Bequests and Budgets – (PIP #92)

By Louise Peloquin

     Proverbs, slogans and food-for-thought phrases filled spaces in L’Etoile’s columns. Here’s one which is especially appropriate for the article below.

Three things set the value of a gift: sentiment, appropriateness and manner.

– signed Mme. Ricoboni. (Published in L’Etoile on March 1, 1926)

L’Etoile – Front page, January 9, 1926

BEQUESTS TO LOWELL

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George Hovey leaves $5000 for the purchase of a lot to create Hovey Park in Lowell.

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BEQUESTS TO HOSPITALS

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     Chicago, 9. Twelve thousand dollars of a property assessed at $130,000 will go to Lowell, Mass. and to two hospitals as stated in George Hovey’s will, registered here yesterday in front of Judge F.A. Elliott.

     $5000 was bequeathed to the city of Lowell for the purchase of a property to be used as a public park called Hovey Park in memory of Mr. Hovey who died in Chicago on November 24, 1925. Lowell General Hospital and Saint John’s Hospital both received $2,400 to be used at the discretion of the two hospital directors. Finally, Hildreth Cemetery receives a sum of $2000 for the maintenance of the cemetery and of its surroundings.

     Mr. Hovey’s nephew Philip R. Hovey, 2 Fairmount Street, Lowell, and niece Marion Hovey, 75 Crest Avenue, Winthrop Mass., receive $10,000. Mr. George Hovey’s widow, Mrs. Helen Hovey, residing at Hotel Windermere in Chicago, receives half of his personal property and the revenue from the entire property for two years.

     Other bequests of the deceased, who was director of a wholesale hat enterprise, will go to the Chicago Arts Institute, to the village of Dracut Mass., to Dracut’s selectmen and to First Congregational Church and Central Congregational Church both located in Dracut.

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     City services require appropriate budgets. Allotting sufficient funds facilitates effective management. Here is a sample of budget discussions a hundred years ago.

L’Etoile – Front page, January 12, 1926

THE BUDGET FOR PARKS

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The Parks Department will try to manage with only $89,990 in 1926.

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APPROPRIATION OF $98,000 IN 1925

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Superintendent Kernan says that some less urgent work will be postponed to another year – Update on the winter carnaval – Chief Saunders prepares his budget – The Bureau of Hygiene also calculates its figures.

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     The Parks Department will try to finance its construction program for 1926 with an appropriation of $89,990 while that of 1925 was $98,000. Thus was it voted yesterday at the Parks Commission meeting summoned to examine the 1926 budget.

     Yesterday, Superintendent John W. Kernan clearly said that the department would indeed have many projects requiring more considerable spending. However, he believes that these can wait another year. Hence, some savings could be made in at least one of the many municipal services.

     The Commission voted yesterday evening not to organize a winter carnaval this year and to simply hold a dance in the Auditorium. Superintendent Kernan was authorized to make the necessary arrangements.

     Other municipal services are still working on their budget. The Bureau of Hygiene had a long discussion on this subject yesterday and its members will meet on Friday or earlier.

     Chief Saunders of the Fire Department is also finishing his estimates for the year’s end has discovered the need for a $5000 wood lathe for manoeuvers. Last year, Chief Saunders had requested a brick one but the mayor refused it. Chief Saunders believes a wood lathe would meet objectives just as well as a brick one.

     Today, the Bureau of Public Service must set a date to discuss the budget.

     The city auditor’s bureau has not yet received a budget estimate sheet but expects to have one soon.

     During yesterday’s meeting, the Bureau of Hygiene received a petition from Joseph J. Sweeney, in opposition to Mrs. Carmella Rousseau, for a permit to build a stable in Québec Street. After having listened to the pros and cons, the Bureau promised to take the question into consideration and to go in person to examine the location. (1)

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1) Translations by Louise Peloquin.