The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-24
BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS
HOW TO PREVENT FIRES FROM THE RECKLESS
USE or MATCHES AND IEFLANIMABLE OILS

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES FROM THE RECKLESS
USE or MATCHES AND IEFLANIAdABLE OILS
ANNUAL ELECTION or OFFICERS.
The National Board OF Fire Underwriters re-
sumed It's session yesterday morning, Mr.. Henry
A. Oakley IN the chair. The attendance was very
large, including representatives or all the leading
companies throughout the country, and the room
was deusely crowded.
Mr.. W. Il. Ross read a report on the origin Of
fires, patents and gas machines. The report says
IN speaking or
FIRES CAUSED BY MATCHES:
"In the report showing the Origin OF fires IN the
City OF New York for the year 1872 the whole num-
Der OF fres reported was 1896. OF this number 49,
or neary one-thrd, were traced 70 friction
matches. Undoubtedly the safest o. all are tnoso
that require to De brought IN contact with spe-
clany prepared substance TO produce ignition
SUCH matches are made and Imported rom SWe-
den. Their manufacture has been attempted IN
this country, but, as they cost a trne more thah
those OF more dangerous character, me en-
deavor 20 introduce them has not yet proved
success simply because the average clt-
zen considers cheapness Of more conse-
ouence tnan safety so long as under
writers costume to insure and pay. little
moral suasion' ia the shape or increased cost OF
insurance would, IN the Judgment OF your com
mlrtee, exert salutary influence In calling at
tenton 20 this danger, and would result in driv-
ing large portion OF these hazardous articles
out or use. We wonld suggest that the Execu-
tive Committee be requested, or, II thought best,
instructed to frame and pu. in force pros
pective regulations as would eventually eradicate
the evil.n Inc report, in alluding 10
DANGER FROM orLS.
says :-"Tne question to be solved Is. WHAT rem
10 apply we unhestatlngly recommended that
as tie form Of policy adopted BY tins Board dis
tinctly prohibits the keeping using, in any form
or in any quantity, or either or the lighter PROF.
ucts Of earth oils, no privilege shan ne granted
Tor such use or keeping, except under sucn regu-
latons ana IN such form as may be adopted oy
this Board or It's Executive Committee. THIS
recommendation Is not 50 arbitrary or unjust as
the owners OF such property might declare II.
The storage OF gunpowder in quantity IS pro-
nlbited by municipal authority. No man
for moment doubts the propriety or
justice OF such prohibition; yet fire must be
brought In contact with gunpowder 10 produce
explosion; but the vapor Of these lighter prod
ucts OF coal oil escapes and sometimes reaches
the fire at distance or several feet, causing gni-
tion or explosion where gunpowder would have
been harmless. In regard to Kerosene oil the
remedy IL not so simple. While the legal restric-
49,, a.,ah,,sh,n, o,anaord ~ tno u,,,oo stotoa
sion ! ~ = -
governments iunicts penalty, 1t fails 10 enforce
an inspection. Unless sucn inspection IS COM
PEELED by state, township or municipal regua-
lions, and sustained DY pubic opinion, the gov
ernmenu standard is valueiess for protection TO
~. - rrooor,v Tnara - oiso eoroa orbt,ritu
hie anu pioPeiV' 800 " go 0 '1 80
III the United states law IN regard 10 inc actual
standard OF safety. Doubtless IL was tne inten
800 ~ ~ ,ow "a astohlieh IN deqreas a. the
'iOA - 80 -"
MASKING point, or Inc degree OF temperature oeloW
which the oil should not give on an infammable
~. ~. ~ "a man soma,,,raa t-ootoa ~ ,na
Napoi ~ = 80 49, 800 1900 :" ~
burning point OF the OH ltseIl. Inis WOuG reduce
the nasnlng point below 100 degrees. ana a. least
twenty degrees below the SAFE limit"
THE OILS TO BE AVOIDED.
'The question winch presents Itself 10 this con-
Eection Is :-HuW ana 70 what extent can nndef-
act tnde pendent Or tnis egai restriction and ADOPT