Arizona republican., 1911-10-09
Growth Of Movement For
National Cleanup" Day
OCTOBER 8 IS DESIGNATED
In Many States it Has
Been Proclaimed by the
Governors as the Occas-
ion for Special Eff
fort.

Today October has been pro-
claimed as Cleanup" day for fire
prevention. by the governors of many
IF the western states. in conformity
nth a growing movement for CO.
operative action in preventing the
fearful fire losses in this country,
many of which seem Go be unneces-
sary The national board of fire
underwriters is behind The movement
and it is one Of growing popularity.
Its request FOR similar action by the
governor Of Arizona was heartily re-
sponded To by Governor Sloan. in
sentiment. but the notice came too
late for the issuance OF a prOclama-
ton The governor has therefore fur
nished the letter To- him for publica-
ton, with the hope that its contents
may at least be educational and Of
value against unnecessary fires in the
future. Those who are willing To-
suit action To- the word. are urged To-
consider this as cleanup day to the
limit of possibility an short notice.
Following is the letter:
New York. oct 3rd, 1911.
Hon. Richard T. Sloan.
Governor of Arizona,
Phoenix, Ariz
Dear Sir
The fire loss OF The United States
has reached such an appal ms figure
that it is conceded u be a. national
disgrace and il needs no argument coz
elaboration To convince one of it's
enormity and the apparent necessity
for the adoption of remedial measures
towards its reduction
The aggregate property loss i'm this
country for the year 1870 was $214.-
o05.3o0. or a per capita loss Of S2.33
Figures secured in 1906 through the
United States consuls i'm cities Of six
leading European countries showed a
per capita loss OF only b cents IN
1910 thirteen Of the largest cities of
Germany with "A combined population
Of 5.616.S22 suffered a fire loss Of
Sl.O6I2o". or per capita loss of only
10 cents. Five American cities. Chi
cago. Philadelphia. Boston. st Louis |
and san Francisco. with a combined
population Of 100000 less. suffered "a
fire loss during the same period OF
nearly 100000 900 The city of Nev
York last year suffered a fire loss
OF nearly three times the loss or Lon
don and more than seven times that
of Paris
This destruction Of our created val
Ues is not confined to a section OF
the country or any articular state
The records Of the Insurance depart
ment Of the state Of Arizona show
that the fire losses paid in 1910
amounted to S472.305 and adding l.
per cent for uninsured values de-
stroyed gives a property loss OF S543.-
$50. or a per CAPITA loss Of S265.
The idea has been developed that
selecting and proclaiming a day as
Cleanup day by the governors OF
the respective states would stimulate
the people at large To inspect their
premises. clean them up and iraug-
urate repairs when necessary 10 such
a degree as to diminish the probable
ity Of fire occurring. and i'm addition
such proclamations by governors
would call attention To the subject
and probably make a deep impression
on the minds of the people and make
a subject for newspaper comment
The governors of number Of the
great states of the middle west have
already proclaimed the 9th of Octo-
Der. 1911. as Fire Prevention day. Sc
lecting that day because it is the
fortieth anniversary Of the great Chi
cagO fire. We earnestly recommend
your eXcellency to issue similar
PROCLAMATION, calling upon the citizens
Il.
to the removal Of all rubbish and
debris from their premises. To set
their heating appliances in safe and !
proper condition for winter use. to |
see that all chimneys and flues are |
carefully examined and that the |
burning of rubbish or combustile !
refuse rear adjoining buildings is dis |
continued and the various boards OF /
education throughout the state ana |
those who are charged with the re- |
sponsibility for the safety of school /
children and students to make es-
pecial Investigation into the condi-
tons affecting the danger Of lives
and property by fire. and especially |
recommending that city and village
throughout the state shall
observe Fire Prevention day for the
purpose of awakening a proper sense
Of responsibility of the pepple and
as much as possible the |
danger Of fire. ard upon boards Of
public officials and teach
ers having the education and care of
CHILDREN in charge. to set apart the
iay for fire drills. and instruction
IN regard to fire hazards and meth
DDS of fire prevention and rescue
work, these drills to be made a per
nanent feature and to be practised
1t FREQUENT intervals throughout the
school year
We recommend that YOU urge the
public press to aid in impressng the
importance Of this movement upon
he people Of the state
1t seems fitting that the state of
Arizona should officially take cog