Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-27
FIRE UNDERWRITERS OBJECT
They Ask the Commissioners to Resciad
the Fireworks Order.
Strong Reasons Given Against the
Reservation Plan Of Celebrating
Independence Day.

Mr.. John B. Wight, president of the
board Of fire underwriters Of the District,
was asked by Star reporter this afternoon
II the insurance men had ever felt any
alarm at the general celebration Of the
Fourth Of July in former years. and II they
fav3rably regarded the idea Of the District
Commissioners to confine the celebration to
certain limits upon its recurrence this year.
Il can best answer that" replied Mr..
Wight. 'by stating that the Commissioners
have had on file for several days a letter
written by me in my capacity as president
Of the board of fire underwriters, protest
ing against the carrying out of any inten-
tion to prescribe the celebration Of Inde-
pendence day. Such an order would drive
boys down into cellars and out into back
sheds to fire of their firecrackers, and in
crease the danger of fire in a very great
degree"
Col. Wilson's Suggestion.
Col Wilson, in charge OF public buildings
and grounds, is disposed to help the boys
in their coming celebration of the Fourth
of July to the full extent of his power
He has informed the District Commission
ers that while 1t would not be proper to
permit children to use Garfield and other
parks, which have been improved at great
expense TO the government, there are a
number of unimproved reservations that
he would be perfectly willing to set apart
for that purpose If the District Commits
sloners SO desire. Among the available
reservations mentioned by Col. Wilson are
Howard University reservation the reser-
vation in front of the navy yard, the large
reservation on Georgia avenue, the circle
at the intersection of Massachusetts avenue
and North Capitol street and the reserya-
ton at the corner of New Hampshire and
M street He says, however, that he will
set aside any unimproved reservation for
the boys enjoyment on the Fourth that the
Commissioners may select.
No Action Taken Yet.
1t was thought that the commissioners
would make public today the -recommenda-
ton of the chief Of police relative to the
places where the children would be allowed
to celebrate the Fourth Of July by the ex-
pic sion Of fireworks. Major Moore made
his report early in the day. but the absence
Of two of the Commissioners prevented a
publication Of the list. 1t is understood the
list contains number of places all over
the city, the majority Of which are vacant
lots. The police in the different precincts
were directed to forward to- the chief Of
police. through tfear lieutenan1. a list of
were willing the children should congregate
and shoot off their fireworks. This list was
submitted in due time ana referred to the
Commissioners by Major Moore.
Protests against the Commissioners or
der continue to be received by The Star.
&c. F. D." writes as follows:
Surely the time has at last arrived for
the American youth to rebel against the
Entertainments Of the Commissioners on
their freedom. We have been routed, foot
by foot and inch by inch; we have been
driven back from our Fairgrounds, forced
to abandon our cricket and foot ball fields,
because in our enthusiasm and rejoicing at
a victory we made too much noise for the
comfort of some old fogy in the neighbor-
hood. Our manly sports Handicapped in
ed by bluecoats. who, in order to keep
their record good. must arrest boys for
playing. What will be the outcome? In
ninety-nine cases out of hundred pool
kooms have been sought, or even worse,
the gambling dens, where friendly game
quiet smoke. or perhaps chat over
bottle. Which course is worse. one that
produces men healthy and robust. or one
that degenerates and produces criminals?
And now patriotism, a thing that is and
rightfully should be dear to the hearts Of
narrow limits Of the old observatory
grounds. Is this not enough to arouse the
spirit of young Americans and make them
demand the liberty due them?''
A letter was also received from Alice Nc
Clintock. writing on behalf of the little
girls, as follows:
Il saw in the paper that the children can
not have fireworks on the Fourth of July
l think they should allow them to have
frecrackers anyway. because there are
orly two days in the year that the children
lock forward to. the Fourth of July and
Christmas. On that account think they
should be allowed to have some fun with
fireworks, at least innocent firecrac kers"