The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-15
PRIZES WELL DIVIDED
AND NO CAUSE FOR BAD FBEL.-
ING AMONG FIREMEN.
SOME MISTAKES WERE MADE
But They Were Clearly Unintentonal, Says
The President, An Appeal for the
Good of The State Or
ganiz,tion.
To the Editor:

May ask the courtesy of your col
umns to give a few facts in regard to
the unfortunate differences between some
of the contestants at the recent Fire
mems Tournament at Greensboro, in as
fair and as impartial a manner as pos
sible, hoping that only good may result.
Human nature always revolts at de-
feat, and some men are so constituted
that they can't help protesting when
they fail to win.
In the first PLACE too much credit can't
be given to the live, progressive citizens
of Greensboro for the every elaborate
manner in which they, by cash prizes
and display, showed their appreciation
of our annual meeting of the Association.
The event was one of the largest ever
held in the State, and was surprise to
Greensboro itself. The parade was
very extensive in its proportions, and the
line of march was, unfortunately, ON ac-
count of the weather, beyond the limit
of human endurance, causing many of
the departments TO drag out and thus
give dissatisfaction to the local commit
stee
There can be no question but that an
error was made by the local management
in not assigning the Newbern Depart
ment to the right of the line by virtue
of the fact that they held the first
place, by right of contest at the previous
Tournament. But it is also AN admitted
fact that the error was unintentional and
was one of these unfortunate things that
will sometimes happen. Had the occa-
sion been strictly a "Eiremen's" meet
ing, this error would not have occurred,
neither would anything have been said
about it, except for after events.
The sessions of the Convention. were
marked by the most extraordinary har-
mony, were well attended and was more
than usually representative. The re-
sponses from the several departments,
notably from Raleigh, to the generous
welcome extended by Mayor Taylor,
showed how much the fremen appre-
ciated their reception.
Our only trouble was in connection
with some of the Tournament contests,
and i want to say in regard to them.
1st. That the rules governing Tourna-
ments are as rigid as cast iron; that
they are revised at almost every meeting.
and that the present rules were umanl-
mously adopted by the very same men
who are now protesting at their enforce
ment. That Judges are allowed no dis
erection whatever, when. plain written
known rules are violated: that every
company entering any contest is entitled
to select one judge. THE number of
judges being limited only by the number
of entries.) In all decisions at Green's
boro, the judges informed me that they
were unanimous, absolutely no division.
Such being the case, it strikes me that
further comment should be unnecessary.
1t has been charged that fraud was
practiced as to the water pressure but
beyond the mere assertion, no one has
offered to prove it. On the contrary the
writer fully satisfied himself by per-
sonally examining the recording gauge,
kept by the Mayor of the city, under key,
that the charge against the city and
water authorities was certainly without
Foundation. In some cases it certainly
did look like the pressure was stronger
for some than for others, notably in the
case of my own local team, in which |
naturally took an interest. Lit seemed to
me that the water would never flow from
hydrant to nozzle for Them. Whereas, it
went with a bound for some Of the
others. Investigation, however, showed
that my team was using heavy, new,
double jacket hose, through which the
water had to open and force its way,
while some of the others were using
DID, single jacket-soft flexible hose,
that offered practically no resistance
hence the difference. (The rule only re-
quiring standard 21a hose.)
The only criticism against the Green's
boro fremen, that has the appearance
of justice in it, in my opinion, consists
in the partial failure of it's memberships
10 show more personal courtesies to their
visitors, such as meeting them at trains.
seeing them of. offering them the glad
hand of fellowship, and the hundred
little things that makes your guest feel
that he is welcome. But when the COM
ditions are considered, viz: That the
Greensboro of today is practically new
city, large number of its citizens being
almost strangers TO each other, and its
social relations being necessarily entire
ly different from those prevailing in
older places-like Newbern and Fayette-
ville--where everybody is always willing
to stop business in order to do a favor
for a stranger; then the seeming ne
glect is better understood This feature
was realized and regretted by many of
my Greensboro friends, from whom
received every possible courtesy, both
personally and officially.
The prizes We're fairly won under the
rules, and We're distributed over the
State with remarkable equity. Asheyille,
in the west, winning first honors in the
Hook and Ladder contest, and Newbern,
in the east, winning first honors in the
Hose Wagon and Steamer contest;
Charlotte winning first honors in Grab
Reel work, and Goldsboro first honors
as to appearance and equipment in pa
rade, whilst second honors were also
equally well distributed. Greensboro
won the Championship Belt and the
Hand Reel race-a very natural thing
for them to do-as they were running
over their own course, where they had