Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-06
URGES CAMPAIGN
FORF|RE PREVENTION
Walter Bennett, Former Illinois
Fire Marshal, Addresses XII
wants Club.

Walter Bennett, former fire marshal OF
Illinois, was. the chief speaker at the
kiwanis Club luncheon today.
"The conservation Of human life" he
said, 'is the noblest work Of man. Next
in importance is the conservation OF Our
property assets from destruction by fire.
Every agercy directed along these ave-
nues of activity should receive the loyal
and constant support OF every citizen OF
this commonwealth. We Americans arc,
by nature and inclination, and perhaps by
education also, the most careless and the
most extravagant people on the face OF
the earth. Prosperity in America seems
to eliminate frugality. The great middle
class of people, which constitutes such an
important part of our population, is not q
class of conservation. How often have we
heard it said that we waste more in this
country than il would cost To support
n like number of people almost anywhere
in Continental EuropcY
''Qne of the vital problems which falls
upon our people for solution is the in
excusable, preventable waste of energy and
resources In all parts of the country by
fire. There is no defense in this national
waste. Students of economies every
where recognize the necessity now, rs
never before, of conserving to the utter
most that which we have. There scems To
me TO be no good reason why any greater
amount Of attention should be given TO the
creation of new resources than should be
given TO the protection and preservation
of that which we row have. loss by fire
~ entirely too prevalent in this country.
There is entirely too much death and
devastation following in the wake of this
negligent destruction.
while the civilized world is clamoring
for increased production and suffering
because of lack of the absolute neces-
saries of life, we Americans go on and on in
our careless and extfavagant manner of
living, permitting TO be destroyed life and
the total Of which rs staggering
IN IT'S entirety. The fire loss in your own
state of Delaware averages about $1,000
600 annually, and know that you must
be interested IN eliminating whatever
part thereof that is preyentable.
My observation and experience led
me 10 conclude that the remedy is To be
found in the adoption of four cardinal
principles, namely First, teaching fire
prevention in schools; second, constant
TO eliminate fire hazard oondi-
tions; third, building restrictions through
statutes and ordinances; fourth, personal
liability for negligent fires"
lire Prevention Day, Octo bcr q, will
be observed by the Central Labor Union.
A resolution was adopted calling on it's
members and all citizens to observe this
day in view to eliminate fire hazards and
tho serious waste incident thereto.
A petition Was directed TO City Coun-
cil, requesting an Investigation in tho
recent crematory mix-up as to who is
entitled to the insurance due on the prop
urty following tho recent fire.
A communication viii bc aent to the
Board of Health and the Street and Sewer
Department relative to the condition of
layton and du Pont streets, between
Seventh ard Eighth.
The Central Labor Union wont on
record AS being opposed to private en-
oloymont ageuoios, declaring that tho
me effective method of operating such
agencies is that of the federal employ
nent service, working IN cooperation
With the State.