The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-06-22
OFFICIALS TO DO THEIR PART
People Of City are Expected to Have
Their Children Keep Away From
the Use of Dangerous Fireworks for
Celebration.

Is Kenosha to have a sane Fourth of
July? Or is it to have day of acct
dents, some of which might prove
fatal2 In this city, the day will be
what the citizens make it.
If Kenosha boys and girls celebrate
the day in a conservative manner, use
a good measure of care and Judgment,
it is likely that few accidents will re-
suit.
Carelessness and negligence are two
of the deadly weapons of fate. Boys
and girls in their desire to create noise
on the Fourth lose sight of all sense of
conservatism and prudence. It appears
as though the young men and women
have lost sight of the significance Of
the day and have been lost in an orgy
of fire and noise.
Throughout the country for the last
decade or more, efforts have been made
to curb the wild enthusiast of "young
America And the efforts have not
been in vain for last year when the
smoke of the days celebration had
cleared away, it was found the num-
Der of "killed and wounded" was less
than it had been for ten years
One hundred and thirty-one lives
were lost as a result of Fourth of July
celebrations in 1910 and 1928 persons
were wounded. What will be death S
toll this year.
Seldom of late years has there been
an Independence day, but scores of
human beings have been made depen-
dent for life. Life and limb are ieo-
pardized from the break of the day I'M
til after the sun has set. Children in
their innocent search for fun escape
the vigilance Of parents and often dire
results follow. When civilization in
this country was not so complex peo-
pie could so into the country to escape
the furious bombardment of the day,
but now the trolley car and the auto
mobile follow the seeker of peace and
comfort to his rural retreats.
One way in which city may in a
measure avoid the disastrous results of
Independence day is to arrange cele-
bration for its citizens. Of course such
public demonstration will not entire
ly eliminate injuries, but it will minim-
lie the results and may lead people to
more rational celebration Of the day
in future years. Amusements that will
arouse the patriotism Of the citizens
will be found to be worthy substi-
tute for the frecracker and cannon,
some people claim.
The mode of celebrating the day in
the first fifty years of the life of this
republic was far different from the
methods Of today If there were can
mons to be fred, they were discharged
by men who knew how to use the
weapons. In the old days the people
gathered in the villages where ad-
dresses were given and games were
played The farmers from the sur
rounding country came to the villages
and all made merry. AS the country
has grown, the methods of celebrating
Independence day have changed and
it can be truthfully said that the adj
vance in civilization as regards cele-
brating the Fourth has been costly.
Numerous municipalities in various
sections of the country have endeavor-
ed in the past two years to interest
their citizens in a sane 18th of July.
The results have been highly satisfac-
tory. Not only have municipalities tax
en- a step toward bringing about a
less costly observation of the day, but
many civic organizations have taken
an active part also. The National Fire
Protection association Of Boston has
also done much in the crusade against
unwarranted celebrations of Indepen
dence day.