The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-01-22
ANNUAL ELECTION
and BANQUET

OF WESTMINSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT
NO CONTEST AT ELECHON-W
FRANK THOMAS is PRESIDENT-AD
DRESS DELIVERED-MUSIC- AUTO
FIRE TRUCK MENTIONED.
The Westminster Fire Department
has passed another Way-mark I'm its
history. Since 1873, when the
thought of a fire company was form
cd i'm the minds and hearts OF num-
Der OF our young men, each year OF
that history has been better than the
last On Wednesday night it, an
nual meeting, election Of officers and
banquet W attended by about two
hundred active and honorary mem
bers and invited guests. At the busi-
ness meeting, the retiring president,
MIR. James Pearre WantZ, who for
seventeen consecutive years has fill
ed some Office in the department,
held the gavel.
\ The spirit OF the membership and
the harmony and unselfish loyalty OF
the active membership to the organi-
zation was evidenced by the fact that
in the election there were no con-
tests. There had been two nomi-
nations for assistant secretary and
treasurer, Messrs. Philip F1ater and
I Robert Ebaugh, but the latter with
drew hi name in the interest or the
former, and the ballot was cast for
the following officers:
| President, wv. Frank Thomas.
! First Vice President, Harry d
Fowble.
\ Second vice President, John ID
Biehl.
Secretary and Treasurer, William
Weagley.
Assistant Secretary and Treasurer
Philip Flater.
Chief. Meade Ohler.
| Assistant Chief, Leonard Shaeffer
Foreman Trucks, ]. Harry Cootes
Assistant Foreman Trucks, Joseph
Hahn
Foreman Reels, Harry X. Shaeffer
Assistant Foreman Reels, Edward
O- Diffendal
Librarian, Luther E. Wimert.
Assistant Librarian, William J
Utz.
Marshal, William Helm.
Assistant Marshal, F. B. billiard.
Janitor, Frank Schweigart-
The report Of the treasurer, Will
/ To- eyln hn hnC
sented by that officer, showing ali
bills paid, including a payment on
building and interest of $371.64, leav.
ling balance in the treasury in ex
jcess OF the balance OF January LIST
1914.
The report of the treasurer Of tht
Annual Firemen's Convention Fund
was equally good, showing that aftel
the payment of all expenses con-
nected with the convention OF 1914
ance remains in the treasury.
The report or the Chief il tht
record Of such prompt and efficient
service that it is given here for the
benefit of all, that they may realize
the more fully the protection giver
by the department to our beautiful
little city.
Report OF Chief Ohler Is as fol.
during the year 1914 The first oc.
CURED February 8, for fire In .
building on the property OF N. /
Gorsuch Son Co., on the alley in the
rear OF the warehouse, to the East oi
Main street. This proved to be the
most dangerous and destructive fre
-N %LA nIr WI
about z o'clock D. m. The depart.
ment responded promptly, and in q
few minutes had six streams of water
playing upon the burning building
Although the fire had made consider
able headway, it was prevented from
l spreading to the surrounding build
ings. The fire started irssGhe corner
OF the building toward Smith a. Reif-
snider's lumber yard, among some
baled straw, closely packed, filling
the building nearly to the roof, and
was therefore difficult to reach ef-
fectively. Twenty three hundred
feet of hose were laid. The total loss
was estimated at about $2500.00.
! The second alarm for the year was
sounded on February y, at $50 p,
m., for a fire at the residence OF Rev.
r.. a. Swaringer, on Liberty street
The department responded promptly
and soon succeeded in extinguishing
the flames. Shortly before midnight
a second alarm was given, the fire
having broken out under the roof,
where 1T Is supposed some sparks
had lodged This second outbreak
was soon overcome by prompt action.
The water was extremely cold, and
the firemen worked under extreme
difficulties. The pavements in a
short time became solid sheet of
ice, and the hose became heavily
coated with ice, making them difficult
to handle The house and furniture
was badly damaged. The flames
spread to the adjoining building, be-
longing to MIR. William O. Lucka-
baugh, causing slight damage. The
fire is supposed to have originated
from thawing frozen water pipes.
On April q, at $50 y. I'M, an alarm
was sounded for fire at the residence
of William Long, Pennsylvania
avenue. The department was prompt
ly on hand and soon extinguished the
fire with chemicals and several buck
C. of water The damage amounted
to about $25. The fire originated
from a leak in the gas pipe in the
cellar, the gas having been ignited
from an incubator standing near by.
On April 25, at 10 p. m, an alarm
was given for supposed fir at &C.
Paul's Reformed Church, ON Bond
Sfroot The dano rfnnonf rncnoudod