AFAIK the tower in Davis Sq. only controlled the crossing gates. So I'd guess that a tower at Mass. Ave would have done the same job. Where the Freight Cutoff crossed the Lexington Branch was called 'Diamond Crossing' in a 1947 ETT, later 'Fens Crossing'.
In 1947, 'Signal Control System' (CTC) was in effect between Hill Crossing and a northward dwarf signal 1300 feet past North Cambridge (Mass. Ave) and it was bi-directional. From the dwarf to 1,000 feet south of Somerville Jct. it was an Inward Main Track, no train orders required. Outward trains were only allowed with pilot protection or full flag protection. Later the CTC was extended the whole length.