The Portland daily press., 1894-08-21

cussed by Experts-EIegant Entertain
ment Furnished by the City-Points
Gathered by the Portland Delegates to be
Utilized Hereafter.
L he 22nd annual convention of the
National Association o. Fire Engineers,
held in the city of Montreal August IA,
10, 10 and II, was one of the most sue
cessful conventions in the annals Of the
association, being replete with interest
ing topics and discussions on important
subjects connected with fire department.
matters, and enlivened with bits of en-
tertainment generously bestowed by the
citizens of Montreal. The hospitality of
Montreal people is too well known to
Portland people to require any extended
notice at this time; suffice it to say that
their reputation was fully sustained on
this occasion. For the admirable ar
rangement and execution of the pro-
gramme provided for the entertainment
of the visitors great credit is due to Col.
Stevenson, chairman of the Fire Com
mittee of Montreal, and who was ably
seconded III his untiring efforts by 2.
Benoit, Chief of Montreal Fire Depart
ment. Col. Stevenson's kindly face is by
no means unfamiliar to Portland people.
Many who attended the excursion of the
Commercial Travellers Association to
Montreal few years ago can testify to
his cordial and whole-souled welcome,
and many members of that association
aud other citizens can recall with pleas
ure his visit to Portland the following
year. 1t is safe to say that every mem
Der and delegate of the National Asso-
citation of Fire Egnineers left Montreal
with warm spot in their hearts for
Colonel Stevenson.
The Portland delegation, consisting of
Chief Enigueer R.W. jackson, 1st Asst.
Thos. Payne, Engineman "Doca Wiggin,
Spare Driver David Stray, and the
writer left the city for Montreal at $50
p. M, via Grand Trunk railway. Depu-
ty Marshal Hartnett accompanied the
party as far as Montreal, and contribut-
ed much to its entertainments The able
and courteous officials of the Grand
Trunk railway were unsparing in their
efforts for the comfort and welfare of
the party, and made the journey seem
short and pleasant.
Promptly on time, at $50 am, our
ton, Montreal, and we proceeded to
look up hotel accommodations. Our
party was divided between the Windsor
and ST. Lawrence Hall. Not having
telegraphed for rooms, accommodations at
the Windsor were somewhat limited, it
being the headquarters of the conven-
ton and also of large Raymond excur.
sion party.
Tuesday forenoon was occupied in the
registration of members and delegates
who were provided with badges.
Through the Kindness of the Montreal
Street Railway Company delegates and
ladies wearing badges were entitled to
ride free on all the Com2any's cars.
! The opening meeting of the convention
was held at noon in Windsor Hall, ad-
joining the hotel. After the playing
of "God Save the Queen" by the Mon
treal Police Band with the audience
standing, addresses of welcome were de-
livered by Ion. ia. Chaplain, Lieut..
Governor of Quebec, and j. O.Viileneuye.
ESQ.,. M. PIP, Mayor of Montreal. The
meeting adjourned, and the band struck
up Yankee Doodle,n which was sig
nal for an outburst of cheers from the
audience.
AT 2 p. m. the convention met for bust
ness in the hall connected with the no.
tel, and the afternoon was profitably
spent in listening to the reading and dis
cussion of several topics. One of the
most interesting was a paper read by
VIM. Brophy, of Boston, on "Sone
Points in the Transmission of Electrical
Energy" The principal points brought
out in this paper were the dangers of
tao t hQtxvQpn w aor
of high potential and those carrying
weaker currents. such as telephone. tele-
graph and fire alarm wires, particularly
the latter, rs such contact would tend
to disable this important arm of the fire
service. The speaker recommended au-
tomato safety devices for the protection
of fire alarm boxes, and also advocated
State legislation compelling the placing
of SAFETY devices in all electric circuits
where they enter and leave buildings,
similar to the Massachusetts, statute
In the evening the members were in
vited to witness an exhibition drill by
the Highland Cadets and 5th Royal
Scots In Highland costume at the Sham
rock Lacrosse Grounds, which was ex-
ceedingly Interesting.
Wednesday morning was devoted to
the reading of papers and the discussion
of various topics which were replete
with valuable Information. AS space
will not permit of men tioning all, one,
however, deserves special mention pass
ing, which was read by Capt. VIM.
Brophy, the subject being The best
methods of protecting Fire Departments
from the influences of partisan politics.. -
This was an undesignated topic, contri b.
uted by Capt. Brophy, and received
marked attention, and on motion of Elk.
Chief Damrell of Boston, was adopted py
rising vote as the sense of the conven-
tion, as far as it related to the baneful
effects of partisan politics. Capt. Brophv
being man of progressive ideas and
sound Judgment, gave good deal of
valuable information regarding the
esta blishment of Fire Commissions, etc,
At $50 pm, the members and ladies
were taken for drive through the prin-
cipal streets and to Mount Royal Park,
where a magnificent view of the city and
surrounding country was enjoyed, as
we'll as bountiful collation.: and at s D.
m. grand musical entertainment was
given at Sohner Park by fine military
band.
Thursday morning WAS devoted
to business in the continuation of topics
and discussion of matters of general IN
terest Valuable papers on "The Proper
Location of Gas Meters in Buildingsn