Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-01
DEFENSE COUNCIL TAKES
UP FIRE PREVENTION
Will Seek to Eliminate Waste in
Food Products and War
Materials.
WAREHOUSES; TO BE INSPECTED
Fire Underwriters and Government
Authorities Are Cooperating to
Reduce Loss From Fire During
Period of War-Alccting Sunday.

The national campaign for fire pre-
vcntion in the interest of food con-
servation and the elimination of waste
in war material. will be taken up
shortly in this state by the Council
Of Defense through Virginia fire UNI
dcrwriters and government authorities.
Already the question is receiving the
serious attention OF the Federal gov
eminent, and whatever plans Virginia
officials may adopt Will he supplement
tai to those of tho government at Wash
inEton.
In general. the aim Will be TO In
nuence property owners. with the
backing of tho State authorities and
the Council of Defense. from an en-
tirely new viewpoint and in an en-
,!rely different way from that already
employed. With the backing of au-
,hority and with every possible appeal
10 their patriotism and sense of duty,
property owners, even at extra cost
and inconvenience. will he urged TO
take such precautions and make such
improvements as will largely eliminate
fire danger.
The cost OF the war. the Council OF
Defense thinks. will be stupendous and
Will constitute n burden upon the en-
tire nation, the extent of which is yet
but dimly realized. There is no way.
II is believed, in which the fire insur-
ance interests can better help to maxi
the burden lighter than by we'll
planned. consistent and thorough cam
pasn for fire prevention.
PROTECT FOOD REPOSITORIES
AND COTTON WAREHOUSES;
The campaign as regards food re-
pcsitorics and cotton warehouses and
congresses has already been begun.
The governors OF the grain producing
states and also tho States where the
great terminal elevators are located
have been rendered the services Of the
FIRE insurance companies through the
national board TO the end that by
prompt inspection OF all such risks and
in cooperation with the state authori-
ties and committees of grain dealers
associations of representative owners,
steps might he taken to eliminate so
far AS possible dangerous features
which might result in fire.
II is also intended TO impress strong
~ upon owners the necessity for clean
illness and good housek coping. y SINH
lar campaign has been inaucuratcd in
regard to tho cotton properties and
g III once 10 be put into operation for
the purpose OF Safes guarding coal prop
critics. fertilizer works and mills.
So far As food and cotton storage are
concerned. Il complete reinSpection of
Al risks Is promised. II may not I've
possible TO extend this inspection TO
all risks Of the other classes, but tho
most important OF them can and should
be inspected.
In the case OF classes OF risks where
u is impraCticable 10 attempt a com =
p!cte rcinspection with reports on each
risk for the owners guidance. en-
deavors viii he made to have repre-
lar committees made UP OF owners Of
such properties with a view 81 i'm :
pressing upon them the necessity Of
dong everything in their power TO
rcduc" the possibility Of destruction
by fire Of the plants which they are
operating. II is particularly recon-
mcnded that Il ca'apaiGn Of this kind
he carried on with all state manufac-
IurcrS' associations.
WILL PERFECT DRAFT
DETAILS on MONDAY
Preparations for The patriotic mass
meeting which will be held in the
IltY Auditorium on SUNDAY afternoon,
under the auspices of the Commission
on Religious Forces. are practically
completed. Every military orcanlza-
ton in Richmond. with The possible
exception Of the Blues squadron OF
cavalry. together with The BOY Scouts,
viii participate in the parade, which
~ ioi!N IN 'hts. f-dpl ttnt square AT
.;45 o'clock and p!.4ccc TO the Audi.
tor!um. Exercises, including several
addresses by prominent speakers. VIII
begin there promptly n $50 o'clock,
and VIII last not longer than An hour
and half. The addresses vii! he
brief ana 20 the point. The line of
march VIII he up Grac" street 10 Fifth.
from Fifth TO Franklin, IN Franklin
10 Laurel along Laurel TO Floyd Az
cnue, un Floyd TO cherry street and
along cherry "a tho Auditorium. II
IS not definitely decided that the Blues
xii! participate hut IL Is highly prob
able that one troop viii be in tn. line
u march.
The Council 81 Defense viii meet in
fun session on Monday 10 discuss tho
: matter II reg 'stration and 10 take
\such steps as may be necessary 10 as
S!st IN the work on Tuesday.