The times., 1899-06-27
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
The Commissioners VIII Not Restrict
the Use of Fireworks

1
Complaints are being filed with the Com
missioners by a large number of citi-
zens against the freedom which has been
| allowed the youth of the city in former
years in the matter OF fireworks on the
Fourth of July. One of these complaints
is signed by DR.. D. S. Lamb, of 500 Tenth
Street northwest. and suggests that the
hours during which fireworks may be ex-
ploded be limited, and that certain public
reservations, principally the White Lot,
be designated as places for indulgence in
the sport. DR.. Lamb said that he ap-
preciated the fact that considerable diff
ficulty would be experienced in breaking
away from former customs, but said he
thought something might be done toward
lesstning the evil"
Would it not be possible" continues the
letter of Dr.. Lamb, Ito publish with your
suspension order some kind of an address,
stating the fact that there are many sick
persons in all parts of the city, to whom
the noise of exploding fireworks is a ser
ious trial, and in some cases directly harm
full; that from a due consideration for
these persons, it is desirable that the use
of noisy fireworks be restricted TO certain
hours, say from o'clock in the morning
TO o'clock in the evening; that the po-
lice will be instructed TO enforce this very
reasonable requirement; certainly twelve
hours is long enough to satisfy all. This
will give opportunity for rest and sleep
which last year, at least, in my own
neighborhood, Tenth and H Streets north
west, was impossible for two successive
days.
THE Health Officer knows better than
the extent TO which sickness prevails
here, and can, therefore, give exact tes-
timony in regard to the desirability of
some such action as / have suggested.
may add that during the past year ! have
had one death in my family which l be-
lieve TO have been partly traceabie to the
nervous disturbance caused by a noisy
Fourth of July"
The Commissioners have decided not to
lake the action requested in the letter of
the physician for the reason that they
believe, with Major Sylvester, who made
lengthy report ON the subject, that it will
be impossible TO limit the explosion of
fireworks to certain hours on the Fourth
of July. 1t is pointed out that Just at this
time young America, as well as older
citizens, is more patriotically inclined
perhaps, than ever before, as result of
the war with Spain, and 1t is maintained
at the District Building that If the cele-
bration is limited to the Fourth of July
the police will have performed excellent
work.
The experiment of confining the firing
of explosives to vacant lots and reserya-
tions was tried several years ago and
resulted very unsatisfactory. Those in
terested in pyrotechnics took advantage,
on that occasion, of the absence of the
police, who were giving attention to vacant
lots and reservations, to use their ex-
plosiyes in streets. alleys, and back yards.
The argument is presented by the Chief
of Police that excessive restrictions tend
to cause those who wish to discharge fire.
works, to retire to rear premises, where
sheds are liable to be set on fire and where
the noise of explosions is in no wise
abated Major Sylvester suggested that
notification be sent 10 Police Headquarters
from all localities where there are sick
persons in order that the police may be
instructed to use every effort to prevent
the use of fireworks in such localities.
This suggestion was approved by the Com
missiOners.