Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-10-21
iowa FIRE loss GUT
Reduction Of Over Half Million
Dollars During Past Year. II
MOTOR EQUIPMENT AFAcToR
Fire Proof Buildings and Education In
Fire Prevention Help Reduce
WastefuI Destruction Of
Valuable Property.

Des Moines.--O bservance OF fire
prevention rules, motorized equip
ment, more fireproof buildings. and
few other little things like that are
cutting the FIRE loss in Iowa almost
unbelievably.
Up to October this year, the
states tribute to the flames was $4,-
O35.006. For the corresponding period
last year, 1t was $4,600.733. This is
reduction OF $565.727 this year
Fire prevention day is bringing
home to the average Individual as new
.r before, the Importance of cleaning
up unnecessary debris. Many cities
annually observe fire prevention day.
In other cities. as at Fort Dodge, the
boy scouts and Y. NJ. C. A. are regu-
iarly organized to report places that
should be cleaned up.
Perhaps the one biggest thing In
fighting fire. has been the motorizing
OF fire equipment. Nearly every city
In the state of over 5000 population
now has at least part motor equip
ment and many have disposed of their
horses entirely. In this respect, Iowa
Is setting the pace for the entire
country. Omaha, with 900 to 600 sa-
looms from which to draw revenue.
has only two pieces of motor equip
ment while Des Moines with about
half the population, has 16.
The more general use of chemicals
is another big factor in stopping
waste, especially from water.
incidentally, Dubuque never lost
dollar in fire loss during the month
Of September. For that matter, Des
Moines has only 80 to 40 fire calls
month now to so or 65 as formerly.
Cleaned UP corners. more freproof
buildings--even in residences, are the.
explation.
oil Causes Many Deaths.
So numerous are accidents from
gasoline and kerosene explosions be-
coming of late that the state oil
inspector and the state board OF
health are uniting In an effort to re-
duce the hazard from such accidents
in so far as possible. The increased
use Of the automobile and Of gasoline
for engines and for stoves has multi
piled the dangers from the use Of
gasoline materially.
DR.. G. H. Sumner, secretary of the
state board of health, sent letter
to ]. p. Risley, chief oil inspector,
stating that he deemed it advisable
that he require all of his inspectors
to ascertain as quickly as possible
after an accident occurs from gaso-
line or kerosene the full details OF
the accident. A pamphlet may be is
sued later on dealing with the sub
ject Of the handling and care Of gaso-
line and explosive oils.
In July of this year five persons
died as a result of burns received in
gasoline and kerosene explosions.
Deaths from burns in this state have
been averaging about lis per year
for the past few years.
Iowa Marksman Winner.
Sergeant J. e. Jackson, Of Wash
ington. member of the First regi-
ment national guard of Iowa, won the
Wimbledon cup and the title Of
champion long range rifle shot In the
matches of the National Rife associ-
alton.
Jackson. who was a member of the
United States team which competed
In the Olympic games at Stockholm
in 1912, made SO points out of pos
sible 100 for the shoot, which was
for twenty shots at 1000 yards and
with any make OF rifle allowed. With
the cup goes gold medal and $50 in
cash.
Extension Architect Consulted.
E. L. Masqueray of st. Paul, cap
itol extension architect, is in Des
Moines for conference with the
state executive council. The council
is consulting with him regarding the
south line Of the extension. Several
pieces of ground are still to be Sc
cured.
More Room for HortlcuIturist.
NOoiCg otCtACs otatC uOi
now having larger quarters at the
state house. will extend the work OF
his department. He will make dis
play OF all OF the Iowa woods and
will make complete display Of the
insects which attack fruits.
Returns from Convention.
Emory H. English, state insurance
commissioner, has returned to Des
Moines after attending a convention
OF insurance commissioners in Calf
ornia. He says he is glad to get back
to a state where things grow with
out being forced.
Delegate to Arsenal Meeting.
While Governor Clarke has not Of
ficially stated that he favors the plan
OF military preparedness. he sent
Adj. Gen. Guy e. Logan. head of the
Iowa military department. to repre-
sent him at meeting at the Rock
Island arsenal, called for the purpose
Of boosting for an enlargement OF the
arsenal for the manufacture of NUM-
tons.
In official circles. this is taken to
mean that the govsrnor is not out OF
harmony with the preparedness move
ment.
No Extension Work On Sunday.
T. w. McCurdy, accused Of allow
ing work on the capitol extension
grounds on Sunday, says that there
has been no work of any extent done
on Sunday Soma laws who ohoarva