Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-05

Fireproofng Of cigar and cigarette
butts as preventive of forest and grain
field fires, announced as practicable by
the Federal Bureau of Standards, is
greeted by the press as novel step In
the right direction, but with no great
optimism over the probable results.
Theoretically, seh-extinguishing Gig
arettes may be all right in reducing the
fire menace of burning fags carelessly
tossed aside" according to the Charles
ton Daily Mail. But whether the
smoking public will take to them in
suf1cient numbers to correct the condi-
zion they are designed TO remedy Is a
question. The new cigarette - new
only IN equipment and not in its to-
bacco contents described as having
an 'inch-long cork tip, lined with water
glass, which is an air-excluding sodium
silicate, hitherto known Chiefly to
households as preventative for eggs.
This sounds a little too cumbersome to
inspire belief that the present kind win
be discarded Immediately
How to impress smokers with the
necessity for care" in the opinion of the
South Bend Tribune, SIS problem that
bests those endeavoring to reduce the
Nations fire loss. Cigarette manufac-
turers have been asked to cooperate in
PhCNChNiFC campaign. Inc
hreproof tip apparently has considerable
merit. Another suggestion is that FIRE
warnings be printed on each cigarette.
This may be less valuable. All smokers
know that carelessness Is dangerous, but
carefulness Is not decreasing"
Pointing out that, in addition to the
safety cigarette, the Government has
used similar treatment to reduce the
damage from discarded matches. the
Geneva Daily News advises that here
Is something that ought to interest all
forest conservationists and most sn1ok-
ers," since it is very scientific and
yet very simple" Recording that the
scientists observed and experimental
the vital question Is, Nov, who will
put such reformed cigarettes and
matches on the market?"
Delving further into the matter, the
Hartford Times states that "a much
more important cigarette improvement,
from the standpoint Of the consumers
convenience. is an ingenious chemical
treatment of the tip, so contrived that
when one rubs it on the prepared side
of the paper container, 1t lights itself
without producing either unpleasant or
harmful fumes. Presumably" continues
the Times. "the principle here involved
Is simply the conversion Of the cigarette
into a safety match, temporarily. Sci
ence now having attended to both ends
Of the thing" continues the Times, 1.-The
middle of the cigarette should be more
enjoyable than ever for those who like
1t. Yet. as there are many who still
prefer to roll their own in old-ttme
masculine fashion. no few will continue
the habitual practice Of lighting matches
by the snap of fingernail, and OF
stomping ash and ember as the
burning approaches its close"
when an, If the method is pro-
nounced ready for adoption, 1t will be
the duty of manufacturers and smokers
alike to accept it, to the end that enor-
nous fire losses now due to the nature
of the cigarette and the carelessness OF
its users may be reduced, If not elimi-
mated" asserts the Providence Bulletin.
The Butte Montana Standard, estimate
ing the damage that is done by smokers.
comments: THE smoker throws away
his cigar butt or his cigarette, he knocks
the ashes out of his pipe, and by these
seemingly innocent habits he causes an
annual fire damage In the United States
of $45, 000, 900. The number OF flres ne
starts as a result Of these strictly per-
sonal activities Is estimated at $4,000 a
year. Every one Of these fires 50 caused
has brought injury and loss to persons
other than the smoker who careleessly
threw his lighted flag away"
Observing results of disastrous forest
fires in Idaho and Montana, the Atlanta
Journal says: Somewhere, somebody
dropped q lighted match or burning
cigarette stub, or left the embers of a
CAMPFIRE snoldering. Then a strong
wind sprang up. The sequel Is that an
army Of some 5000 men has been bat
ting desperately to save forests which
nature worked for ages to create, and
which human carelessness will destroy
In n day. Since last January, the Fed
eral Bureau of Forestry has expended
upward off, million dollars on ener-
gency IRE fighting alone. Meanwhile