USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Milton > Town of Milton 79th annual report > Part 18
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The annual Visitors' Day was held on August 31. This red letter day in the playground history of Milton
264
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
opened with a tennis tournament in the morning; valua- ble prizes consisting of silver cups for doubles as well as singles had been donated by a generous-hearted citi- zen. The spirit shown by the contestants as well as spectators in this tournament was simply a manifestation of the interest the public is taking in this healthful and enjoyable line of sport.
The children's part in the day's program commenced at 2 P.M., and gave parents and friends an idea of the summer's work both physically and industrially. The manner in which the different events were presented with their vim and joy, the unusually large attendance of interested citizens, parents and friends as well as those present in an official capacity, made this day the happiest and most important one in our playground history.
Another generous citizen has donated the means for suitable prizes awarded to the children for attendance, loyalty to the playground, for the best physical develop- ment, and for raffia and reed work. A small band fur- nished the music for the drills and folk dances.
From the beginning of the school season, on September 20 until November 19, the playground has been open four afternoons weekly for the use of High School pupils, two afternoons for boys and two for girls. In addition to the regular activities, such as track athletics and recreative games, a considerable number of the girls have taken a great interest in field hockey.
The high ideals for which this department stands have in the opinion of your Director, been even more nearly attained this year than last. If commendation were to be given any particular branch, then it probably should be given to the inoral standard and good conduct of our children as well as older people who have enjoyed the Brook Road Playground.
Your Director and his assistant feel that especially to
265
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
our older boys and girls a word of praise is due for the good example they have set for the smaller to follow.
For another season I beg to make the following recom- mendations:
1. The grading and filling of the two baseball dia- monds.
2. The grading of the slope, with installation of settees on spectators' side in the tennis courts.
3. Installation of a bubble fountain in tennis courts.
4. A good surface of the courts.
It is with a feeling of gratitude and satisfaction that your Director, in concluding his second annual report, is able to give such figures and facts of encouragement. With the present indications we seem to-day nearer than at any time before to our high ambition of making this department second to none in the country.
To-day we know we are advancing, and with con- tinued high ambitions, continued co-operation and sup- port, this ambition will very soon become a realization.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL S. HALL,
Director of Playgrounds and Physical Education.
.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to submit for your consideration the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1915.
Superintendent .- Maurice Pierce. Deputy Superintendent .- Timothy McDermott.
PATROLMEN
Fred M. Farrington.
Henry C. Shields.
Henry A. Paterson.
Lucius E. Damon.
John F. O'Connell.
William J. Stephenson.
Frank H. McDermott.
John H. Higgins.
William S. Fallon.
John J. Haley.
Joseph F. Donovan.
William D. Karney.
James R. Travers.
Emory H. Farrington.
Patrick H. Donahue. William B. Ladd.
John P. Driscoll. Norman R. Bowman.
William H. Byrnes. John B. Shields.
Driver of Auto Patrol,-John E. Shields.
SPECIAL PATROLMEN
Francis G. Doherty.
Lawrence H. Donahue.
ARRESTS
Total number of arrests
192
Males.
188
Females
4
Residents
51
Non-residents
141
CAUSES OF ARREST
Assault and battery 10
Automobile laws, violating
67
Breaking and entering .
12
Breaking electric street lights
1
Collecting junk without a license
1
266
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
267
Disturbing the peace
5
Drunkenness ·
39
Fugitive from the Lyman School
1
Illegal use of milk jars .
5
Insane Larceny
12
Lord's Day, unlawfully working on
4
Masher
1
Neglect of family
3
Peddling without a license
5
Rape .
1
Selling milk from diseased cows
1
Setting grass fire
1
Threats
1
Tramps
11
Trespass
6
Violating the Town By-Laws .
1
192
MISCELLANEOUS WORK
Accidents reported and assistance rendered
30
Buildings found open and secured
63
Complaints investigated
78
Dead bodies found .
1
Defective streets and sidewalks
21
Defective water pipes
7
Defective wires .
14
Dogs killed
8
Electric street lights out
302
Fire alarms given
2
Injured and sick persons assisted
27
Lighted lanterns furnished on street at night
7
Lost children found and cared for
5
Officers detailed for public occasions
61
Officers detailed by request of citizens
23
Officers off duty and reporting at fires
11
Residences temporarily unoccupied and special attention requested
134
Stray animals found
5
Stray teams found .
2
Street obstructions .
7
Stolen automobiles found
4
Water running to waste
4
Wires burning trees
9
Wires broken, electric light and telephone
15
4
268
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHANGES
During the year Patrolman Edward R. Chamberlain resigned and John B. Shields was appointed a patrolman under Civil Service rules to fill the vacancy.
THE FORCE
The members of the force, as a rule, have shown a dis- position to conform to all requests made of them and have displayed promptness and energy in the discharge of their duties, and I am thankful to them for the work they have done.
CRIME
During the year several houses were burglarized and considerable property stolen, which naturally caused much fear to possess the public mind. I have made every effort to recover the property but as yet have been unable to do so. Other cities and towns have all suffered the same and cannot find their property.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE
The automobile ambulance and patrol has responded to forty-one calls to different hospitals in Boston. Have had it all overhauled and varnished and it is now in A-1 condition.
The Stanley steam automobile owned by the depart- ment is in very bad condition and is not worth repair as it would cost more to keep it up than it is worth to the Town. I would recommend exchanging it for a new one.
TRAFFIC ON STREETS
The marked increase of automobile traffic through our principal streets, particularly on Adams Street at East Milton, compelled the detailing one patrolman at and near railroad crossing all the time and have had to detail
269
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
some of the night patrolmen to help out. I recommend the appointment of one additional patrolman in order to help control the traffic and cover the route in that locality.
CONCLUSION
I desire at this time to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for your courtesy, advice and consideration in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Police De- partment. My thanks are due Judge Albert E. Avery of the District Court for valuable advice and assistance, and Lawrence W. Lyons, Clerk of the Court; to all members of the Police Department for their fidelity; and to all others who have aided this department by their co-operation.
Respectfully,
MAURICE PIERCE, Superintendent of Police.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
MILTON, MASS., December 31, 1915. To the Citizens of the Town of Milton:
The Board of Overseers of the Poor present their re- port with the usual statistics for the year 1915.
The personnel of the Board, and its organization, have continued the same as last year, and the same appointees have continued satisfactorily in charge as for several years past.
The number of persons and families requiring aid, also the total cost of such aid, has materially increased over recent years, as a study and comparison of the statistical report will show. Aside from this there is little to distinguish the year from previous ones, the same general methods and policies being continued as here- tofore.
During the year a card catalog has been arranged, which contains in brief form the history of every case aided since March of 1904, when the Overseers of the Poor were first made a separate Board in Milton.
The Board is pleased to report that electric lighting has been substituted at the Town Farm buildings in place of the kerosene lamps hitherto used there, which is an improvement long needed.
270
271
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
INMATES AT TOWN FARM, 1915
Sex
Age
Condition
Admitted
Discharged
Male
62
Single
Jan. 16, 1913
Male
77
Single
May 20, 1913
Male
61
Single
Aug. 1, 1914
May 10, 1915
Male
59
Single
Dec. 24, 1914
Mar. 22, 1915
Male
67
Widower
Oct. 29, 1915
Male
63
Widower
June 23, 1913
July 15, 1915
Male
48
Married
Apr. 3, 1914
Feb. 8, 1915
Female
25
Married
May 18, 1914
Apr. 10, 1915
Female
1
Aug. 6, 1914
Apr. 19, 1915
Female
71
Single
1901
Mar. 12, 1915
Female
66
Single
May 11, 1915
July 4, 1915
EXPENDITURES AT TOWN FARM, 1915 (Inside Poor)
Salary of Superintendent and Matron
$700 00
Wages of help, washing, etc.
379 73
Groceries and provisions
618 80
Farm labor
96 00
Farm supplies
15 00
Fuel
204 13
Ice .
19 51
Clothing
88 57
Furnishings
38 80
Medical
65 31
Water rates
44 25
Telephone
36 60
Grain
226 32
Blacksmith
24 15
Live stock
19 50
Newspapers for inmates
5 77
Burial
50 00
Repairs
68 24
Permanent Improvements
729 60
$3,430 28
Credits
Sales at Town Farm
142 63
Net cost .
$3,287 65
Average number of inmates for the year, 4.81. Per capita net cost per week. $10.19.
Per capita net cost per year, $531.44.
Aug. 3, 1915
Nov. 23, 1915
272
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
EXPENDITURES OUTSIDE TOWN FARM, 1915 (Outside Poor)
Salary of Visitor
$200 00
Salary of Agent
300 00
Traveling expenses
7 16
Stationery, printing and postage
74 34
Telephone
19 23
Office furnishings
66 80
Groceries and provisions
$327 67
Fuel
139 69
Rent
509 97
Cash allowances .
1,933 00
Board in families
1,020 25
Board, Department, State minor wards
242 65
Care at State infirmary
50 00
Care at hospitals
307 10
Medical aid in homes
29 00
Transportation
2 91
Clothing
54 25
Burial .
40 00
4,656 49
Reimbursements
611 35
Net cost .
$4,712 67
AMOUNTS AVAILABLE AND EXPENDITURES
January 1 to December, 1, 1915
Available-
Appropriation in March . $7,750 00
Appropriation for unpaid bills of 1914
261 30
Reimbursements for aid rendered
611 35
Receipts for sales at Town Farm
142 63
$8,765 28
Expenditures :-
Outside and inside poor
8,754 30
Balance reverting to Town treasury
$10 98
$667 53
$5,324 02
273
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
RELIEF OUTSIDE THE TOWN FARM, 1915
Sex
Age
Condition
Kind or Duration
Amount
Male
74
Single.
Cash
$112 00
Male
62
Single.
Hospital
22 25
Male
30
Single.
Hospital.
25 14
Male
23
Single.
Hospital.
37 14
Male
45
Single.
State Infirmary.
35 00
Male
32
Single.
State Infirmary.
15 00
Male
59
Single.
Fuel.
4 00
Male
46
Single.
Board
132 00
Male
65
Single.
Board.
211 00
Male
32
Single.
Board
16 25
Male
5
Single .
Board .
104 00
Male
12
Single
Board and clothing ..
189 32
Male
13
Single
Board and clothing ..
112 50
Male
15
Single
Board and clothing. .
94 50
Male
1
Single.
Board (Div. State Minor Wards)
111 41
Male
67
Widower
Medical .
2 00
Male
45
Married
Hospital.
10 00
Male
50
Married.
Burial.
40 00
Male
65
Married.
Groceries
6 00
Male
30
Married,
wife
Female
38
Single.
Medical and groceries Transportation
2 91
Female
3
Single.
Board.
104 00
Female
18
Single
Board and medical .. .
58 00
Female
66
Single.
Rent, fuel & groceries
63 81
Female
66
Single
Rent and groceries .. . Div. State Minor Wds. Cash.
131 24
Female
64
Widow
40 00
Female
68
Widow
Cash
60 00
Female
56
Widow
Hospital and board.
203 00
Female
48
Widow
Hospital.
21 43
Female
21
Married.
Hospital.
17 14
Female
51
Widow, 1 child dependent. .
Rent and cash.
227 88
Female
50
Widow, 1 child dependent. . ..
Fuel and cash .
73 75
Female
47
Widow, 1 child dependent .... Widow, 1 child
Fuel and rent.
167 76
Female
38
Cash
130 00
Female
38
- dependent ..... Widow, 1 child dependent. .... Widow, 2 chil- dren dependent
Cash and groceries .. .
156 02
Female
37
Cash
18 00
Female
35
Widow, 2 chil- dren dependent Widow, 2 chil- dren dependent
Caslı.
120 00
Female
42
Cash and fuel
167 52
Amount carried forward
$3,21250
144 00
Female
1
Single.
and 6 children ..
26 53
274
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
RELIEF OUTSIDE THE TOWN FARM, 1915-Continued
Sex
Age
Condition
Kind or Duration
Amount
Female
38
Widow, 3 chil-
dren dependent
Cash (2 years)
432 00
Female
38
Widow, 4 chil-
dren dependent
Cash
260 00
Female
46
Invalid husband,
4 children de- pendent.
Rent, groceries & fuel
303 60
Female
36
Invalid husband,
4 children de- pendent. .
Rent and groceries .. .
56 00
Female
30
Invalid husband,
2 children de- pendent.
Rent and groceries ..
55 76
Female
30
Deserted, 2 chil- dren dependent Deserted, 5 chil- dren dependent
Rent, medical & groc.
228 63
$4,656 49
Eighty-eight persons participated in Outdoor Relief.
STATISTICS OF POOR DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY SINCE 1904
Year
Average No. of Inmates
Cost per Capita per Week
Cost of Poor at Town Farm
Cost of Outside Poor
Total Cost of Poor Dept.
Add Per- manent Improve- ments
Town Appropri- ation
Con- tingent Fund
1904
$7 57
$5 47
$2,695
$4,188
$6,883
$7,000
1905
7 20
6 65
2,490
3,831
6,321
6,800
1906
10 00
4 76
2,473
3,116
5,589
6,500
1907
9 66
5 65
3,188
3,144
6,332
$386
6,500
1908
9 50
5 69
2,999
2,974
5,973
103 1,268
6,500
1910
8 11
6 94
2,928
2,718
5,646
6,000
1911
7 59
8 12
3,215
2,881
6,096
1,412
5,800
1912
6 06
8 67
2,739
3,318
6,057
5,800
$1,000
1913
6 35
7 82
2,587
3,445
6,032
6,150
1914
7 43
6 48
2,511
4,193
6,704
1,500
5,000
850
1915
4 81
10 19
2,558
4,712
7,270
729
8,011
6,500
1909
9 00
5 93
2,776
2,886
5,662
Rent
108 00
Female
29
Amount brought forward
$3,212 50
CHART OF STATISTICS OF POOR DEPARTMENT OF MILTON. 1904 to 1915
1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 Average Number of Inmates at Town Farm.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
=
Cost per week per Inmate at Town Farm.
$ 11
10
5 2010 !
CHART OF STATISTICS OF POOR DEPARTMENT OF MILTON. 1904 to1915 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 Annual Cost of Maintaining Town Farm
$3400
3200
3000
2800
2600
2400
$
Annual
Cost of Supporting Outside Poor
$4800
14600
4400
4200
4000
3800
3600
3400
3200
3000
2800
2600
277
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
The question constantly confronting the Board, as to whether or not the Town Farm should be abandoned as a home for the indoor poor, has been carefully considered year by year, and was mentioned in the report of 1912. This year the weekly cost for each inmate is more than ten dollars. It is simply a question whether or not there will be enough inmates to warrant the maintenance of a home especially for them.
By referring to the charts on preceding pages it will be readily seen that, when the number of inmates de- creases, the cost per capita increases, and vice versa; also that the annual amount of expenditure at the Town Farm has not varied greatly in twelve years, and does not show the increase which would be expected in view of the increased cost of everything for household use during that period.
The Board does not believe that the time has yet come when the Town would gain by closing its alms- house. An appropriation of seven thousand (7,000) dollars, together with receipts from sales at Town Farm, and reimbursements for aid rendered, is recommended.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR H. TUCKER, Chairman, WALTER D. BROOKS, Secretary, HORACE N. PLUMMER, ALBERT D. SMITH, CAROLINE E. WILLIAMS.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1915.
MILTON, MASS., January 15, 1916. To the Citizens of the Town of Milton, Mass.
The Board of Trustees of the Milton Public Library have the honor to present to you the annual report of the Librarian prepared for them, and to preface that report with a few words of their own.
A careful consideration of the report of the Librarian will show that the Library has continued and some- what increased its usefulness to the Town during the year 1915. Changes from time to time in the staff, occasioned by illness or by the acceptance of more lucrative posi- tions elsewhere have made the work of the Librarian peculiarly difficult, but the difficulties have been sur- mounted and the public has not been made aware of them through any lessening of the efficiency of the serv- ice. The staff is now well-established again in numbers and ability and the Trustees confidently expect to main- tain it during the coming year at its present satisfactory state of efficiency.
The work of the Trustees is divided up among them, as individuals and as committees, the purpose being to give to each Trustee, so far as possible, some individual responsibility for the welfare of the Library. In addition to the offices of chairman, treasurer and secretary, there are two committees which bear the brunt of the work, the executive committee and the book committee. The executive committee has such charge of the Library as its name implies and has frequent meetings during the year when matters of importance are discussed and in
278
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
many instances are submitted to the full board for action. The book committee meets the third Tuesday morning in every month except during the summer. At these meetings new books are carefully considered and with the aid of the Librarian a choice is made, determined by the needs of the Library and by the money available for the purchase of books. The committee is often ham- pered for lack of funds and many books are not pur- chased because the Library cannot afford them. But in this respect the Milton Library is not far different from other libraries.
The Library Building which was opened in 1904 has had very little done to it in the eleven years that it has been in use. The need of repairs and of a general reno- vation is urgent. A longer delay in this important matter would be most unfortunate.
The report of the Librarian mentions the many gifts the Library has received during the year for which the Trustees wish to express their great appreciation. The remembrance of the Library by the citizens of the Town is always a great source of satisfaction.
Among the most notable gifts is the completion of a collection of etchings given first anonymously in 1912, but now known to be from the late James Henry Whit- man. The entire gift comprises about two hundred prints which makes a most valuable collection.
Other notable gifts were a framed engraving by White- church, of the United States Senate of 1850, from the estate of James Tucker; The Catholic Encyclopedia, in 16 volumes, from the Dorchester Lower Mills Council No. 180, of the Knights of Columbus; also several hun- dred volumes, to be shared by the Public Library and the Milton Historical Society, from the estate of Mrs. William H. Snyder.
By the will of the late Miss Ellen Channing of Milton
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
the Library is made one of her residuary legatees. While the amount of this legacy is still uncertain and the time of its payment likely to be deferred, the Trustees appre- ciate Miss Channing's remembrance and they hope it will stimulate other citizens to a similar generosity.
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL T. KIDDER, Chairman CHARLES E. ROGERSON, Treasurer RODERICK STEBBINS, Secretary
ORRIN A. ANDREWS
FRANK E. LANE ROBERT SALTONSTALL
FREDERIC M. STONE
ARTHUR H. TUCKER
HARRY K. WHITE
Trustees of the Milton Public Library.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
MILTON, MASS., January 1, 1916.
To the Trustees of the Milton Public Library:
I have the honor to submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1915.
During the past year, the Library has gone steadily on in the work which it is trying to accomplish.
With three new assistants, out of a staff of five at the main Library, it has not always been easy to keep up to old standards. That such standards have been main- tained, is due not only to the excellent work of Miss Allen as head of the staff, but also to the enthusiasm of the new assistants.
Miss Snow, who took charge of the Children's depart- ment on September 13, has experimented with story hours at the Branches as well as at the Central Library. She finds an eager group of children waiting for her, wherever she goes. Such remarks as : "Do you suppose she will forget to come?"; "Do you think she will be here on this car?" are often overheard and from the beginning, the story hours have been a great success.
They have been held once a week at East Milton, at Mattapan, and at the Central Library; later it is planned to include Russell Reading Room.
The progress of the story hour is best told by quoting from Miss Snow's report to the Librarian. "The first story hour for children under ten was held on Saturday morning, November 13, at 10 o'clock, in the Historical room of the Central Library. The attendance was necessarily small, as the children were given a word of mouth notice only three days before. Since the first meet- ing the numbers have gradually increased, and in time we
281
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
hope to have as large a group as at the East Milton and Mattapan Branches. We have the largest representation of the various families from the Mattapan district, where the average weekly attendance has been thirty.
The children are of all ages, from five to eleven, and the type of stories which I have selected has apparently in- terested the old and young alike. As yet I have had no disciplining to do. Probably as the novelty of the story hour wears off, the numbers will dwindle and the enthu- siasm become less keen. But judging from the rash promises of several 'to come every week,' I am led to hope for as large an attendance in the future.
The attendance of the story hour in East Milton has averaged fifteen each week, and these children are equally interested. There is an even greater divergence in ages here in comparison with those of Mattapan, but in spite of this there is no lagging of interest. With the story hour as a tool, we hope to inculcate and increase a desire for reading, and especially reading of the right sort. Whether or not this will prove an effectual means, yet remains to be seen. But considering the juvenile circu- lation during the month of November and particularly on the days of the story hour, I feel that it is at least in part fulfilling its mission. The number of books issued on these days has taken a sudden leap, not only at Cen- tral Library, but also at Mattapan and East Milton. But as yet the work is only begun and an infinite amount still remains to be done to maintain the interest of the children."
As Miss Snow says, story hours are good for the chil- dren not only for the immediate pleasure which they give, but even more for the reading which they lead up to. A child invariably wants to know more about the hero or heroine of a favorite story. Although spasmodic attempts at story telling have been made before, this
283
PUBLIC LIBRARY
is the first time that it has been possible to make story telling a part of the regular work with children. Measles and weather permitting, it will be continued through the winter!
A very important part of the work of the Children's librarian is the reading of the new books. No book is put into the Children's room without first being read; moreover the average best seller, or the wishy washy series is not encouraged.
It is not always easy for a grown up to tell just what will appeal to the child; to successfully guide the child's reading; to keep from him the cheap and commonplace, requires a wise discrimination, which, like Topsy, is "born" not made.
This year a special effort was made to attract people to the Christmas exhibit of books for boys and girls, which was held in the Children's room from November 28 to December 24.
Some time ago, the Library Commission of the Boy Scouts proposed to the retail book trade that the first week of December should be set apart as Juvenile Book Week. Booksellers, librarians, women's clubs and other organizations were asked to co-operate and to use their influence to bring to the attention of the public the need of better books for children. This Library gladly took its part in the movement; a list of suggested books for children was printed in the bulletin for December, and other lists were mailed and distributed as widely as possible.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Marden, space in the Milton Record was given for several notices, the most prominent one being "The Contributor"-"Juvenile Book Week"-in the issue of November 20. It is dis- appointing to have to record that notwithstanding these efforts, comparatively few fathers and mothers responded.
284
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The number of books circulated from the Children's room has been 12,919, against 12,516 in 1914, a gain of 403.
2,853 books have been sent to the schools, a gain of 325 over last year.
The number sent to the separate schools has been as follows: Belcher, 992; Glover, 292; High, 65; Hough- ton, 317; Sumner, 496; Tucker, 461; Vose, 37, and Wadsworth, 193; total, 2,853. The High and Vose, being so near the main Library, have naturally needed fewer books on deposit, while the Tucker School has drawn considerably from the Mattapan Branch.
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