New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-15
P4RLOR MATCHES MUST GO.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SURE THEY
CAN ENFORCE THE NEW REGULATION.


CAN ENFORCE THE NEW REGULATION.
Fire Department officials said yesterday that
there was no doubt about their power to enforce
the regulations against the sale, storage use
of parlor matches in the city While it is true
that the Municipal Explosives Commission ap-
pointed under the ordinance of the Board of Al
dermen last May has not formulated any new
rules. the officials said. the commission some
months ago voted TO adopt the regulations of the
Fire Commissioner pending the preparation Of any
new regulations. and this action prevents trouble
about fire insurance policies and places the Fire
commissioners regulations on a legal basis
Two committees of the Board Of Trade and
Transportation had a conference yesterday but
took no action other than to decide to get ad-
dltional information. The secretary said yester-
day that repeated attempts had been made 20
ascertain If the Municipal Explosives Commission
had taken any action under the ordinance Of the
Board Of Aldermen, and the best information to
be obtained that the commission had not
acted Not until yesterday was it ascertained that
the commission had adopted temporarily the regu-
lations Of the Fire Commissioner.
There is a question yet to the legality of the
ordinance Of the Board Of Aldermen to change
a section Of the charter which had been amended
by the legislature. If the mistake Of the public
printer in placing Section 769 the list Of sections
70 be continued in force until changed by the
plain intention Of the legislature. then the alder
men were right in changing the section and ap-
ure cannot be amended by a printers mistake, as
some declare, then there was no reason for the
action OF the commission in adopting the Fire
commissioners regulation In any event. 1t seems
to be true that the Fire Commissioners regula-
tons are in force.
The right Of the Fire Commissioner to make a
regulation forbidding the storage. sale OF
parlor matches in the city is not questioned. and
the regulation Will go into effect and be enforced
on January l The power Of the Commissioner in
this respect is similar 70 the powers Of the Health
Board IN matters relating to public health Some
years attempt made TO get through
the legislat bill to prohibit the of nursing
"a
that thousands of infants were being killed every
year by the failure TO keep the tubes OF such
nursing bottles clean. The bill was defeated IN
the legislature Then the Board OF Health de-
cided its powers. and gave orders to stop
the manufacture. sale and OF such nursing
bottles in the CITY. The orders were enforced
The regulation against parlor matches is good
one" Fire Chief Croker said yesterday. 1t will
prevent the destruction Of great deal of prop
erty and the loss OF many lives. The parlor match
is very dangerous thing. and its sale should not
be allowed Not only has IL caused many fires,
but many have been burned TO death by
their skirts becoming ignited by stepping on
ma tChes OF that kind. The old fashioned sulphur
match and the safety match are preferable to
il. 1 was one of the persons who suggested that
the sale of parlor matches be- prohibited