Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-18
Firemen's Convention.

The night session opened with Presi-
dent Trimyer presiding. After selec-
tons played by the Fortress Monroe and
Portsmouth navy yard bands the meeting
proceeded to business, the different
committees submitting their reports.
The committee en- resolutions reported
unfayorably on the resolution 10 change
the time of the contests from the last day
to the first day of the meetings.
A gentleman in the extreme rear
of the hall asked how the delegates were
to be distinguished from the visitors.
He said he had noticed that in
voting simply the aye and nay vote
was called for, which he thought was
confusing, as those present who were not
delegates might vote and carry point
that would be of the utmost Importance.
Capt. Redwood, in reply, said that he
did not think that any person who was
a fireman would take such an unmanly
advantage.
The President stated that the conven-
ton would vote in the usual manner.
Secretary Cumming then read his an
nual report which showed membership
Of l, 42S and that the association was in
a fourshing condition.
Capt. Redwood, of Richmond, offered
a resolution Withdrawing the State asso-
citation from membership in the interna-
tional association and joining the nation
al association.
A long and heated discussion followed
and the matter was finally dropped.
OF the five topics on the programme,
but two of those assigned to the task of
responding sent in papers, which were
as follows:
"The National Firemen's Association Of
the United States-ought it not to be encOur-
aged by the fire departments and companies
of our State" Response by l.. +. L0okabilI,
corresponding secretary National Flremen's
Association, Roanoke.
"Firemen having saved human lives at the
risk of their own-how should they be re-
warded?" Response by T. w. Ridley, second
assistant foreman Park View Engine Com
pany, No. 3, Of Portsmouth.
The papers was read and heartily
applauded.
Nominations were then made for the
city in which to hold the convention
next year, and Richmond, Bristol and
Harrisonburg were submitted.
Upon a vote being taken by roll call
it was seen that Harrisonburg was far
in the lead, and upon motion it was de-
cided to hold the next convention in that
city.
Capt. Redwood said that he had been
member of the convention for fourteen
wears and it was the first time that he
had seen lady official stenographer at
the meeting. 1t showed with what re-
spect Alexandria treated the fremen by
one OF her fairest daughters volunteer
ing to do this work, thereby greatly IA
cilitating matters when it was impossible
to secure gentleman stenogrspher. He
moved that a. rising vote of thanks be
extended to Miss Irene Nagel who had
so efficiently done this work.
The motion was unanimously carried.
A resolution thanking the citizens and
firemen of Alexandria for the hos.
pitality accorded the visiting firemen ; to
the press, to Mr.. j. NJ. Hill for the use
of the Opera House, and to the steam
boat and railroad companies for cour'
tesies shown was introduced by Chief I
J. Williams, of Charlottesville, and unan
imously carried.
A most interesting demonstration
given by the Campbell Fire Alarm Com
pany OF Washington, ID. c., OF a keyles!
fire alarm box was received by the con
vention with enthusiastic applause, an'
it took the exhibitor but few moment
to convince those present that mos
valuable device was being presented Il
them, as it has been found that 80 pc
cent of the population, where the fir
alarm telegraph is in operation, are ig
nOrant of the method TO pursue in trans
hitting fire alarm. This device is in
tended to overcome this serious objection
and providing means in the shape of
large bell encased ina handsome aluui
mum casing attached to the top of the mai
box. By simply moving a lever on "a
door the same is opened, the hook
pulled down aud this local bell, maxim
500 strokes to the minute, is started j
operation simultaneously with the pullin
OF the lever. An inspection was made ID
: diyidualy by numbers Of the leadin
members of the convention who wei
unanimous in its praise and Predicte
: thatit would become the standard OF 10
The Death Penalty.
l;..la thing sometimes results in dealt