Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-06-23
G MOVEMENT
TO ELIMINATE
FIRE HAZARDS

bne of the most comprehensive
(vements ever started in Maryland
reduce, and eventually eliminate,
hazards in buildings used for pub
purposes, has been instituted at
fillmore by Insurance Commissioner
hn B. Centrum. According to his
htative plans, members of the Mary
bid State Firemen's Association will
BY a most important part in the
bvement.
AT a preliminary meeting held in
State Insurance Offices, attend
by State and Volunteer Firemen
ficials, local and national represen-
lives of the insurance agencies, and
her interested parties, it was decid-
to prepare code, embodying a
minimum standard of safety for pub
buildings and buildings used for
Siic purposes. This will be done
Sder the supervision of J. w. Just,
rector of Fire Service Extension,
bllege of Engineering, University OF
aryland, College Park, working with
member of the staff of Attorney
eneral Walsh.
Ito put the code into effect, there
kll be established a qualified force
commended by the Maryland State
sremen's Association in each county,
! survey all public buildings, and all
lildings used for public purposes, in
hiding halls, apartment houses, no.
lis, etc. A course of instruction for
ose prospective inspectors will be
repaired by Mr.. just, of the Fire Ser
e Extension, who will also pass up
the qualifications of prospects at
they have passed the prescribed
burse of instruction.
Strict enforcement of the minimum
|andard as set forth in the proposed
hfety code will be demanded by the
Insurance Commissioner. AS an aid
} this, a program of instruction In
Ire prevention for both children and
butts will be undertaken jointly by
he Maryland State Firemen's Asso-
(ation and the Fire Service Exten-
lon of the University of Maryland,
Indicative of the Importance of this
hovement, which, by the way, has
cen given the complete sanction Of
Governor Herbert r. O'Conor, is the
bet that the first meeting in Mr..
Eontrum's office was attended by such
I'm as H. E. Newell, Assistant Chief
Engineer, National Board of Fire
Underwriters, New York; Mr.. Just
Earl A. Young, Mt. Rainier, Presi-
ent of the Maryland State Firemen's
association, John F. McNulty, Linthi-
UNI Heights, End Vice-President, and
Joah Joffe, Bowie, chairman, legisla-
i've committee; R. B. Spencer, Balti-
more, Special Agent, National Board
# Fire Underwriters; and Raymond
J. Kennedy, Baltimore, Investigator.
Kenendy, former State Senator,
md Presley D. Bowen, leader in Bal
imore's insurance fraternity, will
'erve on a committee with Mr.. Just
md group from the Maryland State
7iremen's Association, to be named by
resident Young, to prepare plan of
,o--operation between the Insurance
office and the Volun-
ger Firemen to carry out the above
|lans. It was the opinion of those at
he meeting, some of whom have had
Experience in such matters all over
he country, that the movement is the
most important ever held in Maryland
With regard to Fire Prevention. The
prediction was made that, if the pro-
Eedure in prospect were realized,
Maryland would have the most extern
live and Efficient fire prevention sys-
,em in the country.