Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-11
APPEALS FOR A
SANE JULY 4TH
State Fire Marshal Asks That Care,
1essness be Placed Under Ban
Independence Day.

In letters sent out to city officials
as to the attitude of the division of
fire prevention concerning the use
of fireworks this year, State Fire
Marshal John G. Gambler of Spring
field urges community celebrations
of the Fourth of July throughout
the state.
Independence Day, 1919 prob
ably will be celebrated with more
patriotic fervor than ever before in
the history of our country" he
says. ut will be the occasion not
only of rejoicing over liberty'5
triumph in the world war, but of
doing honor to our returned fight
ing men, most of whom are expect
ed to be home by that time.
Realizing the tremendous pop
ular enthusiasm which will give
vent to itself on this day, and with
no idea of discouraging a proper
expression of the great patriotic
impulse underlying it, l most earn
estly appeal to the people of the
state of Illinois to keep this en-
thusiasm within safe and sane
channels.
During the past several years,
great strides have been made in
the direction of safe and sane cele >
bration of the Fourth of July, with
the result that the toll of dead and
manned, and the number of fires,
have steadily decreased.
ITO many the temptation to go to
extremes will be great this year.
The stimulus to celebrate was
never greater. The need of restraint
is therefore correspondent great.
The lesson of restraint was well
learned during the war; let every
one continue to apply it in time of
peace.
'In scores of localities through
out the state. plans are already be-
ing made for great community OBJ
servances, with rousing home-com-
ing celebrations for the returned
fighting men as the big feature.
These events will be marked by
parades, band concerts, addresses
by noted speakers, programs of
great variety and community dis
plays of fireworks.
Il can not too strongly express
my Endorsement of such observ-
ances and urge them upon city Of
f1ciG-ls, chambers of commerce and
such other organizations as are &C
customed to take the initiative in
these matters in their respective
communities. Certainly no time is
more opportune for a community
Fourth of July celebration than
this, when every city, village and
town desires to honor all its fight
ing heroes.
"City and village officials are en-
powered by statute to regulate, re-
strain and prohibit the use of fire.
works, firecrackers, torpedoes,
Roman candles, sky rockets and
other pyrotechnic displays 1 call
upon such officials to exercise these
broad powers to bring about such
regulation and restraint as is
necessary in their respective COM
munities in the interests of public
safety.
at is a misdemeanor in Illinois,
punishable by a fine of $25. for
anyone to trade, sell or give away
any toy pistol so made or con-
structed that it can be used to
shoot blank cartridges. The toy pis-
toll and blank cartridge are the
most prolific cause of tetanus, or
lockjaw. If any person has knowl-
edge of the violation of this act, it
is his duty to report this knowledge
promptly to the police or states
attorney.
ct appeal to every resident of
Illinois, individually, to exercise
the utmost carefulness in the use of
fireworks.
o&t y saf TTTIxT
1essness under the ban. Let's not
revive the casualty lists and need
less fires"