Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-10-29
FIRE PREVENTION
DAY IS DESIGNATED
People Urged To Inspect Their
Premises.

Owing to the enormous loss in the
state annually by fire and for the fur
Their reason that in many cases these
losses could be prevented in large
measure a proclamation has been is
sued by Governor John c. Cornwell
to all the people of West Virginia in
which he sets aside Saturday, No
vember 2. as fire prevention day in
the state and asks the people to take.
that day to inspect their premises
and put them in the best shape posi-
BILE to prevent fires. Following is the
text of the proclamation issued by
the governor:
'-.'Lcsses by fires reach a huge ag-
gregate each year in normal times,
largely through failure of proper pre-
caution against them. Since the war
these losses have increased tremen-
dously through incendarism and in
the speeding.lbo of industries. The to-
tai loss and cost of fires in the Unit
cd States for the first year of war
,totaled s45O,00O,OOO
= "In view of these things it is high
is important that steps be taken to
curtail the number of CONGREGATIONS
nd safeguard life and property aga
i.st fires to the fullest extent.
ITO that end I, John J. Cornwen
governor OF the State of West Vir.
GINA. do proclaim Saturday, Novem-
Der 2ld, 1918. as fire prevention day
and | urgently request that:
| ..All pubic buildings, plants and
factories be thoroughly cleaned of rub
bish
"All heating, wiring and fire ex
tinguishing apparatus be carefully
Examined and put in proper condition
j, THAT all crimneys and flues be
Iexamined. cleaned and repaired, where
. repairs are needed
THAT appropriate exercises beehelt
lin all schools throughout the state. or
Friday afternoon, November /. by
which the pupils and patrons may BIZ
interested in fire protection. i 4.
e State Fire Marshal John S. HotAI
$ is sending out the following letter o
, direction and appeal to all sections
| af tho ctafa ,,ruiuu fhof fro urovoy.
ton day be observed in all countie
and by all persons.
"Never in the history of our coun
try has the conservation of lives an,
property been as vital as it is now
While every loyal, patriotic citizen i
doing all he can to save and conserv
our resources, the carelessness an
indifference of a very few causes al
immense loss both in lives and prop
erty which could easily be avoided
that more than three-fourths OF tn
: 1t has been proven beyond questio
annual fire loss in the United State
can be prevented. While the cos
of maintaining fire equipment, extir
e gushing fires and the atcual fire los
10 itself will amount approximately t
: 1856, 900, 900, the value of propert
destroyed is more than $250.000 90,
re the value of property destroyed
y, more than $250000,000. These figure
y mean that we are permitting by il
difference the loss of hundreds G
= lives in addition to $1S7, 500, 900 wort
re of property annually.
8 'In accordance with Governor Corr
" wells proclamation, therefore, j ca
nestly request every man. woman an
. child in the State of West virgini
= to inspect the premises where the
q live or have interests. Remove a
s. infammable rubbish, correct defectiy
wiring and gas fixtures, repair defe
te tive chimneys and fues and plat
= matches and all explosive and
tn fammable liquids in safe receptacle
"A II does not require trained inspe
at tor to call attention to fire hazart
e that are apparent to anyone. I'll
te exercise of ordinary care and jud
y ment at this time win not only sa'
~ property, but safeguard loved ones
WELL"
:"