The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-08-29
KENOSHA'S FIRE LOSS SMALL
State Department. Shows that Kenosha
had Thirty three Fires With a Total
Loss of 500, 2so Nearly All of Which
was Covered by Insurance.

of this state is due to easily prevent
able causes says State Fire Marshal
T. M. Purtell in his fifth annual report
issued today.
More than $500 inspections were
made during the first six months of this
year in nearly $50 different cities and
villages. In most cases it was only
necessary to point out the fire hazards,
according to Mr. Purtell, and the own
er of the premises had them corrected
promptly. The department also has
prepared fire prevention ordinances and
sent them to cities and villages in the
state.
Mr.. Purtell requests that the COVER
nor incorporate recommendations along
the following lines to the next legis-
lature:
Adoption of uniform building code
which shall contain regulations for
electric wiring, appliances and devices.
Requiring the storage of gasoline,
dynamite and like combustible and in
fammable substances and huids.
Prohibiting the use and sale of so,
called parlor matches.
Making it the duty of officers and
members of paid fire departments to
inspect the buildings and premises in
the business districts monthly and en-
pcwering them to enforce the correc-
tion of hazardous conditions.
Providing for the giving of at least
one lesson each week in all public
schools on fire waste and fire proven
ton.
Repeal of the "valued policy law"
section 1893 of the revised statutes.
Amendment of subsection of sec
ton 1946k so as to provide but one
procedure for holding in contempt, and
that on complaint in county court.
Amendment of subsection 2 of sec
ton 1946l, providing for an appeal TO
county court on orders issued by the.
state fire marshal and his force.
Amendment of subsection o. the
last mentioned section, to provide that
actions to enforce the penalty fot not
complying with orders be brought in
county court.
The disbursements for the eighteen
months were 81, 10917, leaving bal
ance of $17,148.91 on July 1, 1912. The
largest item of expense was the pay roll
for eighteen months, including fees for
fires, the total amount being
$29,272.3S.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1912, the department prosecuted 80
cases of arson, involving forty-fOur de-
PENDANTS. Twenty defendants were
convicted two were sent to hospitals,
one is a fugitive from justice and in
two cases the jury disagreed. Five de-
PENDANTS were discharged after the
ltEGlluIudIy tAdhIuobbiOn anu 5WO HC4C
acquitted upon trial. Twelve defen-
dants are still awaiting trial.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1912, there were 1920 fires in the
state. The value of the buildings and
contents involved was $27, 258,895. The
damage to buildings and contents ag-
gregated $4,012.O8O.
Milwaukee county suffered the great
est damage from fire, the total amount
being 1895, 105. Other counties which
sustained more than 100000 fire losses
were: Grant, $148,925; Lacrosse
$239, $50; Racine, $319,845; Rock,
$2ll, 1925; Washington, $1O3, 405; Wood,
$1,000 Dane, the second wealthiest
county in the state, had fire loss of
only 1875 and the loss in Kenosha
county was $22,28O. Bayfield, sustained
the least loss of any county, the total
being only $1,325. In nearly all of the
counties the amount of insurance car
ried was greater than the total fire loss.