The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-06-03
F|REMEN MEET HERE Mr., MONEYS SPEECH.
State Association Tourna-
ment Comes to Raleigh.
This Has Been Decided on and the Exact Date
Will Very Shortly be
Announced.

The North Carolina State Firemen's
Association will meet in Raleigh this
year.
This has been decided upon, and it
means a great week for the Capital
City.
The date has not been definitely fixed
upon, but it will probably be at some time
in June or July.
This gratifying information was re-
ceived yesterday from President James
d. Mcneil, OF Fayetteville. He states
why this has been determined upon in
the following letter.
AS it was generally understood that
the Annual Convention and Tournament
of the North Carolina State Firemen's
Association would be held this year in
Asheville, deem it my duty. both to
the generous and hospitable citizens of
Asheville and to the Association to say
that before any change was made, the
matter was fully discussed. and it was
deemed best, both by the Asheyille Com
mittee and the Executive of
the Association, that the change be made
to some more central place his year,
for the following reasons:
First-The long distance across the
mountains from the Eastern towns and
cities to Asheville, and the consequent
cost of transportation for any large
number of men would render a large at
tendance very doubtful.
Second.-On account of the distance and
the time taken in going, while there and
returning, the various cities and towns
would not allow their apparatus to be
out Of service for so long a time.
Third.-As the apparatus is transport
ed free by the railroads, the risk of
transportation is at the expense of the
departments, and a more central place
would make this very much less.
"Fourth.-As the large majority of the
departments are in Eastern and Central
North Carolina, CAsheville being the
only one west of Charlotte) a more cen
trail place would guarantee a full at
tendance.
s.Fifth.-And quite important. it is es-
p~ecially desired, that the attendance
this year be large and the Convention
Well attended, as quite a number of new
departments are being formed all over
the State in accordance with the new
laws Chapter CT, Public Laws 9OD
passed at the last session of the Legis-
lature.
AS against these good reasons, there
was the sentiment that we ought to go
to Asheville, because the Asheville fire
men had always been good attendants to
previous conventions wherever held,
and for the further reason that every
body knew that those who could go
would have a good time and thoroughly
enjoy themselves while there.
1T was, therefore, mutually and salts
factorlly agreed upon that the best in
terests of the Association would be
served by meeting in a more central
place, and the Asheville Committee
generously authorized me to make the
change, it being understood that if I
had any trouble in so doing, that their
invitation was still ar open one.
The city of Raleigh, therefore,, having
received their invitation, so courteously
extended to us at our last meeting in
Charlotte, and its location and advan-
tages tor a successful, pleasant. %profita-
bic and Well attended Convention and
Tournament being so apparent, the
Executive Committee of the North Caro-
lima State Firmen's Association, have to-
day accepted the same to meet in Raleigh
during the summer at a date to be de-
cided upon later.
"Respectfully,
JAMES d. McNEILL,
president n. C. S. F. Association.
Fayetteville, y. c., May %, 1902"