Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06
MEETING Of F|REMEN
Chiefs to Hold Their Annual
Convention Here.
OPENING SESSION TUESDAY
All the Local Engine Houses in Gala
Attire.
INSPECTION OF APPARATUS
Success of Affair Assured by Gene2os-
ity of Citizens-Topics Sc
lected for Discussion.
INSPECTION OF APPARATUS

Washington will be the mecca this week
of firemen from all cities and towns in the
country, and 1t may safely be said that
more fire-ighting ability and knowledge
will be concentrated in the capital than
ever before. Plans have been completed
for the thirty annual convention of the
International Association of Fire Engineers
which. will convene here Tuesday, and con-
tinue its sessions until Friday. The adj
vance guard of delegates is expected to
arrive in the capital tomorrow, and each
incoming train of Monday night and Tues
day morning will bring its quota of asso-
citation members ready to participate in
the opening of the convention at II O'Clock
Tuesday morning. Arriving delegates will
be met at the railroad stations by mem
bers of the local fire department, and es-
Corted either to their hotels or to the head
quarters of the convention, at the Ebbitt
House
All of yesterday the Washington fire
ladies were working overtime in prepara-
ton for the visits of inspection which are
expected to be made to each of the sta
tions, and every piece of appa atus and
every harness buckle was polished until it
had reached the gistening stage. Flags
and bunting were draped over the windows
and doors of the houses, and each gave
advance indication of the gala season to
ing the legend, welcome. Chiefs.
Display Of Apparatus.
During the convention the ground floor
of the mail bag repair shop, 479 street
will be one of the centers Of attraction
because there will be displayed all sorts
Of fi-efghting apparatus of the very
latest design. Prominent in the exhibit
will be two sacond-size METROPOLITAN
steamers, one of which will ultimately be
installed in No. II engine house on 14th
street and the other in the proposed new
No. p engine house. Washington Heights:
combination chemical engine, truck and
hose wagon, which will be given to the
Brightwood fire station spring raising
truck, destined for the Washington Heights
company; two new hose wagons and four
new chemical engines, besides automo-
bile chemical engine. which has been sent
to this city by the manufacturers, Provi-
dence, r. l., company, purely for exhibition
purposes.
The exhibition hall has been handsomel,
deco rated with flags and streamers. ChieI
Engineer William 7. Belt of the local fire
department made a formal report to the
District Commissioners a few days ago,
stating that the success Of the conven-
ton was assured, and to that he added
the statement:
1T gives great pleasure to announce
that through the untiring efforts of the
committee appointed by the Board Of
Trade and the Chamber of Commerce a
sufficient amount of money has been
donated to carry out the program as
originally submitted to the committee by
the fire department. The committee is
entitled to great credit for the successful
outcome of its undertaking, and sincere
thanks are due to the citizens and busi-
ness men for their generosity"
According to this original plan the pro-
gram will be carried out as follows:
Tuesday, October 8.
At 10 o'clock am. a procession will be
formed at 14th and F streets. and the men,
bers Of the association will be escorted by
way of Pennsylvania avenue to Odd Eel
lows Hall, the place of meeting. The es-
cort will consist Of five companies of the
District of Columbia fire department, under
the command of the chief engineer, and the
procession will be headed by a section of
mounted police. Two bands will furnish
music for the occasion.
At II o'clock am. the convention will be
opened by prayer and suitable addresses.
The address of welcome will be delivered
by Henry B. f. Mcfarland, Commissioner
of the District of Columbia.
At an hour to be announced at the OPEN
ing session the meeting will be adjourned in
order to allow the delegates, their ladies
and the exhibitors to visit the White
House. President Roosevelt has kindly
agreed to throw open to the convention
certain portions of the White House not
generally open to the public.
At 7:30 pm. the association will ho,d
memorial services in the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, October 9.
At O'Clock am. the fire department of
the District of Columbia viii give an exhi-
bition drill for the benefit Of the visiting
chief engineers. This drill will be under