Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-07
COMMENTS ON "SANE FOURTH
POLICE CHIEF PUTS IT UP TO
FIRE MARSHAL.
President Rudolph Favors Macfar-
land Plan-President Harper
Remembers Fun of His Youth.

Heartily in accord with the aItuuoe Oh
Commissioners Mcfarland and West IN
reference to the prohibition Of the sale or
use of fireworks in the District of Column
bia on Independence day in the future Is
Mai. Sylvester. The chief OF police be-
lieves no step could be taken which would
be of more advantage to all classes and
conditions of people in the city.
1.-The solution Of the question, however,
depends entirely upon the office of the f1re
marshal of the District" said the major.
cit would be practically impossible for
the police to prevent the discharge Of fire.
works upon the streets IL the sale OF these
articles were freely permitted
81 made a recommendation to the Com
missioners several days before the past
fourth that the sale of f1recrackers and
pyrotechnics be prohibited this year.
believe the number of permits issued was
considerably less than ever before.
Absolute prevention of the promiscuOus
use Of gunpowder will not be secured un-
til the sale Of all matchmaking articles Is
discontinued"
Would Not Destroy Boys Fun.
Robert n. Harper has not forgotten the
days when he hustled out Of bed before
dawn to wake the neighbors with his toy
N~S ~~~,~
today. when asked his opinion of the
''safe and sane Fourth:
II would not like to be represented as
wholly agreeing with plan to wipe out
tirecrackers and fireworks among the
youngsters on the Fourth. 1t appears to
me that would be good sign of advanc-
ing old age. We all had our firecrackers
when we were boys. l DO not , want TO
see the present and coming generations
donrivod 0f a single bit OF fun.
IF plan can be found whereby cele-
bration can be arranged and every one can
subscribe small amount-not a large
sum-and the boys can have just as good
a time, then 1 think 1t ought to be done.
But there is one thing that Washing
ton ought to have, regardless of prohibit
ing flrecrackers or regulating their use
That is a national celebration of lnde-
pendence day. This is the only national
city and the next Fourth ought to see a
celebration that would be national In
character. The President or his personal
representative should take part
'Washington's Fourth of July ought to
take on such importance that people
would come from the surrounding coun-
try to take part In IT.
Comments on mcfarland Plan.
The proposition for sane Fourth
of July was discussed today by heads
of the two organizations representing the
business men Of the city, the Chamber of
Commerce and the Board of Trade.
The plan, as suggested by Mr.: Macfar-
land, is to forbid the sale of fireworks in
the District. and to give a grand display
Of fireworks under the direction of the
Chamber of Commerce and the Board OF
Trade, the money to be raised by popular
subscription.
Cuno H. Rudolph, who has been con-
nected with enough pyrotechnical affairs
to be in the expert class, is heartily in
favor Of the plan. Robert N. Harper,
president of the Chamber of Commerce.
did not speak SO emphaticaly, but said his
organization would do its full share II
such condition came to pass.
Mr.. Rudolph announced today that his
interest in the subject was SO great that
he would embOdy a recommendation to
that effect in his next annual report to
the board He has been more or less
interested In proposition similar to Mr..
Macfarland's for several years.
He spoke today of the Fourth of July
celebration held about four years ago. to
which private subscriptions were given
and which resulted in a great success
Speeches and q musical program in the