New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-25
a(xHOLDERSS SUE ROADS OUR FIRE Loss GREATEST
Secretary Fisher Calls DestruC-
ton a National Disgrace.
DUE TO MUNICIPAL POLITICS
Nation Paid So 81 Per Capita in
1907, While in Few Euro
pean Cities It Was 81 Gents

Uncle Sam has not done his fun duty IN
protecting natural resources of the country,
salu waiter l.. Fisher. the new Secretary
OF the Interior Yesterday before the meet
lhE or the National Fire Protection Asso-
clauon IN the Waldorf in his first public
onlciai address since receiving his appoint
ment The government should first Of all
set the example TO the people ny properly
protecting that which belongs to H. he said
speaking particularly of protection against
loss by fire.
Last years record Of loss by forest fires
Is a red and bloody one" he said. Seventy
SIX men lost their lives fighting the fires
ana nearly five million acres Of national
forest lands were burned over"
Turning TO conditions throughout the
country. particularly in the large cities
Mr. Fisher said that no other civilized
country was as reckless in fire matters as
the United States. or suffered so heavily
both in the destruction of property and the
loss Of human NE from unnecessary fires.
be added
II the government should suddenly Law
TAX 90 $ o. ON every person in the United
states on the promise Of spending the
money Tor some useful purpose storm Of
protest would be aroused In 1907 S2l5 OS4 -
t0 was paid by the nation in loss of build
lNSs ana their contents alone not including
insurance premiums and fire fighting ex-
ienSes. This amount was expended not IN
PRODUCTIVE enterprise. but in death and de-
struction. In siN Of the largest cities Of
EUROPE the average per capita loss was
only 81 cents
The national government is proceeding 10
minimize the possibilities Of fire IN the ma
tlonal forests, parks snd Indian reserva-
IONS. ne said. especially from the FLYING
sparks from locomotives The regulations
II cd q
thousands OF spark arresters.
other Investigations carried on by the
government 20 see that its Own buildings
with S0o,o0U coo shall he built Of the safest
materials have resulted IN much valuable
scientific information In ireprOof construc-
ton which is free 10 every one. being OF
inestimable benefit to the entire country as
well as saving government property
One 81 the greatest sources Of failure IN
combating ire has been pointed out by the
National Board Of Fire LhderWritlers %
Wherever the tenure of Office Is not de-
rendent upon election returns. the rest re-
suits have been accomplished Mer fullN
e0uiDped FOR administrative duties IN con
necton with fire Departments cannot
usually be obtained where tenure Of Office
Is limited 70 4 period OF four wears.
He spoke cf the Triangle Shirtwaist fac
tory fire as an apparently needless horror
which ought 70 serve 10 rouse the people 10
a sense OF their duties. The average Amer
lean citizen should admit that our hre
waste is in the nature of national disgrace
President ". n. Merrill In expressing the
appreciation Of the National Fire Protec-
ton Association 70 Secretary Fisher. said
that his address vas in the nature Of the first
Official recognition by the government in
Washington % the value OF the work Of his
organization.
Reports were received by the meeting
from committees appointed To investigate
regulations for automobile garages. private
fire departments and drills, fire prevention
ordinances and signalling systems. The last
dav OF the meeting to-day Will ne taken up
with reports from other committees ana the
election OF officers.