The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-24
Overseer Mcdonald Can't t
See Anything but Large
ly Increased Bills
BARRE CALLED ON
IN UNUSUAL DEGREE
Poor Dept. Took Much Mon
ey in Summer; Will Need (
Far More in Winter

| 'Heee eoihiodltles III the Iace ~
precedented conditions in the chap 4 e.
lpartment were earnestly discussed by>the
city council last evening in a special
meeting which followed the regular al
dermanic session. The council was
brought face to face with the situation
by the appearance of Overseer William
Mcdonald, who came in to ask how far
the members would back him up in his
efforts to keep all of the needy ones sup
| piled. The conference virtually ended in
vote OF confidence in the overseer and
the members of the charity committee,
who were asked to use their own discre-
tlon in handling multiplicity of re-
quests for help.
The council gave its chamber over to
ward committee which met to confer on
the Liberty loan campaign and retired to
the city clerks office for the aldermanic
and council sessions, the latter being
called Tor the purpose of adopting reso-
lutlon which authorizes the street COM
mlttee to take the customary steps in
levying assessments for sidewalk on
was devoted to routine matters and then
ear was given to the overseer of the poor
ANY number of interesting sidelights
on the charity situation were discernibe
in the remarks of Mr. Mcdonald and
members of the charity committee. An
unusually large influx of INDECENT fam.
lilies, the high cost of living, sickness;
the war and imprisonment of family
heads figured prominently in the reasons
given to explain conditions in the depart
ment and to prepare the council for some
large bills during the fall
and winter. The overseer stated that
widows and others who were partially
dependent upon washings for their sup
port had suffered as a result of the po-
liomyeitis quarantine. Another factor,
he continued, had to do with the reopen
ing of, the city schools. Children must
be properly clothed and well shod to at
tend school and most of the families.
according to Mr.. Mcdonald, seem to be
well advised as to the law which requires
to look after these details
Throughout the summer charity ex-
pendtures were unusually high and with
the approach of winter they must soar
Cotton dresses for the poor
have sufficed, but the department now
turns To the woolen goods counter ana
the city must pay the bills Within a
few weeks dozen or more families have
been added to the list and the number is
growing larger instead of smaller Mr.
Mcdonald said that thus far he had paid
he bills each month and kept even with
he board. No oyerdrafts for him, he
ldded
Absconding debtors and family heads
Imprisoned for non support were dis
ussed along with star boarders The
after, it seemed, are an element con-
ributing to the support of some families,
Though Alderman Healy, in response to
request from Alderman Rossi as to
etinition Of the term, warned his col
pagues that they were skating on the
hin edge of slander allegations when
hey used the appellation So the com
il skated away from star boarders. after
itself with Mr.. McDonald's
haritable definition of "a favorite," as
pplying to some of the star boarders
'ho are staying in the INDECENT families.
The talk drifted to fuel and there a
sal problem was uncovered. The over
eer declared that fuel is not to be had
Barre and that efforts to get it have
OF been wholly successful. Alderman
leXander suggested a municipal wood
ard Alderman Healy told of trip into
le Orange county hinterlands. on the oc
lsion OF which he learned that farmers
no were not seeking to purchase fuel,
ere figuratively on guard with shotgms
7er their woodpies The charity con
renee ended when Mayor Glysson can
,ssed the council for expressions Of
,inion and learned that the city fathers
ould back up the department in its en-
'svor TO keep the poor people OF the
ty well supplied with the necessities OF
e. The matter OF disposing of claims
ade by quarantined persons at the
airing two weeks ago was referred TO
g health committee and city attorney
th instructions to bring in a written
port and recommendations at the next
eeting
No City Meeting Called
Just before adjournment the mayor
,ited upon the council with a request
instructions in the matter Of calling
city meeting to allow the voters to
- on the traction franchise. II de
Ioped that the traction company had
{ been formally notified of the action
Ken last week, when the proposed fran
se was accepted by vote of 90 ,.
lieu of any further action by the
lncil after the ballot, nothing had been
ne. hut with the matter stjll under
lsideration the clerk was directed 10
ifv the officers of the company OF the
nd taken by the council During its
ting. the council, pursuant 10 report
m the street committee and city at
nev. adopted resolution authorizing
committee tb proceed ais usual N
lding cement sidewalks on South Main
eet.
lrre's Vital Statistics for September.
II tie aldermanic meeting d. y w.
wsrt. secretary Of the board oi health.
.mitted vital statistics compiled in
.temher Twenty-Five babies. of whom
are males. were born. Ten cases Of
iomveliti- constituted the roster of
taeiuus diseases. Nine deaths were
orted tuberculosis maintaining its
~ lead with four victims, while the
crs were due 90 the following causess
(Continucd On cighth psgel