|
"Born in Boston, February 11, 1863; died October 2 1950; served during
1906-1907. His second administration was from 1910 to 1913.
Mayor Fitzgerald had served as a member of the Common Council, as a state
senator, and finally as a member of Congress. His plurality over the
Republican opponent was 8,143, or less than one third of that of
Mayor
Collins in 1903.
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, an. 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 This ordinance was repealed in 1908.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 into 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.'"
Return to
Boston Mayors Page
|
