The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-03-20
The state Firemen's Association.

| The convention to perfect the organ
zatiou of the proposed State Firemen'
Association meets at Rutland this after
room, We have given all the TarticulaT,
hat have come to our knowledge, being
n sympathy with the proposal and will
ing to encourage a laudable local pride
n a measure that started here.
Last Saturday Frank NJ. Tiffany, frs
assistant engineer, and John H, Ayre,
of the Ssark Hose, went to Rutland to per
ect the arrangements for the meeting
of delegates to-day. They conferred
with the officials of the Rutland depart.
ment and Oh Monday the Herald prlnteo
The result and aided some statements
IF interest. From this we copy
| There seems to be general desire Cd
he part of the firemen of the state foI
such an organization and the interest
manifested is shown by the following
clause, taken from letter received from
| Lyndonville fireman. I'VE don't know
| what your association 10, but we want
get into it..
Now that the movement has been
started, 1t lies entirely with Bennington.
Rutland and Burlington as to whether
the proposed association shall be organi
L6u, Huu lLo ouCCoob uClOdLNSls AhCoC
owns are among the largest, have the
most influence and the largest and best
departments.
Chief Engineer Hannum is heartily IT,
favor of it, and will exert his influence
20 carry the scheme through.
There are some 33 departments in the
state, and 1t is believed that the assOcia
ton will start off with membership OF
between 30 and 100. Mr.. Tiffany is very
enthusiastic over the plan and is exert
lg his best efforts TO make It a success.
Ia talking with a Herald reporter. ht
-aid that Bennington would send dele
CATION of 10, consisting of the foreman
If each company ami the Board of En-,
Sineers. MIR, Tiffany has of late been
gathering information concerning the
associations of other states, and no doubt
will present some valuable suggestion
At Thursday's meeting.
1t is proposed to make life members OF
all charter members of the association
aud all chief engineers who have served
that capacity three years. The or
Sanization will of course be incorporated
and 1t is proposed to have committee
look after its interest at the next session
# the Legislature. AS with other AssO.
cations, the officers will probably con-
list of president, several vice presl-
dents, executive board, law committee,
secretary and treasurer, and possibly
,lher officers,
The benefits to be deprived from such
IN organization are many. First are 1T
Ocial privileges, then conventions would
problbl be held two or three days IN
he summer time when papers would be
presented of interest to firemen and in
urance men, on such subjects as i'm
proved fire apparatus, maintenance OF
volunteer and paid departments and hun
ireds of other subjects. Then again
tournament could be held which would
prIng together nearly all the companies
which were members of the association.
While no doubt companies from Other
tates would attend, being attracted by
he prizes that would be offered in tn
various contests, If thought advisable
A relief fund could be established for
Nck, disabled or unfortunate firemen.
As was stated in Saturdays Herald i
states where these associations exist tn,
oreign insurance companies pay tax
{ 2 per cent. on their premium receipts
tor the protection afforded them. H.
Vermont, thus far, they have escaped
the legitimate demand. Each town re.
ceives its pro rata of this fund. The
question naturally arises, why should
not the Vermont towns receive such
In Connecticut the rate is 8
Der cent and in Kentucky 8 per cent.
The meeting is called for p. m, ano
up to the present time departments in
The following towns have signitied their
intention of sending delegates St,Johns-
bury, 81. Alnans. Burlington, Bennington
Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Vergennes
Fair Haven, Brandon, Lyndonvlle,
and very likely other towns will be hear
rom; there will also be delegates from
ach of the companies in the RUTLAND
department..