Fresno Has Ninety-Five Per Cent Frame Houses

But Wins Place In National Fire Prevention And F'ire Loss Reduction Contest.

How little relation there is betrveen the pr'evalence of frame residences in American cities and the fire losses, is pointed out by building engineers here, in connection witl a study of the results in the 1926 fr.re prevention and fire loss reduction contest conducted by tlie Chimber of Commerce of the United States.

It will be recalled that Fresno received honorable mention in this contest, in its class.

The contesting cities, 220, were divided" into four competition classes, one first prize and four honorable mentions being awarded in each class.

Poltland, Oregon, Winner of first place among the cities of first class conlain more than 96 Per cent of frame buildings; Long'Beach, California, second-class- winner, h?t- 4 pei cent of frame buildings; Battle Creek, Micligan, thirdilass winner, 9O per cent; Albany, Georgia, twice winner in the fourth class, 82 per cent.

The average percentage of frame buildings in the 44 win' ling cities, as given by local authorities, is 73.8, which is ,statid to be rather higher than the av€rage in all cities. The proportion of frame buildings in Fresno is stated to be ,ninety-five per cent and bears out the general conclusion that frame buildings ar'e no more subject to fire losses than those with brick walls.

The per gapita fire loss of the contesting cities in 1925, is given by the Chamber of Commerce as $3.77 as compared with an estimated national average of approximately $5.00 A slight general decrease in fire losses in these cities is noted as compared to previous years. In the face of vastly increased values of buildings and other property subject to fire destruction this decrease is regarded by the engineers as indicating rel3tively lower fire losses where frame construction is general.

Studies by the building engineers of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association of fire losses in manv states have shown a steady increase in burnable wealth, wiih fire losses relatively stable, indicating that the loss per thousand dollars worth of buildings and contents is steadily decreasing. Much of this decrease is attributed to the educational efforts of public officials which have brought about greater care in the home and factory; and to increased use of automatic sprinklers and portable fire extinguishers. Overi5 per cent of all building fires start within; and the probability, with modern fire engines, that they will be communicated to other buildings is very slight. City ordinances which require masonry buildings, according to the engineers, would cause far less expense to builders, and would result in more genuine safety and fire protection if, instead, they required a good portable fire extinguisher to be installed in each home.

For Your Own Protectio

Owing to the f,ood conditionr throughout the South, much of the timber land is inindated, and many of the mills have been cdmpletely shut down. The result is a chaotic condition of the market-with every indication of a marked shortage of hardwood stoclrc and a steady advance in hardwood prices.

This unctable co'ndition of the Southern hardwood industry has not, as yet, i-paired our ability to take care of yoirr onders for handrrood fooring promptly arrd completely, as heretofore.

However-in the face of this impending shortage and higher priceo, we urge for your own protection that you let us take care of your requirements now.