South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-09
FIRE PREVENTION
CAN SAVE CITY
$4,000 A YEAR
Safety Board in Observing
Holiday Makes Practical In
veStigation of Improvements
to be Effected Here.

Fire Prevention day was observed in
South Bend Friday.
In accordance with the proclamation
made by Gov. Samuel Ralston more than
two weeks ago in which he set aside Oct
0 as Fire Prevention day, Mayor Keller
and his board OF public safety took up
plans for more effectively protecting
South Bend from fires.
Rather than celebrate the day as Dis
casa Prevention day was observed week
ago. the mayor decided to with his
safety board look into conditions along
practical hines and If possible make such
necessary Improvements as win place the
city in cities OF the second class for
basing insurance ratings.
1t Is thought that the property owners
Of the city can be saved $4,000 a year by
such change and steps were Immediately
taken TO effect such tecmicalities as
might make the change possible.
Chamber Takes Up Matter.
Several weeks ago the Chamber took up
the feasibility OF the matter and ii was
left in the hands OF Pres. Harry a Eng
man, jr., 10 appoint a special committee
90 Ia Ike up the matter Within a few days.
however the insurance underwriters took
mp the matter of their own accord and
the committee was not appointed pend
ing action OF the underwriters.
Since then the matter has been gone
over carefully by the city officials work
ing in cooperation with E. VI. Sellers Of
the insurance inspection bureau and En-
gineer Stone Of the same department. Ac-
cOrding 10 the experts from the insurance
bureau, several changes will be necessary.
The Chamber Of Commerce expects 70 look
into the practicability Of the changes and
encourage the proposed changes.
That the fact that the fire losses I'm
South Bend have been unusually small in
the last few years is due more TO luck
aud TO the fact that the city has most
efficient fire fighting department than TO
the fact that safety conditions are on the
highest plane: was the statement OF H. g.
Spauldng Of the chamber. who with
Mayor Keller and Secy. Frederick III.
Elliott of New York city, met in a short
conference at the Oliver hotel before the
safety meeting at which Secy. Elliott
spoke.
Would Enforce Ordinance.
Elliott pointed out the necessity Of the
enforcement OF the ordinances compelling
autOists 10 park their ears at least 80
feet distant from hydrantS. He urged the
mayor TO see that this ordinance be
strictly enforced, asserting that in Cleve-
land he made an effort 10 test out the
law enforcement there and found that be-
fore he had left his car near a hydrant
two minutes an officer ordered it away.
He declared that automobiles should not
be left near IRE lighting apparatus or any
kind and also asserted that cars should
not be parked too close about the entrance
of large buildings. He said that the
NUMBERS OF cars generally AT the entrance
way Of the J. NJ. :. building and also the
Oliver theater make the buildings unsafe
should fire start and the people inside
try 10 leave.
Among the more important changes de-
manded before South Bend can be
placed in cities Of the second class for
insurance ratings is new building code
1t will compel the city TO prepare a com
plete set OF building plans in strict con
formity with the state and municipal
legislation for fire prevention. A motor
aerial truck which would, it is estimated.
cost SID 900. will also be necessary to
place the city I'm this class