Evening journal., 1921-07-13
TO ELIMINATE
CITY FIRE TRAPS
Department of Public Safe
ty Will Endeavor to
Keep Hazard Down
MARSHAL TO BE
ON THE LOOKOUT

Prevention OF fires and elimina-
ton OF "fre traps" will form an
important part OF the duties OF the
new municipal fire bureau, accord
ing to S. X. Smith. president Of the
Board Of Directors OF the Depart
ment of Public Safety.
In an interview concerning the
rumored increases in insurance
rates, Mr. Smith said today that even
the most up-to-date iireproof build
ing was dangerous IL quantities OF
inhammahle material were stored
within it. The advantage Of a fire.
proof building, he added, depended
OF whether it contained material Of
slow burning nature.
Mr.. Smith added this same idea
can be carried out in ordinary
buildings. by preventing the accu-
mutation of rubbish in the cell
lar or in storerooms. by keep
ing places clean. by eliminating
as far as possible everything that
will cause a FIRE from matches or
cigarettes thrown carelessly about,
or providing for the careful insula-
ton OF electric light wires
Provision for proper exits in case
of FIRE, for adequate sprinkling sys-
TENS in factories and other means
OF fire prevention. were advocated
by him
The great difficulty at the present
time IN Wilmington is the lack OF
adequate laws which require owners
and tenants OF buildings to clean
up and keep clean. Mr.. Smith said.
Examination OF the laws of the city
has disclosed the fact that they are
very inadequate to protect owners Of
buildings.
The one who cleans up is there
fore at the mercy of those who do
not do so. There is no authority
which will compel anyone TO keep
his store, or his factory. or his resi-
dence property free from the sort OF
thing that may start n fire.
This matter OF fire prevention has
been under consideration ever since
the Directors Of Public Safety as
sumed their duties. Mr.. Smith said
The directors are working on it all
that they can. The plan is to have
ordinances passed to permit the
operation of proper officials through
out the city compelling property
owners to eliminate as far as pos
sible fire hazards in their buildings.
do you think these ordinances
can be passed?" Mr.. Smith was
asked
Il do Mr.. Smith replied. and he
explained that he and his colleagues
had been in conference with mem
bers OF City Council on the matter
and It is intended to have She
proper ordinances drawn up and
Just what the provisions OF such ar
ordinance should be Mr.. Smith sait
he could not say at present He hat
no fear. he said, that when the Di
rectors Of Public Safety. the super
tendent OF the Bureau of Police, ans
the FIRE chief ana directors OF tn,
Street and Sewer Department. VIII,
have been discussing the matter. de-
termined on a workable ordinanc,
that it would be passed by Coun.
Gil.
superintendent william ]. Lutz
OF the Bureau of Fires, ais,
OF FIRE prevention was under serious
consideration and that active work
along that line was not far distant
''The next thing TO be done is tn,
appointment OF fire marshal.
Supt. Lutz said and II is intende,
to have an ordinance passed tina
will have teeth in it, so that the firi
marshal viii be able to go to prop
erty owners who have waste in thei
cellars and order them TO clean ur
with the assurance that they mus
DO So
Mr.. Lutz called attention to tn
present ordinance relating to stor
age OF infiamable materials in eel
lars. The ordinance was passed II
1867 and is absurd, he said. in vie1
Of modern conditions A man VIII
attempted TO run a pipe from hi
gasoline tank in his cellar was re
fused a permit by the Street an
Sewer Department and later, upo
application for a permit TO lay