The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-11-19
FIRE PREVENTION
aae q AND CONTROL


The unusual number of destructive
fires the past summer has caused
considerable comment, and aroused
in the minds of many. some ques-
tions. How do they start? What
remedy have we for them7
1t is true that most of the fires
originate along the right-of-way of our
railways, caused usually by the sparks
from the locomotive; others are set
by hunters, campers, smokers and
many originate from unknown
sources. One fact is evident to all,
these fires do much damage to prop
erty lying adjacent to the right-of-
way. Fences, timberland, meadows
and grain fields in general have suf-
fered more the past year than for
many previous ones.
The laws of Ohio are specific upon
the matter of fire patrol. According to
Revised Statutes, section 1866, rail-
road companies shall cause to be
placed on every locomotive or engine
used in operating their roads, some
devise for the purpose of guarding
against the emission of sparks, and
they shall keep the eontrivance in
good repair excepting in the months
of December, January and February.
Any company violating the provisions
of this act, is subject to a fine of not
over $4,000 for each offence.
Railroad companies are also re-
quired to keep the right-of-way clear
from weeds, high grass, decayed tim
Der and combustible material liable
to take and communicate fire to
abutting and adjacent property.
Any person owning or controlling
property abutting on or adjacent to
such railroad right-of-way on failure
to comply with this provision after
20 days notice in writing, may cause
to be removed all combustible mater
ial from the right-of-way of such rail-
road. along adjacent property, and
collect the expense of clearing. If
such company refuses to pay the same
within 80 days the amount may be
recovered by law.
Railroad companies are liable for
loss or damage by fire originating
upon the land belonging to such com
pany and caused by operating such
railroad. They are also liable for all
loss by fire originating on lands ad-
jacent to their right-of-way, caused in
whole or in part by sparks from an
engine passing over the line of such
railroad.
The fact that such fire was thus
started shall be sufficient evidence of
negligence, and no proper use of land
shall charge the owner with con-
tributory negligence, except in case
of personal property, left on com
pany's right-of-way
The statutes further provide that
whosoever maliciously or negligently
sents fire to any woods, prairies or
grounds not his own property, to the
injury or destruction of the property
of any other person, shall be fined not
more than 10000 and imprisoned
not more than 20 DAYS. or both. (Sec-
ton $3.50 Revised Statutes of Ohio.
Whenever the woods and prairies in
any township are on fire the trustees
OF such township may call upon the
Inhabitants in the vicinity of the place
where the fire is to assist in extin-
gushing the same or stopping it's
progress.
Every person called out under the
provision of this section shall be al.
lowed by the supervisor of his road
district to be applied on his poll or
road tax, the same amount per day
as he is now allowed for work on the
public highways.
Any one refusing to comply with
such order shall be subject to fine.
The general assembly of 1907 and
1908 passed an act to provide against
gypsies, travellers and wanderers
from camping in tents, wagons or
or to build any fires on the
public highways or lands adjacent
without having first obtained con-
sent of the owner where such pro-
posed camp is to be made.
1t can be seen that the state laws
are explicit on the matter, but unfor-
in many cases at least |
they are not known, to say nothing of
being enforced. Strict compliance
would no doubt be a check on the |
spread of fire, and subsequent loss of |
property,