Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-08-25
IREMEN's CONVENTION
AFTERNOON SESSION.

George w. Pettey, Chief of tn
FIREMEN's CONVENTION.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After the Gazette's report Of the pro-
cecdings Of the convention closed yes
tcr,lav afternoon, as stated, the COM
miltccs were given time to formulate
their reports preparatory to submission
at the night session.
A resolution was offered and carried
unanimously endorsing the selection OF
New Orleans as the most suitable place
for the great Panama canal opening
exposition.
The Southern Fircman's Journal was
indorsed us the Official paper of the or
der
The memorial committee then made
its report and resolutions i'll respect TO
the deceased members were adopted.
The main contest at the afternoon
session was over Il resolution Offered
BY Mr.. J. 7. Fralcy, Of Newport
News, to prevent voting by proxy.
The debate was spicy and ut times
heated and the matter WAS postponed
until the night session.
Just before adjournment OF the after
noon session Mr.. J. w. c. Austin, OF
York, Pa. national organizer, was in
t,oduccd and made an interesting
speech. His reference TO the national
character of the firemen's convention
work was warmly appluudcd.
About 5 o'clock the convention re-
cesscd until S.
NIGHT SESSION.
The resolution Of Mr.. j. p. Fralcy
to stop voting by proxy was the first
business when the convention was call
ed to order by President Curtin at $50.
About 200 persons were present. Arg
ument for and against it were made by
delegates from Richmond, Harrison
burg, Portsmouth and few other
points.
Col. w. A. Smoot, Of this city. took
an active interest in the pending qucs.
ton and was prominent figure i'll the
debate
The resolution to prevent voting by
proxy was finally defeated by IL vote of
40 to 80.
Mr. L. f. Iookabill of Roanoke,
submitted the officers report rs chair
man OF the committee and showed
1886. is as gross receipts and $316 in
the treasury after all expenses were
paid.
Topics for discussion being next III
order the following were presented and
papers read
No. Over inslrance-Should there
not be Il closer community OF interest
between local underwriters and fire de
partment officials; assigned to r. f..
Mclaughlin, chief OF the fire depart
ment OF Norfolk, which was an able
paper.
No. 2.-Thc importance Of cities and
towns OF our state creating an office Of
fire inspector Of buildings, co-opcrat-
ing with the chiefs Of various cities and
towns in order to reduce fire losses and
danger to life and property; assigned
to w. Il. Walter, chief OF the fire de-
partment of Portsmouth-an interest
ing document.
No. 3.-Ihe improvement of rail
road and steamboat companies of our
state adopting rules preventing the
storage of coal oil, bcnzine, Kerosene,
powder, etc, with other goods which
often has caused great destruction to
property; assigned to John II. Ratio,
assistant chief of the fire department
OF Richmond. A paper much enjoyed.
No. 1.-The firemcn of our state
when having saved human lives and
immense property at the risk Of losing
their lives. how should they be reward
ed assigned to J. w. Waggaman, cap
tain Of the Roanoke fire department.
The paper was well received.
No. 5.-The efficient volunteer fire
department and how TO maintain it; as
signed TO Nj. C. Smith, chief OF the fire
department of Pocahontas.
No. An able paper on fire drills
in the public schools was read by Cap
tain John H. Trimyer, OF this city, and
it dealt with the necessity of instruc-
tons and laws governing such drills, in
order that children may be trained to
have presence of mind in case OF fire
or time OF danger and the importance
Of having all doors swing both ways in
public buildings.
All the papers were received and
complimented by vote Of the conven
ton.
The secretary then started to read his
report. but on motion this as we'll as
the report of the treasurer was ordered
printed in the records.
The secretary's report shows that the
association has a membership OF
nearly 1000 and is in a prosperous
condition.
The legislative committee made its
report on the freman's relief bill and
stated that the contest on Its constitu-
tionality would be made before the
4.