The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-17
BYWATER DISCUSSES
PREVENTION OF FIRE
Chief of Salt Lake Depart
ment Gives Some Very In
teresting Statistics.

The Tribune has received communi
;ation from William II. Bywater, chic
'f the Salt Lake City fire department
which will be read with interest by tn
people OF the city, Discussing fires, thei
,ause and prevention, the chief says:
7 read with great interest In your
Issue OF this date an editorial com
mentinG on the fire loss Of the United
States and Canada for the month of
February OF the present year. giving
figures compiled by the Journal OF
Commerce and Commercial Bull
letin OF New York city. While can
not claim TO be familiar with all the
conditions prevailing In the cities sus-
tanning the fire loss quoted in your
article, my knowledge OF the condi-
tions existing in our own city con-
vinces me that very much OF this
enormous loss could be prevented by
the exercise OF care and vigilance on
the part OF those owning the prop
erty destroyed, l take the liberty of
presenting figures showing values in
property jeopardized in Salt Lake City
by the failure OF property owners
themselves or their agents to take
the proper precautions TO guard
against loss by fire.
i have selected twelve fires from the
number which have occurred in Salt
Lake so far during the present month
In which the hazard amounts 10 a
very respectable sum, viz:
Value OF buildings involved .s1s7. 800
Value OF contents involved. 2S3, 900
Value Insurance involved. 31S 400
Iotal ,...-......,........S SS4S, 700
Fortunately the actual loss sus-
tanned was very low compared with
he. mo rot Ao,<
OF heavy loss Is ever present
III each of the twelve cases I haye
selected j am fully assured that the
lire was the result OF neglect on the
part OF persons In charge OF the prop
erty TO take the proper precautions TO
guard against such a contingency
The number OF fires which are due
TO causes beyond the control OF the oc-
cupants OF the buildings are very few
as compared with the number which
could be prevented by constant vig!-
lance and care. The principal cause
or fires which have occurred in this
city IS carelcssness in allowing accu-
mutations OF inflammaole rubbish such
as waste paper. greasy rags and
waste, ashes. etc, on and about the
premises.
| shall be very pleased indeed 10
the people OF Salt Lake will give heed
10 the warnings given from time. 10
time by those who have given the
subject OF fire prevention a great deal
OF consideration, such authorities as
former Fire Chief Crocker OF New
York, who declares after a quarter OF
century OF investigation OF the
causes OF hres in the United States
that fully 80 per cent of the fires oc-
curing in this country could be pre-
vented by keeping all premises clear
at all times OF innammable rubbish
and taking such other precautionary
measures as will readily present
themselves 10 the minds OF those who
VIII give the subject the consideration
20 which u Is entitled
Much Of the work OF Salt Lake
C!ty's lire department is performed
along the lines OF fire prevention. Up-
wards OF 400 inspections OF business
premises are made each month. and
It's members are ready at ali times
10 advise on how TO prevent fires and
oHer sucb suggestions on the sub
Ject as experience has proven 10 be NJ
value. ~ Va