Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1920-06-06
URGES TOBACCO
COMPANIES AID
PREVENTING FIRE
SECRETARY MEREDITH SUGGESTS
THAT PRINTED APEiI.S IN
INCLt DID ~ PACKAGES.

epccial 10 The Ncw
WASHINGTON. June s-Recause of
the very serious fire hazard created hy
tobacco smoking IN the forests T. Z
Meredith. Secretary 81 Agriculture. has
Just written to seven 81 the heading e..
bacco companies IN this country ask.
ing their cooperation In cnlsiiug smoi.-
efs In campaign against careless use
Of fire IN all forests both National and
private. Smokers. statistics show are
annually responsible Tor large NUM-.
Of conflagrations ia iimbrrrd areas
causing Immense losses The Score.
tary's letter suggests that the tobacco
companies can render an invaluable
service In this movement hy including
IN tobacco packages brief printed o..
gends urging smokers o. take every
precauiion 20 prevent the spread II FIRE
from matches OF burning tobacco. a.
ton OF this character reported o. have
been taken by a aCnadlan tobacco CONS.
nany " cited by Secretary Meredith.
The letter IL one feature In a mryr.I
ment now being carried on by 'ht For.
est Service o. lessen the number ol fires
caused by smokers and others while
working or enjoying cuttings in tho Zoe.
ests whose preservation Is 80 ESSENTIAL
TO national prosperity
The letter % the Secretary Is az foi.
lows.
In protecting the National Forests
Of over i5O.000 coo acres. the n,p,rt.
mcnt II Agriculture has 20 fight thous.
ands ~ forests fires every summer due
10 carelessness. Throurhout the Unitcl
states We neclloss,y burn up every
year a great deal Il our forest wealth
and turn productive timber into waste.
largely because the public dos not sui.
tlciently realize the Importance of aI
sense Of individual responsibility In tho
prevention Il fire
smokers cause many forest fires
some lumber companies forbid smoking
IN the woosis. and the cXentslon ~ this
RUE Is being strongly urged such
measures would never have been con.
sidered necessary II smokers sufficient.
~ recognized the danger that attenls /
the dropping % lighted match. pine
coal. OF an uncxtcnguishcd e.gaT,isr -
cigar stump
Hunters. fishermen. and woods |
workers Of all kinds smoke In tho for. /
ests. while automobllisis toss Mt q !
IRE from their ears and rpeed Thought. /
teSsly on. unaware even thugh they /
nave left an inclpient CONFEDERATION H.. |
mind them. \ single glowing rirar,tt.
end may ocs; the Government tb,,is.
ands OF dollars for fire fighting. 10 saw
nothing Of the value q the timber De. |
stroycd. the dcsolaiion u scenlr beauty |
and harm done % wa;eraows.
our company can. I believe. 90 much
70 lessen these losses. Would IL no,
be possible for you u print a fire can.
uon on the outside u each tobacco. ,i.
gar. or cigarette cuniainor9 Hundreds
OF thousands u people would read such
warnings. and their effect would 10
very great ! understand that in can.
sua ~ ieas one Important tobacco com.
pany has already taken thu. step
~ not enough 90 bring the inn.
portanoe a fire prevention 10 tho a..
teniion at an individual once or tvic.
me warning O. use caution needs IA a.. !
dfillcd into his CONSEQUENCES tbnt ,,r.
becomes habiiual and instructive pr.
maps you could see your way clear Z, |
PRINT ON the reverse side ~ the mack. |
ing slips enclosed in tobacco cans a fir.
warning and 10 place the slip In the
can with the fire warning up ~ tina, /, |
would catch the eye. Coupons and uscs. !
ing slips IN cigarette and tobacco naek.
ages and cigar boxes would afford a
iuftner opportunity for FIR. warnings
Would u not be possible. also for
you 70 CONSIDER putting a slogan. ike
one q those on the enclosed sbe., ~
.he autographs which you use in IAN.
board advertising From is novelty
as wen az fr0m the evidence thar I,
would afford II a desire L. further IN.
public welfare. such advertising wui
perhaps appeal to you am confident
tnAt may count On your Interests IN
TINS subject. and your willingness 10 e..
operate M - far a. you can with thoss
VINO are seeking 90 diminish the ex.
cessiVe and startling number II man.
caused fires In the words. I would
much appreciate advice a. 20 whether
The suggestions made appeal u you a
being Practicable 4"