New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-17
FOURTH OF JULY ORDINANCES.
Mrs. Rice Defines the Attitude of Their
Promoters.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: i earnestly request the privilege Of
saying a few words in reference 10 a Fourth
OF July address made last night at our an
nual meeting by Alderman COurtIandt
NicOll
MF. Nicon first spoke feelingIy OF the
heavy cost OF each recurring celebration Of
the Fourth. and referred 20 his proposed
ordinances. which he had introduced i'm the
hope Of saving our boys and girls from
mutilatiOn and death. Remarking that ne
scarcely believed that these ordinances
would be reported out in time TO affect the
next national holiday. Mr.. NicoH proceeded
20 say that even without new enactment
the city could be protected from the usual
casualties IL permits 10 sell fireworks were
not granted, the power to withhold them
resting I'm the hands Of the Fire Commits
siOner.
The Mayors letter. Mr.. Nicoll went on.
in which he touched upon the sympathy
which he felt for the boys desire to shoot
of fTecraclxers. might perhaps result in the
issuance OF these permits again. but we
hope that his honor. who has stated that
he wants information ON the subject. viii
eventually decide on a safe and sane In
dependence Day. The Mayor. Mr.. NicOl
said I'm effect. carefully considers every
matter himself. but he will undoubtedly be
impressed by public opinion; therefore. let
all who deplOre the heavy casualties OF the
Fourth beg the mediation Of those who are
acquainted with his honor; let US call
upon him arc write ard telephone to his
secretary: let US. he added jOkingly. make
Mayor GaynOr's life miserable until he is
convinced
/ need scarcely assure you. Mr.. EDITOR.
that no effort to urge our cause upon Mr..
GaynOr will be made either by Mr.. NicOll,
by the members of our society or by my
self / do not believe that Mr. SicoII has
ever personally brought the measure i'm
which he Is so deeply interested to the at
tentiOn of his honor. and no one connect
ed with our society has ever done more
than present certain material 10 the Fire
Commissioner. to whom Mayor GaynOT had
referred the matter. with the request that
he give il due consideration and afterward
transmit il with other letters and material
10 Mr.. GaynOr. We shall hopefully await
the decision that means So much to our
boys and girls. but neither by visits. cOrTe-
spOndence nor telephOning shall we en-
deavOr 20 urge upon the executive power
our appeal for safety and sanity i'm the
observance of the Fourth Our material
Is now DtIOlt MI ArtN lOAr anu II nc VIII
glance over IL he will see that the gov
ernOrs OF tWenty-thTee states OF the Union
have consented 10 become members of a
national committee for the promotion OF
a safe and sane Fourth OF July; that forty
five mayors of various cities approve our
efforts in that direction and that scores Of
pubic officials from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific have put themselves on record as
being enthusiastically il favor OF this re-
form.
No appeal from individuals or from any
organization could be classed with this
splendid mass of patriotic and authoritative
opinion. We regret. Of course. that the
Empire city should be among the last to
fall into the ranks of TefOTm-all loyal New
Workers must regret it-but We can do
nothing but respectfully await the decision
OF the Mayor on which depends 50 much.
In conclusion. IL may be interesting 90
state that i'm New York city alone during
the last three celebrations Of the Fourth
OF July 1889 persons have been killed or
injured. a number far I'm excess of the
casualties recorded in seven famous RevO-
lutiOnary battles-LexingtOn. Bunker Hin.
Fort MOuItrie. White Plains. Fort Wash
ingtOn, Monmouth and CGwpens These
figures. representing our city's losses. touch
US closely. especially when We reflect that
most Of the victims were little children.
AS for the total recorded loss of the whole
country during the last seven celebrations
OF Independence Day. II shows a number OF
casualties almost thirty-One times as great
as those Of the above mentioned battles
81 6O8, as compared with Lis.
MRS. ISAAC L. RICE.
President OF the Society for the Suppress
sion Of Unnecessary Noise.
New York. March II. 1910