The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-06-27

he expected from q considerable bat
Tie For though the number OF dead
will be relatively small, the list of
wounded will be very large. Probably
1000 or more will be seriously hurt
fn one way or another by explosives.
OF these more than 400 will lose one
or both legs. Nearly 100 boys will
receive injuries In the right hand from
toy pistols, from which they Will die
.n a lingering and painful manner from
10ckjaw.
Tn the palm of the human hand
there is a plexus, or network OF nerves.
When a toy pistol expiodes. or shoots
backward, as II is always liable to do,
tire wound inflicted is usually in the
pzlr,; there is decoration OF the net
zzurk OF nerves aforesaid, and iockjaw
| 81 likely to follow. 7. SO ia
Tne estimate OF 10000 wounded
does not include the slight-hurt, who
viii make a much longer list. But
taking the figures given, and leaving
.,ut of consideration all destruction of
property by fire. 1t would seem that
the nations bill for it's Fourth OF July
ceiebration is a pretty heavy one
The property loss by fires due to
careless use OF explosives. will amount
ro at least 100000 Possibly 1t may
run up into the Millions. but the es-
gsmate here given represents merely
an average Fourth OF July. People
VIII throw firecrackers into places
where they are likely to start confia-
xrzfion, and skyrockets. which excite
ssznch enthusiasm when they go up,
have a depiorable way Of coming down
apon roofs and making mischief.
Then, too, many of the modern kind
OF fireworks such as the bombs, which
rise 1000 feet Ina the air and explode.
Iberating beautiful showers OF vari-
corored stars, contain considerable
quantities OF high explosives. and are
proportionately dangerous. Only last
Fourth OF July, II will be remembered.
many people were killed and wounded
by the accidental setting on OF guam
tity OF such bombs which had Been
put In readiness for fireworks ex-
hibition.
Some, probably dozen. shops that,
contain large stocks of fireworks will
be destroyed by the accidental setting
OF of the combustibies. incidentally
eudangering much property In their
nefghborhood. Few finer aud more
striking exhibitions I'm the fireworks
line are given on the glorious Fourth
zhan are furnished by such impromptu-
displays. but they cost a great deal
al money.
If grown people are satisfied to risk
afe and limb In playing with the high
explosives contained In many kinds Of
fireworks, 1t is nobody's business but
cheirs. Unfortunately. some of the in
etruments of celebration placed In the
hands OF children are loaded with small
quantities OF similar deadly materials.
Naturally, the little ones like best the
1orpedoes which make the ioudest
noise. and those are the ones that con-
tain illuminate OF mercury Can exceed
9ngIy dangerous substance} and some
Simes even dynamite.
lust why the police do not take the
necessary pains 60 suppress the sale of
such torpedoes nobody can say. To of.
fer them for sale Is against the law.
hut ordinarily the regulation Is not en-
forced. and little Bobby or Johnny
walks innocenty about the streets on
-ehe Fourth OF July with enough dyna-
rnite In his jacket pocket TO injure him
seriously, or possibly Mill him, IL a mis-
chance should set of his package OF
furpedoes all at once.
Parents are not acquainted sufficient
" with the danger that turks In some
Kinds OF torpedoes ff they were at ell
aware OF It., accidents OF the kind
would be less frequent. and public
opinion would bring about the proper
enforcement of the law which forbids
Che sale of these bombs-for bombs
1hey are. though only small ones. OF