Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-04-28
SAFE FOURTH OF
JULY MOVEMENT
Many Cities Plan For a Quiet
Celebration.
GOVERNORS ARE INTERESTED.

Statistics Of Casualties From Use of
Fireworks In Past Years Have In
fluenced the Public In Adopting Safe
and Sane Style of Independence Day.
| Pageant Features In Larger Cities.
The compilation Of the number of
deaths and injuries caused by Fourth
of July accidents, which for years has
| its issue following Independence day,
| has resulted in a constantly growing
movement for more sane manner of
celebration. This year the movement
| has begun much earlier and is much
more widespread than ever before.
Recent dispatches from various parts
of the Union stated that action al
ready has been taken looking to a SEN
sible observance of Independence day,
an observance unattended by loss Of
! life and limb.
| The tables prepared by the Journal
of the American Medical association
| showing the number of casualties as a
result of the old style Fourth Of July
celebration have done perhaps more
! than anything else to educate the peo-
! pie up to the adoption of the safe and
sane Fourth. In seven famous Revo-
| lutionary battles-LeXington. Bunker
! Hill, Fort Moutrie, White Plains,
| Fort Washington, Monmouth and Cow
pens-the number Of killed and wound
ed was LILO. The number of the kill
ed and wounded last Fourth was
5,3o7 and for the last seven years
/ 34GO3.
While the education of the public on
this question has been slow. there is
no city which has adopted the sane
and safe Fourth that has gone back
to the old kind Most Of the cities
have been looking for a substitute cell
ebration that will please the children
and give them something for the some
/ thing that has been taken from them.
The trend Of thought i'm this has been
to make the day Of the national nui-
sance," as the Fourth has been termed,
day of instruction, and in nearly all
the cities the motive of the celebra-
tions has been instruction in patriot
ism.
The grownups will take charge OF
the celebrations this year and will reg
ulate the use of whatever fireworks
that are permitted, the deadly variety
being absolutely prohibited in the
hands of the children. In this way it
Is hoped that the death roll will be
greatly reduced.
Cities That Will Be Quiet.
Among the cities which will join the
movement are: Chicago. Washington,
New York, Boston, New Haven. Conn;
Newport, Pawtucket, Pittsburg. Mont
pelier, Vt, and Melrose, Haverhill and
Fitchburg, Mass.
In addition to the above definite ac-
lion Governor Weeks of Connecticut is
urging a day of pleasure and profit
instead Of day Of unrest and horror"
and Governor Feuald Of Maine is CO.
operating in the plan
Mrs. Isaac l.. Rice OF New York city,
president Of the Society For the Pre-
] y
prominent leader in the move to have
the next Fourth devoted to oratory and
parades rather than TO the explosion of
gunpowder. She has enlisted twenty
three governors and a national associa-
ton for Il sane observance and is still
engaged in promoting the movement.
Mayor Gaynor of New York recently
signiied his intention Of unfolding the
! order prohibiting the sale of fireworks
1t retail from June 10 TO July 10. This
practically will prevent firecrackers
and the like from reaching the individ-
ual exploder.
Plans In New England.
Many city councils in New England
have passed ordinances restricting the
use Of explosives. while before the
Massachusetts legislature is a bill of
similar purpose.
Springfield, Mass, where the safe
and sane idea had its practical incep-
ton seven years ago. again will hold
IN orderly and instructive observance.
In Boston parades. a choral festival,
sports and fireworks displays are plan
aed.
In Washington young America will
have the fund, but a citizens commit
Tee will take the chances. The scheme
worked well when tried last year.
This year, as last not dynamite
cracker or a cap pistol or a snake In
the grass will be sold The celebra-
ton will start in a public square at
sunup and will continue all day and
probably until midnight There will
be band concerts. athletic games, boat
races and all kinds OF outdoor sports.
japanese fireworks for day and other
kinds for night will be used, but the
citizens committee will set them off,
Paqesnts Are Planned.