El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-11
.FIREHEN ELECT
AND HAVE FEAST.
Mayor and Others Pay Trib-
ute to Volunteers; Judge
Edwards Retires.

Praises Of the old volunteer firemen
who pulled the hose reel old hook and
ladders through the streets of E. Paso
years ago, when the city was only
hamlet. and a great tribute to the
present city firemen, featured the an
nual banquet Thursday evening Of the
Volunteer Fire department held on the
second floor of the Central fire station
on Overland street
Mayor c. e. Kelly praised both the
old volunteer firemen and the present
paid men for their efficiency and
bravery. It was largely through the
efficiency Of the fire department he
said, that FL Paso has the lowest key
rate insurance in the state Of Texas.
Judge Edwards RetireE.
Another speaker was judge P. F. Ed
wards, who. years ago, was volunteer.
Judge Edwards announced that, after
representing the Texas & Pacific rail-
road company for a period of 25 years.
he had resigned and intended enjoying
himself by mingling with his old
friends, the volunteer firemen.
Among the guests Of the evening
were the two mascots Of the Central
fire station, little frankie Webster and
.Peggie," a gray bull terrier. frankie
had a seat with the firemen and was
one Of the most enthusiastic guests.
"Peggie" occupied a position in a rear
room Of the banquet hall, but did not
want for anything to eat
Officers Arc Elected.
Prior to the banquet the election of
officers took place and the following
officers were reelected: President, Ed
ward KneeZell; vice presidents. W. H.
Austin, J. H. Nations, c. NJ Newman,
G. II. Higgins, W. T. HiXsOn and W. z.
Lowe; first assistant chief, J. T. Sui
Kiefer; treasurer, T. J. Holland; secre-
tary, J. B. Badger.
Kelly Talks of Insurance Rate.
Twenty years ago I was an active
member of the volunteer fire depart
ment" mayor Kelly said in his talk.
Ct look back with much pleasure to the
days when I helped pull a hook and
ladder through the streets Of FL Paso
and il there is any way in which l can
rejOin hose company No. 2, 1 would
like to do it. have two favOrites-the
old volunteer fire department first and
the present fire department second.
"El Paso today has the lowest insur-
ance key rate of any city in the state.
few years ago Beaumont had the
lowest key rate, but FL PasO now has
the lowest, which is is cents, two cents
lower than that of Beaumont 1t is
because OF the efficient fire department
and the perfect water system that FL
PasO has the lowest key rate"
TOasts were drunk to the absent
members of the fire department, the
president of the United States, mayor
eKIly, and the firemen.
Pools Tribute.
County Judge Adrian Pool, in his ad-
dress, said: THE decrease of the key
rate insurance is due to the efficiency
Of the fire department and you are to
be Congratulated on what you have
done for the taxpayers. The paid fire
men are compared with the regular SOL
dfers Of the United States, who stand
ready to defend their country, and the
volunteer GFemen are compared with
the volunteers who ever stand ready
to be mustered in to assist the regu-
lars. You seldom hear Of a building
burning down in Ell Paso, which is due
to the efficiency Of the fire department.
The FL Paso department is the best in
the state of Texas. Chief W. W. Arm
strong is an efficient chief and he is
assisted by corps Of well trained
men"
Tribute to Volunteers.
DR.. G. H. Higgins, a former voIun-
teer fireman, elected vice president Of
that body, told of many instances in
the past where the volunteer firemen
OBLIGATED in combating the flames. He
paid a high tribute to the firemen, pic
turing them as true patriots and men
who Sacrifice themselves for their COM
munity.
Charles Stevens said that he has been
dubbed "Keyrate Charlie" but that he
does not deserve this title, which should
be conferred upon mayor Kelly Mr..
stevens said that II was through the
efforts of mayor Kelly that the city
secured the lowest insurance key rate
OF any city in the state. other short
talks were made by i. B. McClintock,
county clerk, and W. H. futile.