Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-30
FIRE MARSHAL IN
WARNING AGAINST
FOOD DESTRUCTION
ISSUES CALL TO PEOPLE URGING
THEM TO REDUCE HAZARD TO
MINIMUM THAT FOOD SUPPLY
BE CONSERVED.

A bulletin sounding warning I
against conflagratiOn as a means of !
conserving the food resources of the +
state, the Fire Marshall's Office calls +
upon residents OF Illinois to lend every
possible aid in preventing the wan,on
destruction Of edibles by unnecessary
fire. The bulletin says THE burning
up of food at this time is a crime
against humanity, and its conse-
quences directly opposed to the pat
riotic movement sweeping the country
for the conservation of wartime re-
sources While we are directing much
thought and energy. as nation, to.
ward creating new resources, let us
not forget the Importance of conscrv
ing that which we have.
I'VE are living in an age of scien-
tific achievement. Increased etliclen-
cy is the watchword of big business.
Ancient methods are ruthlessly dis
carded when it is shown better re-
suits can be obtained at q less cost by
the application of modern ideas. The
time has now come when the business
man must consider the fire lass IN this
state and nation and its direct rcaltlon
to the preservation OF life.
"The unwarranted fire waste in this
state is largely due to carelessness
little less than criminal II the citi-
zens of Illinois would recognize their
individual responsibility in this mat
ter and use ordinary judgment in rela-
ton to it. the fire loss would he re-
duccd at least seycnty.iiye per cent. II
the business men would use proper
precaution in keeping their property
clear and free from hazardous condi-
tons, they would do much to prevent
a large part of this tremendous waste.
In the year 1916 there were report
Cd to the State Fire Marshal Depart
ment 1888 fires, entailing loss OF
s13.4g5033 Of this number ,9l2 fires
occurred in business houses, causing
loss of S3,5l3,519, and lo5 ares DC
CURED in elevators. storchouscs, etc.
containing foodstuifs, with a loss 81
$1,324,906.
''The principles which the word pre-
caution has come to embody III rela
: ton to fires, are not many and ar
: exceedingly simple. Reasonable care
fulness will save one million dollar
worth of foodstuiis in Illinois annually
The property owner is urged to CIV
heed to the following precepts'
store gasoline and other VIOLA
: tile oils in approved underground
d. tanks.
Provide metal receptacle for
rubbish and empty it each day.
: Many fires are caused by spontan-
: cous combustion in rubbish which
occumulates in cellars AMI base
ments
Remove daily all accumulationS
ri waste paper, excelsior packing
I boxes, etc. in your basement,
( especially liable to fire.
/ DO not allow an open flame Tor
lighting in the basement, which
1 NAV set fire to combustle mater
ial or may ignite gas which at
times escapes from the street
E mains to the basement
i 10 not allow electric IlSht
7 cords to he hung over nails.
Provide reliable cXtinguishcr5
and water pals The State FIRE
Marshal Department approves
any type of chemical oNtlugtisher
bearing The label Of the Under
writer's Laboratories.
! Point out 10 your employees
=" the fact that ordinary matches
It cause fifteen per cent. of all fires
and many deaths, ana that they
are especially dangerous even
u when carefully handled.