St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-01-15
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.

VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.
The least appreciated services are often
those given without remuneration, yet it
seems surprising that there should be any
lack Of appreciation of the services of vol
unteer fire companies; nevertheless in the
Fire Fighters column Of the Picayune we
find the following comments, indicating that
there is complaint in more than one direc-
ton Of lack of proper interest
1T is dscouraging to the volunteer fire service
to see the lack of appreciation and interest taken IN
the volunteer fire department by some of the munich
pal governments of the State. They ought to have
the proper laws enacted at the next session OF the
General Assembly compelling the said towns to fur
nsh all the apparatus and equipments, and PAID
driver to each volunteer company, which will give
both fire protection and lower insurance rates. and
cause the fremen to take better interest and pride
in their fire company.
We are heartily in accord with the sentl-
ment that would give to volunteer fire COM
panies the support and encouragement that
is due them. Fighting fire without proper
apparatus does not appeal to enthusiasm,
and the towns which are benefited should
properly bear the burden of expense. We
cannot agree, however, that the legislature
has authority to compel municipalities to
keep up an efficient fire department, either
paid or volunteer. 1t rests with the towns
whether they desire to have their property
protected or not, as well as whether they
shall build adequate school buildings or
make public improvements Of any kind. A
town is representative Of its people. We do
not believe these conditions are caused by
lack of appreciation SO much as by lack OF
that initiative and energy which devises ways
and means-that spirit of civic ambition
that will stand for nothing but the very best
for the town.
The stimulus Of thorough organization and
discipline. the strict enforcement by the
town Of protective fire ordinances, and con-
tin,ation of the interest shown by the MEM
hers must soon bring the Covington fire de-
partment to position that will demand
helm from the town, and will also create
sentiment that will sanction the expense 1t
must be recognized, however, that the bur
den Of municipal progress must be borne by
the people. Protection from lire, like pro-
lection of the law and expenses OF govern
ment. must be paid for by the people, and
there should be no grumbling at the taxes.
The people of municipality may reduce
their taxes to a minimum if it is their desire.
They may do without streets or sidewalks
or police protection; but If they wish these
things they must pay for them.
The Covington Fire Department deserves
support. Every property owner in the town
who Is not volunteer should contribute to
;ts support. or should become an honorary
member. It is not pleasant to be called from
J warm bed at night, as the boys were dur
mo the recent bitter cold spell, or out In a
,,o S rain, as frequently happens. Yet
thev make no complaint of this. They only
as ,L. - he assisted in making themselves more
Chief Ostendorf has greatly improved the
alarm system by the introduction OF the lire
telephones. At the recent burning OF an
clubhouse on Columbia street Wallace Poole,
driver for jefferson No. 2, was on the scene
before set, the whistle had finished sounding the
a,arm and r. w. Badon, of Hook and Lad
sar No /. was there in good time, notwlth-
stand;no he was obliged to go to his stable
-. ono If his own horses to use in the truck.