New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-15
aPGE BILL TO CREATE
STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Local and National Associations
of Credit Men Plan Vigorous
Campaign.
CROKER ENDORSES MEASURE
Compares Skill and Armament
for Fighting Flames with Neg
lect of Simplest Means
of Prevention.

Prompted by the lesson of the Wash.
,rgton Place fire as to the urgent neces-
.lty Of better fire prevention measures.
the local and national associations Of
credit men are planning vigorous cam
paign toward accomplishing the early
passage Of a bill now pending before the
state Legislature creating the office of q
state FIRE marshal who. With n CONNIE
tent staff of assistants. would have tho
power 10 investigate the origin and cause
o, all fires throughout the state and re-
mort end recommend methods of better
Are protection as a result of such in
vestigations.
Under the proposed bill the city fire
r1arshals in those cities having such Of
Acers would become assistants toe the
state fire marshal and subject to his
directions in the execution Of the duties
prescribed in the bill.
The executive committee of the New
York Credit Mems Association met yes
terday and authorized George w. Hayes.
chairman Of it's insurance committee to
bring the matter before the Chamber of
Commerce with a view TO getting the
support of the chamber and the ap-
pointment OF a committee from that
body 70 go 10 Albany when the Legis-
lsture reconvenes 10 urge the passage OF
the bill. The bill has been Endorsed by
the Merchants Associa ton and other
civic bodies. and delegations from these
organizations are expected to visit AL
bsnv and work for the bill.
Want Lower Insurance Rates.
While the merchants and credit men
are more concerned in obtaining such
Hesitation as a means Of reducing the
growing property waste from fire and
thereby lowering the rates for insur-
ance, the saving OF human life through
more adequate FIRE prevention would be
one Of the most benefcent effects OF
such legislation. according TO the pro-
noters Of the bill.
Charles z. Meek, secretary Of the Ma
tional Credit Mems Association, with Of
Aces at No. II Park Row, said yesterday
that the great advantage Of this state
recognition through a fire marshars de-
psrtment was that IT would give organ
ICED bodies of citizens a regularly con-
stituted force through which 10 urge
preventive measures
Three great objects In general are
ained at in fire marshal legislation. II
was said. First, the inspection of prop
ertv UPON complaint. with power TO con-
denim hazardous buildings or conditions
and comrel the removal Of dangerous &C
ournulations Of rubbish and litter Sec
ond, the investigation Of causes OF FIRE
and punishment for arson or incendiar-
lam where such is discovered. The edu-
cation Of the people by bulletins and in
Guest proceedings as 70 the common
causes Of fire and their prevention is
the third object.
II is pointed out that state fire marshal
laws have been adopted in Ohio WIS
consin. Wyoming. Iowa. Oklahoma, Ill
nois and some other states and that
thew have resulted in great reduction
If fire loss and the saving Of many hu-
man lives.
"Our laws forbid the owner Of dan
f,Arous animal to allow II 70 run at large
hut thew permit men TO erect and neglect
buildings ard continue conditions that
are a constant menace 70 the life ana
rropertv values Of an entire city was
the terse wav in which one merchant de-
scribed the situation.
The section Of the proposed Dill oe-
.cribing the duties Of the state fre mar
shall reads. in part, as follows:
The state fire marshal, his deputies OF
assistants, upon the complaint OF any PEI
scr or whenever he or they sHeI DEEM -
necessary shall inspect al buldlngS an"
premises within their Jurisdlcuon' NHeI-
ever any Of said officers shaH ma an!
building or other structure when, 1oI Ndi wan
O. lepairs or by reason Of age or delapi =
dated condition OF for any olher cause y
especially liable 20 FIRE and which is SO
situated as 20 eudanger other properly, anu
whenever such officer shall find IN any
building cCrnbustibie or exp OSlVe natter OF
Snfianlrable conditions dangerous 70 the
safety cf such buildings he or they snal
order the same 10 be removed or remedleo
and such order snail forthwith be compiled
with BY the owner or occupant OF such
premises or buildings
May Levy Penalties.
-. -. -, ,co,,rap, failiro> n cor1plv