Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-19
FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
Everyone Believes It's a Good Thing
and Will Help.

The plans that are being made for
the organization of Il Firemen's Relief
Association are receiving much favor
able comment as it is being believed
that the scheme will work for the good
of the whole department in more ways
than one. The primary object will be
the assistance of members of the de-
partment who are injured while in the
performance of their duties. The men
receive at present barely a nominal
salary. Il never got money enough to
pay for the clothes I spoiled at frs"
said an eX-member of the department.
Still the department is one of the most
efficient in New England and is prob
ably not surpassed by any in the state.
1t is the pride of the city and no one
ever tires of sounding it's praises far
and wide.
Many of the men have only their
wages to support them and if injured
a fire must stand the loss of time and
Doctors bills themselves unless the city
sees fit to reimburse them. This has
usually been done, but there has al
ways been the fear of establishing
dangerous presidents and opening a
hole in the treasury so that usually
| just bare expenses have been received
Of course the department has been
| helped when it has asked but never in
| any too liberal manner.
But with an association such as now
| being planned it is thought that many
| things can be changed for the better.
| With a good sized fund there can be a
| fixed sickness and injury benefit for all
| the members. If a fireman is injured
| at q fire the association can pay his
| bills. and care for him until he is able
| to go to work again and at the same
| time he will simply be getting what he
himself has paid for.
Then with an organization of this
kind the attention of the citizens to
the needs of the department will be
closer and more helpful. Therell be a
| mark for every one to shoot at and it
| is expected that when the shooting
| commences some high scores will be
| made. OF course there are all sorts of
schemes whereby the funds can be in
| creased and with a good organization
everything can be made to count.
| When everyone knows that the money
will be used Systematically and wisely
there will be more Of an inducement to
give.
But the indirect benefits are expected
| to be almost as important as the direct
| The association will naturally bind the
whole department together as every
| man will be helping the other whether
| it is in his own company or in another.
| At present there is naturally more or
| less rivalry among the companies and
| at times some hard feelings have
| arisen as some particular company has
| felt that there has been som partial
| ity. Hitherto there has been nothing
to bring the men all together in meet
| ings and the members Of one company
| rarely visit those of another and know
| little about what is going on outside
their own house. But with the asso-
| citation holding regular and general
| meetings first in one house and then in
another the men will all be brought
together and become much better ac-
quainted. This will engender a much
better feeling and it is believed that
better work will result.
The common interest will bind air
the companies together and make the
department one body rather than four
parts as at present. The social fea-
ture will also be a beneficial one. The
scheme has been tried in many places
and has always been found to work
we'll.
interests every one and they may be
sure of all assistance that they need
in perfecting the plans for the associa-
ton. It's a good thing and every one
is willing to push it along.