The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-06-29

Statistics gathered by a representa-
tive OF The Intelligencer during the
past few days on the result of the
safe and sane" Fourth OF July move
ment throughout the United States
and in Wheeling. show the above
table of deaths and accidents that re-
suited from handling heavy explo-
sives. Since the movement was inau-
gurated the appalling death rate in
the United States has been cut in
half and the decrease is becoming
more and more each year. Among
the first cities in the country to unite
in a safe and sane" movement,
Wheeling has wiped the slate clean
OF serious accidents. Fourth OF July,
1908. saw IS more or less serious &C
cidents I'm Wheeling. and last year,
when the Board of Trade took the safe
and sane movement up and planned
the brilliant display OF fireworks on
the river. not a single accident
married the day in Wheeling.
Sacrificed to false gods OF loyalty
on a counterfeit altar of patriotism
have been the lives OF thousands ana
thousands OF men. women and chill
dren during the past ten years Thou
VI tgtG nave UNNAl DAONn OuAs
hands torn off, fingers lacerated and
legs taken off as the toll OF firing OF
heavy explosives on independence
Day.
Wheeling Pioneer.
Not until 1908 was the movement
for a safe and sane Fourth inaugu-
rated. Then Cleveland. Boston. New
] York and many of the other larger
cities where the death rate had been
appalling started the movement AS
stated, Wheeling was one OF the pion-
GERS and inaugurated the movement
on a small scale in 1909 but IL was
not until last year that the Board OF
| Trade took up the movement on an
elaborate scale. Then Secretary Roy
Benton Naylor. aided by several other
members, solicited funds and sue
ceeded in raising several hundred dol
lars. which was spent on a gigantic
fireworks display which was held on
u barge in the river: yacht races and
a naval parade. Thousands OF men,
women and children thronged the
bridges and the banks OF the river
during the display. and as a result
there were but few people handling
large explosives in the city during
the day. and no serious accidents re
suited.
This year the Board OF Trade has
planned a much more elaborate pro-
gram than the one carried out last
year. Other nearby cities are taking
up the affair and are planning 10
spend a big night with Pa Wheeling
Thousands OF out-of-town visitors are
expected. The insanity OF lndepend-
ence Day gunpowder celebrations that
have killed and MANNED tor 49, years
has come TO an end. a no-risk-aud-no-
danger Independence Day. IL is now
admitted. will more httingiy observe
the nations birthday than would all
the skyrockets. giant crackers and
toy cannons that have been manufac-
tured since July .. i1i6. set on IN
one simultaneous explosion. The pro
gram arranged by the Board OF
Trade Tor the celebration OF this day
is now being completed. and viii be
something Ike this.
IA day commemorative or the
event which We celebrate.
Elaborate and magnificent dis
play of fireworks on the river during
the evening
Regatta racing on the river dur
ing the afternoon.
Naval parade OF yachts during
evening
Public exercises and dancing
Clean and wholesome amuse-
mont for $4,000 heelngitcs
NO burus-No MANNED children
No hrcs-No lockiaw.