The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-02
MIDDLETON URGES
 SAFE-SANEF
Fire Chief Says Celebrating Nations Birthday by Fire
 works Is Menace

Fire Chief 8. A. Middleton yester- day added his voice to those of the growing number of people who de- sire to see the old, dangerous Fourth abolished and It's place taken by q new Fourth, with community cele- brations of type not only safer, but more appropriate and impressive.
 T hope I'll not be accused Of dampening the spirit of the occasion, but I sincerely wish it were possible for every parent-yes and every boy and girl too--to spend the Fourth of July in my company and witness some of the fires and accidents that come from celebrating this occa- sion. I think it would result, not merely in increased agitation for A safe and sane celebration in Bir- mingham, but In a great popular de- mand for it," said the chief when interviewed on>the subject of the ob- servance of Independence Day this year.
 Only last year." he continued sparks from fireworks caused the death of two. and a property loss of Sl25,O00 at hotel on Long Island a skyrocket destroyed manufactur . ing plant in Pennsylvania, with A loss of s4oo.o0o. These are typical of hundreds of instances. Death and in- jury, and fire loss from these causes are NO totally unnecessary and ca n De so easily eliminated, that they are doubly deplorable.
 since the passage of the Declara- ton Of Independence, there have been more casualties due to 'celebra ing that historic event than there were on the American side during the war that made the document effec- tive, and more money has gona mn In smoke from fires set by celebra- tors than was appropriated by the continental Congress to carry on th ( Revolutionary war.
 want to call particular atten- 2 tion' went on the chief, to the so- caileo electric sparkler.' which is alleged to be harmless What neo- pie do not realize is that while th. sparks themselves do not ignite. a genuine danger turks in the glowing core Last year serious cases of burn ing were reported by the score, whils Tn New York, Chicago and Trenton, deaths occurred from 'sparklers.. Tn tne last lS years according to of ficial report, ss children were burned to death by .sparklers' in the city of Philadelphia alone.
 I learn from the national board n, fire underwriters that the argument was presented last year in defense Of these dangerous playthings that there were only three children kill ed against 5o,00o.o 900 packages of "sparklers" sold,' which was referred to as good percentage.' Let me quote the reply of one of the coun- trys fire marshals This official said; A good percentage" indeed To whom? Parents of dead children If these things had brought death to but one child. that in itself would be sufficient to damn "sparklers, for ever. Is there father or nother in Birmingham who does not agree wItn that verdict?
 Tt seems to me-" the chief con cluded, that 1t would be annronrj. ate way of demonstrating our na- triotism and appreciation of what thc Declaration of Independence has meant for us by seeing now mu,h Of the life and wealth of the natIo, we can conserve. We've made A sta r, In recent years. Let's see If we can., improve on it's next Tuesday with . fireless Fourth"