The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-07-15

T6d01ly US seen IAdL ~ IS0uCI4OA "a
fire loss of the state means reduc-
pie directly interested. It is the duty
of the fire marshal's department not
only to investigate fires. which seem
to be of incendiary origin, and the
prosecution of those guilty of this
crime. but quite an eEort IS mace
along the lines of fire prevention and
the removal of fire hazards.
In the event of death or injury
resulting from defective buildings,
weak walls. foundations, etc. recourse
is had in our civil courts, and some
times criminal prosecution follows as
we'll However, 1t can readily be I'M
derstood that criminal negligence can
as well exist In permitting dam
gerous condition to obtain with refer
ence to the liability for fires which
may not only destroy the immediate
but adjoining properties. The people
4 of the state have become aroused to
this fact and are interesting them
selves In the removal Of these menac-
ing conditions wherever they are
found to exist and are insisting on q
general cleanup of fire hazards.
i With very few exceptions the people
4 of the state are fully alive to this
unnecessary loss and are co-operat-
ing with my department with the
result that a marked decrease in
fire losses has ensued."
When questioned as to the political
situation in West Virginia with re-
ference to candidates, Mr.. Koran de-
clared that there had been very little
capitalization of public sentiment
There has, he said, been marked
4 John s. Darst for the Republican
nomination for governor. Mr.. Darst
4 has served the people of the state
as an efficient and conscientious state
auditor, is well known throughout
| the state, and universally respected
for his ability, industry and rugged
honesty. In addition to his record as
an efficient and industrious official,
he has the faculty of making ac-
4 Quaintances and inspiring the conf
dence of those whom he meets.
"Mr. Darst's candidacy has been
cordially approved in allsparts of the
state. His official record and his
I personal characted appeal strongly
and in a most favorable manner to
the masses of the people. Mr.. Darst
| is making a vigorous campaign for
the nomination among his friends in
| that thorough, pafnstakfng campaign
way of his. 1t is my personal opinion
that he will be made the nominee
i OF Ln0 party ny d largo AhdJOAASy 90
signs that I have seen point to 1t.
4 J.H. Higgs, of Clator. Ohio county.
has been recommended for ap-
pointment as postmaster at that place
by Congressman Nicely. Elias J..
4 Call has been appointed postmaster
at Arden, Barbour county. succeed
ing s. w. England. Lon o. Aten has
been appointed rural mail carrier
at Letart, succeeding William M.
Fall. Mason r. Malone has been
commissioned postmaster of Rey-
noldsvflle and Tenry G. Jamison OF
/ waldeek. The postofffce at Sugar
tree. Lincoln county, has been or
dered discontinued.
/ Arthur G. Kenna, resident OF
this city and son of the late Sena-
tor John e. Kenna. is an applicant
for appointment as superintendent Of
4 public playground in Washington. He
has the backing of Senator Chiffon
and other West Virginians OF inhu-
ence, as well as the endorsement OF
many leading citizens of the capital.
j The vacancy was caused by the ina
i bility of the man who held this job
Eup till few weeks ago to separate
his own from the governments
money, resulting In the government
being the loser.
The postmaster general has sent a
letter to Larry w. Dragoo. the post
master at Smithfield, requesting that
his resignation be sent In by July
lis, and adding that If 1t was not re-
4 ceived by that date, Mr.. Dragoo
would be summarily removed. The
governments charge against Mr..
Dragoo, based on the report of a
Ipostotfice inspector, is that he con-
| spired to artifcial1y boost the sale
1 of stamps at the Smithfeld office 50
as to secure salary Increase. In
1918 the Smithf1eld Office was burg
llarized of about $4,000 worth of
money, stamps and supplies, and the
lloss stands charged against Mr. Dra-
goo and his bondsmen. There Is an
other side to the story, however,
(which is favorable to Mr.. Dragoo. He
| and his friends strenuously deny the
tcharge OF the government and charge
that politics-and partisan politics
only-is the basis for his dismissal.
The Smithfie1d office is in the presi-
Dental class. and Mr.. Dragoo has
been in charge of it for number OF
years. There has never been any
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