Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-10-13
A PROCLAMATION.
BY John A. Mead, Governor of the State
of Vermont

The enormous annual fire loss of the
United States is certainly appalling and
remedial measures are being almost uni
versally adopted. The governors of
many of the states of the Middle West
have issued proclamations designating
a Fire Prevention day. Investigation of
the subject shows the Importance of con-
centrated and general action. The ag
gregate property loss by fire in this
country during the year 1910 was $2li,-
003,300 or per capita loss of $2.33. The
last accessible figures in six leading Eu-
ropean countries show a per capita loss
of only $.33. Last year in Is cities of
Germany, having a combined population
of 5,616S22, the fire loss was approx
mately one million dollars, while five
American cities with a combined popula-
ton of 100 600 less, the fire loss was
was about fifteen million of dollars, That
of New York city was three times S
great as London, and seven times the
loss of Paris. The fire loss of Vermont
last year was 1896 per capita, a total
loss of over one million. The leading
Vermont fire insurance company in the
year ending August l, 1911, paid to its
policy holders and for expenses $516,-
44679, every dollar of which to be col
lected from our people in premiums and
assessments. The commonly accepted
idea that insurance companies stand the
loss has no foundation in fact Premi-
ums are based and assessments made of
necessity, so that the public pay the en-
tire loss on insured property to the
limit of the amount written. The bal
ance falls on the individual having the
misfortune to suffer from a loss. The
unprecedented destruction of created
values in the United States in view of
the experience elsewhere seems entirely
unnecessary. If the interest and atten-
ton of our people can be aroused, saw
ing of several hundred thousand dollars
each year may be affected in Vermont
alone, which, If used in the development
of our natural resources, the construc-
| ton and maintenance of better high
ways or in more liberal expenditures for
the education of the young, would re-
| suit in an incalcuable benefit to all our
| people ultimately.
Believing the welfare of Vermont so
! demands, l, John A. Mead, Governor, do
| hereby designate Saturday, Oct. 2S, a. ID.
1911, as Fire Prevention day and do here
by call upon our people to devote the day
| to the removal of debris from their
! premises. to see that the heating ap-
| pliances in their homes are made safe,
to carefully examine the fues and Chin
neys and to perform such other work
as may eliminate hazard by fire. Boards
of education should personally examine
the institutions in their charge. City and
village authorities should cooperate with
| them and with the public generally in
| the adoption and enforcement of such
rules and regulation as will prevent this
enormous and constant drain upon the
resources of our state. Drills in the
public schools might be established and
| information be disseminated, that would,
| to a considerable extent aid in the pro-
lection of life and property. l invite the
| public press to take active part in i'm
pressing upon the public the Importance
of this movement and in awakening with
every individual sense of every citi-
zen's responsibility to his neighbor and
himself to the end that the loss of life
and property by fire may be reduced to
the minimum.