Arson is a serious crime that ought to be addressed with intensity in areas where it becomes a problem. Rep. John Moakley, DMass. says arson – intentionally setting a fire causes almost $6 billion in property damage each year besides jeopardizing thousands of human lives. An article introduced by Moakley into The Congressional Record calls arson “the fastest – growing crime in America, increasing at an annual rate of 25 percent.” Sadly though, the conviction rate for arson nationwide is a dismal one percent, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) is quoted as saying. Authored by Jonathan Walters, the article. “Arson – a Heritage in Flames,” appears in the March-April issue of Historic Preservation. It focuses particularly on destruction of historic buildings by arson. One example cited was De Give’s Grant Opera House in downtown Atlanta where “Gone With the Wind” premiered 40 years ago. “New construction was transforming Atlanta. and the theater (listed for preservation in the National Register in 19771 ‘ was taking up valuable space. Just as citizens were mounting a drive to save De Give’s, a raging fire spared them the trouble. Officials listed the blaze simply as ‘suspicious.’ ” Moakley said insurers estimate that 45 percent of property insurance premium increases in the past 10 years have resulted from arson. and 20 percent of today’s premiums go ”directly’ to paying off arson-related claims.” The U. S. Fire Administration has identified 24 kinds of arson – from revenge to vandalism to profit, the latter described as “burning for insurance.” Arson generally is most effectively fought at local level. In the wake of an arson wave in 1974, Seattle set up an anti-arson program with the mayor taking the lead. The effort included an arson training program. unified police – firemen investigation and enforcement teamwork. rewards for “hotline” tips, insurance company involvement, and state legislation making insurance firms and fire departments immune from libel suits for sharing information on clients. it also included tougher policies on insurance claims. arson counseling for juveniles, a public awareness program through the media. and sharing of information between Seattle and surrounding localities. While arson continues to spread nationwide. said Walters in his article. the crime is down by more than 40 percent in Seattle. Moakley ,called on Congress to consider what it can do to develop a coordinated federal role in prevention and detection of arson. . For starters, Congress ought to do what it failed to accomplish last year and pass legislation to coordinate federal activity on arson and make this a permanent Class One crime (meaning that the FBI would keep vital, detailed statistics on it). But since experts say arson control depends heavily on local team effort. the appropriate officials in localities with a potential problem should be prepared to organize as conditions demand.