Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-08
WelcOme-New Mexico Insurance AGENTS
DRIVE AGAINST FIRE
WASTE ORGANIZED
Proclamation by President
Harding Calls for I'm
preSSive Observance.
NATION JOINS IN CAMPAIGN.

SuoIOHi w obSelFe oCLOUST y, ami
versary of the great Chicago fire of
1871, as National Fire Prevention
Day" states President Warren G.
Harding in his proclamation antici-
pating the observance of Fire
prevention Week in the United
States and Canada, October 2-9, in
elusive, land in recognition of this
excellent precedent, l am herewith
directing the attention Of all citi-
ems, especially those in authority in
the states and cities, to the desira-
biity of continuing the observance
this year and making it as impress
sive as possible" The presidents
proclamation continues:
1T has long been a reproach to
our country that by reason of poor
construction, inadequate facilities
for fire prevention, and an all too
general carelessness about possible
causes of conflagration, our fire
waste reaches figures year after
year which are not approached in
any other country in the world.
Mindful Of the fire waste which is
expressed in figures so huge as to
be appalling, it may be emphasized
liAiL ~ q tiiiiV h1iYii Gil
ties need to conserve resources in
hand and to promote production in
every possible way. there ought to
be especial effort to minimize such
losses. To this end,
Therefore, I, Warren G. Hard
ing, president of the United States,
appeal to the public authorities of
the country, by such measures as
to them may seem most effective,
and to citizens generally, to take
steps for the observance of Monday,
October 8, as Fire Prevention Day.
1 suggest the special desirability of
impressing upon the teachers and
pupils in the schools, and all work.
ers in industrial establishments, the
Importance of precautionary meas
ures for avoidance of fires. BY such
measures, earnestly undertaken and
vigorously enforced, we shall con-
tribute to a vast economy of the
national resources and of the prod
uct of human effort; as we'll as to
a saving Of many hundreds of hui
man lives now needlessly sacrificed.
"In witness whereof, / have here
unto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States to be af-
fixed"
Philadelphia Cleans Up.
AS a prelude to Fire Prevention
Week in Philadelphia, the entire
mercantile section of the city is to
be thoroughly inspected and
cleaned up. The work already is
under way under the direction of a
large force of inspectors from the
fire marshal's office who will con-
tinue their activities throughout the
week planned for special city-wide
observances. This campaign was
instituted last week following a
meeting of the fire prevention and
insurance committee of the Phila-
delphia chamber of commerce at
which Fire Marshal George w. Ell
lott was the chief speaker. Mr..
Elliott also will address a special
meeting Of the Philadelphia Real
Estate board in conjunction with a
convention of all Pennsylvania real
estate boards, planned as an added
feature to the general observance
to be staged in that city during Fire
Prevention Week.
Those in charge of city observ-
ances throughout the country well
might take hint from Whining
ton, Del, where the detail work
necessary to an effective campaign
has been most efficiently organized.
Chief Lutz of the fire department
of that city has appointed each
club or association, which has been
interested in the movement to
specific task for which they will be
held responsible. In this way, the
Chief hopes to circumvent the old
hazard of everybody's business be-
ing nobody's business.
ALBUQUEDQUES FIRE LOSS
$140,S77 LAST YEAR
Fire Chief Koperr Henderson, ad-
dressing the pupils of the high
school on fire prevention yesterday,
said that the total lire loss in New
Mexico last year was $987,9SS, and
the fire loss in Albuquerque was
$140,S77, or ID per cent of the total.
AS the population of Albuquerque
is four per cent of the population OF
the state, the chief said, it can be
seen that the loss here was out of
proportion.
This year, however, the chief
said, the city Is making an enviable
record. If the remaining three
months carry out the percentage
shown by the first nine months the
per capita loss for 1922 will be
$40, while in 1921 it was $3.50.
The loss during the first nine
months, within the city limits, to-
tailed $4,000. this year.
Unknown Causes.
Over 80 per cent Of the fire loss
in Albuquerque last year was from
fires whose cause was unknown.
Nearly all large Tres Except ex-
plosions), are so classified for the
reason that fires causing the largest
Losses generally have such a start
that the cause can not be deter
mined.
Rubbish, trash and grass caused
over 8 per cent of fires, all pre-
ventable.
Defective stoves, flues, sparks,
over IA per cent; all preventable.
Defective oil stoves and lamps,
over per cent. Carelessness in
handling coal oil and not keeping
the lamp and stove clean.
Defective wires ana snort circuit,
over 10 per cent. Caused by anna
teur electricians, poor installation,
run down equipment and jumping
fuses with wire.
Children and matches and care
less smoking, over 9 per cent. All
carelessness in allowing the chill
dren to have matches and that
smoker that never watches where
he threw that match or stub.
Ashes, over 3 per cent; all pre-
ventable. Miscellaneous, over Q
per cent. Unknown, over 80 per
cent.
Following the chiefs talk, the
high school held q fire drill and
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