The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-06-20
FIRE LOST HERE
/. IS HIGHEST IN j. S.
alarming Situation" Shown in
Report of Survey
PREVENTION DRIVE PLANNED
Industrial Accidents Jump 70 Per
Cent. In Eight Years, Study
ReveaIs-Prevention
Is Urged.

Maryland has q higher fire loss
ratio for the past AZ years than any
other state, according to announce
ment of statistics compiled in sur.
vey of industrial accidents and fires
by the Baltimore Safety Council.
Baltimore, the figures showed, had
q higher per capita loss in 1922 than
any other city of it's size or larger.
The alarming situation" to was
indicated, probably will result in a
campaign of prevention in which
groups of Baltimore industries will
be organized to reduce the, fire peril.
The survey also showed the total
number of accidents reported has
jumped from 23,048 in 1915 to A.
039 in 1923; claims for compensa-
ton have increased from 3,443 to IA
S09, and the amount of money paid
out in compensation from $4,000
70 S1,S17,S70.
The Safety Councils report of the
survey added:
1.-THE amount of compensation as
shown is no indication whatsoever
of the loss suffered by the industries.
Then, too, no wild guess could ap-
proximate the loss suffered by the
injured men, nor can any chart in
dictate the sufferings imposed upon
the victims of these accidents or
their families.
ut. has been shown that no mat
ter what the compensation amounts
to, the injured worker always suf-
fers greater loss. In other words,
compensation as a cripple does not
compare with his earnings as
worker"
Injuries were more frequent, it
was found. among younger workers,
from nineteen to twenty-four. The
next heaviest toll was taken among
workers between twenty-four and
thirty, injuries decreasing in proper
ton among the older employees.
Using results of the survey as a
criterion, the Safety Councils re-
port estimated that ''if present con-
ditions remain unchecked by 1927
Industrial fire loss will be about $4,-
100000 annually and compensation
claims will number about $4,000,
with compensation losses about 3d.
100000"
George W. Knapp, Jr., factory
manager of the National Enameling
and Stamping Company, under whose
direction the survey was conducted,
Is developing a program of preveh-
ton and cooperation.
Certain industries in other cities,
1t was reported, have demonstrated
it is possible to reduce accidents
from so to 95 per cent. by construc-
tive safety organization, and in some
cases records have been made where
plants have for a number of years
operated without single time-loss
due to accident.
Advocates or Dry Law Plan Debate.
Dry law advocates are planning "a
meeting at the Lyric Theatre June
%, when a dramatic debate, entitled
"Can the Dry Law Be Enforced?"
will be held. 1t will be under aus
pieces of the Maryland Anti-Saloon
League
The same debate will be presented
at Towson Methodist Episcopal
Church Wednesday night. Later the
performance will be repeated in a
number of Maryland towns.
In making the announcement of
the Lyric meeting, George w.
Crabbe, superintendent of the league,
issued challenge to Representative
John Philip HILL Governor Richie
and other wet advocates to attend.
After the show Mr.. Crabbe said,
an opportunity will be given those
who may feel the issue has not been
presented fairly to put additional
questions.