Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-06
Are We "Shiftless"?
It Would Seem So
Looking at the Fire Record

THAT the fire loss in the State Of
Maine for the year 1920 reached the
impressive figures of 100000 and
throughout the United States. $780,
900, 900. that in Maine IS lives were
sacrificed. tells the story of the toll
of fire waste, and is seemingly unbe
lievable.'
The speaker was Insurance COM
missioner G. Walden Smith who at
the present time is arranging for
constructive Statewide campaign OF
fire prevention having designated
October 9-10-11-12 as fire prevention
and cleanup days. 80 important is
this question of fire prevention" con-
tinued Commissioner Smith, that the
presidential proclamation. the first in
the history of this great movement,
supplemented by proclamations from
governors of nearly all the As states,
emphasizes it's importance. I am not
regarding this matter with any
i thought of false alarm, but rather
there is borne into my very fibre the
serious import of doing everything
that can be possibly done to stop, this
senseless loss which is largely pre-
ventable.
The Insurance Department Of Maine.
in the past three years. has conduct
ed similar campaigns with satisfac-
tory results and it is a service that
everyone should feel interested from
a most vital standpoint to support.
Helping to prevent fires whereby
loss of life and property are sustained
must be from psychological stand
point a creation of The heart. No one
unless they feel the human throb of
helping his nation. his community and
those he loves can realize or will do
that which he under other circum-
stances would only regard as a mat
ter of civic duty. This must be some
what a question of love and I call
upon the clergy of the State to make
strong appeal from their pulpits on
Sunday. Oct. Q. I ask the organiza-
lions of various kinds throughout the
State. including the Chambers of Com
mcrce, Rotary Clubs. Kiwanis Clubs.
Business Mems Organizations. Wom-
ems Organizations of all character to
render the assistance which I am sure
they must feel from a sense of duty
should be given freely.
To all of the leading fire under
writer's. fire chiefs and municipal au
thorit;es therei is being urged the i'm
portance that they make arrange
ments for the removal of rubbish and
trash from cellars. attics so that tho:
may not only have cleaner conditions
for fire prevention but healthful
cause of the removal of what fire.
Guently constitutes disease breeding
conditions.
| This is call to arms" continue j
the Commissioner. II feel it most
seriously to be one that the entire
state should get back of the Insurance
| Department in and make every honest
man. woman and child a party to the
! biggest thing that can possibly De
contemplated from a standpoint Of
IRE servation of property and health.
| Any information as to methods or
! means. suggestions or co-opera ton,
will be gladly afforded if the depart
ment is communicated with but the
time has come when straight. from
the shoulder the message must be
| fully and genuinely understood that
here is condition that if soberly, in
diligently anu sanely regarded means
a reduction of taxes, fire insurance
premiums and building products,
for in the face of all this terrible loss
there must be fully understood this
one thought, 1880 is preventable.
caused purely through the negligence
or carelessness and such conditions
must be allied to and known as crime