St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-13

The fire laddies of the state took DOS
session of Minneapolis yesterday. and
-inaugnrated the twenty second annual
convention of the state firemen's asso-
citation, which was called to order at
noon yesterday in Century hail. 1t is
estimated tlat over 500 delegates were
present from different sections of the
state. and it would he difficult to call
together handsomer body of men, the
tout ensemble representing the acme of
physical grace. The hall was decorated
with flags and adorned with flowers,
one of the features being large fire
gong placed in the rear of the stage. and
which connected with the city circuit.
Chief Runge presided, and the assem-
b.age was called to order AT high noon,
when Mayor Eustls delivered the ad-
dress of welcome
"Mr. Chief and firemen," he said. lit
is sincere pleasure to welcome TO the
city OF Minneapolis the firemen of the
state. 1t has been my pleasure to well
come many other bodies, but l want to
say that no other body has come more
welcome than the fremen of Mime
sOta.o
FIREMEN AS HEROES.
The mayor then referred 10 the herOlc
work done by tiremen. calling attention
to the fact that they knew not when
they would be called upon to FISK their
own lives in saving others and reSculng
property. He did not wonder that
the anclents worshiped fire. but at
the present day the admiration which
the ancients had for the nre has turned
to the admiration of the ladies for the
brave lads who hight fire. 1--WE wonder
at the agency and origin OF fire." SAID
he, but the firemen do not do that.
They leave all that to the insurance
men.
Sat night, when sleeping on my hum
BILE COUCH" continued Mayor EuStlS. Il
often hear an alarm of fire. l put my
hand upon the wall. 1t is cold. But
know that Chief Runge and his brave
boys are out on duty, and l am safe.
You are always wide awake. If We
made as good time this year in paying
our notes as you do in getting 10 fire,
We would have better times, and the,
banks would all be very happy"
After speaking at length on the de-
velopment of character, Mr.. Eustis
closed by saying: "You are noble
band of fellows all over the state. and L
know of no better men. and no one has
better welcome to Minneapolis.
Chief A. }. Wright, of Moorhead,
first vice president of the association,
responded in a simple and effective
speech. On motion President Runge
appointed committee on credentials,
and adjournment was taken until p.
M. The committee consists of Assistant
Chief Canterbury, OF Minneapolis: Chief
e. n. Layford, of Little Falls; and
Chiof w Mitohnll OE lhart a1
Secretary K. o. Strong, of st. Paul,
made several recommendations in his
report, among them that the division of
topics for consideration at the conven-
tons should be so divided that half the
departments represented should take
part one year aud the other half the
next. Mr.. Strong's report shows six
new organizations in the membership
and present total of "a departments
and 2O4 organizations. He said there
was large and growing demand for the
reports of the association. The receipts
were 1881.
Treasurer Frank E. Joy.of Saltwater.
gave the financial figures ill detail, after
which .. l.. Cutter,of Anoka, the statis-
tician, gave summary of the records
which he has compiled. His report
showed that in the ninety-six towns
keeping records the running expenses
of departments amounted to 1854. 546,
and the value of property and appa-
ratuS, exclusive of water supply, was
Sl.S9S, l4O. There were altogether 665
paid firemeE and 4,7l3 volunteers.
During the year there were 2.O75
fires, of which 2S4 were re-
ported due to carelesSness; lhceu-
diary, 146; defective chimneys, 1853;
lamp explosions, 81: other explosions,
Jig; matches, Sc; spontaneous colnbus-
ton, 80; overneating, 159; electric
wires, IS; lightning, los. ami some other
minor cases. The total loss was So. 49,
5733, which was nearly double that of
any preceding year; due to the big lum-
Der fire in Minneapolis and the heavy
losses on the Mesaba range.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon a
grand parade OF the Minneapolis fire
department was made. the boys in blue
and brass buttons making very i'm
posing appearance.
Last evening an exhibition was given
on Third avenue north and Second
street. at which six steamers and the
water tower were brought into play.
TheAisplay was witnessed by the dele
gates and several honored spectators,
and it proved highly interesting. The
exhibition was conducted by Chief
Runge, assisted by Assistants Canter-
bury and Kinney. Mayor Eustis was
present, and the display proved highly
Interesting to all present.
The annual banquet of the association
will hp held al fhs, Nicnllat houSn TN.