James E. Homans, editor

“ The children enrolled in the society in vast numbers, wearing the buttons as badges of their membership, and not only ceased making the noises themselves, but restrained the younger children. Within three weeks, after visiting most of the schools and addressing the children herself, Mrs. Rice had secured 20,000 members of the junior league. The success of this effort suggested a campaign against another and a still greater evil, the old-fashioned way of celebrating the Fourth of July. Here another element more harmful than noise entered into the situation. ”

“ So the society of which she was the head launched its movement for a “sane Fourth of July celebration,” an expression which has since become familiar throughout the whole country and has been universally heeded, not only by individuals, but by thousands of municipalities, large and small. Largely through these efforts, it may now be said that the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, by means of explosive toys, is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. ”

“ Rice has had large support from the children themselves. Out of the many thousands of children with whom she talked in the schools, only three declared that fireworks and firecrackers were more alluring than other forms of amusements; the others all preferred celebrating the birthday of the nation with sports, games, picnics, and outings. More lately the society has also begun a propaganda against the noises of automobiles in the city streets, and this is developing with the same satisfactory results. ”