Mexico Missouri message., 1913-09-25
ACTING GOV. PAINTER ASKS MIS-.
soURIANs TO CLEAN UP RUB.
sIsH AND WASTE.
LOSSES IN YEAR 100000
Much Of Damage Unnecessary and
Could Be Avoided, Executive De-
clares in Proclamation Asking
All to Observe Event.

Jefferson City.-Missourt is to have
fire prevention day" Oct. 8. Acting
Gov. Painter issued a proclamation
setting aside that day for citizens to
free their business and residence
premises from flre-breeding debris.
In his proclamation Gov. Painter
calls attention to the large number of
fires in the state that might have
been prevented by reasonable care by
property owners and others.
Gov. Painter says that local author
tiles should give attention to better
building regulations, fire protection
and prevention, as well as to added
apparatus for fire fighting. Fire drills
should be held on that day in institu-
lions, factories and in public, private
and parochial schools.
Fire losses in Missouri, insured and
otherwise, amounted in 1912 to
100000.
Waste OF Resources Unnecessary.
Attached to his proclamation is
list of fire-prevention suggestions.
The proclamation and suggestions fol
lows, in part;
The unnecessary waste Of energy and
resources in the state OF Missouri by fire
is appalling, and is vital problem which
demands the immediate and serious cf-
forts of all our people for a satisfactory
solution.
The citizens OF Missouri, young and old.
share the responsibility OF our excessive
fire loss. Carelessness. which causes SO
many fires, is prCventable. We cannot
hope to make sufficient reduction in fire
loss by better apparatus OF by prosecut-
ing the man who sets his building on
fire. We must prevent moving condi-
tions from our buildings that tend to
cause fires.
Matches In Metal Boxes.
/ attach hereto certain suggestions cal
culated TO aid in the observance OF fire
to the favorable consideration of the peO-
pie of the state.
Supplies OF matches should he kept IN
metal boxes and out OF the reach OF chill
dren. As matches generally are danger
out, and are the cause OF large number
OF fires, 1t is recommended that only safe
~ matches be used.
Where lamps are used they should not
be filled by artificial light, or after dark.
Coal oil should be kept in metal cans
| and only in small quantities in a safe
place.
Gas brackets should have wire globes
where there is danger Of window curtains
being blown into the fame.
All flues and chimneys should be eN-
before the fires are started In the fall
All furnaces or heating apparatus
should be inspected by competent per
sons before winter fires are started, ana
the danger of fires being started there
from should be carefully safecuarded.
Fire Estingulshers Urged.
II is advisable To have on hand at all
times conveniently located, fire eNtin-
Euishers. Several kinds of liquid fire eN-
tinguishers have been approved by the
National Underwriters Association, ana
care should be used TO get one that has
| been tested and fuund reliable. All fires
could be easily suppressed at the start
/ with n chemical eXtinguisher.
In factories, where a considerable num-
Der Of employees work. and in schools and
| other public buildings, where people con-
EreEate. printed rules should be displayed
| giving directions for necessary preCau-
/ lions against fire, and as to methods OF
! escape from buildings in case of fire, and
! proper driIlS should be given at regular
/ intervals
The burning OF rubbish, except under
/ proper public regulations I'm cities and
/ towns, should be prohibited
All city and town authorities should
| rigidly inspect moving picture show build
/ inCs and require that n sufficient number
/ Of exits be provided, and that there he
m ample supply Of fire extinCuishcrs
! available ut all times.