The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-09-25

tive Department of the State of Min
nesota proclamation as follows:
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Executive Department
PROCLAMATION
and efficiency. The people of Min
nesota have already realized the re-
suits that may be attained by CO.
operation for the purpose of attain
ing any given end Accordingly I
am calling the attention of the peo-
pie of this state to an important
question which is given us to solve
If all work together. The end in
view is the prevention. of fire losses
so that each citizen of the state of
Minnesota may be more prosperous
at the close of the year than he was
at the close of the previous year. Not
only will proper cooperation along
these lines result in the conservation
of property but human life will be
conserved as well. Money and pro-
perty can be replaced but human life
snuffed out is an irretrivable loss.
The fire waste in the United States
is absolutely appalling. That it is a
useless waste is shown conclusively
by comparative statistics. The aver
age per capita loss through fire to
the citizens of this country is ap-
proximately $3.50. In European
countries the average per capita loss
is 35c. During the past fifteen years
it is estimated that two billion dol
lars and twenty thousand lives have
been offered up as a sacrifice to the
fire scOurge. Shall we admit that
Europe can teach us a primary les
son in conservation? Surely we shall
not do so. An American has led and
blaZed the trial in the most difficult
lines of human endeavor, so in this
question of conservation involving
the prevention of loss of property and
life by fire America must lead, but
before assuming the position of lead
ership, America must learn the les
son which Europe is teaching.
In Minnesota a. strenuous strug-
gle has, been waged against fire losses
through the establishment of the
office of the State Fire Marshal Be-
cause of the efforts of the State For
ester and through the interest taken
in this subject by the State Insurance
Commissioner, Minnesota has gone
far towards solving the problem.
Their efforts are to be commended
but much remains to be attained and
this can be accomplished only
! through the thorough cooperation
o4the people of the state. .sss.. !.
A year ago the first national fire
pEeventionScongress was called at my
instance and was held in the city Of
St. Paul. At that congress different
methods of fire prevention were dis
cussed and the influence of the
gathering has Oeen nationwide. The
different states have taken up the
matter and everywhere a titanic
struggle is being waged against the
useless waste of tlre. Having set the
pace along this line, Minnesota
should not be a laggard in carrying
on the war. ! Cooperation is the key
to the situation. This cooperation
can be attained only through the ac-
tive influence of those agencies that
can bring cooperation to you. These
agencies are especially, the churches,
the schools the commercial and mu-
nicipal organizations and private
business concerns. A large percent
age of the fire losses occur through
criminal activity or carelessness. The
influence of these agencies for harm
can be reduced to minimum by the
active interest of our people. The
!police power of the. state with the
assistance of all good citizens will be
directed against the crime of arson.
The crime of carelessness is one that
can be prevented only through, the
activity of all good citizens. Relent-
less war can be waged against the
careless use of matches. Inflamma-
BILE rubbishsin factories and else
where must not be permitted Hall
ways and alleys that are noisime
and dangerous should be cleaned up.
oily waste, a dangerously inflam-
mable material, must be eliminated.
Lumber yards, packing houses or
factories must be carefully guard