The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-03-01
A Good Time for Children on
July Fourth, But Without
Permitting Use of Danger
Gus Fireworks.
START PROJECT NOW
FOR DEALERS SAKE
So That They Will Not Buy
Dangerous Explosiv es-
Dealers State They Will
Support the Move.

1t is quite probable that within
very short time a sane" Fourth of
July movement will be launched in this
city 1t is already being agitated and
is being commended by all who have
been approached on the subject.
"It may seem strange that a sane
celebration of a holiday that is four
months distant should be agitated
now," remarked one of the promoters
today, but there is an excellent rea-
son for prompt and immediate action.
1T is about this time" he continued,
that the local dealers begin to lay in
their supply of fireworks, fire crack
ers, etc, and it is for their benefit that
the citizens of Richmond should now
reach a decision as to whether they de-
sire to continue the ancient practice of
providing explosives for the killing,
manning and burning of youngsters.
Fair Show for Dealers.
81 anu sure that every resident of this
city abhors this sort of a celebration
am also certain that the dealers of
this city, if given fair show now,
will only order fireworks that are safe
for children to handle"
In comparison to some other cities
of the size of Richmond, the Demon of
independence Day has not claimed
many victims in this city. But one
manned Or slain child is regarded as
sufficient evidence that the old fash
ioned Fourth Of July celebration is an
evil to be eradicated without further
delay.
In 1908 three local children were
badly injured and five received slight
| injuries Last year two adults-both
| women-were badly burned and two
children received severe injuries.
Ask any member of the Richmond
fire department his opinion of the
present method of Fourth of July Gel
ebration, and he will promptly con-
| denim it. He has an excellent reason
| to.
Opinion of George Brehm.
George Brehm, a dealer in such sup
plies, stated this morning that he was
in hearty sympathy with the move
ment for the elimination of dangerous
fireworks. He believes that unless
such steps are voluntarily taken by
the dealers, the authorities will insist
| on such action. He says that he be-
, lieves all other dealers will agree that
the sale of dangerous fireworks should
be eliminated, and thinks that at the
meeting tomorrow evening, at the
board of works office, city building,
an agreement will be effected where
by only Eight" fireworks will be sold
Mr.. Brehm classes pistols. both those
which discharge caps and blank cart
ridges; repeating canes; giant crack
ers of 10 and - inch dimensions. spit
devils and gun powder, as dangerous
fireworks. #
Opinion Of w. II. Bartei.
The discontinuance of all fireworks
in which there is possible danger in
their discharge and to adopt the idea
decorations will figure more promin
emily than noise and dangerous play
things, is the stand that William II
Bartel, Jr., dealer, takes in regard
to the sane Fourth idea. He is coun
Gilman from the Fourth ward and will
undoubtedly bring the attention of q
safe and sane Fourth to that body's
attention in the near future. Mr.. Bar
tel regards the question like Mr.
Brehm and thinks that only light
/ fire works should be sold.
i A number of other dealers were also
asked to give their views and all ex
pressed willingness to discontinue
the sale of dangerous fireworks. l,
is probable all the leading dealers
will be present at the meeting Wed
} nesday evening in the city building
to discuss the matter. BY getting al
! early start the dealers will know JUS
! what to order and will be able to com
J ply with probable ordinances, which
may be passed later, forbidding dan
gerous fireworks.