Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-07-09
MANY ACCIDENTS ON
JULY 4TH 1909

numDef OF people killed ana injured
by fireworks on the Fourth, but 1t
is gratifying to note that the move
ment to put stop to the foolish
practice Of doing reckless things
during the Fourth has, TO a consider
able extent, been successful and the
consequences are that there will be a
great falling off in the number of
casualties occurring throughout the
country. The killed and injured II
Is true, make a long list but Is
nothing compared with last year.
The deadly giant cracker did the
most Of the Killing and it Is to be
hoped the legislatures of the various
states will pass laws before next In
dependence Day anniversary which
will Danish the murderous thing
from the markets. There is certain
ly nothing patriotic in being manned
or killed by firecracker A sane
Fourth should be popular every
where and if state legislatures fail
to pass prohibtory laws the cities in
such states should by ordinance pro-
hibit the sale and use of the giant
cracker and other dangerous explos-
ives.
A special from Chicago gives
highly encouraging reports on this
subject 1t says
With three days celebration Of the
Nations birthday this year, the re-
markabe fact stands out boldly tnat
the annual carnage has been de-
creased to great degree. Advlces
from all points mp to midnight show
that in all large cities new rules and
their strict enforcement have check
ed the customary slaughter of child
rem
In New York there were but four
deaths for the three days. In Chic
ago, usually drenched with blood
under the guise of patriotism there
was not a single death for the three
days. In Washington there were no
deaths and no injuries, and only the
smallest firecrackers were permitted
Five deaths are reported from the
state of Massachusetts, one each in
Boston and other large cities One
death is reported from Philadelphia.
The entire state Of Oklahoma re-
ports but two deaths and nine seri-
GUS injuries. Small cities in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania and far
Western localities seemed most pro-
lific in casualties this year.
In every case this can be traced to
lax police regulations. In all other
large cities there were but few
deaths and limited number Of in
1uries. The campaign begun by the
newspapers, medical associations and
the peaceful public generally five
years ago, Is beginning to bear fruit
This year, in the large cities, the
AK was laid to the root of the evil
when only a limited number of re-
putable dealers were permitted H.
censes to sell fireworks, and they
were strictly forbidden to sell child
ren or irresponsible persons, giant
crackers, toy pistols dynamite canes
and similar deadly weapons. The
beneficial result shows in the great
decrease in mortality.
Chicago proposes to go a step fur
ther next year and compel all pur-
chasers of fireworks to register, as
they are now compelled to do when
they buy firearms or deadly eyplos-
ives. If this law becomes effective
the police will know in advance lust
what points TO watch for trouble
Nature combined this year with
the forces of law and order to save
life and property Coplous roips
fairly general over the country pro. ,
'ahN saved the insurance companies &
thousands of dollars and also damn. h
'ned the careless ardo. of ce'chnnts s.
There doubtless ar.. r..,,. ......., /,