Evening star., 1909-06-26
School Children Rehearsing fol
Fourth of July.
CHORUS IS ORGANIZED
Three Selections Will Be Executed
by the Singers.
PLAN FOR SAFE CELEBRATION
Harry o. Hall Tells Why the Local
omcials Oppose Noisy and
Dangerous Methods.

Rehearsals of the chorus OF 400 school
children which Is to participate in the
public meeting in celebration of Inde-
pendence day indicate that the singing
will be one of the features Of the exer-
cises
The chorus has been organized under
the direction Of Miss Alys E. Bentley. di-
rector Of music in the public schools at
the request of the joint committee or the
safe and sane celebration of the Fourth
of July. and she has reported to Com
missioner Macfarland, chairman OF the
committee, that the rehearsals have been
satisfactory. The chorus will sing three
selections.
Declaration of Independence.
Charles B. Hanford will read the
Declaration Of Independence at the pub
lie meeting at 1890 o'clock the morning
OF July 5. at 7th street and Pennsyi-
vania avenue il the weather Is fair, or
at the Belasco Theater II the day Is
stormy Secretary of War Dickinson
was the original selection Of the COM
mittee. and accepted the invitation, but
he recently notified Chairman Macfar-
land that he will be out OF the CITY
July 5.
Why a Safe Fourth Is Wanted.
That safe and sane" Fourth means,
In reality life-saving and property-sav-
ing Fourth is the view Of Harry O. Hall.
member of the committee on deroca-
tions for the coming celebration of Inde-
pendence day.
lowing to the great publicity given by
the press to the matter" Mr.. Hall says,
'it is doubtful If there are any persons
in Washington who do not know what Is
meant by the expression of safe and
| sane Fourth 1t may be well, however,
in order to emphasize the necessity for
the action taken by the District Commis-
sioners In eliminating fireworks from the
celebration this year, to state some of the
reasons which have Influenced them and
caused the present efforts for change
in the character of the celebration of the
national birthday anniversary.
For q number of years past the kinds
of fireworks offered for sale to children
have been growing more and more dan.
gerous to life and limb. until the annual
list Of deaths and casualties resulting
from fireworks on the Fourth have In.
creased to an appalling extent. In addi-
tion to these deaths and injuries were
the serious, IL not fatal injury to the
| health of thousands of sick. inf1rn
| and nervous persons, to whom the Fourth
Of July became a perfect horror instead
OF pleasure.
Deaths Last July 4.
According to the statistics annually
collected by the Journal Of the American
Medical Association. Chicago of the
deaths and accidents resulting from
Fourth OF July celebrations in the differ
ent cities. it appears that last year, 1903
| there were 5.46O non-fatal injuries from
Gv-n aS
while there were no less than 1d3 deaths
| a decrease of one over 1907. OF these
| 163 deaths. 80 were killed outright by
| firearms carelessly exploded 2S by giant
| firecrackers. % were burned to death by
fireworks, 10 were killed by explosions OF
powder, by toy cannons and by other
causes, such as blood poisoning. sky.
rockets, ETC. Eleven persons were totally
blinded last year, while % lost one eye
each. Is more than in 1907: 81 lost leg
an arm or a hand, while 1S4 lost one OIL
more fingers.
"Of the above casualties, 1,793 injuries
and % deaths and five cases OF lockjaU
| were due to the giant firecrackers. Fire
| arms caused 4S1 accidents and deaths
| and three cases of lockjaw: 1874 persons
were struck by stray bullets; toy cannon
| caused 800 injuries, including seven killed
and four cases Of lockjaw.
ITO this fearful array must be added
the enormous loss of property, amounting
to millions. caused by fire.
us 1t to be wondered at. therefore, that
the authorities of the large cities have
been aroused, and are taking steps to-
ward putting stop to such an unsafe
and insane method of celebrating the
| Fourth of July?
Decision of Local Authorities.
1.-THE District Commissioners therefore
last year resolved that they would pro.
hibit the sale of fireworks within the fire
! limits and substitute some new form OF
entertainment which would be both safe
and sane and yet not deprive the young
patriots of an opportunity to display theil
joy and appreciation over the singing OF
the Declaration of Independence, as theil
fathers and grandfathers had done. &c
| this end committees were appointed, and
| funds are being raised, and all necessary
preparations are being made by compe-
! tent men, who are giving their time
and labor to insure a celebration which
will be a pleasure and delight to young
and old, and which will appeal to every
body as far more sensible than the ole
noisy and dangerous form.
There will not be necessary this yeai
the usual exodus of delicate and nervous
people to the country to avoid the noise
| Of the Fourth of July. On the contrary
| they are all invited and encouraged to re-
main at home and enjoy the entertain.
ment that will be provided for them. Be-
| sides they should stay to see what a safe
and sane Fourth is like"