New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16
MUNICIPAL EXPERIMENTS.
MANY OF THE FREAK" INSTITUTIONS
OF MAYOR QUINCY. IN BOSTON,
HAVE BEEN FOUND WORTHY
OF PERMANENCE.


spstteed An their predfction Mayo Quincy's two
terms precipitated more controversies and made
more copy" for the sociological magazines thah
those OF all the other municipal chiefs OF the coun-
try put together. VIVID and entertaining tales
foated over the Massachusetts, hills and set con-
servatives 10 giving thanks that their own par
tcular dwelling places had not fallen Into the
hands OF any such energetic experimental WINE
the younger and more frivolous chuckled over
stories OF freak" politics. But now the term OF
the lively Mr. Quincy Is over. Mayor Hart holds
the reins and he his election 70 the fact that
the public was becoming just 8 little alarmed al
the rather expensive experimenting OF his preoe-
cessor. The proof OF the pudding. however Is in
the eating and that Boston has settled down
20 the ordinary il is safe TO sum up the changes
Instituted by the ex-Mayor and consider no"
many OF them have made permanent place ior
themselves.
The arst glance az the list OF Quincy innovations
shows that a surprisingly large proportion OF them
have been retained. IN fact, almost al the HeaN
innovations continue. Some may be aooisheo iA'ei'
FOR about half were created by statute ano reouHe
the consent Of the Legislature 10 change Nos' ..
fhe experiments are working well. and stuoy OF
them cannot fail 10 be beneficial TO those VINO nave
she government OF other cities in their HANDS
Perhaps the reform which created most interest
among the people OF Boston. and which is most
decidedly one which could well be initiated. Is
the establishment OF an extensive system or pub
lie baths The new bath department is admins
women appointed for terms varying from one 10
Eve years A secretary is employed as the ex-
ecutiye Of the Board The number OF noaung
baths such as comparatively common In this
city was largely increased, new and handsome
Sathhouse erected and TWO swimming pools Gre
ated These latter originally large plots OF
grass IN small parks; now, surrounded by hlgh
fences they make inexpensive and excellent swim
ming pools for the people. In connection with the
fine Dover-st. bathhouse Is thoroughly equipped
laundry open 10 the women OF the neighoorhooo
ana greatly appreciated by them. Another such
house is in course OF construction. With thirteen
floating baths six beach baths. two river beach
baths and two swimming baths. the COMMISSION
has plenty TO look after, and has JUSTIFIED It's eA
isteuce again ano again. Under its charge come aso
the two gyrnna Sums. thoroughly equipped Whleh
are situated IN the poorer parts OF the city. one
~ these was presented the city by pubic
snir,ted woman The work in both is systematic
and does not consist merely OF haphazaro eAe'-
oises The applicant IS thoroughly examined anu
IS permitted DO such work as seems to be needed
by his physical condition The document mace ou'
IN each case is formidable. and seems to cover
everything that could possibly bear on the wei
fare OF the aspirant for physical culture
BEFORE leaving the subject Of public baths the
story OF the frog pond should be recalled Inc
frog pond on the Common is historic. as every one
knows II was on this pond and down the mn
leading 10 IL that the British soldiers said the
T7,ston bows should not slide during the days OF
she Revolution when the enemy held sway on
the happy hunting ground OF the Boston boy Inc
Youngsters filled with the spirit OF the tes party
went 70 the General and set their case before hiin
returning with the permission 10 slide as much as
,bav liked and 20 snap their fingers at interfering
soldiers Imagine the horror OF conservative bos-
son when Mayor Quincy announced that ne was
about 10 lay his unhallowed hands upon the Hos
rond and turn IL into a swimming pool Win
b,gn hoard fence around 81! Boston unanimously
decided that Il would go dirty 10 the end OF It's
aavs rather than submit 10 any such sacrilege-
An5 that Is why there are only two swimming
baths instead OF three.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES.
This bath department perhaps created most ex-
element but Il was more important than uhe
revolution IN the charities department Inc bos-
ton system has varied from time TO time Inc
public institutions used TO be under board OF
twelve members then under OF nine. then I'M
der one OF three Finally, under Mayor Quincy
the institutions were placed under the control OF
four departments-the children's institutions. the
pauper institution the insane hospital depart
ment and the penal institutions. These depart
rnents were administered by boards Of unpaid rus-
tees with an Institutions Registration Depart
ment investigate questions, collect statistics
tached removed the institutions from the list OF
'spoils" and DID much toward interesting pubic
would take time TO set forth al the innovations OF
these trustees; that they have been successful. at
least in the main. is proved by the Willingness OF
the people allow the system 10 continue.
u, BSsiSn 5t 9bs te 81 s This in
stitution still hourishes although the printing OF
eo e All the work Of the city Not only does it have
charge Of the printing. binding, etc. but the sta
control and ali requsitions must be in to the
superintendent This is one OF the most novel
In line with the establishment of the printing
Boston does all It's municipal repairing including
carpentering, plumbing, mason work steam nttng
and plastering. In this way the Mayor sought 10
avoid tie evils OF the contract system
Things aesthetic neglected by the
the e'n iSnoTations remain The Music Department
sufficiently novel TO afford sntertainment Tor
PAID commissioners. who have control Of all public
parades concerts public celebrations and, in fact.
an public occasions when music is required. The
Municipal Band donned q dashing uniform and
Then certain organ recitals and the like were ar
Tor tickets The Music Department has not been
abolished although at times Il created much e6-
castor IL collected all the street organs in one
great assemblage and had them all tuned
OTHER REFORMS THAT WORK WELL.
The Art Department has done nothing spec
tacular This Board consists OF five unpaid Com
r,issioners selected by the Mayor from lists pre-
sented by the Museum OF Arts. the Public Library,
the Institute OF Technology. the Boston Art Club
and the Boston Society OF Architects No work OF
become the property OF the city without the
hpnfoNal OF the Department. Nilcu j. $50 eA-
pected 20 advise 20 any structure from large
building 10 a lamp 10 be erected city ground. II
may also make contracts for works OF art for the
city subject 20 the approval OF the Mayor
Not al OF Mayor Qutncy's inncvauons CoDsi sted Of
iustituting departments. Some left the city
$3.50 for free excursions for poor children; and the
Mayor added 20 this a sum SUFFICIENT TO establish
an Ella borate fresh air system A small steamer
NGs bought and sheds were erected suitable city
property. Then institutions churches and the like
were notified that 20 the children would be given
days outing by the city al the rate OF thousand
day This custom has been kept up BY Mayor
Hart Another innovation however, has been abol-
ished This was the municipal boys camp One o.
the Islands Of the harbor given a camp
-