Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1910-06-24
SAFE AND SANE FOURTH.

The annual property loss caused by
Fourth Of July fireworks, and the
many fatalities and large number OF
accidents due to the same cause Induce
us to again send out the annual warn
ing to the people of the state
AS result of the celebration of the
last ''barbarous Fourth two hundred
boys and girls lost their lives, and one
hundred and seventy-one lost one or
more fingers, not to mention other
fatalities and serious accidents.
Ten bad fires We're reported to us
last year caused by fireworks.
In all the excitement and useless
noises of the 'barbarous Fourth" we
fail to see one thought of patriotism
beyond the occasional 'spread-eagle"
oration, delivered in competition with
the noises of Young America,
We have both warned and instructed
in previous bulletins; we now suggest
a remedy.
First. We would urge upon CONNER
ciaI bodies, civic organizations, and
city governments the necessity of pro-
viding for a safe and sane Fourth, as
we have no desire to rob Young
America of this celebration. These
bodies can provide games, amusements
and exercises for children, which will
be quite as acceptable to them, will be
more likely to instill the valuable les
sons of patriotism, but will not be
fraught with danger to life. limb and
property.
One year ago the city of st. Paul
entertained 10000 children onHarriets
Island without one single accident
worthy of note. What ST. Paul has
done, other cities can do. Who will
lead?
The four cities of Washington, Cleve-
land Baltimore and Toledo, with a
safe and sane Fourth, last year showed
total Of twelve accidents. Four other
cities, New York, Boston. Philadelphia
and ST. Louis, with practically no
Fourth-of-Jul restrictions showed
total of one thousand three hundred
ninty-five accidents for the same day.
Second. AS a further remedy we
urge that the existing laws and the
local ordinances on the subject of fire,
works be strictly enforced
We call attention to Section 4393f of
the statutes of this state, being Chap
ter 14O of the Session Laws of 1905.
This law prohibits the sale, manufact
ure and importation into the state of
all fire-crackers containing dynamite,
chlorate of potash or other explosives,
except ordinary gunpowder. 1t further
prohibits the sale or keeping for sale
of any fire-cruckers over five inches in
length and seven-eighths in diameter.
A severe penalty is provided for the
violation of this law.
The mayor and police officers of the
Aarious cities should see to the enforce
ment of this law and of any ordinance
on the subject in their respective city
Third. AS further safeguard o l
the future it is our intention to prepare
and submit to city governments an or
dinance to prohibit the sale of all dan
gerous fireworks and pyrotechnic dis
! plays.
/ Fourth. Wherever public celebra
\ tions are held and fireworks and pyrO
technie displays used, we recommend
that such celebrations be held in park
where valuable property will not be ex
q 81 Nf a
4 dults. We trust that the intelligen
+ citizenship of the state and city govern
4 ments and civic sOcities, will aid alOnG
1 these lines to protect life, limb anC
! property. L. M. PURTELL'
State Fire Marshall