The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-10-16
FIRE PREVENTION DAY
SO Designated by Gov. Mead Through
Proclamation

Proclamation
Rutland, Oct 14--Gov. John A.
Mead has issued the following self
explanatory proclamation:
The enormous annual fire loss Of
the United States is certainly APP
palling and remedial measures are
being almost universally adopted.
The governors of many of the states
of the Middle West have issued pro-
CARNATIONS designating a Fire Pre-
vention day. Investigation OF the
subject shows the importance Of
concentrated and general action.
The aggregate property loss by fire
in this country during the year 1910
was $214 ,00S,3 300, or a per capita loss
OF $3.50 The last accessible figures
in six leading European countries
show a per capita loss of only $.3S.
Last year in thirteen cities of Ger
many, having a combined population |
Of 5.616,S22, the fire loss was approx
imately one million dollars, while
five American cities with a combined
population of one hundred thousand
less, the fire loss was about fifteen
million dollars That of New York
City was three times as great as
London, and seven times the loss of
Paris. The fire loss of Vermont last
year was 1926 per capita, a total loss
Of over one million. The leading
Vermont Fire Insurance company In
the year ending August /, 1911, paid
to its policy holders and for expenses.
$5l6, 44679, every dollar of which had
to be collected from our people In
premiums and assessments. The
commonly accepted idea that insur
ance companies stand the loss has
no foundation in fact. Premiums are
based and assessments made OF
! necessity. so that the public pay the
entire loss on insured property to
the limit OF the amount written. The
balance falls on the individual having
the misfortune to suffer from loss.
The unprecedented destruction of
created values in the United States
in view of the experience elsewhere
seems entirely unnecessary. II the
interest and attention OF our people
can be aroused, saving of several
hundred thousand dollars each year
may be affected in Vermont alone,
which, II 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
result In an incalculable benefit In
all our people ultimately. Believing
the welfare Of Vermont so demands.
!, John A. Mead, Governor do here
by designate Saturday. October 18th,
A. ID. 1911. as Fire Prevention Day
and do hereby call upon our people
to devote the day to the removal OF
debris from their premises, to see
that the heating appliances in their
homes are made safe, TO carefully ex
anime the hues and chimneys and To
perform such other work as may
eliminate hazard by fire. Boards Of
- the institutions in their charge:
City and village authorities should
II cooperate with them and with the
public generally In the adoption and
enforcement OF such rules and regu
Is lations as will prevent this enormous
~ and constant drain upon the re
> sources OF our state. Drills in the
Il Public Schools might be established
and information be disseminated thai
would. In considerable extent ait
In the protection OF life and property
invite the Public Press TO take &C
tive part In impressing upon tbs
n public the Importance OF this move
y ment and In awakening with ever
individual q sense OF every citlzenl
G responsibility to his neighbor anC
himself to the end, that the loss o
T. life and property by FIRE may be re
l. duced to the minimum.
~ Given under my hand and the grea
Id seal of the State. this ninth day o
:. October, In the year of our Lord on
VI thousand nine hundred and clever
n and OF the Independence OF tn
m United States. the one hundred an
80 thlrty-sk.
John A. Mead. Governor.
Harry c. Kingsley. Secretary OF Civ
and Military Affairs