New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-25
TOY PISTOLS AND FIREWORKS.
feds" Public Safety Committee Has Plan
for Quiet Fourth"

plan whereby the children of the republic may
celebrate its birthday without the loss of their
fingers and thumbs will be presented TO the City
Federation OF Womens Clubs ct it's next conven-
ton, to be held at the Hotel Astor on May g. by
the interchangeable public safety committee. This
PLAN which originated with tho chairman of the
committee. Mrs Harry Hastings, is simply TO give
the children something TO do the Fourth of July
besides firing toy pistols and setting OF fireworks
Mrs. Hastings suggests public celebration in
connection with the raising Of flags the
school buildings OF the city. She thinks that there
ought 70 be some ceremony connected with the
raising OF these flags, and that there could be
better time to have II than on July
The fact that the schools closed at this time
would. of course, present difficulties" she
said yesterday, but I don't think they in
superable Most teachers have the interests OF the
children at heart. and am that sufficient
number Of them would be willing to assist IN the
celebration IL they in town.
main a few days for It The members Of the local
school boards could also assist, and the drilling
might be done before the schools closed. The chill
dren would be sure TO enjoy this. they do any
thing that they take part in themselves; and while
they engaged in these exercises they couldn't
De eeindangSrng their own lives ana those OF the
much fireworks but it would certainly please
them, and something might be done in connection
with the exercises to impress them with the fact
that there is no necessary connection between
tion- and tho parents need education as much as
''The plan which I intend to propose to the fed
Grafton is actually In operation in Paris. Some
time during JULY forget the day-they COM
memorate the fall OF the Bastile and in each
mayoralty the children take part in public cele-
children permitted TO in iulge in, and French
parent would think Of deliberately putting into the
hands OF his children weapons with which they
might destroy themselves. The French much
TO preserve It Their families small. and human
life is precious TO them"
BLOCKED FIRE ESCAPES
The public safety committee Is also interesting
itself in the question OF encountered fire escapes
and is convinced that It Is utterly impossible to
enforce the present Laws.
News spreads like wiIdhre in the tenement
houses" said Mrs Hastings, and most tenants
have chance to prepare the visit Of the inspec
tor. He finds the fire escapes clear but soon as he
is out OF sight, everything is put back where it was
before The only remedy. in my opinion. Is TO have
licensed Janitors, who would be responsible for the
condition OF their houses. and to impose fines on
ers- Such fine would not need to be very large
, 10 act a serious deterrent The landlord does
not mind a fine Of $40, but the tenant would hest
tate 10 render himself liable for the payment OF 81
Mayor after the AIlan-st fire, and received e most
courteous reply"
Still another question which the committee Is
actively concerning itself with the lack of suf1-
Gent fire protection in theatres, but IT will await
the result District Attorneys special inVestl-
gation before taking any further action. The COM
nlittee believes that the names of unsafe theatres
ought TO be made known 70 the public. Nothing
however, be done to make such theatres safe
but to close them Mrs. Hastings says. Managers
suggestions made by the committee but there are
faults of construction that cannot be rensoieo-