The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-08
TIE WEATHER on SATURDAY was clear and
LOCAL MATTERS.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE ENGI-
nrgas.-Chief-E Engineer. George. A. .Ainslie,
OF the Richmond Fire Department, Colonel
Iloyd J. Beall, 4 member OF the Committee
on the Fire Department, First-Assistant-
Engineer G. w. Taylor, and possibly the
chairman OF the Committee. Captain Charles
+. Tavlor, will leave the city to- day to at.
tend the seventh annual convention OF the
National Association of Fire Engineers Of
:he United States, which assemblies in Wash
ine,on on Tuesday at noon. -.
This Association was formed seven years
ayo. and its origin grew from the Chicago
and Boston CONGREGATIONS. Those great
fires showed to the country that more scien-
ti6c methods Of fighting fires were necessary
70 prevent the repetition Of such disasters.
The larger cities all had their paid depart
me1ts, but there was no cooperation be-
tween them. Prominent officials in the va
rious cities. and leading insurance men,
thought that By The formation OF the Asso.
citation OF Fire-Engineers the chiefs Of the
country would be brought together to dis
cuss topics ofimportance to the fire service,
and that, by an interchange OF ideas and eX-
periences, improved methods OF handling
fires would be devised. The Association
thus organized is now in the seventh year OF
it, existence. Its annual gatherings have
been largely attended by the Chief engi-
peers OF the various cities, agreat variety OF
topics are discussed annually, which, in
addition to the social intermiDgling OF
chiefs, have been OF great benefit to the fire
service Veteran tiremen say that every
convention gives them new ideas, and ena-
bics them to introduce improvements IN
their departments. s....- r.
Among the many points Of interest and
instruction at these conventions are the eX-
hibits made by manufacturers OF fire sup
plies OF oil kinds, such as steamers, hose
OF all kinds, various systems OF fre-aarm
telegraph, hose.couplin2s, reltef-valyes,
nozzles,. play-pipes, and, In fact. OF almost
every article required in the equipment OF
q fire department. Committees were ap-
pointed to examine and report upon the
merits OF these, and manufacturers and in
yeDtcrs were accorded time in which to ex-
plain their apparatus. Chief Ainslie, ct
Richmond, was placed upon several OF
these committees, and has forwarded bis
written opinion upon the topics desired.
All such reports tend to expand the know
ledge possessed by the chiefs, to make
them more familiar with fire apparatus, and
to know the wants and needs OF the hre
service. -
it would seem that these annual gather
lUft,S Va SiSat NaidS ~ WV PANSSASss' A'SA
OF The smaller cities. Their eXperiences.in in
fighting fires cannot have been, OF course,
as extensive and varied as those OF the
chiefs OF the larger cities, and circumstances
may arise which will tax their energies be.
yond their knowledge. The knowledge
they obtain at these conventions from the
more experienced officers Is stored up by
them for use in the time OF need. Every
community in tine country should make 1T
obligatory upon its chief engineer to be
present at these conventions. The money
necessary to deiray his expenses could not
be better invested. ........ g.
Much OF the above information was
found in the FIreman'S journal. a paper
devoted to the interests OF the tiremen OF
the country. -
The Committee of Arrangements at
Washington have provided for an, excur-
sion to Mount Vernon and elsewhere, for a
test OF steam tire-eneines, OF various kinds
of hose, exhibitions OF extension and life
saving ladders, etc. e.. .v,...,s, -. -.
The railroads aud hotels have made spe-
cial rates for the Convention, and q grand
:ga,ht ring is anticipated. Next. year Chlei
Ainslie hopes to have the Convention inlthis
City. -. - II
NJ. Bennett, Jr., Esq, OF Hartford, Coma.
ba, consented to address the Cony yention
and as he is SO we'll known and greatly in
terested in fire matters, and promlnen
insurance man, much benefit. is anticipated
from his address ~. -, "a ~