St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-15
The FIRE ENGINEERS
Now Holding Their Sixteenth
Annual Convention in the
Flour City.
The Delegates Form in Line
and March to Harmonic
Hall at II a. m.
Addresses of Welcome DeIiv-
cred by Chief Stetson and
Mayor Ames.
CnUQ1oaI panopc Of Fy,onoy,f a MOO
Several Papers of Importance
Read at the Afternoon
Session,

yesterday morning, were all present at
the West hotel yesterday morning, and
there registered and secured their
badges and handsome bouquets, the
latter being given them by young
boy wearing an old-time fireman's suit
and helmet. In the lobby of the
hotel the firemen exchanged greetings
and renewed Old-time acquaintance.
1t was IL o'clock when the delegates
formed in line to march to Harmonic
hall. where the opening exercises were
to be held. The procession was headed
by Willard IL Thele's band, and pre-
Sented handsome appearance as it
marched down Fifth street to Nicollet
avenue, and from there down Third
street to the hall.
Harmonic hall, where all the business
sessions will be held. has been most
handsomely decorated, and yesterday
presented most beautiful appearance.
The stage itself, was perfect bower a
beauty. At the back, and forming of
canopy over the heads of the officers
were two American flags, with a hand
some fire picture between. In the cen
tel, of this picture was painted the
badge of the organization. At each
side OF the stage, was ladder of
evergreen, extending from the floor al
most to the ceiling. A hose was run up
each of these ladders and the nozzles
joined directly in the center, presenting
very pretty picture. Around the
stage was a deep lining of evergreen.
and in the center of the stage facing the
hall was the word "Welcome" in gold
letters. over each box hung a wreath
of evergreenS. and running around the
balcony was rope Of the same, feS-
TONED with smaller ropes of red, white
and blue bunting. The presidents
table stood at the forward part of the
stage and was covered with the
stars and stripes. bordered with
evergreen. On the table was a helmet
and a trumpet composed of red, yellow.
and pink roses ana carnations. AT
each end of the table stood handsome
pitcher. from which arose handsome
bouquets of tiger lilies and hollyhocks.
The scene was an inspiring one, and it
is safe to say that Harmonic hall never
looked so pretty before. A large picture
of Chief Stetson hung at the right of
the stage. while at the left was
portrait of Assistant Chief
Gus Runge. Near these pictures
hung large photographs of the
Minneapolis department. Over the gas
jets around the balcony were firemen's
axes, placed in the form of a cross,
while between the lights were orna-
mental rOSetteS. TrumpetS and other
articles used by firemen were scattered
around where they would do the most
good. In the center of the stage, just
in front of the table, stood d patent back
fire eXtinguiSher. At the rear of the
hall, in the balcony, is a gong, neatly
covered with draped flags. This gong
will sound any alarms which may be
rung i'll during the convention.
THE OPENING EXERCISES.
Many ladies were at the hall when
the opening exercises were held. Chief
StetSOn opened the exercises with an
address in which he extended a hearty
welcome to the visiting firemen. He
was followed by Mayor Ames. who
made characteristic address. EX-Chief
Taylor, of Richmond, and EX-Chief
Stockwell, of Tennessee, also made
short addresses.
President w. r. Joyner called the con-
ventiOn to order at 80, with but about
forty members present, the rest being
out looking around the city and in
specting the Minneapolis engine houses.
The first business was the calling of the
roll and the paying of dues. The read
ing Of the minutes was dispensed with
by unanimous vote. and the printed re-
port of the secretary adopted. James
G. Gilbert, of the New leland Fire
company. sent a letter regretting his
inability to be present, as also did John
A. Rowe, of the London, Ont, fire de-
partment.
Under the call for the reading of re-
ports on the various topics, there was
some little confusion, a number of the
gentlemen having papers not being
present. Several were finally laid over
until to-day. The first paper read was
on ''Why should not legislation be pro-
cured in the several states to compel
cities and towns to supply themselves
with proper and adequate apparatus
and machinery for eXtinguishing fires.
Each state to define what apparatus and
machinery is necessary, and establish
bureau, whose duties would be analogous
to those performed by the state board
of health and the factory Inspector This
paper was signed by George w. Petit.
Paterson, n. j.; II. L. Bixby. West
Newton, Mass; Isaac 3. Hyatt, Meri-
den, Conn.,; L. A. Bently, Eaton Rap
ids, Mich: w. Z. Plat, Augusta, Ga.
and held that such a law would be most
desirable. as 1t would result in a great
saving of life and property. A Short
discussion followed as to whether or
not such law could be passed in every
state. The general sentiment was that
it would be possible, and that all the
insurance men would aid in securing
the passage of such laws.
LOSSES FROM FIRE.
j. A. Waterworth. president of the
board of Underwriters of st. Louis,
followed with an interesting paper
touching upon the work of the firemen.
He took up the subject of fire loss and
discussed it at some length. The in
crease in loss had been great iii the last
few years, the speaker said, but he did
not feel greatly alarmed thereau, as it
did not show the world was becoming
worse or that the loss was becoming
larger without the wealth of the coun-
try increasing at ALL He spoke
of the vast increase in popu-
lation and paid a high tribute
to the American people whose
capabilities had never been surpassed
or even equaled by any other nation in
the world. The houses, schools and the
like constructed for these people were
only putting in temporary buildings,
and the buildings showed it. But things
were changing and fire was doing good
deal of it. 1t was not waste, but an
economic necessity, and when it was
found that the real loss was only about
S75, 100000, all could see that there was
nothing to be alarmed at. But this loss
covered all the territory not covered by
fire extinguishing apparatus. The
amount of loss in cities where
there was hre protection would
not exceed S40,000.O00 annually.
The fire departments have only to deal
with the real fire loss and not the in
surance loss, the latter being often
twice as small as the real loss. The
money loss is to the public loss the
most important thing, and this the fire.
men must regard. In closing, the
speaker recommended that each chief
send his annual report in to the annual
conventions and have them combined
into one, so that the real figures would