The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-01-16
|ANNUALR REPORT
On STATE FIRES
JOHN y. WlNsHlP pEcLAREs
LossEs DUNNO PAST YEAR
SNOW bEcREAsG.
MUCH WORK ACCOMPLISHED
According 20 the Fire Marehais
Statement the safety First" Cam
psIsn Conducted BY Bureau
Proves . Success.

0tAsom0Uts Su0 0aIoCy ptuS OoUr
psIen Conducted BY Bureau
Proves Success.
Lansing .-According to the fourth
annual report Of Fire Marshal John
T. Winship fire losses In Michigan In
1914 we're more than $4,000. 900 less
than In 1913. the loss being $7,446.-
1857 in 1913 and $5.370.59 in 1914.
Nine thousand six hundred and
sixty fires occurred In 1913. and but
1895 In 1914, reduction of 1855.
Mr.. Winship's report shows that
more work was accomplished in 1914
than in any one year since the organi-
cation of the bureau. Much credit for
the showing is given to Assistant
Fire Marshal Robinson and his force,
the Michigan Fire Protection associa-
ton and the local fire chiefs. and to
the press of the state. Mr.. Winship
again recommends suitable remunera-
ton Of fire. chiefs for work done un-
der the direction of the bureau.
According to the report the safe
ty first" campaign conducted by the
bureau has met with prompt re-
Spouse from city officials, fire chiefs
and the general public, and as re-
suit fire escapes. necessary exits and
other safeguards have been provided
in public buildings. Attention is called
in the report to the fact that GA per
cent Of all fires occur in the home,
dwellings usually built Of sood and
with single roofs. Public school au-
thorities have been appealed to by
Mr.. Winship to set aside brief periods
for discussion Of the subject Of fire
prevention by tho pupils.
Fire Marshal Winship in the re-
port states the most discouraging fea-
ture Is the ill-success of the efforts to
prosecute the "'fire-bug." During the
year 60 fires were Investigated, and
of nine cases which reached the cir
cult court, only four convictions re-
suited. At least four lives were lost
in 1914 because of incendiary fires.
Mr.. Winship states convictions fol-
lowed by imprisonment are needed.
and that to obtain convictions for ar
son in Michigan the sentiment of the
people must undergo change toward
the criminal. who often is looked upon
as q myth and regarded as a subter-
fuge employed by insurance COM
panies to avoid payment
That the Michigan moving picture
law is what the legislature intended, Is
demonstrated by several fires in such
theaters last year, says Mr.. Winship.
A number of fires occurring in booths
lawfully constructed, caused no pan
les and little loss, while two costly
and disastrous fires occurred in the
aters operating in violation of the
law.
The report shows the bureau ex-
pended during 1914. $18.153.12. much
less than neighboring states.
Urges Fair Trial Of Initiative Plan.
Pleading for fair trial for the In
itiative and referendum, despite the
fact that recent attempts to initiate
laws were rather unsuccessful. Judge
Peter F. Dodds of Mount Pleasant.
president of the Michigan Association
of Judges. opened the session at Lam
sing. s
The entire address OF the Judge was
devoted to this subject. He said the
new wrinkles should be given thor
ough tryout. and even II they did fail.
he was in, favor OF returning to lit
eral construction of the section in the
old constitution which practically le-
galized the old-fashioned town meet
ing" BY It citizens could instruct
their delegates and through the dele
gates the instructions could go higher
up; so that when they got to the leg
islature the legislators we're practi-
cally bound by the action of the citi-
zens.
| The question of the rotation of
judges, which is generally considered
as being the important matter to be
discussed by the judges. was not
reached. Judge Howard West OF
Ingham. who fathers the plan, read a
paper On 1t. but the discussion will
come later. II
At the meeting Of the Prosecutors
association little was done. as few at.
tended. Another session will be held,
and the expectation Is that many more
lawyers will be on hand.
! A number of the probate judges OF
the state met with the members Of
the board Of charities and corrections
The subject was the mothers pension
law. Several ideas were presented
Ialong the line Of changing and bet
tering the law. and the meeting id
1ourned to meet again In Detroit. Jan
nary .. when Judge Hurlburt IL to b.
present
AeeIdsnt Dsard Hands Down Rule.