The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-09-28
PROCLAMATION
Wherein Gov. Robertson
Calls Attention to Fire
Prevention Week

The annual toll taken by fire in the
destruction Of both property and hui
man life is so stupendous and appalling
as to challenge the attention Of every
worthy citizen. Just remember that
the rate Of our fire loss requires us to
pay s15.000,000 annually in fire insur-
ance premiums. That is $1.25o.o0O
each month, or upwards Of $40 900 for
each day in they ear. 1t Is almost
twice as much as the cost CT state
government, including the constru(
ton Of all our educational eleemosy'
nary and penal institutions. 1t Is q
per capita tax of 800 whereas we have
no state tax at all to pay now. 1t
will not do to say or to think thas
the insurance companies are to blame
for this unbearable tax. They are
only permitted to tax US according to
our losses. We fix this tax ourselves,
for II is based on fire losses for which
We are responsible. IL We ses to 4
that losses are reduced, then We can
be certain that insurance rates will be
reduced proportionately. That is the
sum and Substance OF the whole prop
osition. We know we can reduce loss
IS. We did II during the war. per-
iod when losses were reduced cne.half.
II has been demonstrated in few OF
the states, notably Wisconsin, where
the lowest loss ratio ir the United
| States prevails. or course, !. can to
done, but It takes a united and rersls
tent effort to do II. We cannot just
| think and dream about It, We musi
get busy, we must organize and put
UP real fight.
Every state in the union is confront
"a with the same problem. Fire waste
has now become a menace TO the safe
ty OF thS nation. Tho president OF trS
United States viii Issue pr 'clama
lion urging the people to devote the Ell
tire week from October End % October
9th, 10 an organized effort TO stem th'
tide OF destruction, The governors o.
all the states will join IN the grea
movement.
Therefore, hereby designate tn
week from October me 2nd Ia octo
Der the 9Th, 1899, as fire prevention
week, and ! earnestly counsel the pee
pie in every community to take up tni
fight with determination 10 over
come this enemy o. our safety ant
prosperity.
TO win this fight every home u
every community must be reached
every store and office in every tow
and city must be surveyed. II is wei
known that most OF our fires are do
10 our own fault. We can avoid then
by the exercise OF just ordinary car
and prudence. Fires are caused b. III
federation Of fire breeding conditions
They do not break Out in clean. We
kept premises. IL is a prohlafn fo
, each home and each community
solve. We must have action on IN
, part OF municipal officials. ladies' club
, fire departments. ministers or the got
. pei. superintendents OF public scnool
? and school teachers, and srom over
A.. force in every community that ca
create and influence public scntimeu
oryanulze In your own way, but Ie
. init me TO uige that you unit all YOU
, forces during this week 20 rli yot
. community Of fire dangers OF all kind
I Call II cleanup week and make It 4
/ In fact.
, In witness whereof, have hereunI
set my hand and caused 10 b. affiS'
an impression CT the great scal OF q
state az Oklahoma this sth day
September. 1872.
!. d. A. ROBERTSON.
Governor Of the state OF Oklsrcn
Attest. JOE 3. MORRIS.
Secretsry OF state.