Arizona republican., 1915-03-22

that are necessary. When conflag- aration is developing, the only chance of stopping it among such buildings as will be most common during our lifetime, is by means of streams "f water and enough of them to do the work effectually. These are likely | to need more men to handle them 1 than are available in many of the paid departments to which the citi- zens point with such pride. Some times efficient emergency men are provided for but more often they are not, and in the latter event the 1 firemen are sure to be outclassed at the start when really dangerous fire comes. This is only mentioned because it must be taken into con sideration when volunteers are to be done away with. It is also one Of the arguments used by even such large cities as Reading. although the expense of paid firemen is more like llv the chief factor with the taxpayers there.
 When speaking of the causes of demoraliZation among volunteer flre- men. the unseemly ridicule aimed at them in the text and illustrations of newspapers and periodicals, and in the moving picture films, should not be forgotten. With some light minds the volunteer is favorite subject for wit and sarcasm, yet they might with equal propriety, make run or nurses. ambulance doctors or men in the life saving service. Some Of the Jokes and caricatures that we so lfreouently see are a disgrace to who- ever inspired them and to the news paper or other medium through which they are placed before the publc
 The work of the volunteer may seem amusing to these cheap wits. but no lserious minded or kindly disposed lperson should see anything to laugh at in the earnest efforts of men who are doing their best and usually un- der much disadvantage. Bremen ot all classes, paid. call or volunteer. should unite in discOuraSing this so- called fun, for it does a great deal of harm. As before stated. Volun- teers are well thought of in some large towns and they are an ahso- ilrte necessity in the small ones. For this reason. anything tending to dis lcourage or demoralize them should he in the same class with similar ef-
 forts directed against soldiers de- lending their country in time of war.
 Partly because of the dvantage gained in having a man at the head
 who gets along well with the coun- cil. citizens and firemen. Gas long as this is possible) the character and efficiency of any fire depart ment depends very largely upon the chief This is true in all systems. but more especially in the volunteer. It is very seldom necessary to say to volunteers that they should ap- preciate and respect the right kind of man, when they get him but this is a piece of advice that might often be given to city councils. Turmoil among the firemen and in efficiency at fires only make worry and trouble for the city fathers: hence they should highly esteem the chief who can give them the peace and protection they think themselves entitled to.
 The volunteer fireman is hy no means out of date. He will be the guardian of the lives and property of thousands and thousands of peo- 'ple long after we are forgotten. He is very necessary in countless com munities because he gives pro lection that cannot otherwise he se- cured. and every real protection it is too, under proper conditions. In the to n see volunteer departments in the larger towns. but the localities that must have them should study their needs and learn for themselves how much good is done by proper appre- citation and encouragement.
 HARRY w. BRINGHURST, Fire Marshal, City of Seattle,