Presidential Proclamation - Fire Prevention Week

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

With the approach of October 9th anniversary of the great Chicago Fire it is customary for the chief executive to direct attention each year to the enormous fire loss of the nation and to direct observance of that date as National Fire Prevention Day. I am informed that the national fire loss for 1922 approximated fifteen thousand lives, and somewhat more than five hundred million dollars. If that is fire waste was the largest since 1906 when the fearful San Francisco conflagration brought the total to above five hundred million upward year by year places a striking point of high national efficiency. I am informed that in 1912 which was not an exceptional year, the per capita was $3.16 and that in 1922 it was $4.67. The importance of every possible measure to reduce this loss is apparent as to require no argument. The specialists in this subject agree that probably the greater part of the loss is due to human factors such as carelessness and moral hazards, another large portion to poor construction, inefficient enforcement of building regulations and the likes. All of these are subject to correction through proper procedures and it is highly desirable, that public attention be directed to them and every encouragement given to measure for lessening the fire menace.

In view of these facts :

Now, therefore, I, Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States, designate, Tuesday, October 9th, as National Fire Prevention Day and recommend that it is observed in a manner most fitting. I particularly recommend the importance of educational efforts through the schools, industrial establishments and in the homes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done in the City of Washington, this seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty-three and of the Independence of the United States, One Hundred and Forty-eighth.

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