OF POLICE
an umbrella. No awning that is less than seven feet above the walk should be allowed to be suspended over the sidewalk.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES.
Accident cases attended
67
Buildings reported vacant specially protected
39
Cases investigated
553
Dead bodies cared for
8
Defective hydrants
1
Defective electric light lamps
324
Defective electric wires reported
33
Defects in water pipes
15
Defects in gas pipes
2
Details for public assemblages
2
Dogs killed
3
Dogs reported lost
15
Disturbances suppressed
6
Fires extinguished without alarm
2
Fire alarms given
4
Glass in fire boxes reported broken
138
Injured persons assisted home
18
Lanterns in dangerous places
72
Lost children cared for
8
Messages delivered
53
Notices served for selectmen
61
Notices served for Board of Health
4
Officers at fires
66
Obstructions in streets removed
20
Runaway teams secured
&
Sick persons assisted home
3
Stores found unlocked and secured at night
137
Stray teams cared for
9
Search warrants served. Liquor
2
Search Warrants served. Stolen property
1
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATION ASKED FOR 1913.
F salaries of present force (same as last year) $10,305.90
F four extra men from April 1 2,740.00
F a combination ambulance and auto patrol
4,500. 00
106
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
For a motor cycle
$250.00
For four police signal boxes
560.00
For special police July 4
50.00
For telephone service
192.00
For supplies and expenses
300.00
$18,897.90
If conditions are to remain the same as 1912 it will be necessary to appropriate:
For salaries of present force, (same as last year) $10,315.90
For one special man for vacations, 1 day off and sickness 600.00
For ambulance hire and maintenance, (same as last year) 200.00
For supplies and expenses, (same as last year) 300.00
For telephones, (same as last year) 192.00
For special police July 4, (same as last year) 50.00
For special police New Town Hall celebration 50.00
$11,697.90
I would therefore, in view of all the facts herein set forth, most respectfully urge that the sum of $18,897.90 be appropriated for the use of this department for the year 1913.
In closing I can only repeat that no one realizes the many needs of the town and the many demands upon the taxpayers by the various departments better than I, and it has been my policy, and still is, to do the best I can with what is given me to do with. I have always encouraged economy wherever it could be practised without detriment to the service and it is in that spirit that I present these facts for your most serious consideration.
In conclusion I wish to thank your Honorable Board for the many courtesies rendered, and all citizens who have assisted this department in maintaining law and order.
Respectfully submitted. THOMAS O. D. URQUHART, Chief of Police.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ARLINGTON, December 31, 1912.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Arlington,
Gentlemen: I respectfully submit my annual report of the Arlington Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1912, giving details of the force, apparatus, number of alarms, with the amount of losses and insurance on property endangered, as near as could be ascertained; also appropriations and expendi -. tures together with recommendations and suggestions for the best interests of the Department and the Town.
ORGANIZATION.
The number of companies is the same as last year.
The Committee appointed at the Town Meeting last March, to purchase a Triple Combination Auto Chemical and Pump, have attended to their duty, and have contracted with the Knox Company, of Springfield, Mass., for a machine of this description, which will be delivered in the near future. This machine is to be installed at the Central Station, Broadway, and will take the place of the two pieces now there. By this change the two companies will be merged into one.
The mutual aid system, put into operation the past year, with the city of Somerville, has worked to the advantage of both places, and gives added fire protection without additional cost. The coming year the city of Medford and the town of Arlington will be connected on the same basis, which will give both places added protection,' without additional cost. This is one of the benefits resulting from the introduction of automobiles for fire department work.
MANUAL FORCE.
The force has consisted of forty-three men assigned as follows: Walter H. Peirce, Chief Engineer; T. J. Donahue, First Assistant Chief; F. P. Winn, Second Assistant Chief and Clerk. There
107
108
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
are seven permanent men, placed as follows: D. J. Sullivan, Captain Auto Combination A; D. B. Tierney, Auto Combination A; William C. Mead, Driver, Ladder Truck; J. F. Sweeney, Driver Hose Company No. 1; George W. Corbett, Driver Hose Company No. 3; Patrick O'Brien, Driver Chemical A; J. M. Hurley, spare driver.
Hose Company No. 1 is manned as follows: Robert J. Murray, Captain; George N. White, Lieutenant; George Baxter, Richard Jenkins, Robert Austin, Ervin V. Gay.
Hose Company No. 3: F. W. Russell, Captain; E. J. Crowe, Lieutenant; James McWilliams, E. L. Smith, Warren Beers, Daniel Barry, Roscoe Kimball, W. P. Luddy, Thomas K. Millett.
Ladder Company No. 1: J. W. Kenney, Captain; George Finley, Lieutenant; William Spiers, George Mead, E. H. Griffin, John Donahue, Daniel Hourty, William T. Slattery.
Auto Combination A: John Finley, Lieutenant; John Tierney, William P. Dale, Charles J. Donahue.
Chemical A: J. L. Hughes, Captain; J. H. Harwood, Lieutenant; James Underwood, John Barry, A. V. Jones, Substitute.
SALARIES PAID THE DEPARTMENT.
Chief
Per Year $300.00
First Assistant Chief
150.00
Second Assistant Chief and Clerk
150.00
Permanent men (each)
936.00
Captain
85.00
Lieutenants
80.00
Call Men
75.00
APPARATUS.
The department has two hose wagons, one chemical engine, one ladder truck, one auto combination chemical and hose, one hose wagon in reserve, two exercise wagons. There are hand chemicals on the several pieces. The chemical engine and Hose 3 wagon will be put out of commission, either being sold or held in reserve, upon the arrival of the new auto.
HOSE.
The hose is practically the same as last year. A few pieces have been discarded the past year and 1200 feet of new hose pur-
109
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
chased. Some of the hose has been in use a long time and will have to be replaced very soon.
HORSES.
There are, at the present time, eight horses in the department. Four of these will be disposed of the coming year, leaving only four in use. The horses have consumed 835 bushels of grain, 38,432 pounds of hay, and 2935 pounds of straw, at a cost of $1045.38, which makes the cost per week of each horse about $2.50.
BUILDINGS.
The building at the Heights, Hose No. 1, has been repaired the past year, by a special Committee appointed at the March Town Meeting. This Committee was given an appropriation of $1100. They have made the repairs which seemed most necessary, namely, roof, new heater, new plumbing, floors and walls repaired, and building painted. The building is now in very good condition and should last a number of years without any extensive outlay.
Hose No. 2 building is in good condition, with the exception of a few small repairs, which can be cared for the coming year.
Hose No. 3 building will have to be repaired the coming year. The Committee on purchase of new auto have this in charge, and have an appropriation for this purpose.
AUTO COMBINATION CHEMICAL.
This piece of fire apparatus has proven its efficiency and econ- omy. It has answered 95 calls, travelled 275 miles, laid 7800 feet of hose, used 50 small chemicals and 8 large chemical tanks. The cost of maintenance has been $39.80 for the year. This does not include the cost of repairs occasioned by the accident which occurred on October 5, in answering an alarm. This expense was $160.12. -
APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriations for the year ending December 31, 1912: General appropriation $11,800.00 400.00
Special appropriation Receipts
54.50
$12,254.50
1
110
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
EXPENDITURES.
Permanent men pay roll
$6,743.70
Call men and engineers
3,065.00
Rent
35.00
Hay and grain
1,045.38
Fuel
282.13
Laundry
39.39
Light
74.19
Blacksmith
161.25
Supplies
177.42
Incidentals
88.80
Repairs
129.63
Veterinary services
25.00
Telephones
159.21
Labor at fires
24.50
New hose
40.00
Repairs on auto
160.12
Unexpended balance
3.78
$12,254.50
Appropriation for new hose
$740.00
Expended for new hose
740.00
For further detail see Auditor's Report.
FIRE ALARMS.
There have been 69 bell alarms, 65 still alarms, making a total of 134 alarms.
Value of buildings endangered
$100,900.00
Loss on buildings
16,986.00
Insurance on buildings
86,600.00
Insurance paid on buildings
16,919.00
Value of contents
41,800.00
Loss on contents
8,352.89
Insurance on contents
25,700.00
Insurance paid on contents
4,414.65
For further details of alarms and work of department see Records of Clerk of the Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I recommend the appropriation of $12,750, and receipts, for the maintenance of the Fire Department for the ensuing year.
1
111
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
I recommend the appointment of two more permanent men, one to be assigned to the Central Fire Station on Broadway, and the other at Hose No. 1 at the Heights. This will give us nine permanent men in the department. In these modern times and with the installation of motor-driven apparatus, permanent men are a very important factor in the prompt response to an alarm. There should be, at least, two men at all times on duty in a station where there is a motor-driven fire truck. For this reason I am asking for these extra men. On January 1, 1913, six call men resigned from the department and were given honor- able discharges. The saving thus made in the payroll of these call men will very nearly pay one permanent man for a year, and certainly this one man will be worth more to the department than the six men who resigned.
The water supply for fire use is the best we have ever had, a system of gates and cutouts having been installed, by which means it is possible to have water at almost all times. The pressure has been raised on the whole system, therefore, giving us added protection. I still recommend the extension of the High Pressure System into as many sections as possible, and the replacing of all four-inch pipe by, at least, six-inch pipe, as soon as possible.
I recommend the free placing of hydrants, it being cheaper to have hydrants than to use hose. All hydrants should have a steamer connection. There are a few places where a relocation of hydrants would be a benefit for fire department work.
CONCLUSION.
In closing my report, I respectfully thank your honorable board for the courteous manner in which you have received me in my official capacity. I also wish to thank all other officials of the town, who have so willingly given their services when called upon. To my assistants and other members of the depart- ment my thanks, for the able manner in which they have answered all demands made upon them, making the work of the depart- ment a great benefit to the town, and a pleasure to command a force of such a character.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. PEIRCE, Chief. .
1
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
ARLINGTON, MASS., December 31, 1912.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen: I herewith respectfully submit my sixth annual report of the services of this department, for the year ending December 31, 1912.
Number of scales, weights and measures sealed 2114
Number of scales, weights and measures condemned
98
Total 2212
Number of milk jars sealed
5613
Number of milk jars condemned
119
Total 5732
Weights found incorrect and adjusted
151
Scales found incorrect and adjusted or repaired
87
Pumps having measuring devices adjusted Total 253
Weights condemned
11
Scales condemned
9
Measuring pumps condemned
13
Slot weighing machines condemned
4
Liquid measures condemned
17
Dry measures condemned Total
64
Number of visits made to stores
312
Weighed out packages tested at stores
431
Number of complaints investigated of short weights and measures 47
Number of inspections of milk jars in use on milk teams
81
Number of inspections of scales and measures used by junk collectors, hawkers and peddlers
103
112
15
10
-
113
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
One thousand and twenty-one (1021) weights, scales and meas- ures were inspected, sealed or condemned at places of business, and statutory fees were received and the same paid to the Town Collector. The remainder of the sealing was done at the office for which no fees were charged, in accordance with Chapter 65, Section 35 of the Revised Laws.
Number of berry baskets tested 103
Number of ice cream moulds tested and sealed 228
The testing and sealing of ice cream moulds has been taken up the past year. The store inspections have increased, and more attention has been given to peddlers, berry boxes and ice cream boxes. Several crates of berry boxes of illegal size were destroyed, the filling of these boxes having been insisted upon.
COAL INSPECTION.
Loads of coal and certificates of weights examined 239
Loads weighed 23
Loads found short 8
Bags of coal weighed 51
Bags found short 4
Whoever sells coke, charcoal or coal by weight shall without cost to the purchaser cause the goods to be weighed by a sworn weigher of the city or town in which they are weighed, and shall cause a certificate stating the name and place of business of the seller, and either the identifying number, of which a permanent record shall be kept, or the name of the person taking charge of the goods after the weighing, as given to the weigher on his request, the tare weight, and the quantity of the goods, to be signed by the weigher. Such certificate shall be given to said person and shall by him be given only to the owner of the goods or his agent when he unloads the same; and every such person, owner or agent, shall, on request and without charge therefor, permit any sealer of weights and measures of any city or town, to examine the certificate and to make a copy thereof.
A sealer of weights and measures of a city or town in which any quantity of coke, charcoal or coal for delivery is found may,
114
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
in his discretion, direct the person in charge of the goods to convey the same without delay or charge to scales designated by such sealer, who shall there determine the quantity of the goods, and, if they are not in baskets or bags, shall determine their weight with the tare weight, and shall direct said person to return to such scales forthwith after unloading the goods; and upon such return, the sealer shall determine the tare weight. The scales designated by the sealer as aforesaid may be the public scales of the city or town or any other scales therein which have been duly tested and sealed, and shall be such scales as are in his judg- ment the most convenient of those available.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK.
I have measured sixty-four (64) loads of manure; eighty-one (81) cords of wood; ten (10) lots of kindling, and four (4) loads of loam.
On complaints, I have measured seven (7) carloads of manure, and fourteen (14) cords of wood.
As Inspector of Petroleum, I had two requests to test petroleum products the past year.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Town Officials, and citizens, who have assisted me in various ways in the discharge of my duties.
Very respectfully submitted,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.