The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-06-27

Nearly forty years ago Julia Ward
howe told of an ordinance passed In
her nome town forbidding the use of
dangerous explosives within the city
limits on Independence day. But"
she ADDED, the mayor was a personal
friend of our family and granted us
special permission to have in our back
yard u usual private celebration.
with f~1recrackers. torpedoes, rockets.
etc"
This incident illustrates the spirit of
much OF the effort made to eliminate
dangerous explosives in Fourth of July
celebrations. Everybody is sure that,
though h~recrackers ought not to be al
lowed. an exception should be made for
me and my son John"
In the midst of this losing fight a
few communities to supplement pro-
hibition decided to devise substitutes
that because of their attractiveness
and appropriateness might crowd out
the undesirable features Of the cele-
bration. This plan worked we'll from
the start.
\ few years ago Everett H. Barney
of Springfield. Mass. began to give
$1,000 annually for fireworks. Parades.
pageants and historical scenes were ar
anged The program for the day was
planned to interest the foreign races
such as the Greeks and Italians. as
we'll as those Of longer residence in
the country. The day was given a
greater significance and meaning than
ever before. and the novel experiment
attracted wide attention.
In h spring Of 1909 the department
OF child hygiene of the Russell Sage
foundation arranged with the Play
ground Association Of America to hold
a conference Of municipal representa-
t1ves to consider plans for q "safer,
saner Fourth of July" Forty-fve
municipalities responded. The report
Of this conference was widely publish
ed, and twenty cities responded by
celebrations along the lines |
suggested. The casualties dropped
1923 to 5.3O7.
Next year the camoaign was pushed
vigorously throughout the United
Definite programs suggesting
interesting things to do We're printed
and sent broadcast throughout the
country. Ninety-one cities planned
celebrations in accordance with
new suggestions. and the casualties
We're redu6e ed to 1928. In 1911 the in
spread still further, and 1G1
titles planned safe and sane" celebra-
ions. The casualties again dropped
nearly one-half, totaling only 1903.
AS the movement spread state laws
md city ordinances have been enacted
and enforced with a fair degree Of sue
reSS. prohibiting the manufacture. sale
md use Of dangerous explosives in
with the celebrations. Fire
works under proper supervision and
by experts are still a part Of
most celebrations. and there seems to
10 no good reason why this time hon
bred feature should not he continued.
The program of the day. however. has
1een made up Of games. paradpS. drills.
concerts. athletic contests and
D%ageantry,
The policy Of restricting the use Of
siant firerrackerS. bombs and blank
cartridges spread rapidly. In seven
tn" sale of explosives for the
'Olrth is now limited. In Cleveland, !
J.. In 1908 ten people We're killed. In
500, with a modified form Of celehrat-
n@ the day. not one death resulted.
throughout tn" country the fatalities
n 1903 decreased, This year nearly a
hundred cities. large and small. in all
parts or the country are planning a
celebration.