The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-07-16
STATE FIRE MARSHAL
URGES SPECIAL CARE
Warehouses Should Be
Guarded Now, E. A. Eklund
Says in Letter.
FOOD VERY PRECIOUS
Blaze in Granary OF Elevator
Would Be Expensive to
Country.
FOOD VERY PRECIOUS

Helena. July IA T.. Eklund. state
fire marshal. in a communication to
grain elevator and warehouse owners
or the state on fire prevention saws:
This Is the time Of national crisis.
when every effort to reduce public
hazards becomes "a patriotic duty.
Few people realize how directly the
much discussed high cost of living is
influenced by excessive fire waste. 4
recent blaze in an Illinois elevator
rendered 100000 bushels of corn unfit
FOR human food. and also destroyed
100000 bushels of oats.
Food Extremely Valuable Now.
The greatest need at the present
moment Is the conservation OF food
supplies. The government is calling
vigorously for every fire prevention
resource to be used in protecting the
elevators. warehouses. grocery stores,
ETC., from unnecessary fire risks.
Grain elevators, flour. cereal, grist and
iced mills present well-known ele-
lnents or fire hazards in that they are
subject to explosions of highly explo-
sve dust that results from handling
or milling grain. The flame from such
explosions, In a large number Of cases,
spreads into surrounding stores of
grain with destructive results. Every
possible care should be taken to pre-
vent these fires. which endanger such
large quantities of foodstuffs, as every
pound of wheat will be needed by
the people Of the United States and
our allies.
A Chance to Help Nation.
AT this time, when SO many pco-
pie are being called upon to give their
services to the country, the upmost
question IN the minds OF q majority
OF the people is What can l do?
There is not a citizen of Montana, who
during this time of national crisis
should not be willing to do his part
Tor his country. All cannot shoulder
a gun and go into the army service,
but IL you try, YOU can do your part
Fire is always dangerous. 1t needs no
argument to demonstrate that the fire
Itself. once started, carries with It 81,
rious possibilities Of destruction. Ii
makes no difference whether the flame
is at the end of u match, cigar or Gig
arctic. or in a lamp. lantern or stove
fire Is always dangerous and should
never be left ungarded.
Cleanliness Big Factor.
Cleanliness is a big factor in fire
prevention. Accommodations of dust
rags, waste, excelsior. paper, boxes
etc. in Easements. backwards, or piled
up against buildings. are always
dangerous. Gasoline and oils of all
kinds should be kept in safe place
and openings under driveways and
warehouse platforms on railroad side
should be boarded up for protection
from sparks from passing engines, and
precaution taken to remove every pos
sible cause for fire. World authorities
all agree that our own and many othe,
countries face most serious shortage
OF food supplies unless the seasons
crops are abundant, and rightly con
served after they are harvested. We
cannot afford the destruction by fire OF
single storehouse Of food, whether
the smallest corner grocery or a mann
moth grain elevator. Insurance will re
imburse the owner for his property
loss. but it will not restore the food
that will be needed by the people who
are fighting civilizations fight for dc
mocracy. We can accomplish more b,
working together. The state fire mar
shals office is willing to do its part
Are you Let us join hands and see
what we can do"