The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-19
Discussed by the Fireman's Con-
vention Yesterday.
TAX SHOULD BE DIVIDED
A Percentage OF It Ought to Be Dis
tributsd Among the volunteer-The
Metropolitan System Discussed
by Assistant Chief Sanger.


sion upon them was deferred until to-
day. The principal theme Of debate
was the matter of state fire insurance
tax. A committee was appointed to
confer with Chief Deputy County At
torney Connolly in regard to the
matter. and Il is probable that a strong
petition will be presented to the next
legislature, praying that a law be en-
acted providing for the distribution
among the volunteer fire departments
Of the state of a per cent of the money
collected from insurance companies.
Assistant Chief Sanger of Butte read
a paper. why Should Our Fire De-
partments be Under a Metropolitan
System" The matter of political in
nuence in fire departments and the
organization thereof was ably treated.
1t is as follows:
This topic, gentlemen. Is one of the
most important h IA c%onfronts us, and
therefore should be thoroughly dis
cussed by this convention. Politics. as
we are well aware. Is the greatest
stumbling block to the governing and
efficiency of IN fire departments. We
have read and known OF IL being prac-
ticed in many cities, always resulting
dis~astrously to the public at large. The
principal drawback in our fire depart
ments in Montana Is the appointing of
the chief and men every year. II
would be better to continue both ohi-
GERS and men in Office as long as their
record as firemen Is good. BY electing
a chief every year naturally means
new members throughout the depart
ment, especially in our paid depart
ments. The chief and firemen need ex-
~perience in their capacities, and III they
ara nhanOad annllallv the men WIFI
have to gain by experience n their
predecessors already know: therefore
the efficiency of that department Is
greatly impaired. 1t Is not only for
the interest of the fire department that
we should have a metropolitan system,
but more SO for the interests OF the
lives and property which are at
mercy of our great enemy. fire.
THE Taxpayer. who helps pay for our
department, leaves everything in the
hands of the firemen in case OF hre, ana
II we have departments In our state
which are composed of men who have
had experience for years. men who are
acquainted with all the buildings,
know the city in which they live thor
oughly. have confidence in their super
Tor officers. the property owner need
have no fear in turning his property
over to men of experience. Therefore
we think that this convention viii DO
well in discussing this topic thoroughly.
"As long as you keep your doors OF
your different fire departments open
to the admission of political methods.
you will always have in your depart
ments favoritism and bossism n the
ultimate decadence of the department
as well in organization as in efficiency.
I'VE therefore recommend that every
chief and member of different hre de-
partments will act as committees
among the representatives of their
cities and counties to try n have a
bill passed i'm our next legislative meet
ing for a metropolitan system in our
fire departments"
Delegate Harry McCue OF Livington
read a paper on What Benefit Does a
Fire Department Derive From a Gym
nasium?" as follows:
THE development of the IN body
has long been recognized as one of the
great essentials for the success of man.
The early Greek and Roman acknowl-
edged this as an important factor. and
as a result produced the most perfect
race. physically and mentally, that
the world mas ever seen. In looking
back over the centuries and viewing the
triumphs of the Roman in mis- amphi-
theater, we must confess that his care
and attention to the more perfec- de-
velopment of the body was one Of the
great elements which entered into his
civilization. No race since history has
been recorded, has given TO it's athletes
TIE honor n respect as that shown by
the ancient Romans. Tine physical
training of the Roman youth made
him great in battle. full Of courage
and endurance, with the result that the
armies of Rome overran the then
known world, and history relates that
Alexander the Great wept because
there were no more worlds to q
ssIn cumming nm the forces which
gave them greatness, we must place in
the foreground the fact that they con-
sidered the more perfect development
OF the human body n Of the first
principles. Without a healthful body.
a strong intellectual mind is impossi-
BILE. This axiom is now generally rec
ognized by all educators. Physical Gull
ture has been introduced in tbs public
schools Of America with the most graf
flying results. IL must be admitted
that in order to bring out he best that
IL within a man he must be well v
oped physically. At no point does this
apply more forcible than In the building
up of a fire department.
THE fire departments OF to-day want
clean-cut. energetic. courageous men
and want them at their very best. How
to build them up to meet these require
ments is most interests the pro-
moters Of good and efficient work in
the fire department. From past ex-
perience. IL In apparent that a modern
gymnasium Ii a most valuable adjunct
to a successful fire department: in fact.
IL would be impossible to conceive of
the members of a department being to
a great extent efficient without the de-
velopment of their physical powers.
Physical culture. pursued In the proper
channel. gives to the individual
strength. courage and confidence.
These requirements are essential and
should be possessed by every active
fireman. Ii is evident that to secure
proper results a we~ll-equipped gymnas-
ium should be attached to all depart
ments. and, In my opinion. the fireman
who doe not take pride enough in the
business to taxi advantage of the OPP
portunity offered in such an institution
Is unworthy to be a member of any de-
partment-
The work Of a fireman Is at all
times arduous and requires courage
and endurance To sucCessfullv one and