The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-08
FOURTH OF JULY PYR0TECHNICS

FOURTH OF JULY PYR0TECHNICS.
THE GREAT LOSSES THAT HAVE OCCURRED
CAN THEY DE AvERTED?-rHE ACTION OF
THE BOARD OF uNpERwRIrxRs-srAnTL
STATISTICS.
II IL beginning DO understood by even the little
folks that than usually stringent regulations will
be enforced on Fourth Of July with reference to
tho manner IN which day shall DO celebrated. Tho
discussion OF tho question OF danger resulting from
q promiscuous use OF fireworks by the insurance
people, the presentation OF such startling iacts that
tho loss by two conagraions alone traccabc directly
10 1recrackers. amounts to upward Of $4,000 600.
and the endcavor OF the HERALD impress
the public nina the importance OF ocaliz ug within
given bounds tho pleasures OF the day, have directed
unusual attention to the tact that In tho carelessness
which has ATTENDED tho celebration Of national
anniversary we have already paid dearly for tho
whistle. II Is said to DO a not extravagant
statement that every dollars worth OF nrecrackers
imported occasions q direct loss by Gre OF than
500 Yet q singular TACT in thus connection Is that
while last year tho centenary Of American indie
pcndencc tho loss less than during many Of the
preceding anniversaries. reporter Of the HERALD,
asking the for this result, was informed by
OF the prominent members OF the Board OF Under
writer's that IL due the precautions taken by
that organization In suggesting through its various
agencies and rsmiacalions that extraordinary
should be observed by the authorities OF the respective
cities In protecting property and limiting a
able degree tho Of pyrotechnics II Is from
that many cities and the towns OF lesser mpor
lance passed ordinances OF prohibltory character,
while the police moro than put tho alert
FACTS WORTH REMEMBERING.
Notwithstanding these precautions, however, the
loss by Chinese nrccrackers on ono day only OF the
year 1876 amounted 10 twenty-five pcr cent OF tho
value OF tho total invoice OF 1878. On 1913 premises
tho loss was $73,204, duo to fireworks; on 1l9
premises the loss $ss 1871 duo TO Arccrackcrs and
on i've promises the loss $33 242, due gun
wads, making grand total OF $l5l,574 IRON fireworks
and 0recrnckcrs Can arguments 30 beyond the elo-
quence OF these figures in demonstrating the necessity
OF some change, some new method whereby youth lu
patriotism shall not DO at liberty TO aDaxe tho
property Of the people aud endanger their lives
Returns from chief engineers show q total loss OF
$24o,97o in $50 cities and towns, and tho chiefs Of
police report in III cities md towns thirty fatal
casualties and 545 accidents, serious and otherwise
Tho number Of cities towns that already recon-
mend ordinances against fireworks / 587 Those
which do not number l24, and those which suspend
the ordinances on public days are forty-eighI Tho
number which have such ordinances Is $50 and those
which have not 162
ACTION THE uSDERwRITERs.
The Board OF Fire Underwriters has already invoked
the ard Of Congress in this important matter but As
Congress do nothing until tho session II be-
hooves the authorities Of our great cities act indc
pondcnty OF national action aud Tor their good
II immoral books injected cattle q nuisance
surely the importation Of Hrccrackors should como
within tho Same category II serpents squbs, ohasers
Roman candles and rockets n1iot injury by rea-
Of tho fact that they DO regulated aitor
~h~ss&
as dangerous epidemic that 90 uld cause tho
same eviiy II crime showed the same results IL In
boys went around with pistols in their bands mutt.
latng hundreds oil people 10 our cities and towns,
would not every fir minded citizen, covering Tor the
moment his sense OF patriotism with the mantle OF
justice, demand that something should be d0no
avert aud cure the evils And this is simply tho att-
tude OF the HKRALn Tho protection OF life, person
and property shoud BIO superior 10 all considerations
OF moro pleasure.
wHAr rHg OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES or POLICE SAYS
Our superintendent OF Police says that the ordl-
nance Of the CITY the subject Is already sufficiently
ample, but that IL cannot be enforced unless every
father guardian OF boy unites with tho police ia
the work OF stopping tho miscellaneous OF the dan
gerous missiles dozen little ragamulins Will seize
Jays advance OF the Fourth OF July overy stick
empty barrel ON which they can lay their hands, aud
store them away 10 mako patriotic tonarc, which,
aud dangerous fragments. Children place guards 10
watch the coming 'cop," and alter setting on their
nearest alley or doorway, where detection inpos-
| sibio BY the shrewdcst OF policemen Men anu boys
4
nrc IN every form from that locality aud now argues
the Chic 10 II 70 DO preventedy lilo proposes 10 In
s.uS' me oroe, however. 70 exercise unusual ys
check will DO put on tho ambitious aspirations oil
Young America to MAKE IT'S anniversary noise
ALDERMAN MORRIS.
A conversation was also had with Alderman Morris,
who had hesitation Ia saying that he believed,
iur Now York concerned, certain safeguards
should surround the celebration Ut Day
since the discussion OF the subject In the HERALD
mad taken occasion TO examine Statistics and nau dis.
rPnle
with trouble The doctors always found ample bust
moss In dressing small wounds, while hreinen were
usually engaged IN reckoning up their extraordinary
runs II the matter was properly brought TO the at
tcntion Of the Board OF Aldermen no should DO
10 the city tn, quiet and satoy that ought
DO observed In great metropolis even on DAY OF re-
Joicng
Alderman keenan, wns likewise exceedingly frank,
saying that wnile no could not forget he was once a
boy himself and desired TO sec all tho little fellows
enjoy themselves 10 tho Top OF thor bent, WOW OF
the facts that vast interests were at staKc that
danger resulted from tho use OF IRE by the children;
that II impossible Tor the police 10
root tne vast multitude engaged IN Tho ceebraon Of
the Fourth, and that change was evidently coming
the public mind with reference 10 the manner IN
which The day should be celebrated, he would, as
Representative OF a largo constituency, be glad
to SEQ adopted some restrictive measures afford
ing general protection. The matter however, had not
boen officially brought 70 The attention Of tho Board
aud until then he did not think that definite acton
would be takcn.
several other Aldermen with whom tho reporter con-
versed used thoughts above Expressed aud II IL evi
dent that is only necessary that there shall
bned aud influential action TO secure Fourth OF July
In tho metropolis when tho celebration will be Tree
from tho NOISE, annoyance ana danger that huvo 50
often marked the day.
AND FIGURES.
Tho results OF OF the record OF casu-
altics occurring the Fourth OF July number Of
years ioowss--
Year Wounds. Fires. Year Woundx Fires
1857. ........ IL 10 1S72......... Is
1865. ....... 10 3 l57s....... % II
1859. ........ IL ID ls74......... Is 20
1870. ........ II II 1875 ......... 20