The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1912-03-22
Churches, Theaters, Schools, Hospi-
tails, Colleges, Stores and Resi-
dences Destroyed.
MINNESOTA AVERAGE HIGH
Figures $3.50 Per Capita in Compar'
ison With $3.50 For The
United States.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:

We are here tonight wholly in the
interest of conservation, that SUBJ
ject which has engaged the atten-
tion of the ablest minds in this coun-
try during the past five years. It is
recognized that no subject before
the American people today is of such
paramount Importance as this. In
fact, the progress and intelligence of
a community may be measured by
the interest taken in this subject.
Certainly no phase of the question is
of such vast Importance as that of
conserving the created wealth of our
people, the fruits of industry and
toll. ........
Conservation is not a new subject
among fire insurance men. For many
years insurance men have individual
ly preached the gospel of conserva-
tion. Their failure as individuals to
impress upon the people the import
ance of the question has led to the
formation Of associations having the
same end in view. It is our purpose
to concentrate our efforts and by
uniting strive to accomplish that
which we have failed to do as indi-
viduals. The Minnesota State Fire
Prevention association is but one of
many of such organizations, the par
ent of them all is the National Fire
Prevention association. Of the work
of this most valuable organization
the general public has very little if
any knowledge, and l venture to say
up to the present moment no appre-
zation has been powerful agency in
the matter of raising our standards
of construction as we'll as in the en-
actment Of laws and ordinances
which relate to the safeguarding g
of lives and property against the
danger of fire. Through the active
work of the Minnesota State Fire
Prevention association the property
owner secures expert inspection of
his premises and the pointing out OF
hazardous conditions that posi- bly,
he or she might otherwise through
though htlessness fail to take into ac-
count. During our sojourn among
you it has been our purpose to care
fully inspect each store, warehouse
and factory with view to the dis.
covery and remedy of ali dangerous
conditions. This work has beer
faithfully and conscientious]y per
formed, and we trust that when yOr
have received a letter of notification
calling your attention to conditions
in or about your premises, you viii
cooperate WITH us by giving tn
matter your very prompt attention
and advising our secretary that yo'
have done so.
Fire is defined as being the evolu
tion of heat and light by combus
ton. 1t is not necessary for ou
purpose to enter upon a scientifi
discussion as to the origin of heat
suffice it to say that we have ampl
knowledge OF its effect. Fire in 1t
various manifestations has from tim
immemorial been phenomenon tina
has caused the stoutest heart t.
quail, and we'll may it be so, becaus
the visitation of a great fire leave
in its wake a record of death, desc
lation, and destruction almost inde
scribable. A large part of the miser
resultant from one of these grea
fires, the world at large never hear
of. Fire or heat, as made use {
for domestic, scientific and industris
purposes, is as. essential as the al
we breathe. It's use enters into tn
manufacture and production of a.
most all that we wear in the shal
CONTINUED on last paga)