Title: Message Relative to Legislation to Be Considered at Special Session
Date: November 18, 1919
Location: Boston, MA
Context: Coolidge recommends a variety of improvements for the Street Railway Commission to enact in a message to the Senate and House of Representatives
(Original document available here)
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives.
The Street Railway Commission, created the present year to investigate the street railway situation, has filed its report with recommendations. That report is before you. The able discussion in the report makes comment here unnecessary. You ought to be able to find in it a plan for giving transportation at a fair price with an equitable distribution of the burden of meeting the cost.
On September 9, last, large numbers of the police of Boston, acting in concert, abandoned their posts of duty. Immediately thereafter rioting and disorder broke out to such an extent that it became necessary to call out the State Guard to restore and preserve order. During the period of recruiting the police considerable numbers of the Guard have been kept in active service. This emergency has resulted in expenses being incurred for which an appropriation must be made. The State Guard called upon to perform this service have responded in a most satisfactory and loyal way. They merit the gratitude and commendation of the people of this Commonwealth. The compensation allowed by law is $1.55 per diem, with food, quarters and equipment. They have met their obligation to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth should meet its obligation to them. I recommend each member of the State Guard receiving less than $3 per diem be paid an additional sum so that his compensation shall be $3 per diem, also an appropriation for said expenses.
The amount of money raised by taxation and devoted to school and other municipal purposes in Boston and in other of our cities is limited by law. It is insufficient to meet the present requirements. I recommend that authority be granted the city of Boston, and other cities, to increase the amount which may be raised by taxation for school and other municipal purposes.
I recommend that an appropriation of $50,000 be made to be expended by the Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission in connection with the forthcoming celebration of the three hundredth anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, suitable to recognize the historical importance of Provincetown and to maintain and improve the approaches to the Pilgrim Monument at Provincetown.
The shortage of sugar and other commodities has entailed unexpected expense on the Special Commission on the Necessaries of Life. I recommend that a further appropriation of $10,000 be made for the use of this Commission.
I recommend that an appropriation be made for the compensation of members of the General Court for attendance at the special session.
I recommend that authority be granted to the Governor and Council to provide quarters at the State House for the American Legion.
Citation: Messages to the General Court, Official Addresses, Proclamations and State Papers of His Excellency Governor Calvin Coolidge
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Quincy Gerland, who prepared this document for digital publication.