The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1914-04-07
LOVING CUP FOR
DR.. R. RALSTON REED
Alderman HOnored by FIremen
at Banquet.

the board of Aldermen, assistant
chiefs, foremen and assistants and
drivers of the apparatus. Alderman
R. Ralston Reed, NJ D., was the guest
of honor and to him was presented
handsome loving cup of silver. The
cup bore the inscription presented to
Alderman R.. Ralston Reed, M. D.. in
recognition of his valuable services in
bringing about the motorization of the
Morristown fire department" and bore
also an etching showing the various
pieces of apparatus in the local de-
partment. Foreman c. Franklin Will
son, of Independent Hose company,
was the POSTMASTER and presented the
cup to Dr. Reed for Chief Day and the
fire department.
The dinner was an elaborate repast.
The table was decorated with minia-
ture automobile fire apparatus and fire
department emblems. Each guest
found at his plate as souvenir
miniature limousine. In the center of
the table was the loving cup, a flag
draped over it.
After the dinner was over Chief
Day took the floor and started dis
cussion on the handling of the towns
auto apparatus He said that care
must be used by the drivers in han
ding the machines and they are to re-
member that the firemen of Morris
town not only want to save lives at
fires but also want their own lives pro-
tected from unnecessary risks. The
bond issue by means of which the ap-
paratus was secured was opposed by
some citizens and they are ready, said
Chief Day, to say, 81 told you so" in
case anyone is killed or there be any
other accident. The firemen, now that
they have the automobiles, must get
down to "hard pan" and be careful in
driving them, not only for their own
sakes but for others who use the
streets.
Only last week. he said, there was
an exhibition of what the department
can do in turning out the machines
with celerity, the apparatus answering
an alarm simultaneously and going
down south street in an almost un-
broken line. He dwelt upon the fact
that the drivers of the apparatus in
answering alarms were responsible not
only for S43, GOO worth of fire apparatus
but of the lives of every man on each
piece of apparatus and those on the
streets as well. Safety first" must be
the rule of the department, he asserted,
and said that the board of ensfheers
and the fire committee was considering
set OF rules to be followed in regard
to answering alarms.
He then read the rules. The first
was that no apparatus shall pass an
other apparatus going in the same di
rection unless the first apparatus slows
down to ten miles, an exception being
made in the case of the automobile
chemical engine, a very fast car, which
should be at fire in it's first stages to
be of service Another rule provides
that apparatus shall not exceed twenty
miles in going to nor fifteen in return
ing from fire and when returning all
traffic rules are to be obeyed.
The speed of the chemical engine in
answering an alarm is not to exceed
thirty-five miles an hour. When test
ing or practicing the apparatus is not
to be run at greater speed than fif-
teen miles and traffic rules to be obey
ed. No piece of apparatus shall fol-
low another machine at less distance
than 100 feet except when the first ap-
paratus slows down in which case it
is to permit the apparatus behind to
pass it. All apparatus to keep to the
right and when occasion arises to pass
to do so at the left.
These rules were discussed by the
firemen and some suggestions as to
notifications were made They will be
considered and the rules formally an
nounced later.
Mayor John ]. Todd was called upon
by Mr.. Wilson to address the gathering
and His Honor responded in his usual
graceful manner, telling of the thrills
that came to him as boy in watch
ing the runs" of the apparatus and
the enjoyment he receives as a man in
watching the contest between the
flames in their efforts to devour and
the firemen in their work of subduing.
He paid tribute to the department,
asserting that he had seen many others
in operation but none working under
such discipline, the men, he declared,
working like professionals without fear
and above reproach.
The first man to think of motors for
the Morristown fire department, Mayor
Todd said, was Mr.. Wilson. Then
came the recommendation by the
mayor to the board of aldermen advo-
eating the change from horses, after
which Alderman Reed took the matter
up and after hard work succeeded in
bringing it to fruition That DR.. Reed
has the lasting gratitude of every fire
man of the town and that his achieve
ment shall never fade was the assur-
ance Mayor Todd gave the guest of the
evening.
Town Counsel Nathaniel c. Toms,
former Town Counsel Carl V. Vogt,
Foreman Charles Mesler, of Washing
ton Engine Company, Foreman James
Brady of First Ward Hose, Superin-
tendent of Fire Alarm, Frank E. Pier
son and others. Mr.. Wilson presented
the loving cup to DIR. Reed in a fine
address full of sentiment and DR.. Reed
responded gracefully though working
under the disadvantage of being taken
by surprise. Upon his request the cup
was filed and passed from lip to lip,
all wishing him joy and there were
cheers for him and for Chief Day.
Those present were Mayor John J.
Todd, Aldermen R. Ralston Reed,
Thomas H. Wiss, Frederick Horsefield,
c. Raymond Shelley, Robert William
son, Clifford Mills, M. D.. and B. w.
Clifford; Chief Day, First Assistant
Chief Fred ]. Sharrette, Second Assis- /
tant Chief Carles H. Snudden; Fore
man G. Franklin Wilson and Assis-
tant Foreman William H. Frapwell, of
Independent Hose Company; Town |
Counsel Toms, former Counsel Vogt, !
Foreman C. Maynard Day, Driver |
William Ridge and Assistant Driver |
William w WiIlia of Raoolufa Hoolr |