The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25
ANNUAL REPORT
OF President Louis Behrcns, of the
State Firemen's Association.

SOCldtlOn.
Gentlemen:-1n pursuance of what
L conceive to be one of the most inn
portant duties devolving upon the
president Of any organization, the
duty of rendering to the entire men,
bership a full and comprehensive ac-
count of its management so that each
member may judge for himself
whether to criticise, condemn or ap-
prove; l herewith submit to your hon
orable body at this, our sixth annual
convention, my annual report cover
ing all transactions financial and 9TH
erwise, since our last convention at
Union, in 1909.
For the itemized details Of receipts,
most respectfully refer you to the full
reports of Secretary Hood, and Treas
u,er Dibble.
1t is with much pleasure that can
report an increase in membership, as
will be shown by our Secretary's re-
port, and l hope that shortly every
town and village in the State will be
represented in our Association.
Our expense account for printing,
postage and incidental items has been
most carefully looked after both by
myself and Secretary Hood.
The whole expense of the Legisla-
tive Committee in properly placing
our bill before the legislature
amounted to $50, and trust the
Association will devise means to pay
this amount, a most wise investment
for the good of all South Carolina.
shall now ask your careful atten-
ton to our fire insurance premium
bill.
in accordance with a resolution
passed at our last convention, held in
Union, ] went to Columbia on Jan.
II, and with Chairman May and San
ders saw our bill introduced and urg-
ed for passage by the Hon. G. w.
Garris, Of Bamberg, on Jan. IS. The
bill was opposed only by the repre-
sentative from Richland, who desired
a recommitment, which, because the
members Of the house were fully in
formed ol the fairness of the bill, was
not granted. In due time, it passed
the house.
The bill was introduced into the
senate by Senator j. H. Clifton, Of
Sumter and referred to the Commit
tee on Banking and Insurance, in
whose hands it remained until Feb.
4, so as to allow any opposition ample
time to enter protests or objections
The insurance companies were we'll
represented by. able attorneys, and
our Association, by President McNeill
Of the North Carolina State Firemen's
Association and by myself, who pre-
sented the bill fairly and fully. The
bill received a favorable report from
the senate committee, and passed the
senate on Feb. II, practically without
any opposition. 1t was duly engross-
ed for ratification.
On March l, a request was made of
Governor Ansel by the attorney for
insurance companies, that he veto the
bull. The governor heard arguments
for and against his veto, and then
signed the bill on March 7, 1910,
making it State law
On June II, the insurance COM
panies through their attorneys secur-
ed a temporary injunction against the
Insurance Commissioner collecting
the one per cent of insurance pre-
miums and forbidding him to revoke
any company's license for failure to
pay.
The case will be argued before the
Supreme Court in Columbia at the
Fall Session and our interest will be
we'll looked after. In the mean time,
my friends do not let your interest
in our State Association wane or grow
cold. We are bound to win out in the
end, as at our last convention held at
Union, we fully demonstrated the
fact that We stand for something and
that We propose to do something; that
we represent the business end of the
fire service and that we are entitled
to far more consideration both from
commercial and purely business
standpoint, as we'll as from the pa
triotic and sentimental one than what
we are asking for.
hope that every chief and fireman
VIII learn by heart the provisions
of this bill, and see that they are
complied with. It's enforcement will
certainly reduce our insurance rates.
and will materially reduce our fire
losses everywhere.
Very many towns our to