Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-05-21
FIRE PREVENTION
 OFFICIALS HERE Held Enthusiastic Meeting at Chamber of Commerce Rooms Last Night. SOME PR ECA TONS Mayor Jordan and Aldermen Attend Meeting in Isey Timely
 Suggestions.
SOME PR ECAUTIONS

The Fire Prevention meeting was held at the Chamber of Commerce rooms last n eht and was we'll a. tended by insurance men, business i men and other local citizens who are i interested in the campaign ',hat is be- ing waged over the state by the state association. Secretary H. G. Spauld- ing of ahe Chamber of Commerce, presided.
 President E. l.. Barkley, Of Little Rock, assumed the chair and procei- ed to explain the pnypose of 'he or garizat on. He sak that it's work consisted ia making Investigations and pointing out the measures neces- sary to unionize and if possible pre- vent fires. The associa ion is closely allied to and aff Hated with .he Ma ,.ional Fire Protection Association l The first work of that organization was in Toledo where the record in the district inspected showed 'ha. 10 fires occurred in IS months.
 The work of the organization ,s wholly unsalfish, being carried on largely at. the expense of the insur- ance companies, which in turn re- l duce rates provided the losses from l fire are lGssened. In France losses caused by carelessness of an owner must be borne by him and he must pay his neighbors for any losses caused thereby.
 Brief remarks on cooperation were made by Secrs' ary Spaulding.
 J. G. Leigh. Of Little Rock, gave interesting statistics of insurance costs and fire losses.
 Hon. w. D. Jones spoke in hum- orus vein, telling several good anec- dctss. at the expense of the, insurance agents. Speaking seriously the Judge spoke at some length on the subjec of "Criminal Carelessness" as the cause of fires. He also deprecated the over-insurance of property as practiced 5v some agents.
 MT. Schneider. of the w. B. Nim- mons & Co.,a former special agent pointed out the impossibility of man. ufactures and merchants keeping a definite amcun,. of stock on hand at all times. He was emphatically op- posed 10 '.ha valued policy" law
 MT Ross Mccain. vice president Of the state association, spoke forciblv on the necess 'ty of local action and cooperation in preventing fires in this city. He urged the adoption of cer- tain ordinances, especially one known as a building ordinance, which shou q provide that all buildings over two lstores in height should be of fire proof construction. He pointed out the necessity of precaution in the in- stallation of natural gas fixtures and pipes. All wires except trclley wires should be under ground. Electrical wiring should be carefully inspected at frequent intervals. Storage of gasoline should be provided under ground and regulated by ord nance All buildings where public gatherings are held should be fire proof through out. The use of safety matchl should be generally adopted. A state fire marshal should be provided for and every community should have some officer whose duty it would be to in quire inso the cause of fires.
 j. E. Boyce, president of the Cotton Belt Bank, explained to the visitors the character of the fire proof hotel building which is now being erecte'l on Main street. He deprecated the camelessness of business houues in E allowing trash 70 accumulate in the rear of Buildings and about premises. He favored the object ot .he organiza- tion fully.
 R. H. M. Mills the veteran in the ranks, spoke briefly :n favor of the object fthe organization.
 The members of the city council and officials appeared in body at 10 o'clock.
 I Mayor A. c. Jordan voiced the sen- timens of the board in favoring the movement He said that the meeting had been anticipated by the council