Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1916 — ENTHUSIASTIC FIRE MEETING [ARTICLE]

ENTHUSIASTIC FIRE MEETING

Held at the High School Building Monday Night. The fire prevention meeting held at the high school building Monday night was quite successful in every way except possibly that of attendance. Not nearly as many people responded as it was hoped would do so. But it is characteristic of the American people to take little or no Interest in matters that vitally concern them until some disastrous occurrence brings the facts forcibly before them. The Rnesselaer band assembled at the court house square at 6:45. and after playing a few selections marched to the high school building, followed by a goodly number of people who had gathered on the street. The fire department then made a run from the fire house to the school building. The meeting at the school biullding was opened with a piano duet - Misses Helen Parkinson and Bernice Long. Fire Chief Montgomery then made a short introductory talk in which he stated the purpose of the meeting and quoted a few statistical figures of interest to everyone. In the United States the per capita fire loss each year is $2.51, while in Europe it is but cents. Mr. Montgomery also stated that in the city of New York the sum of $12,000 is spent, in fire prevention annually while something like $50,000,000 is spent for fire losses and control. The adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” does not seem to impress the people along this line as much as in some others. Superintendent C. R. Dean of the city schools then read the governor’s proclamation for fire prevention day, and was followed by Mayor Spitler, who gave a very, interesting talk on fire prevention from the insurance standpoint. For many years efforts have been made to have the insurance rate in Rensselaer reduced, but little success will be met with until the people take a more active interest in fire prevention. Hon. E. P. Honan made a very interesting talk on the organization and work df the old fire department, and. was followed by Mose Leopold, who gave a most instructive talk on fire prevention from an economical standpoint. Rev. Fleming also gave an entertaining and instructive talk on fire prevention. John O’Connor reviewed the great Chicago fire in a manner that brought home to all who heard him the need of greater precaution in

their every day life. A vocal solo by Miss Ruth Wood, a piano solo by Miss Llnnle Bird Raines and a vocal solo by Miss Wilda Littlefield were enjoyed by all present. The evening proved • quite entertaining as well as instructive.