The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-06-09
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS MAY ACT
Will Submit to the Common Council an
Ordinance Which Will Prevent the
Sale of Dangerous Fireworks and
Pyrotechnicss

State Fire Marshal T. M. Purtell of
Madison, has taken up the fight for a
sane Fourth Of July in Wisconsin and
this morning he sent letters to every
fire chief in the state urging great eau
tiOn in the celebration Of the day. In
addition he made many suggestions to
the chiefs which will probably be car
ried out just as far as possible. Chief
Of Police Isermann is in favor of a
sane Fourth and it is certain that the
local fremen will do all in their power
to keep the celebration within proper
bonds. The letter Of the state fire
marshal follows:
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 warning to
the. people of the state
AS a result of the celebration of the
last "barbarous Fourth" two hundred
boys and girls lost their lives and one
hundred and seyenty-one lost one or
more fingers. not to mention other
fatalities and serious accidents.
Ten bad fires were 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 spreadeagle7
grafton, delivered in com petition 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
cial bodies, civic organizations, and
city government the necessity of pro
viding for 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 on Har-
riet's Island, without one single acct
dent worthy of note. What st. Paul
has done, other cities can do. Who
win lead?
The four cities of Washington, Cleve-
land, Baltimore and Toledo, with a safe
and sane Fourth, last year showed a
total Of twelve accidents. Four other
cities, New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
and st. Louis, with practically no
Fourth of July restrictions, showed a
ninety-fve accidents for the same day.
nipety-fve accidents for the sane 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 439Sf of
the statutes of this state, being Chap
ter 140 of the Session Laws of 1905.
This law prohibits the sale, manufacture
and Importation into the state of all
tfrecrackers containing dynamite, chic
rate of potash or other explosive, ex-
cept ordinary gunpowder. 1t further
prohibits the sale or keeping for sale
Of any fire crackers over five inches in
length and seven-eighths of an inch
in diameter. A severe penalty is pro
vided for the violation of this law.
Ehe mayor and police officers of the
various cities should see to the enforce
ment of this law and any ordinance on
the subject in their respective city.
Third. AS further safeguard for
the future it is our intention to pre-
pare and submit to city governments
an ordinance to prohibit the sale of all
dangerous fireworks and pyrotechnic
displays
Such ordinance can be passed in time
to act as a warning to merchants not
to lay in prohibited fireworks for
future years.
Fourth. Wherever public celebra-
tions are held and fireworks and pyro-
technic displays used, we recommend
that such celebrations be held in parks,
where valuable property will not be ex-
posed, and under the supervision of
adults. i.
We trust that the intelligent citizen
SHIP of tie state, and city governments
and civic societies, will aid us along
these lines to protect life, limb and
property.
T. M Purten,
June !, 1910. State Fire Marshal.
5 NOT G.. A. VoLTz
august Voltz of Salem who Voc ~