NAWSA SUBJECT FILE Piper, Elizabeth B. Masstts. 1941 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 deaths-all causes 11.9 11.8 11.6 11.2 11.6 rate per 1000 pop. Births exclusive of data 15.3 14.7 13.8 13.3 still births not rate per 1000 pop available Infant mortality " 38 39 40 44 rates per 1000 live births Males [?] mortality " 2.5 3.5 3.9 4.6 rates per 1000 live births Trend of death rates 1937-1941. LEAGUE ITEMS Cambridge League of Women Voters 42 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts Katharine W. Born, President Rhoda T. Aldrich, Editor Vol. 13 February, 1940 No. 5 Sec. 562, P.L.&R. U.S. Postage Paid Cambridge, Mass. Permit No. 8340 Miss Elizabeth Bridge Piper 51 Brattle St. Cambridge, Mass. MRS. SHELDON GLUECK Research Associate in Criminology, Harvard Law School WILL SPEAK AT THE LUNCHEON DISCUSSION HOTEL CONTINENTAL, FEBRUARY 5, AT 12:30 SUBJECT: "NEWER WAYS OF CRIME CONTROL" The Child Welfare Committee and the Committee on the Legal Status of Women, who are cooperating in arranging this luncheon, are very fortunate in being able to offer so distinguished an expert, so thorough a student, of crime and control. Dr. Eleanor T. Glueck, (Mrs. Sheldon Glueck) has been engaged in criminological researches in collaboration with Professor Glueck since 1925, at which time she received her degree as Doctor of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. With Sheldon Glueck she is co-author of many books, including "500 Criminal Careers," "One Thousand Juvenile Delinquents," and "Later Criminal Careers." She is also the author of "Evaluative Research in Social Work" and of numerous other books and articles. The period from 1 to 2 will be devoted to Mrs. Glueck's address and questions and discussion. Reservations may be made at League Headquarters, Kir. 1437, before February 3 at noon. It greatly encourages the committee to have a large number of reservations and also helps the Hotel to provide a more satisfactory luncheon. Luncheon, 75 cents, admission free to speaking at 1 o'clock. CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE All those interested in the Child Welfare Committee are invited to stay on for an organization meeting immediately after the luncheon at 2 P.M., Hotel Continental. Present plans include a series of study groups: the dates are February 21, March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17, at 10:30 A.M., Headquarters. The first meeting will be devoted to a summary of Community Resources for the Cambridge Child. Hospitals, Clinics, leisure time activities, guidance for children in difficult emotional situations, etc. will be included in the survey. Four study group meetings will be devoted to a consideration of the book just issued by the Massachusetts Child Council, "Juvenile Delinquency in Massachusetts as a Public Responsibility." We hope to have outstanding speakers who will discuss various aspects and indicate trends. At the session of the Legislature in 1941 bills may be introduced which we may support or criticize in the light of our studies this year. The committee hopes that all who attend will read this book as well as make a careful study of the kit prepared by the National League of Women Voters, "Your Neighbor's Child," price 75c. (One will be kept on file for study in the office.) The sooner notification of kits and books desired is given the office (Kir. 1437), the more certain the committee will be of having an adequate number to distribute at the organization meeting, February 5th. A series of trips is being planned for the week following each study group. These visits will be prepared for by studies of annual reports as well as by the preliminary survey on February 21. Visits to Lancaster School for Girls and to Boystown will be offered in addition to those to Cambridge agencies. Special arrangements for visits to other institutions can be made on request. In addition to the visits to agencies and institutions and the study groups, the League is sponsoring the offer of the Volunteer Service Bureau of the Cambridge Chapter of the American Red Cross, to provide opportunities for special service with children connected with Settlement Houses. This will be under the leadership of Mrs. James Tower. All who are interested may apply to Miss Mabel Colgate, Director, Volunteer Service Bureau, 42 Brattle Street. E. B. Piper, Chairman. CALL TO LEAGUE MEMBERS FOR SUPPORT OF THE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM Hearings are being held at the present time before the House Ways and Means Committee on the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program; it will expire in May of this year unless reenacted by Congress. (See January 16 News Letter for progress of hearings.) Cambridge League members will want to add their support of the measure to that of groups throughout the country. The subject is too vital to be passed over lightly because it is somewhat complicated. Please read carefully the enclosed leaflet so that you will be informed when you are requested to write your congressmen. It is probable that such action will be necessary during February when each League member will be called by the Telephone Committee and given the name of the legislators from her district. Convincing arguments are given in the leaflet. For the sake of promoting national prosperity, scientific tariff making, and last but not least, as a basis for economic reconstruction after the war, please cooperate in this plan to make the League of Women Voters’ position felt in Washington. Ruth H. Romer A NEW CHAIRMAN Mrs. Robert Coit, a former member of the Education Committee, has consented to become its new chairman. This year, in addition to the attendance at Cambridge School Committee Meetings and a résumé of Cambridge school affairs, there will be a study group on the wider aspects of Government and Education, such as the recent “Federal Aid to Education.” The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7, at 3 o’clock, at the home of Mrs. Donald Born, 40 Arlington Street. Every one interested in Education is urged to attend and to help make plans for the committee and the study course. STAMP PLAN MEETING The Cambridge League was one of the sponsors of an educational meeting held by the Conference on Human Needs and the Committee on War Prices of Labor’s Non-Partisan League on Thursday, January 18, at the East End Union. The Stamp Plan was discussed and endorsed by representatives of the Retail Grocers, the Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation and the Cambridge Public Welfare Board. A letter was sent to Mayor Lyons, urging him to hold a large public meeting and offering to cooperate with him in bringing the Stamp Plan before the public. CIVIL LIBERTIES STUDY GROUP “If a mother wrote her son, a soldier, and told him that the Army was no place for him and enjoined him to get out, she would be subject to a penitentiary sentence.” She would be, that is, if the Military Disaffection Bill which passed the Senate last summer without hearings, debate, committee report or roll call is passed by the House in the present session of Congress. The sentence quoted above is from the minority report of the House Military Affairs Committee when a similar bill almost became law five years ago. There are no committee reports to quote on the current bill. When our study group examined the various alien and sedition bills pending in Congress we were shocked to discover that most of these dangerous bills were passed without debate, some without committee hearings. They have all been passed by one house of Congress and been favorably reported out of committee in the other. Three of these bills are directed against aliens: the Hobbs bill (H. R. 5643), to imprison indefinitely aliens who cannot be deported; the Reynolds bill (S. 409), for registration of aliens; and the Dempsey bill (H. R. 4860), to deport aliens advocating any change in our form of government. Two are sedition bills: the Walsh military disaffection bill (S. 1677) punishing attempts to incite members of the Army and Navy to disobedience, and the McCormack sedition bill (H. R. 6075) punishing for the advocacy of the overthrow of the government by force and violence. In addition there is the Smith omnibus bill (H. R. 5238) embracing both alien and sedition provisions and covering practically all of the ground of the other bills. The New York Herald Tribune said last March: “If the pay of our Representatives in Congress is not exactly munificent, at least it is handsome enough to warrant some slight study on their part of the measures brought up for their consideration. Yet we find the House passing ‘unanimously and without debate’ the Dempsey bill to deport any alien who advocates ‘any change’ in the American form of government….” The New York Times said in August: “There is a simple test to be applied to legislation of this type. Either it goes beyond existing legislation or it does not. If it merely duplicates existing legislation there is no need for it. But if in any respect it goes beyond existing legislation, then we should know precisely what respect it does so, and why this new restriction of speech is called for after a hundred and fifty years of our constitutional history.” These bills sound innocent but they constitute a serious threat to our civil rights. Existing legislation is adequate to meet dangers offered by aliens or seditious citizens. No convincing case has been made for this new legislation. Our committee believes these bills should be defeated. Helen Loeffler, Chairman COMMITTEES IN ACTION Members of the League will remember the interesting “Open House” held by the Committee on Government and Economic Welfare and the Cambridge Home Information Center last year. This year the meeting will be held under the auspices of the Information Center on Friday, February 9, at 10 A.M., at 30 Gray Gardens East. Mrs. Arnold will again be the speaker and will report on a Symposium on Household Employment which was held last November in New York. All League members interested in the broad subject of household employment will be welcome. Dorothy C. Silberman, Chairman TRUE or FALSE? (Answers below) 1.Every Federal Bill has a public hearing. 2. Massachusetts is divided into 240 Representative Districts. 3. There are only five forms of City Charters available in Massachusetts. 4. A Town Warrant gives the right to search private property. 5. A bill can become a law without the Governor's signature if paused by a 2/3 vote of both the House and Senate. If your score is 100, you don't need to come to the Study Group on "Your Laws: How They Are Made." If you missed a few and IF YOU CARE, come to the first meeting of the Group to be held at Headquarters on Tuesday, February 20, at 10:30 A.M. The Study Group of the Legislative Committee will study the structure, procedure and problems of the Legislative Branch of our Government. The League Program requires more than a study of a subject. It demands action! This often needs local, state or national legislative work. To do an intelligent job it is necessary for members of the committee to understand the organization and methods of the lawmaking body involved. Answers: 1-- False. 2.--False. 3--True. 4.-- False. 5--True. Katharine T. Smith, Chairman. The Evening Group will meet on Monday, February 19th at the home of Mrs. Henry R. Silberman, 15 Lowell Street at 8 o'clock. Mrs. Howard Mumford Jones and a representative from the Massachusetts Labor Relations Board are expected to discuss the operation of the National Labor Relations Act as it affects us. Laura D.Caldwell , Chairman Dr. Walter Mac Cornack, Dean of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is organizing a study of housing conditions in Cambridge to be carried out by a group of Radcliffe students and members of the League who are interested in Housing. If you would care to participate, please call the office and notice of the meeting will be sent to you. Mary E. Duguid, Chairman The City Committee will discuss election practice in Cambridge at its next meeting, Friday, February 2nd, at 10:30 A.M., Headquarters. The speaker will be Mr. Harry Penniman, for many years secretary of the Cambridge Election Commission, who knows more about election machinery than any other man in Cambridge. All League members who are interested are urged to attend. Mrs Alfred Redfield will complete her report on the Cambridge City Hospital. Plans will be made for a number of neighborhood teas during February and March. The City Commitee is now checking the poll lists against the League membership lists and we find that a number of members do not appear on the poll lists. If you are not registered you can do so from April 1st to 6th, daily, between 9 and 5, at the Commisssion's office, Room 308 Municipal Bldg., 362 Green Street. It is important to register if you wish to vote in the party election to be held April 20th, for the choice of delegates to the national conventions and also for members of the ward committees. The Republicans and Democrates will elect 10 from each ward and these ward members will constitute the respective city committees of the two major parties. If you are registered but without party affiliation and wish to vote in this election you may do so merely by calling for the ballot of the party of your choice. This act will automatically enroll you as a vote in that party. Amelia W. Fisk, Chairman FEBRUARY, 1940, CALENDAR Friday, February 2, 10:30 A.M. Headquarters, City Committee. Monday, February 5, 12:30 P.M. Hotel Continental, Committees on Legal Status and Child Welfare, Luncheon. Monday, February 5, 3 P.M. Headquarters, Committee on Government and Economic Welfare, "Relief for Young People." Wednesday, February 7, 3 P.M. 40 Arlington Street, Education Committee. Friday, February 9, 10 A.M. 30 Gray Gardens East, Committee on Government and Economic Welfare, "Household Employment." Monday, February 12, 3 P.M. Headquarters, Foreign Policy. Wednesday, February 14, 10 A.M. Headquarters, Board Meeting. Monday, February 19, 3 P.M. Headquarters, Committee on Government and Economic Welfare,"Relief for Special Groups." Monday, February 19, 8 P.M. 15 Lowell Street, Evening Group. Tuesday, February 20, 10:30 A.M. Headquarters, Legislative Committee Wednesday, February 21, 10:30 A.M. Headquarters, Child Welfare Committee. Monday, February 26, 3 P.M. Headquarters, Foreign Policy. Wednesday, February 28 Trip. Child Welfare Committee. A Shopping Service (Adv.) WHEN your friends come home from that winter cruise you couldn't afford, you can greet them looking like a new woman, too. How? By having your hair restyled or recut at the Frances Fox Method Shop, where they make your hair look just different enough to satisfy you without frightening your family. Of course the foundation of a successful hair-do is healthy, glossy hair and it is because every operator is trained by the Frances Fox Institute that you can count upon having your hair reconditioned as well as restyled . THE FRANCES FOX METHOD SHOP, 1 Shepard Street, ELIot 9806 YOU'LL sleep like a baby on the perfect Sleeper Mattress now being shown at Anderson and Rufle's. We particularly recommend this mattress because of the tuftless feature . . . free from buttons, kinks and bulges. Price, $39.50, and be sure to ask to see the National Lloyds Insurance Co. Guarantee. Also, a complete line of lower priced mattresses at $14.75, $19.75, $24 .75 and $29.50. We will be glad to give you the benefit of 40 years' experience if you need any reupholstering or repairing. ANDERSON AND RUFLE, 30 Dunster Street, TROwbridge 3344. HAVE you any odds and ends of 4 ply wool which you'd like to see put to a very good use? The English Speaking Union will knit them up into sweaters, socks and mittens which the evacuated women and children of Great Britain need very badly. They also need any clean, discarded clothing which you or your family can spare. Pl send contributions to Mrs. Franklin Davis, 48 Fresh Pond Lane, or telephone Eliot 0530 and arrangements will be made to call for them. Or, if you wish, you may take them to the ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION, 33 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, KENmore 4740. THESE dark, winter day will seem ever so much less gloomy if your slip covers and curtains are bright and clean. Nor is it necessary to lighten your pocket-book unduly, for Howes is offering 20% reduction on all dry cleansing for the month of February, . . . a sale which they are running in conjunction with their 30th Anniversary. Howe calls for and delivers twice a day, which makes it possible for you to have your things picked up when it is convenient to you. C. G. HOWES COMPANY, 58 Church Street, Cambridge. STAdium 1400. THE Coop is cooperating with the cook in you by offering a splendid :sale of "Wear-Ever" aluminum . . . a set of four sauce pots, the largest holding six quarts, for only $5.25, covers included. Three new style sauce pans for $1.65. A new fancy ring mold at the introductory price of $.75. And after you've cooked dinner, you'll want to serve it on Fiesta, the moderately priced china that comes in gay colors for you to match or mix. Try it and see how it brightens up your table . . . and the people who eat at it! HARVARD COOPERATIVE SOCIETY, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, TROwbridge 3000. YES, there is a place in Cambridge where you can buy a good looking coat. Dombey's carry the "tops" in top coats . . . smart tailored tweeds as well as gabardines that will make your daughter look grown up and will make you look like your daughter. Priced from $16.90. Hats to go with the coats or to reconcile you to wearing your old one a little longer. A new line of printed dresses, from $7.90, which are perfect under your fur coat or to remind you that no matter how you're shivering, spring can't be far behind. DOMBEY'S, 34A Brattle Street. KIRkland 6496. IF there's no one with a cold at your house, then you're lucky; and even if there is, you're lucky to be able to depend upon the Tory Row Bookshop for entertainment. Delivery service (free for any books you purchase), 15c a trip for lending library books. You can save enough to pay for several deliveries by buying a Library Credit Card which entitles you to $5.00 worth of reading for $4.50. The Junior Lending Library includes even those delightful picture books you never knew that you could rent ... for 2 and 3c a day. So let sniffles and bad weather come, you're insured against boredom by THE TORY ROW BOOKSHOP, 44 Brattle Street. TROwbridge 1030. INCHES off your hips. . .Trim curves where bulges used to be. . .Those unsightly hollows filled out at last . . .No, we're not indulging in wishful thinking, we're telling you about Mary Butler's body recontouring, her cabinet baths. . .that make you look and feel even better than you can imagine. Nor will this cost you the fortune you'll probably say that it is worth, for prices are reasonable at the MARY BUTLER BEAUTY SALON, 44 Brattle Street, Cambridge, TROwbridge 3455. FEBRUARY is definitely the month for all good escapists to head for the University! Feb. 1, 2, 3, "Another Thin Man," with Wm. PoweII and Myrna Loy. Next, the Marx Brothers in "A Day at the Circus." The 7th is Review Day . . . "Only Angels Have Wings" and "The Rage of Paris." The 8th, 9th and 10th, "Four Wives" and "Private Detective" topped off by The March of Time. Feb. 11, 12 and 13, Greer Garson ("Mrs. Chips") and Robert Taylor in "Remember." Feb. 14, the sixth annual showing of "It Happened One Night" and "Winterset." Then "Gulliver's Travels" and "Our Neighbors, the Carters" and the 18th, 19th and 20th, Sonya Henie in "Everything Happens at Night." UNIVERSITY THEATER, Harvard Square, KIRKland 4580. THE MID-WINTER WORD ON FINANCE! WHAT IS CONTRIBUTORS' CAMPAIGN? WE NEED 1500 DOLLARS ! February 15 to March 1 During the year we have many money-raising projects to provide for our Treasury. But this is not enough. For at least a dozen years we have found it necessary to have an intensive appeal for funds in February which we call CONTRIBUTORS CAMPAIGN THIS IS NEEDED TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET A committee of solicitors is formed and for two weeks we call on members who have so generously given in the past. We also hope to hear from members who have not contributed before and who realize the vital importance of the League. WILL YOU HELP? Heavy expenses come in alternate years as the Questionnaire adds $600 to our expenses. We made no special appeal at election time for this important work and hope that extra contributions will help us to cover this added sum. Each contributor may designate the work to which his contribution is to be applied. See slip below. We also need volunteers for our Committee. Will anyone willing to help please communicate with me as soon as possible. Tel. Tro. 7236- between 8-9 A.M. ERICA B. CAWLEY, Chairman ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please mail to Finance Committee Cambridge League of Women Voter 42 Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts Name Address Contributors Campaign The enclosed check: of . is to be divided a follows: Undesignated Questionnaire .... . . ... . For Local League Work ...... ... . For State League Work For National League Work Make check payable to Cambridge League of Women Voters. TO PROMOTE NATIONAL PROSPERITY SCIENTIFIC TARIFF-MAKING WORLD PEACE KEEP THE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM The Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program was established by Congress in 1934 and renewed in 1937. It authorizes the President to negotiate with foreign countries for mutual lowering of trade barriers within specified limits set by Congress. It provides under the "most-favored-nation clause" for the extension of any concession made to one nation to all nations who agree in turn to grant the United States trade privileges they extend to other nations. The Act expires on June 12, 1940, unless reenacted by Congress. NATIONAL LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 726 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C. January 1940 100 copies $1.25 KEEP THE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM To Promote National Prosperity National prosperity is threatened when surplus products of farm and factory accumulate year after year. Such accumulations result in low prices for producers, in unemployment for workers, and in decreased purchasing power for the general public. The Government has attempted to resolve the problem of surpluses in two different ways: First, by enlarging markets through the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program. Congress specifically stated in the Trade Agreements Act that its purpose was to increase foreign markets as a means of restoring the American standard of living, of overcoming unemployment, and of increasing the purchasing power of the American public. Second, by controlling production and marketing. Methods of control have included limiting of crops, establishing of domestic production quotas, supporting prices through commodity loans, and subsidizing exports. Devices like these are in general use by totalitarian governments which reject free enterprise for economic regimentation. If new markets cannot be found for United States surpluses the number and variety of government restrictions on private production will probably increase. National prosperity is threatened when foreign trade declines. Foreign trade not only benefit producers whose goods are exported, but it improves domestic markets. If automobile and cotton producers are able to sell abroad, their workers are able to buy more food, more clothing, and more luxuries at home. Therefore, when foreign markets decline, there is depression in the home market to the detriment of all laborers, farmers, manufacturers and merchants. National prosperity and foreign trade go hand in hand, and both have increased since the Trade Agreements Program was initiated. Between 1929 and 1932 during the world depression our foreign trade dropped by two-thirds, and the national income, a major index of national prosperity, dropped by more than one-half. Since 1934 when the Trade Agreements Act was passed, both foreign trade and the national income have increased by one-fourth. To Promote Scientific Tariff Making Traditionally Congress has passed tariffs by "log-rolling." Congressmen in order to get enough votes to protect their own local interests have voted to protect the local interests of other Congressmen. As a result tariffs have been a hodgepodge. Some special interests have obtained increased "protection" to the detriment of other special interests. Interests which wanted high tariff organized to work for the protection they desired. The general consuming public was penalized with the unnecessary taxes that excessive tariffs produced. Congress spent nearly a year and a half writing the last tariff act, the Act of 1930. Approximately 3300 different product were involved, and several hundred witnesses were heard in proceedings which fill 22 volumes. In spite of this prolonged effort the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was generally condemned. President Hoover reluctantly signed it while indicating his dissatisfaction with traditional tariff-making methods. He publicly stated that "a more scientific and business-like method of tariff revision must be devised." Under the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program a scientific method of tariff-making is established. In the Trade Agreements Act Congress defined the broad basis of the trade program and left to qualified experts the detailed provisions of each trade agreement. These experts are drawn from permanent government departments representing various economic interests-agricultural, commercial, industrial, labor, financial. Each agreement involves the examination of complicated and constantly changing condition at home and abroad. No agreement is completed without the opportunity for presentation of evidence by individuals and private interests. Thus in relation to each trade agreement negotiated, adequate information is available with which to strike a balance between local and national interests for the general public good. For the first time in the history of the United States a method of scientifically adjusting tariffs has proved successful. The Trade Agreements Program eliminates "log-rolling" and minimizes vicious lobbying by special interests, in order that the general national interest may prevail. To Promote World Peace When the world depression began, nations in panic raised unprecedented trade barriers against each other. In 1930 the United State passed one of the highest tariffs in its history and other countries retaliated with similar trade restrictions. As a result access to foreign markets and raw materials became increasingly difficult, and nations sought to extend their boundaries in order to secure both of these. Japan marched into Manchuria and China. Italy seized Ethiopia. Germany took over neighboring countries one by one. Now Russia seeks to dominate her small neighbors. Economics, politics, and national defense have become so intermingled that it is impossible to separate them. Economists and statesmen agree, however, that the lowering of trade barriers would go a long way toward solving present world problems. The Reciprocal Trade Program of the United States is today the one constructive effort toward this end. The Trade Program is based on the principle of equal treatment for all nationals who agree not to discriminate against the United States. It works to reduce trade barriers on a world front. Under it twenty-one nations, with whom we carry on three-fifths of all our foreign commerce, have signed trade agreements with us in a drive for economic cooperation among nations. War will limit the progress of the trade program in Europe and Asia, but promotion of the program in Latin America will tend to compensate for the dislocation of trade elsewhere as well as to contribute to peaceful relations in the American hemisphere. In a warring world the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program should continue to operate in order to promote peaceful economic relations wherever possible. When wars abroad end, the Program should be ready to contribute to the rehabilitation of sane trade relations among all nations as a foundation for enduring peace. NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM INCLUDE: American Association of University National Cotton Council Women National Council of Jewish Women American Farm Bureau Federation National Council for the Prevention of War American Union for Concerted Peace Efforts National Council of American Importers Automobile Manufacturers' Association National Foreign Trade Council Catholic Association for International National League of Women Peace Voters National Service Star Legion, Inc. Economic Policy Committee National Women's Trade Union League General Federation of Women's Clubs Women's International League for Peace and Freedom League of Nations Association National Board of the Young Women's World Peaceways Christian Association 8 Reports for study will be on the Child Welfare Shelf. Please familiarize yourself with costs of recreation department of City of Cambridge, activities number of employees. Please be prepared to ask only questions that you know these facts. KNOW-YOUR-CITY MEETINGS First luncheon in series - Monday, November 15 Housing Conditions in Cambridge and Newtowne Court (Federal Housing Project) Cooperation of Welfare Society of Cambridge and Federal Housing Administration SPEAKERS MR. ISIDORE RICHMOND Architect, under whose supervision the studies of Cambridge housing were made in 1935. MISS ELIZABETH MORRISON Family Welfare Society of Cambridge, whose work has brought her intimate knowledge of living conditions in Cambridge. MRS. HELEN T. FRAINE Supervisor of investigation and applications for Federal Housing Project in Cambridge. A graduate of the Simmons College School of Social Work with wide experience in various fields of Social Service. The luncheon will be followed by a trip of inspection to Newtowne Court with Mrs. Fraine. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 12.30 Hotel Continental. Luncheon tickets, 75 cents, at League Office, 42 Brattle Street. The speaking will be open to all interested at 1.10 P.M. This luncheon opens the series of Know-Your-City Meetings undertaken by the Cambridge League of Women Voters in cooperation with a group of other Cambridge organizations. There will be four luncheons to follow and two Sunday supper meetings. Subjects and dates chosen are given below. Each program is being prepared by a group of public and private agencies interested in the particular topic. City Finance and the Ideal Budget for Cambridge. Sunday evening, Dec. 12, at 6.30. Employment Conditions in Cambridge. Sunday evening, Jan. 9, at 6.30. City Housekeeping (street conditions, ash collection, February, date to be chosen. lighting, etc.). Public Health in Cambridge. March, date to be chosen. Recreation, Public and Private. April, date to be chosen. Relief. May, date to be chosen. Joint Know-Your-City Committee on Arrangements: Miss Ida Cannon Miss Elizabeth Morrison Mrs. Fritz Roethlisberger Mr. Carroll Doten Miss Elizabeth B. Piper Mr. Alfred Whitman Mrs. Brenton K. Fisk Mrs. T. R. Powell Reprinted from the "Items" of the Cambridge League of Women Voters REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, TO THE POLLS Vote in the Presidential Primary, Tuesday, April 30th, and help elect (1) Delegates to your national party convention, (2) Members of your party State Committee, and (3) Members of the ward-committee of your party. (Each party will elect 10 members for each ward in the city. The candidates will be listed in groups of 10. You may make one cross, thus voting for an entire group, or you may vote for 10 candidates separately, choosing names from any group, or you may vote for less than 10 candidates.) The polls will be open from 12 noon to 8 P.M., Room 308, Municipal Building, Green Street, Central Square. Hours: week days 9 A.M. to 4:30, Saturday, 9-12 noon. Evenings, until 9 P.M., April 8, 9, 10. The ward committees, combined members of which constitute the party City Committee, are important at present, due to the new law pertaining to the Election Commission which requires the Mayor to make his yearly appointment to the Election Commission from a list of the three names submitted to him by a majority vote (16) of a quorum (30) of the party City Committee. The four-man Election Commission is bi-partisan; a Republican is appointed one year, a Democrat the next. This is the year for a Democrat. Hence the make-up of the Democratic ward committees becomes a matter of general concern, because of the obvious importance of trying to get three good men nominated for the Election Commission. And so, Democrats and Republicans, to the Polls April 30th! Amelia W. Fisk. APRIL, 1940, CALENDAR (Unless otherwise stated, all meetings are at Headquarters, 42 Brattle Street) Monday, April 1, 3 P.M., "Health Insurance." Economic Welfare. Wednesday, April 3, 1:45 P.M., Cambridge Boat Club. Education Committee. 2:30 P.M., CAMBRIDGE BOAT CLUB. PROGRAM MEETING. Thursday, April 4, 10:30 A.M., "City Budget," Councillor Winslow. Monday, April 8, 3 P.M., Foreign Policy. 8 P.M., 25 Avon Street. Evening Group, Child Welfare. Mr. Hebert Parsons, Director, Massachusetts Child Council. Wednesday, April 10, 10 A.M., Board Meeting. 3 P.M., Child Welfare trip to Avon Home. Miss Esther Stuart. Thursday, April 11, 10:30 A.M., "The Cambridge Streets." City Committee. Sunday, April 14, 4 P.M., Auditorium, Nurses' Home, Cambridge City Hospital. "What an Up-to-Date Community Should Provide to Meet Its Health Needs." Dr. Murray P. Horwood. Monday, April 15, 3 P.M., Health Insurance. Wednesday, April 17, 3:30 P.M., Day at Home. "The Responsibility of Schools in Relation to Juvenile Delinquency." Mrs. Mildred B. Harrison, Director of Guidance and Research, Quincy Public Schools. Thursday, April 18, 10:30 A.M., "The Cambridge Streets." Monday, April 22, 3 P.M., Foreign Policy. Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 A.M., "Child Welfare and the Neighborhood." Miss Bertha Goldthwaite. Thursday, April 25, 10:30 A.M., "The Cambridge Streets." Monday, April 29 (through Friday, May 3), 9:30 A.M., New York City. The National Convention. 3 P.M., Health Insurance. Thursday, April 30, Party Primaries. Don't forget to vote. 2:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M., Auditorium, Nurses' Home, Cambridge City Hospital. Social Hygiene Institute. A Shopping Service (Adv.) WITH an eye to spring freshening, the Coop offers suggestions. Be comfortable reading magazines or tomes. Use the new lap study table; rest it on a chair arm, and make culture self-indulgence. Too tired to sit up and read? Use it to brace seed catalogues, while you lie in bed and plan your next summer's gardening. This comfort for $1.00. A polished steel bridge lamp with a new shade will bring freshness into any room, $1.98. Incentive to neatness. Try the new decorated waste paper baskets, special at $.89 for a brief time. HARVARD COOPERATIVE SOCIETY, Harvard Square. TROwbridge 3000. ∆ ∆ ∆ FOR a spring tonic, to yourself as well as to your hair, try a Frances Fox machineless permanent. No matter what your hair troubles, Miss Curtin and her assistants will help resolve them into satisfactions. Limp, fine hair, dry, brittle hair, frizzy, thin hair, hair unmanageable when it shouldn't be, will bow to their ministrations, and leave you free to cope with life's larger problems, as posed at League committee meetings and discussion groups. THE FRANCES FOX METHOD SHOP, 1 Shepard Street. ELIot 9806. ∆ ∆ ∆ Just to remind you that the Cambridge Antique Show will be at the Hotel Continental from Monday, April 8, through Thursday, April 11. If you are interested in antiques we're sure these dates have been marked in red letters in your engagement book, for this show attracts lovers of antiques from all over the country. At this, the 5th Show, about 40 dealers will present choice antiques of every kind, under the capable management of Mrs. Edwin R. Jump of Newton ... which means a real treat even for those of us who cannot afford to buy. The admission is only 25c; the dates, April 8, 9, 10, and 11, THE CAMBRIDGE ANTIQUE SHOW, Hotel Continental, Garden Street. ∆ ∆ ∆ NEW OR REMODELED, spring clothes from the ARK will make you feel that spring is really here, our weather notwithstanding. Hats or dresses, a suit or a coat will emerge in smart stylishness and in excellent taste. For individually designed fashions, Muriel will concoct a smart number that will give you that well-dressed feeling, and will make you just conspicuous enough, not too much so. In addition you may choose the little extras that add chic from the gay variety shown. "Everything saved at the ARK," 154 Mt. Auburn Street, TROwbridge 1126. THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE has a fine list of features this month. April 1 and 2, "Brother Rat and a Baby"; April 3 brings back "The Women," 4-6, "Balaleika"; 7-9 "Shop Around the Corner"; 10, review "The Ghost Goes West"; 11-13, "Dr. Erchlick's Magic Bullet"; 14-17, "His Girl Friday"; 18-20, "Raffles"; 21-23, that inimitable of inimitables "My Little Chickadee"; 24, review, "Bringing Up Baby"; 25-27, "Judge Hardy and Son"; 28-30, the long awaited "Northwest Passage." UNIVERSITY THEATRE, Harvard Square. KIRkland 4580. ∆ ∆ ∆ TO have your family like its spinach, get your fresh vegetables at Sage's, where they are really fresh and crisp and tender. Selected by Mr. Sage at 6 A.M. in the market every morning, his trucks pick them up in time for morning delivery to your home. And not only does he buy the best local produce, but he also gets fruits and vegetables from the far corners of the earth. Every day sees a good vegetable special, always fresh and economical in price. EDWIN R. SAGE, Harvard Square. TROwbridge 2211. ∆ ∆ ∆ RUNS in your stockings? Tears in your table linen? Husband's shirt collars and cuffs frayed? THE WINDOW SHOP (102 Mt. Auburn) mends them. We specialize in the special need: remodel last year's clothes past recognition; create new ones for all ages, from adorable one-eat dirndles to the most intricate evening gown; make hats; design and make maternity clothes; supply (handmade or hand finished) gloves, belts, flowers, blouses, sweaters, baby knits, bras, corsets, maids' aprons, table linen - anything, in fact, to suit your particular wish. Our famous candies, lunches, teas, and yummy Viennese cakes always available, and now, dinners on request. Everything made by and sold for emigres. ELIot 1576. ∆ ∆ ∆ MR. POWELL SAYS that his usual Spring business is normal - School and Camp Year Books, Advertising Pieces of various sorts, Catalogues, and the ordinary run of Business and Office Printing. When we went Printing we just naturally think of THE POWELL PRINTING CO. They've done our printing for years, always with care and promptness. They are dependable - prices are reasonable - and they are friendly and understanding. Located diagonally opposite the Harvard Sq. Post Office, at 34 Brattle Street, in Mr. Hadley's new building. TROwbridge 9611. LEAGUE ITEMS Cambridge League of Women Voters 42 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts KATHARINE W. BORN, President RHODA T. ALDRICH, Editor Vol. 13 April, 1940 No. 7 Sec. 562, P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE Paid Cambridge, Mass. Permit No. 8340 OPEN HOUSE MEETING AND TEA of the Child Welfare and Education Committees APRIL 17, 3:30 P. M., HEADQUARTERS MRS. MILDRED B. HARRISON Director of Guidance and Research Quincy Public Schools Will speak on "The Responsibility of Schools in Relation to Delinquency" Miss Elizabeth Bridge Piper 51 Brattle St. Cambridge, Mass. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION TOWN MEETING AT THE BOAT CLUB Memorial Drive near Ash Street. Wednesday, April 3, at 2:30. The Annual Meeting of the Cambridge League of Women Voters provides you with the privilege and the duty of expressing your opinion and helping in the formation of the National, State and Local League programs. Mrs. Fritz Roethlisberger, State Chairman of Legislation, with refresh our minds by going over the various steps in forming the National and State programs. The Committee Chairmen will present their plans for comment and discussion. Controversial issues will be thrashed out, including such questions as changing the name of the Child Welfare Committee to Social Welfare, as recommended by the National League, and whether the Foreign Policy Committee should concentrate upon studying rather than supporting certain measures. The question of what proportion of the budget of the Cambridge League should be raised by dues has seemed so important to the executive board that it has asked Mrs. Carroll Chase, the chairman of a specially appointed committee, to discuss the whole question of dues with the entire membership. The meeting will be followed by the State Convention and by the National Convention in New York, to which Massachusetts will send 42 delegates and alternates. The democratic character of the League depends upon your participation. To prove that democracy can be efficient, the meeting will commence promptly at 2:30. An excellent tea will be served to refresh you after a meeting which the League hopes will result in the forming of a program which will express the ideas of the majority of the members. KNOW YOUR CITY MEETING On Sunday, April 14, at 4 P.M., at the Auditorium of the Nurses' Home, Cambridge City Hospital, Camelia Avenue, Dr. Murray P. Horwood, Professor of Bacteriology and Sanitation, Department of Biology and Public Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will speak on "What an Up-to-date Community Should Provide to Meet Its Health Needs." How these needs are being met in Cambridge and what should be done to correct our omissions will be discussed by a panel composed of representatives of private and public agencies. The meeting is being sponsored by the Health Section of the Council in cooperation with the Executive Committee of the Council of Social Agencies in Cambridge. Mrs. Mabel Greeley Smith, president of the Council, will preside at the meeting and Mr. John D. Crowley, Chairman of the Health Section, will be chairman of the Panel. THE $1.00 DUES - PRO AND CON Membership dues in the Cambridge League are based on an optional sliding scale with a $1 minimum. The dues received have not been sufficient in the past to meet the running expenses of the League and it has therefore been necessary to raise money from benefits and contributions to meet this deficit. As a partial solution of the deficit, it was suggested to the Board that a raise in minimum dues be recommended. Since the proposal proved to be a very controversial one, with opinion on the Board sharply divided, the President appointed a Committee to bring in a report on this subject at a special Board meeting. This Committee, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Carroll Chase, was composed of twelve members selected to represent the division of opinion on the Board. The Committee report attempted not only to present to the Board such facts and figures as had been secured but also to state as strongly as possible the arguments on both sides of the question. The Committee tabulated results of the replies to a questionnaire which it sent to many Leagues throughout the country. No one conclusion, however, could be drawn from these results, for some Leagues reported loss of membership following a raise in dues, while others reported no loss or temporary loss only, and some stated that positive benefits had accrued. The most striking drop in membership occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts. This League stated that since lowering the dues again, the membership is increasing. The Committee found varying opinions in the Cambridge Board as to the effect upon our own enrollment of an increase in the minimum dues. Some Board members felt that any loss would be temporary only, while others felt that it might be more permanent. There were still others who felt that even if it did not curtail present membership, it would impede future growth. The Cambridge League is one of the largest in the country, and figures compiled show that no only about 57% of the membership as of February, 1940, pays $1 dues, but that approximately 50% have paid $1 dues regularly over a period of years. Those favoring a raise in dues believe that (1) the Cambridge membership would not decrease perceptibly; (2) since the Cambridge League membership already approximates its potential maximum the argument of precluding further expansion is somewhat hypothetical; and (3) chiefly, since we pay the State League $1.50 for every membership, a deficit is thereby created every year. Some feel that the methods used to raise the money to meet this deficit are undignified for such an organization. Some also feel that the work demanded for money-raising activities prevents some of the League's most active members from making their optimum contribution to League educational work. Those opposed to raising dues point out that even at best a doubling of the minimum dues would bring only partial relief since the average per capita quota of our present budget is $3.50. The chief objection to raising minimum dues voiced by some Board members (and in this group are many who have worked hard for years to make the Cambridge League a large and influential organization and who have also secured many contributions for the League) is that such a step is likely to defeat the League's democratic character; that it is not a club but a non-partisan institution to educate the community politically; and that it should keep its minimum dues low in order that all in the lower income brackets who wish to do so may participate in its activities. It should be an inclusive and not an exclusive organization with its doors open to all the women in Cambridge. To the argument that members who pay more become more interested, and that the League would thereby become more active, this group replies that many $1 members work very actively, that many "passive" members often become interested and then pay more, but that all "passive" members function to some extent by virtue of their numbers and their good will. After long discussion, with full realization that we must find a way to meet our financial obligations, the Board voted to table a motion to bring up the question of raising dues this year. This motion was tabled pending discussion at the state convention and pending the report of another committee, to be appointed to consider a readjustment of our financial relationship with the State and National Leagues and to investigate other, methods, exclusive of raising dues, of financing the yearly budget, Winifred H. Dodd. RELIEF IN CAMBRIDGE "Relief in Our Town," a study suggested by the National League of Women Voters, was the subject of five meetings' discussion under the leadership of Mrs. Silberman, Chairman of the Committee on Government and Economic Welfare of the Cambridge League. A summary of these discussions was presented at an Open House meeting of the Committee on March 6th. Against the background of the academic and industrial characteristics of Cambridge the development, administration, functions and costs of eight sources of relief were given. The share of private aid is included in spite of its smallness, because there are always exceptions to mass programs such as those providing the basic necessities for people in need. The whole relief service is, however, predominantly a public responsibility. From an approximate cost to Cambridge in 1930 of $411,932 the total has risen to $3,611,050 in 1939. Briefly the results of the Committee's study are as follows: RELIEF IN CAMBRIDGE Exclusive of Administrative and Institutional Costs Department of Public Welfare $1,676,387 General Relief $969,720 Aid to Dependent Children 209,949 Old Age Assistance 496,718 (Federal, State and Local Funds, locally administered) Work Projects Administration 1,763,198 (Federal Funds, locally administered) National Youth Administration 40,208 (Federal Funds, locally administered) Aid to the Blind 11,266 (Federal and State Funds, State administered) Soldiers' Relief 81,000 (State and Local Funds, locally administered) Private Agencies 38,991 (Private funds, privately administered) ------------ Total $3,611,050 The great need of the community is reflected in this tremendous cost for relief. It would be a source of satisfaction if, when broken down into terms of individual family needs, it provided adequately for basic necessities, but it does not. The costs are perhaps the most stimulating force to arouse citizens to an active interest in administration as well as in relief. Elizabeth Morrison. CIVIL LIBERTIES STUDY GROUP Our civil liberties are the very foundation of our democratic form of government. They cannot be curtailed without endangering democracy itself. We have found, historically, that our constitutional rights are always threatened in time of war and in time of economic distress. They are thus doubly threatened at the present time. Our economic and social order is not a static one. We are living in a period of great change. Free discussion is essential to orderly change in our institutions. Suppression of civil liberties is not a substitute for changes demanded as a result of widespread economic distress. Suppression only makes violence more likely. What would happen to our civil rights if we should enter the war is apparent from the regulations adopted in Canada which completely extinguish all the traditional safeguard of the civil population. The only way to preserve our civil liberties against loss in wartime is to keep out of war. Helen Loeffler, Chairman. ITEM OF INTEREST Four members of the League are candidates for election to the Democratic Ward Committees: In Ward 7, Ruth H. Romer, of 38 Avon Street, and Elizabeth B. Schlesinger of 19 Gray Gardens East; in Ward 8, Amelia W. Fisk of 25 Brewster Street and Mary R. Heard of 64 Brattle Street. SOCIAL HYGIENE INSTITUTE The Social Hygiene Institution of the Cambridge Tuberculosis and Health Association is holding an institute on April 30, from 2:30 until 4:30 and from 8:30 until 10:00 P.M., in the Auditorium of the Nurses' Home, Cambridge City Hospital. Dr. Nels A. Nelson, Director of the Division of Genito-Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts Department of Health, and Dr. Oscar F. Cox, Chief of the Genito Urinary Clinic, Boston Dispensary, are among the speakers who will discuss the medical and public health aspects of syphilis and gonorrhea. COMMITTEES IN ACTION The Education Committee will meet at the Cambridge Boat Club on Wednesday, April 3rd, before the regular meeting of the League to discuss the National and State programs. See page 1 for the announcement of the Joint meeting of the Education Committee and the Child Welfare Committee. The Education Committee has begun what we hope will be a lively correspondence with the School Committee on the subject of Vocational Guidance. In reply to a cordial letter from Mr. James F. Fitzgerald, vice chairman of the school committee, a letter has been sent to the school committee and to some members of the Cambridge Youth Commission, outlining what the Committee thinks should be the qualifications for Vocational Guidance Director. Amy G. Coit, Chairman. The Foreign Policy Study Group will meet at League Headquarters on Monday, April 8, and Monday, April 22, at three o'clock. Visitors are always welcome at these meetings. In the course of the year, we have reviewed some of the causes and attempted to appraise the significance of the various totalitarian and authoritarian movements in Europe and the Far East. At the April meetings we shall discuss the possibilities of a durable peace and an effective system of collective security. Elizabeth B. Schumpeter, Chairman. Health Insurance was discussed at the first meeting of the Study Group of the Committee on Economic Welfare on March 18. Miss Margaret H. Tracy of the Boston Health League described various plans under consideration for a National Health Program. She said that the Wagner Health Bill probably would not be acted upon at this session of Congress but that considerable Federal Aid to States for certain health services was already available under previous acts. She brought out the facts that general health and medical services for the low income groups is grossly inadequate; needs of individual localities should be studied and services provided, preferably around a hospital which could supply home, office and hospital care, with costs met through group insurance or taxation; more services are needed to prevent sickness; greater use of existing health and medical facilities should be promoted through education of the public; and a very great need exists for better correlation and coordination of medical services. Mabel Greeley Smith. See Page 1 for the announcement of the Joint meeting of the Child Welfare and Education Committees. The Child Welfare Committee is holding a meeting on April 8 at 8 P.M. in cooperation with the Evening Group, at the home of Dr. Mary A. Campbell, 25 Avon Street. Mr. Herbert C. Parsons, Director of the Massachusetts Child Council, will discuss the aims of the Council and the possible outcomes of the study of Juvenile Delinquency in Massachusetts. A trip to Avon Home, to hear Miss Esther Stuart talk on Foster Homes and to see the Community Center, has been arranged for April 10, leaving Headquarters at 3 P.M. If you wish to go, please notify the League office. The Committee will be grateful if you can provide a car for the trip. On April 24, at 10:30 A.M., at League Headquarters, Miss Bertha Goldthwaite, Head- worker of the Eastend Union and of the Cambridge Neighborhood House, will speak on "Child Welfare and the Neighborhood." Elizabeth B. Piper, Chairman. Were you pleased to have the price of milk advanced one cent on February 6th? The Massachusetts Control Board was appointed five years ago to regulate the price of milk to the farmers. However, since last June the Federal Government has received the right to fix the price of milk to the farmers. So now the Massachusetts Control Board has assumed the role of resale price fixing to the consumer. This has resulted in the retail price of milk in Greater Boston being increased two cents in 13 months. In other communities the price of milk has decreased because of more efficient methods of distribution as, for example, the two-quart bottle, the one and two-quart sanitary container, the gallon container and every other day delivery. The Board here has not allowed any of these methods to be used. The result has been a decrease in the consumption of milk and an increase in the sale of canned milk. The Economic Welfare Committee urges you to write to Governor Saltonstall and ask for the rescinding of the last price increase and also for cheaper ways of distribution. Dorothy C. Silberman, Chairman. A threatened boost of $7.00 in the Cambridge tax-rate this year makes a consideration of the budget, now before the Council, of especial interest. For the benefit of the League, Councillors Crane and Winslow will conduct a breakdown of the budget figures at the City Committee meetings, March 29th and April 4th. All those interested are invited. So many complaints have come in regarding the condition of the city streets, the lack of snow removal in spite of the $115,000 voted for this purpose by the Council, the apparent waste and mismanagement of the sewer projects, the alleged renting of trucks secretly to the city on the part of certain Council members, that the City Committee will devote three of its meetings in April to a consideration of the three city departments having jurisdiction over the streets ... the Water Department, the Engineering Department, and the Street Department. Heads of these departments will be invited to address the Committee. All League members are most welcome. Amelia W. Fisk, Chairman. July 1942 100 copies 75¢ Next Year's Taxes Will They Be Adequate? It's up to the Senate What's Wrong with the $6.2 Billion House Bill? It falls short of the $8.7 billion Treasury program in almost every respect and the Treasury proposals should have been considered a minimum, not a maximum. Even if the Treasury total were reached, it would be necessary to borrow close to $50 billion during the next twelve months. The House not only failed to write a big enough tax bill, but it also rejected all of the recommendations designed to close loopholes: requirement of mandatory joint income tax returns by husband and wife, taxation of the interest on state and local bonds, and removal of certain privileges now granted to the owners of mining and oil producing properties. These provisions would bring in several hundred million dollars. But probably the most serious defect of both the House bill and the Treasury program lies in the personal income tax provisions. Neither set of proposals recognizes the need for putting a brake on inflation by taxing away a large part of the money people have in excess of what can be spent on the diminishing supply of goods and other services. Under the Treasury program a married man with two children and a $2500 income would be taxed $118 or about 5% of his income, under the House bill $80 or only about 3%. In England where strenuous steps have been taken to drain off excess buying power through taxes, a person in such circumstances would pay $387 or about 15% of his income plus $143 that will be refunded after the war. And in Canada the comparable tax will probably be $217 next year plus $218 to be refunded, although the latter payment will be smaller if the person is making insurance or mortgage or retirement payments. Is Heavy Taxation Cheaper than Inflation? Yes. If we do not tax on a very much heavier scale, people will bid against each other for the limited supply supply of goods, and the prices of essentials - food, clothing, rent - will go up in spite of price controls. The dollar will buy less and people will find that it takes most of their income in supply the basic needs of living and there will be less and less left over for such items as medical service, savings, education, recreation. But isn't this just what heavier taxes will do - limit spending money to essentials like food, clothing and rent? It is worse, because taxation is more certain in its effect - people can plan how to adjust themselves since they will have some warning of how much money will be taken in taxes and how much they will have left to spend, and taxation can be fairer to all groups of people. Inflation is hard on people with fixed incomes - salaries or pensions - as against those (OVER) receiving wages or business income; it is hard on creditors compared with debtors. Also inflation increases the cost of the war now and burden of post-war debt, since everything the government buys goes up in price. Is It Necessary to Levy Big Taxes on Small Incomes in Order to Check Inflation? Yes. Regardless of the value of certain government expenditures or the efficiency with which public money is spent, the basic facts continue to be: increased war production means less production for civilians, fewer goods mean that standards of living for all persons will go down. If we do not tax everyone heavily, including the low income groups who buy most of the nation's diminishing supply of goods, we court inflation. What About the Sales Tax? The sales tax would get money from the groups that spend most of their income on goods; the money would be paid in driblets; it might seem more painless to Congress and the taxpayers than the income tax; it would reach farmers more completely than the income tax. But the usual form of sales taxation, unlike the income tax, does not allow personal exemptions or exemptions for dependents. Therefore, a larger proportion of the income is taxed in families that spend most of their money on goods. Under a sales tax steps enough to be useful in checking inflation - perhaps 10% if it were a retail sales tax - a person with a very small income and many children might pay almost 10% of his income, but under an income tax he would pay only on the part of his income left after exemptions were deducted and even with a very steep rate - 30% or more - this is easier on the man who has little more than enough to feed and clothe his family than is the sales tax. The suggestion has been made, however, that coupons representing the tax reduction secured from income tax exemptions might be issued to everyone to be used in payment of the sales tax until they were gone. After that the sale tax would be paid in currency. This idea has not been widely considered, but it might overcome the basic objection to sales taxation. A big sales tax either with or without such a coupon feature, may very soon be necessary if we fail to develop the income tax on an adequate scale. What Should the Senate Do? Adopt a more anti-inflationary program than that proposed by the Treasury. This does not mean substituting a sales tax for the income taxes proposed by the Treasury for the middle income groups. It means levying in addition to the Treasury proposals, much heavier income taxes through lower exemptions and steeper rates especially in the lowest income tax brackets, or a sales tax. NATIONAL LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 726 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C. MISS MARGUERITE M. WELLS, President *[April 8.*] [*Even*[?]] [*8 P.M.*] [*A[?]ius o? Man vs Child Council & Possible Outcome of Study of Juvenile Delinquency*] [*Place?*] CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE CAMBRIDGE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS [* April 30*] PROPOSED PROGRAM [*Dr. Ellis*] February 5 12:30 P.M. Luncheon Hotel Continental Speaker: Mrs. Glueck. See Items. 2:00 P.M. Organization Meeting February 9 10:30 A.M. Margaret Fuller House; "Co-ordinating Child Welfare Councils" Speaker: Mr. Herbert C. Parsons Please read Chapter VIII in "Juvenile Delinquency in Massachusetts as a Public Responsibility". February 21 10:30 A.M. Cambridge League Headquarters "Summary of Community Resources for Cambridge Children". Miss Esther Stuart, Executive Secretary, Avon House February 22, 23, 24 American Orthopsychiatric Association General Conference -- Hotel Statler. Volunteers desired to attend meetings. February 28 7:30 P.M. Trip to Evening Recreation Centers Leader: Mr. Stephen H. Mahoney, Director of Recreation, City of Cambridge Apply for motor reservations to Mrs. James W. Tower, Bel 3372 March 6 10:30 A.M. Cambridge League Headquarters [*Mrs. Edsall*] "Legal Aspects of Juvenile Delinquency" [*preside.*] Speaker: Miss Ruth Stone, Probation officer, 3rd Middlesex Court Report: Mrs. Geoffrey Edsall, Secretary, Child Welfare Committee Please read Chapter III in "Juvenile Delinquency in Massachusetts as a Public Responsibility". [*hour*] [*20*] [*3.30*] Plans for trips on March 13, March 27, and April 10 and discussion groups on March 20 [*Mr. Dulors*] , April 1[3]7 , and April [17] 24 to be announced later. 3:30 P.M. [*Education*] [*Miss Harrison*] [*P.M.*] In May, there will be a garden party in cooperation with the Backyard Gardens Committee. E. B. Piper, Chairman [*Lancaster Mar 13 -*] D. N. Tower, Vice-Chairman February, 1940 [*March 27 C. N. H.*] [*April 10 Avon House*] [*Evening meeting-*] [*April*] [*Mr. Parsons April Neighborhood Child welfare*] [*3 or 24 Demonstration*] Two have been at Margaret Fuller House, both of these very successful with attendance of 40-45. The subjects included: The Purpose of the League, the T.B. Referendum, The Schools, and the Copeland Bill At the Y.W.C.A. there have been five meetings. Subjects: The Ethiopian Situation, East of Suez, Local Municipal Political Situation, and Cooperatives. At this last meeting all the affiliated groups were represented, as well as the I. C. Committee and the regular evening group who took active part in planning the program and securing the speakers. Over 100 were present and stayed for refreshments and conversation. Great interest was expressed in the Cooperatives already started in Cambridge. Sixteen from various groups attended sessions of the Foreign Affairs School, tickets being at special club rates. Four or five went to the Housing Conference at the Business School. To the Mothers Club at the C. H. H. affiliation with the League is a great interest and pleasure. Mrs. Fisk with her I. C. meetings had prepared the way, and is much beloved. She spoke on Federal Housing and as the project is just around the corner, the women know of difficulties and problems and asked many questions. At the Margaret Fuller House the secretaries had been working to interest the members of the women's group in good government. The League meetings have had excellent speakers and have been extremely successful. The secretaries are pleased at the enthusiasm aroused, and find that many foreign mothers are attending the course on naturalization and citizenship given by a city evening school employee. The women are interested in the coming Ward meeting. At Y. W. C.A. the colored group are very intelligent and alert. Much more might be done with these girls. A Public Affairs T.W.C.A. Committee is being formed at the Y.W. and while their pgoram includes Anti-Lynching bills and Birth Control under medical supervision, good Motion Pictures, Relation of Household employer to employees, it is similar to the League in International Cooperation and interest in educational measures, so that it is hoped that an effective cooperative plan may be worked out for next year. The attendance of sixteen at the Foreign Affairs School shows that we could do more advance publicity for open evening meetings and increase attendance. The members [surely] keenly appreciate the opportunity to hear really good speakers and to discuss afterwards. The Chairman needs a strong committee to help her and suggests that when the new League questionnaire is printed that members be asked to volunteer for evening work as leaders and helpers in the planning of this very important department. Such a committee might be interested with Membership in Extension. The Chairman hopes that the New Voters Group will interest themselves in the younger Y.W.C.A. affiliated Clubs for the young women have similar problems as citizens tho their economic position is very different. Neither East End Union nor the Community Centre have women's groups, but new voter's meetings might be arranged and offered to young women of 20 or 21. Now that the churches are taking an increased interest in Social Welfare and Peace, similar groups of young women might be interested to prepare themselves for voting. Cooperation with leaders of the Radcliffe group might show us how to avoid mistakes, and enable us to offer a valuable opportunity. Only time and workers are needed. Opportunities lie before us - [*E. B. Piper Chairman*] [*Miss Piper Cam League of w voters*] A GUIDE FOR REFERING CHILDREN TO BOSTON CHILD PLACING AGENCIES AND UNMARRIED MOTHERS TO BOSTON MATERNITY HOSPITALS Department on Children BOSTON COUNCIL OF SOCIAL AGENCIES 80 Federal Street January - 1940 FOREWORD In November, 1932, the Department on Children of the Boston Council of Social Agencies, published the first edition of "A Guide for Referring Children to Boston Child Placing Agencies." Its purpose was to express the intake policies of the agencies and to assist other agencies and the community in general in securing as conveniently as possible the necessary service for any child. Although this was not thought of as a perfect or a final plan, evidence take from time to time indicates that the Guide, together with the accompanying chart, has proven useful in securing the desired service without duplication of applications. In view of certain minor changes in the policies of the organizations concerned, it seems in order to issue this second edition. Credit for the preparation of the Guide is due chiefly to Alfred F. Whitman, Executive Secretary, Children's Aid Association, who has served as chairman of the committee of the Children's Department having the matter in charge. Appended is a chart to facilitate referring cases of unmarried mothers to maternity homes and lying-in hospitals. This chart was prepared by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for their own purposes, but on account of its evident wider usefulness, it is published in connection with the Guide. Roy M. Cushman Executive Secretary A GUIDE FOR REFERRING CHILDREN TO BOSTON CHILD PLACING AGENCIES The city of Boston, and the district surrounding it, are served by ten child placing agencies, among which are the Massachusetts Division of Child Guardianship and the Child Welfare Division of the City of Boston. There is a general assumption among these agencies that together public and private agencies should render such placement service as is needed. There is an ultimate responsibility resting upon the public agencies for the care of all children in need, but the private agencies recognize that there are certain legal limitations to the program of public departments, and they intend to render certain specialized services which the public departments at the moment are unable to give. To simplify the process of selecting the agency for the service which a child may need, the accompanying chart has been prepared. The organizations listed, in agreeing to this schedule, cannot of course guarantee the acceptance of any case referred according to this schedule, because most of the private agencies must labor at least for the present under curtailed budgets. On the other hand, the public departments have a legal responsibility to meet all situations that are definitely relief problems. The Massachusetts Division of Child Guardianship does not place dependent and neglected children who have Boston settlements, these being the immediate responsibility of the Child Welfare Division of the City of Boston Institutions Department. The Massachusetts Division of Child Guardianship accepts on commitment delinquent children regardless of settlement. Wayward children and girl school offenders with City of Boston settlements are committed directly to the Child Welfare Division of the City of Boston Institutions Department. It is the general practice to refer problems of neglected children to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In the event that placement is necessary for these children, the custom is to commit them to the Division of Child Guardianship for custodial care. Many problems will fall in two categories, such as the problem child who is dependent and for whom there is no reimbursement. For the purpose of intake, the worker referring such a child should follow the policy under line 4, "Problem Children", rather than line 9, permanently dependent child "With No Reimbursement." The word "dependent" is used in a limited sense. It refers to children who present none of the other special problems, but for whom because of poverty, death, or other accidental circumstances it is necessary to provide the essentials of family life away from their own parents. Even though there is full reimbursement (see chart, line 8), the child for this purpose should be classed as dependent. "Temporary" and "permanent": Six months has been set arbitrarily as the limit of temporary care. Except with the Division of Child Guardianship and the Child Welfare Division, the age of 21 is not an upward limit in unmarried mother cases. ABBREVIATIONS: E - Episcopalian children, the special responsibility of the Church Home Society. Definition: Children who are baptized in the Protestant Episcopal Church or one of whose parents has been so baptized. Territory: Diocese of Eastern Massachusetts which extends to the eastern boundary of Worcester County. J - Jewish children in the City of Boston, the responsibility of the Jewish Child Welfare Association. With certain exceptions, one year's residence in Boston without relief is the general policy determining Boston residence. C - Such Catholic children as the Catholic Charitable Bureau is equipped to provide for. ABBREVIATIONS: (continued) Dist. - District Plan The towns and cities of the State east of the eastern boundary of the Worcester County have been districted and on the basis of an informal agreement assigned for intake purposes to the society entered against the name of the community on the accompanying list. The remainder of this section, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties and that part of Essex and Bristol Counties not covered by local societies as below, makes up the district of the New England Home for Little Wanderers. The Catholic Welfare Bureau of Fall River has agreed to accept all Catholic children in Bristol, Barnstable, Nantucket, and Dukes Counties. Abington C.F.S. Dartmouth New Bedford C.A.S. Acton C.A.A. Dedham C.A.A. Acushnet New Bedford C.A.S. Dighton C.F.S. Amesbury Haverhill C.A.A. Dover C.A.A. Andover Lawrence City Mis. (1) Dracut C.A.A. Arlington C.A.A. Dunstable C.A.A. Ashby C.A.A. Duxbury C.F.S. Ashland C.A.A. Assonet New Beford C.A.S. E. Bridgewater C.F.S. Attleboro C.F.S. Easton C.F.S. Avon C.F.S. Everett C.A.A. Ayer C.A.A. Fairhaven New Bedford C.A.S. Bedford C.A.A. Fall River Fall River F.W.A. Bellingham C.A.A. and C.W.B. (2) Belmont C.A.A. Foxboro C.F.S. Berkley C.F.S. Framingham C.A.A. Billerica C.A.A. Franklin C.A.A. Boxboro C.A.A. Freetown New Bedford C.A.S. Boxford Haverhill C.A.S. Braintree C.F.S. Georgetown Haverhill C.A.S. Bridgewater C.F.S. Greenbush C.F.S. Brockton C.F.S. Groton C.A.A. Brookline C.A.A. Groveland Haverhill C.A.S. Burlington C.A.A. Halifax C.F.S. Cambridge Avon Home Hanover C.F.S. Canton C.F.S. Hanson C.F.S. Carlisle C.A.A. Haverhill Haverhill C.A.S. Carver New Bedford C.A.S. Hingham C.F.S. Chelmsford C.A.A. Holbrook C.F.S. Chelsea C.A.A. Holliston C.A.A. Cohasset C.F.S. Hopkinton C.A.A. Concord C.A.A. Hudson C.A.A. Hull C.F.S. (1) See next page for explanation (2) See next page for explanation Kingston C.F.S. Randolph C.F.S. Raynham C.F.S. Lakeville New Bedford C.A.S. Reading C.A.A. Lawrence Lawrence City Mis. (1) Rehoboth C.F.S. Lexington C.A.A. Revere C.A.A. Lincoln C.A.A. Rochester New Bedford C.A.S. Littleton C.A.A. Rockland C.F.S. Lowell C.A.A. Lynn Lynn Ch. Wel. Ho. Salisbury Haverhill C.A.S. Saugus Lynn Ch. Wel. Ho. Malden C.A.A. Scituate C.F.S. Mansfield C.F.S. Seekonk C.F.S. Marion New Bedford C.A.S. Sharon C.F.S. Marlborough C.A.A. Sherborn C.A.A. Marshfield C.F.S. Shirley C.A.A. Mattapoisett New Bedford C.A.S. Somerville C.A.A. Maynard C.A.A. So. Lynnfield Lynn Ch. Wel. Ho. Medfield C.A.A. Stoneham C.A.A. Medford C.A.A. Stoughton C.F.S. Medway C.A.A. Stow C.A.A. Melrose C.A.A. Sudbury C.A.A. Merrimac Haverhill C.A.S. Swampscott Lynn Ch. Wel. Ho. Methuen Lawrence City Mis. (1) Swansea C.F.S. Middleboro New Bedford C.A.S. Millis C.A.A. Taunton C.F.S. Milton C.A.A. Tewksbury C.A.A. Myricks C.F.S. Townsend C.A.A. Tyngsboro C.A.A. Nahant Lynn Ch. Wel. Ho. Natick C.A.A. Wakefield C.A.A. Needham C.A.A. Walpole C.A.A. New Bedford New Bedford C.A.S. Waltham C.A.A. Newton C.A.A. Wareham New Bedford C.A.S. Norfolk C.A.A. Watertown C.A.A. North Andover Lawrence City Mis. (1) Wayland C.A.A. No. Attleboro C.F.S. Wellesley C.A.A. No. Middleboro C.F.S. West Bridgewater C.F.S. North Reading C.A.A. Westford C.A.A. Norton C.F.S. Weston C.A.A. Norwell C.F.S. Westport New Bedford C.A.S. Norwood C.F.S. Westwood C.A.A. Weymouth C.F.S. Pembroke C.F.S. Whitman C.F.S. Pepperell C.A.A. Whittenton C.F.S. Plainville C.F.S. Wilmington C.A.A. Plymouth (Town) C.F.S. Winchester C.A.A. (Township) New Bedford C.A.S. Winthrop C.A.A. Plympton C.F.S. Woburn C.A.A. Wrentham C.F.S. Quincy C.F.S. (1) - The Lawrence City Mission is not a child placing agency, but takes the responsibility for finding foster homes either directly or through some of the other specialized agencies. (2) - The Catholic Welfare Bureau of Fall River has agreed to accept all Catholic children in Fall River and the Family Welfare Association of Fall River has agreed to accept all other children. A GUIDE FOR REFERRING UNMARRIED MOTHERS TO PRIVATE MATERNITY HOSPITALS PRIVATE MATERNITY HOSPITALS HOUSE ST. MARY'S SALVATION BOSTON FLORENCE TALITHA CUMI OF INFANT ASYLUM ARMY LYING-IN CRITTENTON HOME MERCY (THROUGH C.C.B) HOSPITAL LEAGUE FIRST ILLEGITIMATE PREGNANCY FIRST FIRST FIRST (HERE) FIRST FIRST FIRST MARITAL STATUS UNMARRIED UNMARRIED X X UNMARRIED UNMARRIED AGE UNDER 25(PREFERRED) X X X X YOUNGER (PREFERRED) COLOR WHITE X X X X X RELIGION PROTESTANT X X X X X VENEREAL DISEASE FREE FREE FREE X X FREE MENTALITY FAIR FAIR NO PSYCHOSIS NO PSYCHOSIS FAIR FAIR PRENATAL CARE AS NEEDED 6-8 WEEKS AS NEEDED AS NEEDED 2 MONTHS CASE WORK BASIS POST-NATAL CARE 3 MONTHS 1 MONTH 6 WEEKS AS NEEDED 9 WEEKS 8 WEEKS SUPPLEMENTARY SOCIAL SERVICE YES YES YES YES YES YES PAYMENTS AS ABLE AS ABLE AS ABLE AS ABLE AS ABLE AS ABLE PUBLIC HOSPITALS PROVIDING MATERNITY CARE TEWKSBURY STATE HOSPITAL AND INFIRMARY } ADMISSION CONDITIONS ON MEDICAL AND BOSTON CITY HOSPITAL } SOCIAL NEED AND LEGAL SETTLEMENT LONG ISLAND HOSPITAL } X - NO DISTINCTION CAMBRIDGE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 1935-36 Budget Budget Proposed Budget Totals Allowance Changes 1936-7 A. Administration Headquarters Rent $300.00 $ $300 - Cleaning & Upkeep 40.00 40.00 Office Committee Telephone 55.00 55 - Office Supplies 45.00 50.00 50.00 Committee Supplies 100.00 President's Account 35.00 25.00 25.00 Secretarial 100.00 104.00 100.00 (Radcliffe $180) Organization 30.00 25.00 25.00 Corresponding Secretary 5.00 5.00 Recording Secretary 5.00 5.00 Treasurer 75.00 100.00 80.00 Audit 25.00 25.00 Revolving Fund 300.00 100.00 Open Meetings 75.00 75.00 Finance 20.00 20.00 Membership 25.00 40.00 Totals$935.00 [*1045.00*] [$640.00] [*1045-*] B. Education Gov. & Its Operation $ 30.00 $ 15.00 City Committee 30.00 50.00 Town Committee Bel. 5.00 Gov. & Inter. Co-op.: 25.00 25.00 Foreign-born study 5.00 Gov. & Education: 5.00 10.00 15.00 Educ. In Cambridge 10.00 Educ. In Belmont 5.00 Gov. & Child Welfare 10.00 20.00 15.00 Gov. & Economic Welfare: 5.00 25.00 Consumer-Problems 10.00 Wage-earner 10.00 15.00 Gov. & Legal Status of W. 15.00 15.00 Legislative 10.00 25.00 Publications 15.00 15.00 League Items 250.00 350.00 Publicity 30.00 25.00 25.00 Evening Group 50.00 40.00 Club Groups [*(affiliated)*] 5.00 New Voters group 5.00 Totals$520.00 [*625.00*] [*---------*] [*1670 - *] [*1350*] [*150*] [*---------*] [*3170 -*] [*Dred. Ap - 2g - Laura Puffer Morgan - *] Meetings. Oct. 23 Mrs. Carroll L. Chase Margaret The League Mrs. Holbert L. Day Fuller T.B. Bill Mrs. Horace E. Hildreth House The Schools 45 present " 31 Mrs. Brenton R. Fisk C.N.H. Federal 10 or 15? present Housing Nov. 7 Mrs. Brenton R. Fisk Y.W.C.A. Ethiopian 25 present Situation " 13 Mrs. Arthur M. Schlesinger Y.W.C.A. East of Suez. " 21 " " " " C.N.H. East of Suez. Dec. 5 Mrs. Burton Miller Y.W.C.A. Local Municipal 20 present Political Situation " 10 Mrs. Brenton R. Fisk Y.W.C.A. Ethiopian 10 present Situation Jan. 28 Mrs. Thomas H. Lurie Margaret Copeland Mrs. Sumner H. Slichtes Fuller Bill Mrs. Arther M. Schlesinger House 40 present " 21-23 18-16 present at Radcliffe College Exhibit. Foreign Affairs School " 30 Dr. Mendenhall C.N.H. Government 20 present & Child Welfare Feb Mrs. thomas H. Lurie C.N.H. Copeland Bill " 26 4-6 attendance Housing Conference [B?] School March 2 Joint meeting of all Y.W.C.A. Cooperatives Groups WiR, I.G. and Evening Groups of League about 100 present {Lawrence S. Apsey { Dr Mathew A. Vance April 27 To vest Ward Councillor Margaret and discuss ward [progress?] Fuller House " 23} Conference by Chairman Program for " 30} with Y.W.C.A. & C.N.H. Groups 1936-1939 The affiliated groups have held 11 meetings, one meeting will be held April 27. With the Margaret Fuller House group acting as hostess for all members of the League from Wards 1,2,3,4 and 5. The Cambridge League City affairs program will be discussed. There are to be two Conferences, one on April 23 at the Y.W.C.A. and the second on the 30th at the C.N.H. to discuss program and plans for next year. Of the 11 meetings already held 4 have been at C.N.H. subjects including: Federal Housing, East of Suez, Government and Child Welfare and the Copeland Bill - Two have been at Margaret Fuller House, both of them very successful with attendance of 40-45. The subjects included: The Purpose of the League the T.B. Referendum, The Schools, and the Copeland Bill. At the Y.W.C.A. there have been five meetings. subjects - The Ethiopian Situation, East of Suez, Local Municipal Political Situation, and Cooperatives. At this last meeting all the affiliated groups were represented, as well as the I.C. Committee and the regular Evening Group who took active part in planning the program and securing the speakers. Over 100 were present and stayed for refreshments and conversation. Great interest was expressed in the Cooperatives sessions of the Foreign Office School. tickets being a special club votes. 4 or 5 went to the [?] Conference at the [?] School. To the Mothers Club at the C.N.H. affiliation with the League is a [cause] of great interest and pleasure. Mrs. Fisk with her I.C. meetings had prepared the way, and is much beloved. She spoke on Federal Housing and as the project is just around the corner, the women knew of difficulties and problems and asked many questions. At the M. Fuller House the secretaries had been [honoring] to interest the members of the women's group in good government. The League meetings have had excellent speakers and have been extremely successful. The secretaries are pleased at the enthusiasm aroused, and find that many foreign mothers are attending the course on naturalization and citizenship given by a city evening school employee. The women are interested in the coming Ward meeting. At Y.W.C.A. the colored groups are very intelligent and alert. Much work might be done with these girls. A Public Affairs Y.W.C.A. Committee is being formed at the Y.W. and while this program includes Anti Lynching bills, and Birth Control under Medical Supervision, good motion pictures, Relation of Household employers to employees, it is similar to the League in International Cooperation and interest in Educational measures, so that it is [crucial] that are effective cooperative plan may be worked out for next year. The attendance of 16 at the Foreign Affairs School shows that we could do more advance publicity for open evening meetings and increase attendance. The members really appreciate COMMANDER LINEN TWENTY FOUR LINEN FINISH SHEETS PAPER CLUB STATIONERY the opportunity to hear really good speakers and to discuss afterwards. The Chairman needs a strong committee to help her and suggests that when the new League questionnaire is printed that members be asked to volunteer for evening work as leaders and helpers in the planning of this very important department. The Chairman hopes that the New Voter Group will interest themselves in the younger Y.W.C.A. [Clu] affiliated Clubs for the young women have similar problems as citizens tho' their economic position is very different. Such a committee might be interested with Membership in Extension. Neither East End Union nor the Community Centre have women's groups, but new voter [groups] meetings might be arranged and offered to young women of 20 or 21. Now that the churches are taking an increased interest in Social Welfare and Peace, similar groups of young women might be interested to prepare themselves for voting. Cooperation with leaders of the Radcliffe group might show us how to avoid mistakes, and enable us to offer a valuable opportunity. Only time and workers are needed. Opportunities lie before us - THE TAX SITUATION IN CAMBRIDGE WHAT IT MEANS WHY IT EXISTS HOW TO ATTACK IT A business analysis of the municipal tax problem of the City of Cambridge REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS CAMBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "Speaks and Acts for Cambridge Business" [*[1941]*] BULLETIN of the MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Democracy Demands Good Government February 7, 1941 To the Members of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce And the Citizens of the City of Cambridge, Mass. The Municipal Affairs Committee of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce presents herewith to the taxpayers of Cambridge a series of basic facts affecting the municipal tax problem for the fiscal year 1941. In making a financial analysis of the City of Cambridge using all figures available as of the date of this report your Committee finds that the true tax rate for 1941 will be about $50. This figure may be subject to some fluctuation, either way, depending upon (1) the 1941 School Budget (2) the actual amount needed for public welfare during the current year and (3) the apportionment of State taxes. The true tax rate, therefore, will represent an increase of some $7 over the established rate for the year 1940. Chief reasons for this exorbitant increase include the following: 1. Payroll increases 2. Payments on maturing debts. Year by year since 1932 the city of Cambridge has been drifting nearer and nearer the brink of financial disaster. Every year since 1932 taxable valuations have decreased and the tax rate has increased. Each year the costs of municipal operation have mounted. Each year the real cost has been covered by borrowing which has spanned the gap between tax revenues and sharply increased costs of city operation. -1- Letter of Transmittal -2- For example: In 5 years (1936 to 1940) the city borrowed $2,800,000 for street construction alone. This was more than twice as much as the cities of Lynn, Somerville, New Bedford, Lowell and Fall River COMBINED! Borrowed money is not reflected in the tax rate until payment of the loan becomes due in subsequent years. Loans falling due during 1941 represent nearly $14 of the true tax rate. The time has come when a long-term program of municipal operation and of debt retirement must be instituted to save the city from financial and moral disruption. Your Committee's report, submitted herewith, presents 1. The factors which have contributed to the present financial crisis 2. Ways in which the problem can be solved. We see no reason why Cambridge could not be favored with a decreased tax rate for 1941. Our report advocates certain obvious economies in municipal costs which should not interfere with or affect adversely the essential services now being supplied the people of this city. In view of all factors concerned, the Municipal Affairs Committee feels the present crisis so serious as to warrant the immediate action of every citizen of this community. Municipal Affairs Committee Cambridge Chamber of Commerce [*John H. Campbell*] John H. Campbell, Chairman -2- The TAX SITUATION in CAMBRIDGE Your Committee finds that the gravest aspect of the tax situation in Cambridge is the long-term decline in employment, payrolls and commercial activity traceable to the simultaneous destruction of property values and the discouragement to the investment of new capital so essential to a thriving community. A city and its citizens may thrive only so long as the net capital invested in the community is progressively expanding. Figure I pictures the Growth and Decline of taxable values in the city from 1922 to 1940. Growth in taxable valuations came to an end in 1931. Valuations have since then declined by over twenty million dollars. Of that decline, some fifteen million dollars has been suffered since 1933, the turning point of the depression. This is significant in that it evidences that the depression cannot be charged with this condition except to a minor extent. Figure I shows also the trend of the tax rate in Cambridge. The tax rate reflects the combined impact upon property values of (a) external factors such as business conditions and (b) internal management of municipal affairs. The effect is seen in the steady shrinkage in the net valuation of our citizens' property. Significantly, each rise in the tax rate, especially above $35, has been followed by a further shrinkage in net valuations. The process appears entirely automatic. In consequence, the spring from which -3- FIGURE I Cambridge Tax Rate - Scale at Right (Reversed) Valuation of Taxable Property City of Cambridge Scale at left -4- municipal income flows is being dried up. In the period since 1933 upwards of fifteen million dollars of existing taxable values have been wiped out by this process. As is usual under such conditions, a decline in invested capital in any community is inevitably accompanied by a loss in employment opportunity, payrolls and equities of property owners. That has occurred in Cambridge. To such losses must be added the immeasurable loss of normal gains in employment and payrolls, and additions to property values, which would have been generated by a flow of new capital into city property with an upward turn in the business cycle. To the extent that the high tax rate is caused by unwise and inefficient municipal management, to that extent must the conduct of city affairs be held responsible for those losses and the condition now existing. Unless the decline in taxable valuations can be halted and turned upward by promotion of conditions which encourage the flow of new capital into the city, our situation must progressively deteriorate. We are destroying the foundation upon which rests employment, payrolls and property values by permitting a continuation of the pressure of a rising tax rate upon a declining valuation. The Budget for 1941 As indicated by Figure I, the estimated city budget for 1941, may result in a tax rate of $50 or more. The -5- impact of such a rate upon present valuations can be only inferred but past experience suggests that it must be severe. The impact of such a rate upon the city's prospects for securing additional capital investment in homes, factories and other buildings, and hence upon future employment and payrolls, must necessarily be equally as severe. The result to the city of a sharply lower total of valuations in future years, which may well follow such a tax rate, is altogether obvious. If we cannot halt the decline in assessed values, if we cannot instead promote conditions which encourage a steady flow of new capital and a sustained rise in valuations, the city's future is gravely imperiled. We need no prophet to see what the end must be. If we fail to halt that decline in valuations, if we fail to reduce the tax rate now, when all external conditions are favorable to a flow of capital into new enterprises and homes, we shall have perhaps missed the greatest and most promising opportunity in a generation. -6- Your Committee believes it imperative that first and foremost every official, citizen and property owner have as nearly as possible an honest and complete estimate of prospective city expenditures for 1941. Table A presents a summary of both expenditures and income other than that required to be raised in the tax levy. Within the limitations cited as foot notes to the table (see adjoining page) the figures are as nearly complete as now can be determined. The situation is clear. Cambridge faces an all-time high in revenue to be raised in the tax levy. The estimated sum of $8,537,932 is a net figure after deduction of income from all outside sources. That sum would require a tax rate of $50.00, or more! That is the situation. Its significance and implication are clear from our experience in the immediate past. Its seriousness and gravity are obvious. It must be met now. To meet it requires that we know how and why the situation exists and take decisive steps to correct the factors which cause it. -7- TABLE A SUMMARY of ESTIMATED BUDGET --1941-- Mayor's Recommendations covering operating and maintenance costs $5,280,842 * Schools (basis of costs being no more than 1939) 1,885,556 ** State & County taxes, estimated 1,185,979 *** Maturing Debt, notes and interest 2,385,545 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE $10,737,932 Estimated Income from all Sources (State and County, Departmental, Grants, Licenses and Fees, etc., Interest and other items) (Includes estimated Water Dep't. income in excess of outgo.) 2,200,000 **** ESTIMATED NET EXPENDITURE $ 8,537,932 This amount, if raised by taxation, would result in a tax rate of $50.00. This is not necessarily the maximum figure for net expenditures as indicated by the explanatory notes below. * Does not include $225,00 reduction in estimates of Total Welfare as compared with 1939, which if not realized would raise total expenditures by the same sum. ** Estimated in absence of school budget at this date. *** Changes in the apportionment of State taxes, if carried out, may raise this time upwards of $125,000 or more. **** Estimated upon the basis of figures available for 1940 at this date. -8- Factors in the Tax Rise Your Committee has compiled figures which permit significant comparison and which reveal the factors in the rise in costs of government and the tax rate. These comparisons are here presented in graphic form. They are of two types: a) Comparison of Cambridge costs for the years 1935, 1939 and the estimated budget for 1941, i. e., a comparison of our own costs through time; b) Comparison of Cambridge costs with the average of two other cities of comparable industrial type and sizes, New Bedford and Lynn. As perhaps incomplete as such comparisons are, we nonetheless have provided a basis by which citizens may measure and gauge the extent to which (a) our costs of government have increased through a period of time and (b) the extent to which such costs equal or exceed the average of two comparable cities in the same years. Figure II shows the Total Cost of government for the City of Cambridge as nearly as can be determined for the years 1935, 1939 and the present estimate for 1941. The rising trend through time is clearly visible. Figure II also shows the average of two cities, Lynn and New Bedford, for the years 1935 and 1939, in terms of operating and maintenance costs alone. The relatively greater cost of government in Cambridge is easily seen from the graph. What has occasioned the adverse trends found? To answer that question, your Committee has broken down annual expenditures by the nature of expenditures, rather than by departments. This breakdown consists of the following types: -9- FIGURE II TOTAL-Debt Service, State & County Taxes and Operating Costs. -10- A. Purchases of equipment, supplies and materials (Figure III) B. Services from others (Figure IV) C. Welfare (total) and special items (Figure V) D. Payrolls, including salaries and wages (Figure VI) Purchases of Equipment, etc: These items, while showing a reduction from 1935 are still above the two-city average. Services from Others: This group of costs represents a small percentage of the total budget; if the estimated budget for 1941 is realized in practice, the trend may be considered favorable even though prudent planning may reduce the amount still more. Welfare and Special Items: This group of expenditures includes not only direct Welfare but also Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Pensions and similar social costs. Expenditures have risen sharply in Cambridge since 1935; the rise, however, (See Figure V) has been greater than the two- city average. The budget for 1941 as approved by the Mayor shows a decline in the amount of $225,000 from the 1939 level. * That figure is composed, apparently in part by a reduction in straight Welfare which may not be realized, and, in part by deducting from Old Age Assistance anticipated income from other sources. For practical purposes of budgeting, it may be wise to consider that total Welfare costs for the year, regardless of how they may be financed, will more probably be equal to that of 1939 unless better control can be developed. * Figures for 1940 are to date not available. -11- FIGURE III EQUIP'T, SUPPLIES & MATERIAL FIGURE IV SERVICES FROM OTHERS -12- FIGURE V WELFARE & SPECIAL -15- Payrolls: This group of expenditures shown by Figure VI includes all wages and salaries, in all departments, as nearly as could be determined. It is at once clear that Payrolls account for the largest single group of costs in the city government. It is equally as clear that such costs are rising and that the budget as now under consideration proposes a further increase. It is also clear that Cambridge Payroll costs are 40% to 50% in excess of the same costs in the two cities of comparable population and type, as indicated by the two-city average shown in Figure VI. In all instances, the totals shown include all payrolls of all departments as nearly as could be determined from available records of the city of Cambridge. ---- From this breakdown and comparison from past years and with other cities, certain conclusions may be drawn: 1. Total costs of government in Cambridge are impelled upward by rising Payrolls, Welfare and the necessity for repaying bonds and notes issued in previous years in order to avoid a sharp tax rise then; we now face an accounting for failure in the past to follow a pay-as-you-go policy; 2. Total costs of operation and maintenance in Cambridge (exclusive of debt factors) are upwards of forty (40%) per cent in excess of similar costs in cities of comparable population and type; 3. The greater part of the excess is traceable to a high payroll cost, both relatively and absolutely. -14- FIGURE VI PAYROLLS -15- Your Committee finds that the following factors with respect to payrolls generally prevail: a) The number of persons employed by the city is variously estimated at forty to fifty per cent in excess of the personnel found necessary by other cities of like population and industrial nature; b) The regularly employed personnel receives fifty-two weeks of pay, without particular regard to the seasonal fluctuations in the city's work requirements; c) The rates per day or per week are in general in excess of prevailing rates for comparable skills in industry; d) The combination of relatively high rates with full-year employment results in an average annual income for employees in excess of that paid by industry generally. This situation means that Cambridge industries must seek labor from other areas rather than employing Cambridge citizens. -------- This, in its simplest terms, is the situation and the problem. There can be no sustained reduction in the cost of government without a reduction in total annual payrolls. Our citizens, whether property owners or not, must face the fact that continued expenditures for personal services of approximately one and one-quarter million dollars a year in excess of similar expenditures in comparable cities is being paid by them in the reduction of the value of their homes, in the loss of employment opportunity, in the level of rents paid and in rising prices of food, fuel and other necessities. Our citizens must also realize that this excess expenditure cannot be continued even one or two years without creating a financial crisis in our municipal affairs. In other words, if this fact is now not faced and met by the citizens, -16- the result may well be a state-enforced readjustment and retrenchment in the near future . That retrenchment will at once affect the apparent beneficiaries of the city's excess payrolls and other expenditures more gravely and seriously than will wise and skillful action taken now. In brief, there is always a natural tendency, of which we are entirely aware, to suppose that the basic issue of payrolls can somehow be indefinitely avoided. That possibility has now disappeared --- the city has borrowed virtually to the limit; its possibility of securing more revenue from higher taxation has been curtailed to the vanishing point by the demonstrated shrinkage in taxable values with every increase in the tax rate. Cambridge has come close to the end of its financial rope. Our task, by cooperation and sympathetic understanding, is to meet this problem now, when we can do it without inflicting undue hardship upon anyone. Our task is to find the means of eliminating the excess in payroll in a manner which will broadly do no more than bring city employees' compensation in line with comparable skills, and comparable efficiencies, in private business. Your Committee's recommendations to the Mayor and to our citizens are given in the following section of this report. -17- REVERSING THE TREND AND PLANNING A SOLUTION To present the findings made in the foregoing section of this report is but the beginning of our task. To reverse the trend and plan a solution is the real object of our undertaking. Cambridge is a Mature City The recent census has verified the fact that population is leveling off; in fact, Cambridge lost over 2% of its population in the past decade . Cambridge is an old established community and, therefore, it should be possible to establish a fixed annual cost for rendering the services required and to which the community has become accustomed. No new construction should be necessary for some time. Our roads have all been constructed. Our sewage system is, we are told, some thirty years ahead of normal planning, due to efforts to provide work for W.P.A. Our water supply is ample. We have a decreasing school population. We have passed the peak of unemployment. We have a government plant capable of ably serving the needs of the citizens. We Can Now Concentrate on Efficient Municipal Services This mature condition will allow us to concentrate our efforts in the work of local government on 1. Developing a high efficiency in trained personnel for services rendered to the people 2. Maintaining the institution and equipment 3. Liquidating our indebtedness for capital outlays made during the past years by placing the city on a pay-as-you-go basis. -18- It is these changes in governmental function which lead us to believe that we can this coming year start the reversal of the trend in the valuation-tax rate spread referred to on Chart I of this report. This can be accomplished (1) through the united cooperation of the local government in reducing the net cost of government (2) the concerted efforts of our citizens to utilize the assets of the city through industrial and residential development to increase valuation. We Summarize Our Problem If you will refer to the summary of the estimated budget on page 8, you will see that the items of "operating and maintenance costs", "school costs", "state and county taxes", and "maturing debts" make our Total Estimated Expenditure $10,737,932. From this total of over $10,700,000, an estimated income from all sources of $2,200,000 is deducted, leaving the net expenditure or over $8,537,932 as the amount or estimated net expenditures to be raised from taxation this year. The average amount raised in the tax levy over the past several years is about $7,000,000. We believe this to be the maximum capacity of the city to pay. Our problem then, is this: Net estimated expenditures as indicated above $8,537,000 Estimated capacity of the city to pay $7,000,000 Necessary reduction to be effected $1,537,000 -19- What We Can Do About It No. 1 - Debt. The total outstanding debt of the city as of December 31, 1940 was $11,418,000. We propose that this should be liquidated over a period of eight years; that is, that a net reduction of about $1,500,000 (almost $9 on the tax rate) be made annually in the total outstanding debt of the city. Inasmuch as a capital sum of $2,124,000 and $261,545 or interest falls due this year, it is our recommendation special authorization be asked of the Legislature to enable us to refund $624,000 of this principal sum. This recommendation is made with the provision that no new debt be incurred for any purpose this year. We specifically recommend, therefore, that no new construction be undertaken this year. No. 2 - Collection of Taxes Owed the City . As of December 31, 1940 there was owed the city in overdue accounts the sum of $1,753,000. This sum owed the city demonstrates that the present tax burden is greater than the city can pay. We recommend to the City Council that the City Collector be ordered to reduce by collections this sum by not less than $500,000 during the current year. The sum becoming available from this source will enable -20- us to deduct a like amount from the proposed tax levy. No. 3 - Personnel . As shown on Chart VI Cambridge payroll costs are over 40% higher than in the comparable cities of Lynn and New Bedford. This is all the more astounding when we consider the fact that New Bedford has three times the area of Cambridge and Lynn double the area. The increase in the number of municipal employees in Cambridge over the past several years is demonstrated by the following comparisons: Permanent Temporary Total 1936 2310 272 2582 1937 2354 955 3309 1938 2496 1033 3529 1939 2618 1354 3972 THIS TREND MUST BE REVERSED and to that end we offer the following recommendations: A. We suggest that the Council order each department to furnish a list of pensionable employees who are now on full-time, and that immediate steps be taken to place such employees on pension. -21- B. That such incapacitated employees as may not be eligible for pension immediately be listed and special consideration be worked out to fit their needs, retiring them from active service. If necessary special authorizing legislation should be obtained. We feel that discharge is unfair unless pensions can be secured. C. That no replacements be made to fill vacancies caused by pension, death, or retirement. In key positions which must be filled transfers should be made. D. That no additional employees be added to the city payroll during the year except in the Welfare Department and the City Auditor's office. E. That if these foregoing recommendations do not give us a reduction equivalent to $413,000 in our aggregate payroll, the department heads be required to discharge the least efficient from their force, or if all are efficient to follow seniority rules as provided by Chapter 31 of the General Laws. We specifically do not recommend pay cuts or voluntary contributions, as they have proved in the past to be temporary and inequitable and do not solve our problem. We recommend that the Council pass such ordi- -22- nances as may be necessary to accomplish these recommendations. In cases where special legislation may be required from the State Legislature, we pledge our cooperation in seeking its passage. Cambridge CAN Go Forward In conclusion, we want to say forcibly that we recognize some of these recommendations are drastic, but in the face of the peril with which Democracy is faced throughout the world today, it is imperative, we believe, that our city be solidly united on a firm financial basis. The demands of the National Defense will require that every dollar of every citizen be wisely spent in order that the full cost of this National Defense Emergency may be defrayed. Private industry now offers the greatest opportunity to absorb our surplus employees. We have been presented the challenge of making Democracy function. We believe that the City of Cambridge will respond to this challenge; that the citizens, led courageously by their city government, will provide an example for other communities to follow. CAMBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Grateful acknowledgment is here given to the several City, County and State officials, and members of their staffs, whose invaluable assistance and counsel, generously and freely given, made possible the compilation of these figures and the publication of this report. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 1940 - 1941 John H. Campbell, Chairman Superior Laundry Co. James J. Cavanaugh Charles River Press Benjamin F. Hickey Lever Bros. Co. Prof. Charles Killam Harvard University, retired Harry P. Kitfield Daggett Chocolate Co. Wallace R. Lovett The Standard Diary Co. George A. McLaughlin Lawyer Allen W. Rucker The Eddy-Rucker-Nickels Co. Alan Steinert The Eastern Company Frank L. Tucker General Radio Co. William H Vogler New England Confectionery Co. Mrs. E. Taber Fox Consultant Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.