Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-06
INSURANCE DEPT.
OPPOSES SALE OF
JULY 4 FIREWORKS

Insurance Commissioner G. Wal
don Smith. in response to numerous
inquiries as to the attitude of the
Insurance Department Of Maine con-
corning the use Of fireworks this
year. has issued a letter Of request to
the municipal authorities Of all cities
and towns throughout the State.
earnestly requesting their co-opera-
ton to prevent the sale or use Of fire.
works. Commissioner Smith said in
relation to urging community cele-
brations on July throughout the
State:
Independence Day. 1919. probably
Gill be celebrated with more patriotic
fervor than ever before in the his
tory Of the country: 1t will be the
occasion not only of rejoicing over
liberty's triumph in the World War.
but of doing honor to our returned
fighting men, most Of whom are ex-
pected to be home by that time.
enthusiasm which will give vent to
itself on this day. and with no idea of
discouraging a proper expression OF
the great patriotic impulse underly-
ing it. l most earnestly appeal to the
people of the State of Maine to keep
this enthusiasm within safe and
sane channels.
During the past several years.
great strides have been made in the
direction of a safe and sane ceiebra-
ton Of the Fourth of July. with the
result that the toll of dead and
manned and the number of dead and
materially decreased.
In scores Of localities throughout
the State. plans are already being
made for great community observ-
ances, with rousing home coming
celebrations for the returned fighting
men as the big feature. These events
will be marked by parades. band con-
certs. addresses by noted speakers.
programs of great variety and COM
munity displays of fireworks.
Il can not too strongly express my
Endorsement of such observances
and 1 urge them upon city officials
chambers of commerce and such
other organizations as are accus-
toned to take the initiative in these
matters in. their respective communi-
ties. Certainly no time is more op-
perfume for a community Fourth of
July celebration than this. when ev
cry city village and town desires to
honor all its fighting 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 pyro-
technic displays I call upon such
officials to exercise these broad pow
ers to bring about such regulation
and restraint as is necessary in their
respective communities in the inter-
ests of public safety.
Il appeal to every resident of
Maine. individually to exercise the
utmost carefulness in the use of fire
works.
LET'S keep Fourth Of July careless
ness under the ban. It's not revive
the long list of deaths and injuries
and needless fires by en- over indul-
gence of what in the past few years
has certainly proved its value by dis
continuance"
Letter to Municipal! Officers
Commissioner Smiths lette- to the
municipal officers follows:
The Insurance Department earn
estly asks your cooperation to the
fullest in its endeavor to discourage
the sale or use of fireworks of any
character for the Fourth of July next.
AT no period in the history of our
Country has the conservation Of life
and property been of greater import
ance than at the present time. 1t
should be regarded as being more pa
triotic not to explode fireworks than
to do so. Every injured individual.
loss of life or burning Of property
that usually follows in the wake Of
the use of fireworks. should be con-
sidered as an essential important
duty to prevent.
THE possibility Of irresponsibles
in our midst exploding devices, death
dealing to life and property. destruc-
ton under the guise of fireworks
must be considered at this critical
time. and no opportunity afforded
for such acts. From all sections of
the State has come commentator to
this Department in its effort to thus
avoid what has proven in the past
serious consequences of the use of
fireworks.
please advise your fire chiefs or
those in charge of the fire lighting
organization of your community of
our desire in this matter and may
we earnestly request that refusal be
made to grant license or privilege for
the sale of any and all fireworks.
The department calls upon all
men. women boys and girls of the
Commonwealth of Maine to assist in
making this request effective, and to
give the matter all possible public
ity"