The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1912-03-22


of lawmakers, but evidently we have
very poor opinion of our own han
diwork in that particular, as is ap-
parent from the fact that we show
those laws so little respect. The per
capita fire waste in the United States
is in the neighborhood of $3.50,
while in Germany it is something
like thirty-nine cents, and we COM
pare no more favorably with other
foreign countries. The fact that
this waste seems to be increasing
rather than diminishing should
cause the gravest apprehension. The
attitude of government, federal,
state and municipal, is to a large ex-
tent one of Indifference to the sub
ject of fire prevention. Where in
this broad land can be found evil
dence of an earnest determination to
remedy the deplorable conditions to
which I have alluded. We feel deep
ly affronted if we are accused by Wis
itors from abroad of being an i'm
moral nation, but to burn up $685.
100000 worth of property every year
indicates gross immortality and moth
ing else. 1t indicates sloth and care
lessness and these two make for i'm
morality.
You may be inclined to suspect us
of selfish motives in this agitation.
In answer to such a suspicion have
only to remark that you are not
burning up the money of the fire
insurance companies; you are burn
ing your own money
Improve Local Conditions.
A moment ago I compared the per
capita waste of the United States
with that of other countries.
would now direct your attention to
the fact that while the per capita
waste of the United States is about
$3.50, that of Minnesota is more
than $3.50 which fact would seem
to indicate that we of Minnesota
should give this subject the most
thoughtful attention. Touching up
on local conditions, permit me to say,
that while your municipality is in
many ways entitled to credit for be-
ing progressive, in this one particu-
lar there is plenty of room for i'm
provement here as we'll as elsewhere.
You must share the responsibility for
this scandalous fire waste, and If the
city of Bemidji is to measure up to
the standard of what a clean. pro-
gressive, moral community should
be, you have your work to do here.
In the days to come we shall hear
from you through your responses to
our notices indicating conditions
that should be corrected. Our men,
bers individually will be continually
visiting your city, and will have op-
portunities to observe whether you
are community to which we can
point with pride and hold up as ex-
ample of cleanliness and law obe-
dience to other communities of the
commonwealth of Minnesota. 1 have
visited your city many times and
have always met with courtesy and
consideration at the hands of your
people. l know that from henceforth
your interest in this subject will
prompt you, not only to exercise the
utmost care on your premises, but
also to watch each other as we'll, for
that is your plain duty.
Greatest Fires From Sparks.
Ever bear in mind that the great
est con1agration must inevitably
have it's beginning in a tiny spark
which only a cupful of water would
be ample to extinguish. We have
come here full of an earnest pur-
pose. We want to fire you with the
same enthusiasm. We want you to
cooperate with us in removing from
the fair name of Minnesota the foul
blot that it now bears.
(Signed) J. L. KING.