Evening journal., 1903-02-13
Delegation From Ten
Companies Entertained
in Association Hall by
Members Last Night
Paper Read by Chief Dut-
ton, of Washington.
Addresses by City Off
ciaIs and Fire Fighters

reception rendered to the local fire
department by the Young Mems Chris
tian Association last night proved one
of the most pleasing and successful AZ
fairs ever held at the association. 1t
was the first time that a reception was
ever rendered to the fire-fghters by the
Y. M. c. A., and that it was appreciated
was evident from the fact that about
200 members of the department were
present and enjoyed themselves. 1t
was the first time that all the fire COM
panies of Wilmington were together on
a social occasion and il is thought by
many that it viii have the effect of
making them even more friendly to one
another than in the past
Members of the department were
loud in their praises of General Secre-
tary Sellers for the excellent manner in
which they were entertained. Many of
the firemen were never in tn y
association before, and it will no doubt
be the means of securing many new
members.
Every company in the city was
we'll represented. They were cordially
building Chief Conway, his assistants,
former Chief Sasse and several other
former chiefs were among those pres
ent. Chief r. c. Dutton, of the Wash
ington Cd. c. department, was unable
TO be present but he submitted an in
teresting paper. which was read by
Secretary Sellers.
Address Of Welcome.
Deputy Judge sylvester d. Townsend
made the address of welcome on be-
half of the Y. NJ c. A., and in his brief
remarks he paid a tribute to Whining
tons efficient fire service. In the course
of his remarks, Judge Townsend said
that there was "a tendency towards or
ganiEing in all business and social in
stitutions and suggested that the local
department do the same. He said the
firemen were a class of men whose ef-
forts were not fully appreciated by the
citizens in general and insurance COM
panies.
Mr.. kane's Happy Response.
Edward f. Kane. president of the
Water Witch Company,and also plumb
ing Inspector responded on behalf of
the fremen. Mr.. Kane is noted for his
humorous remarks, and last night was
no exception. Many of those who heard
Mr.. Kane say it was one of the most
original and happiest speeches they had
ever heard. His address was a review
of the local department. and at times
he would manage to get in a sly dig at
the various companies that caused
much laughter. Mr.. Kane gave some
statistics showing the membership OF
the department TO be about 1000.
Councilman Mccafferty Talks.
Joseph E. McCafferty. chairman OF
the Fire Committee of City Council
and who is also a prominent member
of the Weccacoe Company made a brief
address. During his remarks Mr.. Nc
Cafferty commended the local depart
ment
Mr. McCaherty, i'm a manner explain
ed city Councils position in regard tC
the new fire companies. and why it re-
fused to recognize the independence
Company, which is situated beyond
4 Eleventh street bridge. He claimed q
new company was not badly needed in
that vicinity. as both the Phoenix anC
Friendship companies can make the
run TO Eleventh street bridge in foul
minutes.
Chief buttons Paper.
The paper submitted by Chief Dut
ton was read by Secretary Sellers. II
his paper Mr.. Dutton explained tina
he was not a fire-fghter but merel.
the executive head Of the Nauona
Fire Department, and that therefore h
could not and would not presume TO tel
fre-fghters of this or any other cit,
how to nut out fires AS he had beel
given the privilege of selecting his owl
subject. Mr. Dutton decided on his owl
department as the subject of his paper
He explained that the department. a
Washington took in the entire Distric
of Columbia, which covers seVent
square miles, and as Uncle Sam bear
half of the expense of the District o
Columbia. he is half owner of the DIS
trict of Columbia Fire Department
W Continuing the writer said i'm part;
The department is charged with IN
N protection against fire of the man
government buildings and their price
less contents. More than that, the DIS
trict of Columbia Fire Department ma
not only the lives of che private citizen
of the District i'm its keeping, Dut ans
the lives of the President of the Unite
States of his Cabinet, OF the meihpei
Of both houses Of Congress- OF the an
bassadors and ministers sent to Was1
m ington 10 represent ih " Nili'ii''
manner the various foreign countries
he world of the commanding onlcel
)f the army and navy, and the hui
ireds of other officers and officials
he United states Government. Yet tn
s not all the District of Columbia III
Department is called upon to do Il
SSz ust across the Potomac, over on II
Virginia hills, is a large United Stat
military post. Fort Myer, which mu
be protected I'm the event of fire thef
From this it would naturally be SUI
,osed that it is sufficiently large
3X naaf every rnnlirement its respOns