Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-07
In the Old Bay State Are
Indicted Into Office.
Fourteen Cities Are Now Under
New Administrations.


Boston, Jan. Gin the inaugural ad-
dresses which were delivered during
the day In 30 OF the SO cities of the
commonwealth, there were many fea-
lures in common OF vital interest to
the problem OF municipal government
in Massachusetts. First among these
features is widespread demand on
the part OF mayors for either new or
revised city charters, along modern
lines, mainly with the view of con-
centratiT4g more executive power in
the mayors hands. Other changes
quite generally suggested are the re-
duction OF boards to a smaller number
Of members, the placing of single heads
in executive charge Of fire departments
and changes in the date Of municipal
elections from December to March.
April or May In order that local poll
tics may be less likely to conflict with
state issues. the state election being
annually held in November.
Cities where one or more Of these
changes were urged in today's inaugu
rails included Boston, Haverhill. NAL
Den. Lowell, Marlboro. Salem and
Fitchhurg.
Henry H. Parsons. the incoming
mayor of Gloucester. provided some
what sensational exception to the rule
by declaring that he favored govern
ment by commission for his city. While
widely discussed. such plan has not
yet been tried in any Massachusetts
city.
Mayor Sanderson Of Springfield. urg-
ed that the office Of mayor and Of
treasurer of the city be extended to
two years.
In Brockton where a movement has
been on foot to revise the city charter.
Mayor Kent in his second inaugural
address declared himself opposed to
any change at present.
In but few cities do the mayors find
financial conditions satisfactory. the
need Of greater economy being almost
unanimously emphasized.
In Haverhill. Maiden. Worcester
North Adams. Springfield Somervile
Northampton. Chcopee. Pittsield
Gloucester. and Quincy. increased tax
rates are declared as apparently nee
essary for this year.
In three of these places. Worcester
Haverhill and Lynn. the los sof the
iuuor revenue through a decision to
abolish licenses. is an important con-
trihutorv source to such increase.
Beverly, Holyoke. Fitchburg and
Marlboro are the only cities 50 far as
inaugural addresses yet show. that
may he favored with a reduction in
tax rates.
A number of mayors suggest the
need OF asking the Legislature for
susrension Of the statute which denies
municipalities to tax at a higher rate
than s1o per thousand for current OK
renses. Pv some this law is declared
as necessitating over valuation ~
rrcoertv and n resultant deceit of tho
tax mayer.
More generally than ever before
navorS this yenr declare themselves IN
Favor ~ tho establishment IF indus
tr'nl schools. Of which there are ~
orecn,t hut q few ~, .hn stata In this
connection Mavor War1wel1 of CAM
h~Idro points with bride to the fact
TINT hIs citv was the first in Now Eng
l,-d to inaururatn tho trade school
,dna md Il hos rrovad so successful
thnre TINT he urged extension ~ 1t.
Fourteen Of the cities ~ the state
ern now under now administrations
while the ofPcnre inano,rated IN the
other aivteen cities in which inaugural
lions took place. are reelected.