New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-07
SMOKE EATERS DINE
Visiting Chiefs End Convention
with a Banquet.
DISCUSS LOSS BY FLAMES
Gathering Worth Millions to
Country in Exchange of
Ideas, Speaker Says.

a thousand chiefs and delegates of the
International Association of Fire Engi-
neers brought the weeks convention TO a
close last night with dinner given by
the citizens OF this city in the Hotel
Aston
The big ballroom was decorated with
the flags OF nations represented at the
convention. In the galleries women rela-
tlves and guests OF the chiefs. although
not eligible to join the festivities. looked
down upon them with enthusiastic APP
probation and applauded the speeches.
Stree several of the battalion chiefs
and other officials OF the city Fire De-
partment who attended the dinner we're
on active duty. special arrangements were
made for their notification by wire in
case OF a serious fire. and automobiles
were waiting 20 rush them TO the pos
sihle scene OF action. But no call 10 duty
was heard. and tho energies Of the fire
fighters were devoted TO the menu. 20
praise Of their achievements in the past
and ambitions for the years 10 come.
Joseph Johnson. Fire Commissioner.
was introduced as POSTMASTER by Jerome
Sicgel In behalf OF the New York de-
partment he welcomed the visitors and
bade them farewell until the next con
vention. lie also dwelt upon the great
benefit 10 the local department and 10
the visiting chiefs from the exhibition
and the interchange OF ideas on the pre-
ven.ion Of fire losses.
Chief John Kenlon declared that the
convention just ended had been worth
millions 10 the people OF this country. He
laid special stress on the advent Of motor
FIRE apparatus and tie gradual elimina-
ton OF the horse drawn machines.
"The days Of hauling out fire engine
putting on a nozzle and squirting water
into the air are thing Of the past, said
chief Konlon But although We are max
ing great strides in the use OF modern
FIRE hghting facilities. no country can
burn UP $500. oOO.00 worth Of property
year and prosper. | appeal 10 all you
men 10 do everything in your power 70
reduce this frightful destruction Of the
nations resources"
William Doyle cX-hre marshal OF
Illinois. declared that the American tire-
man outrauked the world in his courage,
his devotion TO duty and his brave spirit
Of self-sacrificc. Yet, Notwithstanding
this fact. said DOYLE. other nations have
much TO teach us In preventing the yearly
devastation by ire He asserted that the
fire loss In Chicago last year was nine
times the loss from the same cause IN
Paris and thirty times the loss in Berlin.
with the buildings that have been re-
duced TO ashes I'm this country" continued
Mr.. DOYLE. you could form a street from
New York to Chicago compactly built up
on both sides. and at every three-fourths
of a mile along this street YOU could
place the body OF human sacrifice
Doyle said he believed that 60 per cent
Of the fire loss I'm the United States was
preventable.
And that 30 per cent" he declared, lis
n national sin and a national disgrace. II
is caused either by criminal carelessness,
criminal ignorance or deliberate arson.
Indeed. my review OF chemistry has con-
WINGED me that the chief cause OF spon-
taneous combustion is the friction be-
tween heavy insurance and an over
valued stock of goods"
chief j. Meier. of Amsterdam. Holland,
tickled the vanity Of his audience by as
sertlng that he had found the American
people the kindest and the most hosplta-
BILE Of all the people on the globe.
Other speakers were Chief William By
water OF Salt Lake city; Chief T. W.
Haney. of Jacksonville. Fla. new presi-
dent OF the association. and Frank K.
Chambers. chairman OF the Board OF Fire
Prevention and Insurance OF the Mer-
chants Association OF New York.
Among the guests were Police Commits
sioner Waldo. John II. O'Brien. Colonel
n. b. Thurston. Robert Adamson. Lee
Shubert. Edward L. Croker and William
Johnston.