New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
D. A.ry Wilkinson Mount.

By Mary Wilkinson Mount
New York VIII not have as many Christ
uzAs trees this year as heretofore. although
aorne four million balsams frs and spr1lces
have been cut for Santa Claus.
A potent influence al work TO limit the
market for Christmas trees is the fire in
rurancs question New York's great stores
formerly We'd with one another in the size
OF their trees. a-glitter with lights and toys.
and the quantity OF crimson berried gar
lands that swung from wall 10 ceiling and
snrwined every pillar. But the pen is
raightier than the axe. With one stroke it
cut away bough and tree from the city's
nsr department stores Resinous Christmas
trees snd pendulous garlands associated
with lights snd the concoInitants OF a de-
-s-rrnent store were. declared insurance
ooupauies, g danger TO life as well as o
property. and the policy OF any shop using
Fuclr decorations Cwhether these took fire or
ooo would be cancelled
Up n the woods few thousand squirrels
laughed Down In the city thousands OF
children Iamented the hard heartedness Of
Insurance underwriters. From shops in
ol,lded in this order went out this holiday
season acquisitions for garlands made OF
.reproo. holly and festoons constructed OF
small shops engaged in the sale Of Christ
mss trees and eve-greens have not been so
much affected by insurance rules as have
Sthe great department stores, which are
sacksd with thousands OF human beings
during the holidays In such an emporium
II & Western city occurred a great fire
started from g lighted Christmas tree and
fed BY resinous evergreen decorations
mingled with the hin1sy mass OF material
which Is stacked UP in shops at Christmas
tine This FIRE cost upward OF 100000
and caused much distress in the way OF
nervous shock. burns and injuries incidental
70 handling q crowd IN a panic.
WARNED BY UNDERWRITERS.
Small shops and dealers in Christmas
pines however. do not escape insurance
restrictions. Together with institutions and
Individuals likely 70 indulge in Christmas
trees. they have received this year from
.he New York Board OF Fire Underwriters
g notice regarding the danger OF using
Christmas greens, harvest specimens. cot
ton imitation snow. other iniammable ma
terials and electric light decorations. Per
sons are reminded that the standard form
of FIRE Insurance policy stipulates that
this entire policy. unless otherwise pro-
vided by agreement Endorsed hereon or
added hereto, shall be void, etc. II the
hazard be increased by any means within
The control or knowledge Of the insured
TIE shops. together with institutions.
churches and individuals are being warned
IN great many other cities and towns OF
- the country by the fire chiefs of these
places that they ought TO refrain from ex-
eessive or careless use OF Christmas trees
and decorations With the warning is in
Guided q list Of dangerous materials. so far
As their in7ammable qualities are con-
Cerued
The action Of insurance companies. to-
geriler with certain lessons written in fam
ing text and productive Of much tribulation.
has almost revolutionized the system OF
Christmas tree decorations in numerous
SUNDAY schools and institutions in this
CITY Instead Of the tree being trimmed
with candles and electric lights. II is now
adorned with glistening pendants, that
catch the light from other sources and
reflect il in a manner that produces the
impression OF a lighted Christmas tree.
FrostIike chains and ornaments Of
spangled cotton, too. are now forbidden
fruit upon many Christmas trees. In the
past numbers Of fires have been occa-
stoned by the contact OF a candle flame
vir- cotton ornaments-even when the cot
Ton formed part Of Santa Clauss beard
Drafts from opening doors the rapid
passing of persons around See, the
brushing Of some inhammable toy Or orna-
rent against fame-an these trifing
things have caused fires in Christmas trees
some OF which have resulted in death
and almost all in painful injuries 70 one
~ more persons
WOULD BAR ALL TREES.
Neu York's fire marshal says that New