The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-08-26

Woodstock, StrausbuTE, and
Shenandoah.
BY recurring only thirty-four and
one-ffth seconds in going 500 feet
down Washington street, attaching
their hose 10 the FIRE plug and turning
on the water, the LUray IRE company
today won hrst prize in the reel con-
tests Of the Twenty fourth annual
Convention OF the Virginia State Fire
men
The Woodstock, Strausburg and
Shendiah companies tied for the sec
ond prize. all three organizations do
ing the distance in Jhirty-hve sec
O1ds.
Crowds See Races
Notwithstanding the fact that the
driving rain and the lack Of proper
seating accommodations made watch
ing the contests uncomfortable, there
was 2 large crowd present when the
shot was fired at Il o'clock which
sent the HaTEisOnburg nTe COmpauy'S
representative hurry1ng down Wash
1ngton street IN an effort 70 make
connections between the FIRE plug and
their hose in the shortest possible
time
with short running trousers of the
same color and black stockings. they
went from Princess street 10 Wythe
IN record time. but lost few seconds
stopping their reel in front Of the
judges stand In a short time. how
ever, the connections We're made. and
the water SUsned forth from the
nozzle the timers announcing that
thirty eight seconds had elapsed after
the starting gun had been fred.
Next came the Newport News Com
panyr winner Of the event for the last
two years and looked upon in this race
sS almost certain winners But II was
only another instance Of "A good thing
gone wrong At the crack of the pistol
they were of like a flash. arriving at
the stand eight seconds better than the
time or the preceding company But
they, too. had an unforeseen accident
The man to whom the wrench had Been
InITUSteu SllppCi on the treaCherouS
pavement and fell, the wrench flying
out OF ms grasp and going into the
crowd Before II could be recovered
so much time had elapsed that the
timers announced f0Tty-foUr seconds as
the Official record for the COMPANY
thus defeating them and DESTROYING
their chances Of winning the coveted
trumpet
After the Newport News contingent
came IN order the men from Woodstock
Front Royal. Lexington. SIrausburc-
shenandoah, and Luray-the companies
rom toV1nEIOn- Clifton Forge, Staun-
ton, and Fredericksburg having with
drawn.
Prizes Awarded
The races were completed a little af-
ter o'clock and the judges Immediate
" announced the winners Of the two
sections-the one that was open To al
and the one open only 10 members OF
the state Association on the announce
ment OF the four companies that had
won the prizes agsregaJiuE 500, tnt
crowd dispersed, the firemen going al
once 20 their hotels, where they pro
ceeded to pack for their return 10 then
homes BY tonight nearly all the visit
ing companies VIII have left the city
Hr~ ION rraa-~ ~--frT h. Hall
at Newport News, during the last weel
Of August
Expressions Of appreciation and az
proval OF the actions Of the various
committees are heard on every side. Al
the visiting companies agree that rney
have never had a better time nor have
they ever been better treated. Tn,
whole city has been open TO them. the1
have no FAULT 60 find with the accom-
modatiOns provided for them by III
committee on arrangements. and tn
races and parade all came of with
dash and eclat that was pleasing in th'
extreme
On the other hand. the people Of Alex
sndria have only kind words for tn
visitors There was little or no bolster
Gus conduct during the conventions. an,
the arrests for diSOUderly conduct di.
not average any more than AT othe
times The convention afforded tn
residents Of the city a chance for
little vacation without having 20 TAX
the trouble Of going away. and tn
2uuSene1rS provided for The visitor
were enjoyed fully as much by the resi-
dents Of the city as they were by tn
6remen-
PhOebus Winner.
As an aftermath 10 the parade an,
band concerts Yesterday the commute
OF the parade and music announced TO
Cav that the prizes for these two event
had been awarded As follows
Prize OF 500 for tho largest and hes
Appearing uniformed company in lin
with band. member 90 association. &
1he Ph0ehuS Fire COMPANY second 0riz
Of $50 in this section To- the Harrison
burg Fire COMPANY. s. for IarEeSt an
best appearing company in uarade with
out band member Of association. 10 tn
Hampton COMPANY The District me
received a Prize OF 81 for the fine AZ
pearance that they presented in III
parade.
The priza Of 50 for the hest band g
PLAY in the band contest was given Z
the band from the Newport News Com
panE- and the prizes Tor The reel cor
tess awarded as told above.
The following have been elected orr
GERS OF the convention and VIII presid
at the convention at Newport News mex
summer President J. 2 Fraley. @
Newport News senior vice president.
F LCokabill Of Roanoke; statisciCiaT
George c. Cummings OF Portsmouth
treasurer J. J Williams. of Ch3rlottes
vile; chairman Of the legislative con-
uittee. J. II. Redwood. Of Richmond