The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-02-16
DEPARTMENTS REPORT TO MAY,
 OR.
Library Shows Circulation of Over
 100000 Books,

300,00U BOOKS.
 Mapor Studley has received reports from the different municipal depart- ments for the year as required by the charter. The report of the directors of the New Haven Free Public library contains the following:
 "The number of volumes added to the library in 1905 was 667S, being an ex- cess of AS volumes over the number in 1904 There were 2,952 discarded. The total number of volumes in the library at the present time Is 74,56s.
 "The circulation from the library was 2S6,S43 and, adding an estimated 10000 from duplicates placed in outlying schools there is total circulation of somewhat over 100000. About $2,00O was spent upon improvements which seemed to be necessary, especially for additional shelving, which was required for the storage of books In the cellar. It is believed that this provides for possibly four years additions. Such condition, however" says the report of the director, emphasizes the need which Is becoming more appar- ent for more commodious quarters for the proper conduct of the library. Not 1 only is more room needed for Its nor nal growth, now confined In building which Is rapidly becoming absolutely inadequate, but the continual changes and patching required to meet each re- | curing necessity add to the expenses of management in various ways, while rendering 1t impossible to serve the public with that satisfaction, economy and method which may reasonably be expected in a city of the size and m- pcrtance of New Haven, It Is certain ly to be hoped that the citizens of New Haven and the friends of the public H. l brary may before long provide for some way of placing It upon footing to compare with similar institutions In other cities"
 The receipts for fines amounted to $5O2.
 i Hon. N. D. sperry has given the pub lie kbrary a large number of public documents during the year. Other gifts of books have been made.
 I In his report Corporation Counsel L. W. Daggett gives the status of the suits of the city of New Haven against the Fair Haven & Westville Railroad company in which $110,O00 in pavement assessments is involved. There are eight of these cases. MT. Daggett says: Final disposition of these cases is de- pendent upon decision in appeal of the Fair Haven & Westville Railroad com pany from an assessment In West Chapel street. Action for that reason has been postponed, One similar ap- peal has been filed, for pavement ir East Chapel street. Disposition oi these cases now awaits decision of United States supreme court.
 "'The suit of the E. A. Chatfield Co against the city of New Haven to re- strain the maintenance of the old Kim berly avenue bridge drop or lift bridge is now under construction, and fina dismissal of the suit is to be asked 1T the United States circuit court.
 Assistant Corporation Counsel James 1 Kingsley Blake makes a report upor the collection of taxes covering peri cd from May 1, 1905, to January 1, 1906 I ldS btOiA SuAONASh AaiAOuSh liis efforts of the assistant corporati counsel during that period $53. 49S.41, il
 taxes, sewer, pavement and sprinklint | assessment.
 In September the tax collector report
 ed to MT. Blake delinquent taxes on tn,
 list of 1903 amounting to $4S,O09.24
 without interest, and of this S11 1902 has been collected, which sum includes
 accrued interest.
 The civil service board has held twen ty-three meetings, and acted on ninety five applications. Fifty-seven per cent of the applicants passed their examin } alton with a mark of 70 per cent. O over. Thirty-six of the applicants fail . ed to pass, and two applicants with drew before completing their papers. James J. Carr regisrar of vital sta tisties reports the receipts of his offic for the year to have been s1 1,SS040 fror : fees for certificates. The expenses O the office, $4,76S.