Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1917 — PROCLAMATION [ARTICLE]

PROCLAMATION

Whereas the citizens of Indiana yield nothing in loyalty and patriotism, and it is believed that there would be danger that alien enemies to our government might take advantage of celebrations by the use of fireworks to conceal incendiary operations by the destruction of property, and also material used in the manufacture of fireworks is needed in the production of munitions, and it has been a question whether the public gets any real pleasure opt of fireworks but there never has been any doubt that many have been maimed and killed and that thousands of dollars have been wasted annually in this fleeting manner of entertainment, and it would be a calamity for food warehouses or elevators to be destroyed at this time, and much better use can be made of the money cost of fireworks, and at the suggestion of the governor of the state of Indiana, made on May 1 1917, I hereby appeal to the patriotic spirit of all citizens of Jasper county,' Indiana, to lend their support to the enforcement of all laws and restrictions on this subject, and ask that no fireworks or toy balloons be employed in celebrating the Fourth of July in the year 1917. Respectfully submitted, BEN D. McCOLLY, Sheriff of Jasper County, Indiana.