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"Born in Boston, February 11, 1863; died October 2 1950; served during
1910-1913. His
first administration was from 1906 to 1907. In his
first inaugural address, he gave special attention, among other things, to
the financial burdens of the city, the escape of much personal property from
taxation, the reorganization of the Street Department, the erection of a new
city hall, a hospital for consumptives, the adoption of a pension system,
and a largely increased installation of water meters.
As a result of the Mayor's contention that the Street
Department had become unwieldy and altogether too burdensome and complicated
for a single official to manage, and ordinance was adopted in 1906 dividing
it into six separate departments. This ordinance was repealed in 1908.
Increasing and irritating criticism of the financial
conditions of the city and the methods followed by his administration led
the Mayor to recommend the appointment of a finance commission to make a
special investigation of municipal affairs by authority of the city
government rather than the state. In 1907, such a commission was appointed,
consisting of seven members selected by seven leading commercial
organizations. It was instructed to examine all matters pertaining to the
finances of the city and to submit its final report not later than December
31, 1908.
Another body, the Water Front Commission, appointed by
Mayor Fitzgerald in 1907, submitted an important report on needed
improvements for the port of Boston, and a third commission instigated by
him made a report on garbage disposal.
In the last month of Mayor Fitzgerald's first
administration, the special reports of the Finance Commission, as reproduced
in the newspapers, attracted much attention, particularly the reference to
certain improper municipal contracts and to the 'present alarming
indebtedness of the city.'"
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