The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-09-27
OCTOBER 7-l3 FIRE
PREVENTION WEEK
Governor Issues 4 Proclamation
Designating October 3 Fire
Prevention Day

October 9th, 1928, will comment
crate the fifty-second anniversary OF
che great Chicago fire. Out of that
fire the world was given a tragic OBJ
ject lesson in the price of careless
ness. From a single act of careless
ness in the use of a lamp, while
milking a cow was started a confa-
grafton which consumed / 6 1850 build
ings over an area of 2,124 acres, In
which 200 citizens were burned to
death, wiping out $29S, 900 900 in pro-
perry and leaving 100, 900 homeless.
Last year in the United States
alone 1921 SOC, 900 in property was de-
stroyed by fire and $1,000 persons
were burned 10 death and more than
$4,000 were injured. In South Dako-
ia $1,950,00 worth of property was
destroyed, and twenty-five of her CT
tizens burned to death.
Carelessness, and ignorance OF
common hazards, are responsible for
so per cent of the loss OF life and
property by fire. because such a
large per centage of the fires that
date of the Chicago fire has come to
be observed as FIRE PREVENTION
DAY throughout the nation.
Therefore, because it is the fifty
second anniversary of the Chicago
fire and in view of the unusual fire
losses Of last year it is with a par
ticular sense of appropriateness that
| proclaim Tuesday the
NINTH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1928
as
FIRE PREVENTION DAY
and in keeping with that idea, /
urge that the second week of october
9th to 18th inClusive) be set aside
as FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, and
be so observed.
During this week school authorities
should keep in mind the fire that
destroyed the school building at Col
linswood, Ohio, in which 173 children
were burned to death. They should
also keep in mind the recent fire at
Cleveland, South Carolina, weber 76
children were burned to death.
especially urge that fire drills in
al schools be perfected; that the en-
tire week be marked by a general
cleaning up and disposal of rubbish
from all premises: a careful exami-
nation and repair of heating appara-
tus and flues so tht they will be in
safe condition for the winter; an in
spection OF electric wiring and cor
rection OF defects, and the removal
of any dangerous conditions which
may cause fire; that schools, theatres,
churches, public and private hospi-
tails, institutions, factories, stores
and hotels be inspected to see that
every safeguard against fire is pro-
vided, and also that exit facilities
are sufficient in case of fire; that To-
cal authorities examine their crdinan-
ces and make them sufficient if they
are lacking in any particular; that
where possible, public mass meetings
be held in the interest Of FIRE PRE-
VENTION.
To this end, | suggest that every
MAJOR issue an Appropriate prCcla.
nation. | also earnestly request the
hearty support of ecery citizen, the
organized cooperation of all fire de-
partments, Chambers of Commerce
Commercial, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions
and omen's Clubs, and all other civic
bodies; and | appeal to the Press to
lend it's active support.
DC1e at the Capitol, in the City OF
Pierre, this 10Th day of September
A. ID. 1923.
w. H. McMASTER.
Governor
By the Governor:
C. f. COYNE,
Secretary of State.