Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-18

insurance Commissioner Carr, and
many others, also. are convinced that
the law which provides for the investi-
cation of the causes of fires is a great
thing. especially in the line Of reducing
the percentage, each year. of incendiary
fires. In speaking on the subject, yes
terday, Commissioner Carr said that
the number of incendiary fires in the
State was decreasing each year. Dur
ing the year 1904 the number of fires
reported to the department was 1929,
and of this number only 20 were of in
cendiary origin. This year, thus far.
only two fires have occurred which
would come under the head of "suspi-
ciOus' origin, and the investigation in
each case was followed by an arrest.
One of these fires occurred in Cumber-
land county, where the suspected party
is now under indictment, and the other
vas in Aroostook county.
AS means of showing the working
of the law in reducing the number of
incendiary fires. the following quota
ton is made from the preliminary re-
port of the commissioner, for the past
year. The law was enacted in 1895
going in force May 26, and from that
time until December 81. the percentage
of incendiary fires was 864. Since
then it has shown steady reduction,
as follows: 1896, S.46; 1897, 4.S1; 1898,
354; 1899. 2.76; 1900. 1855: 1901, Isl:
1902. 1.79: 1903, 1873; 1904, 10. The
percentage of fires from unknown
causes has also decreased within the
same period of time, as follows: In
1895 the percentage was 1884; 1896,
31.59, 1897, 27.04; 1898, 20.58; 1899.
20.47; 1900, 1897; 1901, 21.O6; 1902.
19.4O;, 1903. 2051; 1904, 1928.
On referring to the table of the re-
port which shows the causes of the
fires during the year, it will be seen
that one of the chief causes was that
of defective chimneys and flues, 292
fires having been caused in that way.
The only cause which in any way APP
preached the above, was lightning. to
which was due 119 fires. The most
novel cause of any was the action of
the sun on magnifying glasses which
was responsible for one fire in the list.
Commissioner Carr does not think
the decrease of the number of incendi-
airy fires is due wholly to the investi-
SdtlOflS ny tHt Dul llldl IL
has been greatly aided by the cities
and town, and that wherever the mat
ter of investigation has been taken up
by them, it has certainly been very
successful.
The board of railroad commissioners
commenced their annual tour of exami-
nation of the condition of the different
rei1 rn1de of tho Mnn1ax-
which day they were at Bangor, for the
purpose of going over the line of the
PenObscOt Central Railway.
The following special orders have
been issued from the Office of the
adjutant general, to the Second Regi-
ment of the National Guard of the
State Of Maine:
STATE OF MAINE.
Adjutant Generals Office.
Augusta, April IL, 1905
Special Orders No. %.
l. In accordance with the require
mcnts of section "a Of the militia law.
a meeting for military instruction of
the officers of the Second Infantry =
hereby called to assemble at City hall,
in Bangor. on Tuesday. May 9. 1908, at
noon. and continue until noon of the
following day. The hours of the sev-
eral sessions will be fixed by the colonel
commanding.
III. The colonel. assisted by such Off
GERS as he may designate. will instruct
the officers Of his regiment in the
branches Of military art and duty on
which he considers they most need in
formation. He will make report OF
this meeting and account for absentees
III. Transportation vii! be furnished
by the quartermaster general quarters
and subsistence will be provided at the
Bangor House.
". All accounts will be rendered to
this office as soon as practicable.
nv order of the Commander in Chief:
AUGUSTUS b. FARNHAM.
Adjutant General.