Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-13
ONLY 10 FAILED
TO COMPLY WITH
ORDER TO CLEAN
Reinspections by Fire Depart
ment Show Public Backs
Prevention Plans.
BY LEILA 3. CHESLINE.
Assistant State Fire Marshal.

Several days ago the number of fires
and the losses incurred in the first six
months of 1920 and 1921 were given and it
was shown that Indianapolis had 235
fewer fires with a decrease of S162, 701.5
loss Much credit is given the fire pre-
vention bureau and the work of the
Chamber of Commerce Fire Prevention
, Committee. That the people are becom-
ing interested and are cooperating, is the
result of the activities Of these depart
ments. Men and women from all walks
in life are daily reporting conditions in
their neighborhood that they have learned
to view as fire hazards. This sort of CO.
operation is appreciated, for then, the in
spection is made and the orders issued
with the result the hazard is removed and
the community is made safe.
From June to June u the fire inspec-
tors made 800 reinspections of property
where thirty day orders had been Issued
When we know that only ten orders were
not complied with, making 1t necessary
to file afidavits against the occupant, we
are Of the opinion that the majority Of
, the people are willing to help reduce the
number of fires when they are made to
realize the seriousness OF their negligence
or carelessness. In December, 1919, the
common council Of the city of Indian
apolis passed General Ordinance No. 120,
by which the fire prevention bureau
was created. This ordinance is composed
of eleven sections setting forth the du-
ties Of the bureau and Of the citizens In
reference to the same Section 10 says:
ANY person, firm or corporation viola
ting any Of the provisions Of this ordt-
nance shall upon conviction, be fined In
any sum not exceeding two hundred dol
lars (S20O00) to which may be added i'm
4 prisonment not to exceed ninety 600
! days" The use Of this extreme measure
. is necessary only in the minority OF
cases, but ignorance OF the law does
j not excuse one, we submit this for the In
/ formation of the possible offender.
A good showing was made for the first
! six months but we want TO do even better
for the last six months Of the year. In
the last half OF 1920 there were 1906
| fires. We should cut that number at least
| in half for the remaining months Of 1921.
Let US watch ourselves and our neigh
I bors 1t is wrong 20 think the entire
! matter is in the hands Of the fire depart
ment or the insurance companies. They
are YOUR servants, but the extent to
/ which you need them rests largely with
you.
| Indianapolis is wanting lower insurance
rates and to this end the city depart
ments have contributed much The city
fire department has completely motor
( lied. a double platoon system has been
I Installed, Battalion Chief Fulmer Is con-
Quoting drill school for the hremen, the
council has passed the anti single roof
ordinance and has appropriated $500
/ to be used in carrying out the program OF
/ fire prevention education for the people
/ OF the city All this tends toward ad
vancing the city from fourth class to sec
ond class rating. Frank c. Jordan Of
/ the FIRE prevention committee. Jacob T.
( Hilkene chief Of the fire prevention bureau
and Fire Chief John G. Loucks join in
asking the full cooperation Of the people
so that We may reduce the number Of fires
/ for the last six months Of 1921 and soon
! receive the lower rate Of insurance, Will
We assist in making Indianapolis safe,
| healthful and beautiful.