Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-09-11


fBul]etin d Maine Insurance Depaztmsnt)
"Preyentable ilre Il moro than . pri'
vate misfortune. II II . public defeiic-
ton. At . time like this Of emergency
and Of manifest necessity for the conser-
walton OF national resources, II 10 more
than ever matter Of deep and pressing
consequence that every means should De
taken to prevent this evil."-Woodrow
Already Maine has entered upon her
work In conjunction with other states Of
the Union to prepare for and TO bear the
burden of the World War In which we
arc now engaged. Potato houses and
storage elevators have been given atten.
ton but this BY no means completes the
work In this state. Almost every com.
munity has In storage supplies OF food
or fuel or storehouses which will receive
the coming harvest for storage until
ready for use. To further fulfill oul
duty 10 our country each and every one
of these should be made ~ safe ~ posi-.
BILE, not only against storm and frost,
but against the greater destroyer, fire.
Therefore, this department calls upon
esch property owner to Immediately
take action to the end that these places
of storage be made safe. There is IN
every town and city an officer whose
duty 1t is to make inspections upon
request. We have no doubt that each
official will be only too willing TO aid the
property owner By inspecting and max.
Ing suggestions for improving the con-
ditions of his property.
Boards of Trade or Chambers of Com.
merce should be deeply interested In
this work. We suggest that each local
organization create committee OF active
citizens to give the work Of inspection
their attention In cooperation with local
inspectors.
Municipal officers of towns and the
governments of cities should give the
matter attention and instruct, II neces.
sary, the official charged with the work
to make such inspections rs the locality
may require and report to them undesir.
able conditions 80 that they may be
remedied.
Business men will readily appreciate
the disadvantage Of an unnecessary loss
OF food stuffs or other property In these
days of scarcity.
Public, fraternal, church and other
organizations having An Interest In the
general welfare of the town or city
should be interested In this matter.
We suggest public meeting under
the auspices of the Chamber Of Com.
MERGE or any other organization or as.
ISOLATION In which all shall participate
for the purpose of organizing com.
mitteee and by committee or otherwise
provide for an examination of all stor.
age buildings be they great or small al
the earliest possible date. If there are
conditions which make such places I'M
safe have them remedied as soon as may
be reasonable. To assist in having the
work commenced in an organized man.
ner and to scquaint those participating
in the work with its purposes and aims
this Office will have some one visit any
community and attend any meetings OF
conferences II request 10 directed tc
this Office.
We have In Maine committee of the
National Board of Fire Underwriters
who have placed their services at the
disposal of our federal and state govern
ment and who are at this time engaged
in the work of safeguarding our storage
facilities. We have in the state con
siderable number of experienced In
spectors employed by insurance com
papies. All of these will give Of theil
time and knowledge without pay te
further this work and to assist In doing
their full duty to our state In lite service
to our country and through the country
to our allies.
This Office is ready to aid any com
munity in need of assistance In 90 far al
It can serve. Any place desiring the
assistance of an experienced inspector
may, If they will make their desire
known to US, have such service and We
will have such an inspector visit them al
the earliest moment possible to assist
and advise with them and with the local
inspector in carrying out his work and
to afford any other assistance that may
be desirable to conserve our food sup
plies, storage facilities and our property
in general. If we can accomplish thii
and save the destruction of our property
by fire We can most effeotuslly aid ouI
country In this war and In most valua
BILE way do our part to bring victory te
our flag.