Putnam patriot., 1928-10-11

Just as there must be an amending lcampaign against carelessness. there must be insistence on sound principles of building construction. False econ omy is a habit of the American peo- pie when it comes to constructing fire lresistive buildings. and a campaign against this attitude should show re- suits in the first generation. People can just as readily acquire the habit iof desiring fire-safe buildings as of being willing Co take chances IL seems that a large share in any pre- vention movement of the future should be in teaching the advantages of making building construction ire safe.
 Perhaps no one query in the Bible has caused such amending discussion as this, Am l my brothers keeper7"
 In the answer will be found the solution of modern civilization. So- ciety is SO constituted that we are continually rubbing elbows with some one else and must realize that those with whom we come into contact have equal rights with our own. The auto mobile has demonstrated the neces- lsity of guarding "the other fellow" from danger, as we expect him to guard us. Modern civilization is con structed on the responsibility of each for the other. As men began to live in communities they realized that they must respect the persons and proper ty of others if they were to gain the same respect for themselves. This could only be brought about by mu- ! it..n1 ta. .a-yrjt.... 4.. certain established codes and to prac- tice fair dealing. Gains question, l"Am l my brothers keeper7" has been repeated down the ages. and the manner in which it has been answer ed demonstrated itself.
 Criminal and Civil Negligence l In no simple respect does the re- sponsibility of one person for another reach such definite form as in protec. tlon against the danger of fire. A tenement-h house owner in New York City, making the statement that he was not responsible for the loss to his tenants by fire. was greeted with In framed copy of court decision, in which the judge and jury unanimous | ly held an owner criminally negligent and granted damages of $60. .oo0 to young woman. She had proved that at the time of the fire the emergency exit from her apartment was locked and the loss of her mother and sis ter, and her own disfguring scars were the results.
 The court decision of our country closely approximate public opinion, which has been unmistakenabiy de- monstrated in regard to needless fires and the fire loss As a result, arson the act of burning property for gain or revenge-has been called the "crime of crimes"
 Where fire danger is concerned, we certainly are our "brother's keeper" We are responsible for the lives of our tenants and of our fellow citi- zens. This point is stressed not only from our churches, but from the courts of our land and by public opinion. man who neglects to safe guard his property will unquestion- ably be conscience-stricken if fire causes the loss of human lives as a result of his remissness.
 We are living in an age in which our actions affect many others. We cannot neglect the appearance of our own homes without reflecting unfa- vorably on the neighborhood. Similar l ly, we cannot ignore safety principles in our own factories, stores or thea tres, without a strong reaction on the part of the public against selfishness and laxity. We build our schools to resist fire and to give every child op- portunity to leave the building in safety. We support fire departments for the benefit of every citizen. We safeguard our own property, not only to protect our lives and valuables. but because we realize our neighhors have right.
 Must Cooperate
 Today we must cooperate with others or be considered a menace to society and civilization, and justly so In fact, we are fast approaching the time when we will not risk our own lives in unsafe buildings, nor will we allow others, especially those poor CT circumstances, to endure a need less fire risk. The American people are beginning to realize that it is false economy, as we'll as fool hardy, not 10 build to resist fire. A building worth having at all is worth fiie-re- sistive construction. Our ordinances and building codes are being strength ened to prevent the thoughtless or self ish person from endangering the vel fare of community by erecting an unsight,y or an unsafe building.
 The week of October 7th to 18th has been set aside for the observance of Fire Prevention Week. when every effort will be made to make living and working conditions safe from fire. A new sense of responsibility will be felt by owners and tenants of build ings. Communities and individual citi- gems will all do their part in driving home the lesson of fire prevention
 So We realize that Gains question does apply to modern-day living. If asked in reference Co Are prevention work, the chorus of "ayes" that would reaound throughout the land would Indicate a definite duty and re- spDnsibility in protecting others. as we'll as ourselves, from fire danger.
 This fire prevention effort, or any