Evening journal., 1921-03-24
FIREWORKS BAN
HIT in COUNCIL
James H. Hughes, Jr., Pro-
tests 1t; Will Take Joy
Out of July 4th
ACTION POSTPONED
UNTIL NEXT WEEK

Consideration OF the ordinance
forbidding fireworks on Fourth OF
July, submitted to City Council by
The Chamber Of Commerce, was post
poned last night until next Wednes-
day night. after United States Dis
trict Attorney James II. Hughes. Jr..
representing a number Of fireworks
manufacturers had protested against
its passage.
Judging from the comment OF sew
eral Councilmen the measure is un-
likely of passage. at least in its
present form.
Last year, the Chamber OF Com
merce asked Council to pass an or
dinance prohibiting the use OF
. sparklers as dangerous pastime
for the young folk on Independence
Day. The City Fathers at that time
!. refused to pass such an ordinance
on the ground that many dealers
throughout the city had already laid
In their stock OF fireworks An
ticipating this objection this year.
the Chamber Of Commerce recently
reiterated its request and In addi-
tion asked that the sale and use Of
fireworks Of any description be pro-
hibited except in public demonstra-
tions under the Jurisdiction of the
city authorities.
The Chamber Of Commerce also
submitted an ordinance prohibiting
use OF fireworks of any description
under penalty OF a fine Of $40 for each
offense. and their manufacture or
sale under penalty OF 500 for each
= offense. In fact the provisions OF the
proposed ordinance are so drastic
that they include practically every
thing except safety matches and
cigarette lighters.
Mr.. Hughes said nc had been re-
1uested by some manufacturers OF
fireworks to address the members of
p Council In regard TO the proposed
ordinance. After hearing the tenta-
i've draft read. Mr.. Hughes said
1t is no doubt designated TO elimi-
nate fireworks entirely in Whining
.on on the Fourth and other public
holidays. The last thing / would
want TO do would be TO oppose any
= measure which had for its purpose
the protection Of children. But the
manufacturers maintain that fire.
works properly used, are not any
more dangerous than other sports
engaged in at that season OF the
year, such as baseball. soccer ca.
noeing and swimming. Naturally
there are more accidents on the
Fourth than on any other day. bu
there are more accidents from I'm.
diligence in sport than from fire
works"
rs that not the responsibility o.
the parents?" be asked.
Mr.. Hughes intimated that per
. haps we have gone too far in pater
nalism," and that the city woul,
make a mistake II It usurped right
properly in the sphere OF the par
ents OF children who used fireworks
He ridiculed the argument tina
the use OF fireworks create a danger
Gus fire hazard. last year" n
said, there was one FIRE in VII
mington and the loss was only SOS
The year before. there were tw
fires and losses Of S25 and $50" Tn
risk from fire. he maintained
practically negligible. The welfar
/ OF the child. Mr. Hughes said, Is tn
only issue. I'VE are depriving IN
child Of something 1t wants /
properly used, there Is no danger
II seems to me IL there should be an
limitation. II should be that no FIRE
works should be sold to childre
under a certain age. and pass the re
sponsibility to the parent. Tho chill
has a right TO certain amusement