The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-03-12
"CONEY, AN UNCERTAINTY
For Maryland State Firemen's Con-
ventiOn-Unable to Entertain.


There il still considerable uncer-
tainty a. to whether or not Good Will
Fire Company, Of Lonaconing, will be
able to entertain the annual conven-
ton of the Maryland State Volunteer
Firemen's Association, which takes
place in June, in conformity with their
invitation to the association az the
convention at Westminster last June,
when several other towns, including
Cambridge, intended to put up a
contest if necessary to have the con-
vention held at the respective cities,
and who promptly withdrew from the
proposition when Homecoming was
suggested. The Maryland Volun-
teer Firemen have been here on sew
eral occasions, and they would rather
come here than go to any place in
the State, SO that the other towns
which were after this years conven-
ton appreciated the futility Of their
efforts if required to contest with
Lonaconing So it came about as
previously stated, that Homecoming
was unopposed when the time came
to select a place for this years
meeting, and the invitation present
ed by Lonaconing's representatives
through Mr. Peter G. Mcfarland,
was received and promptly accepted
amid uproarious applause, so enthus-
iastic were the State Firemen at the
prospect Of a visit to the good old
town Of "Coney" The condition OF
affairs makes it exceptionally en-
barrassing should it now become nee
essary to withdraw the invitation and
notify the executive committee of
the Firemen's Association that they
will be unable because of a lack Of
interest and support on the part Of
our prominent citizens and business
men. The others-the average citi-
zen and the community in general
want the convention in general and
will do all they can to help the home
company, but it takes money for a
Firemen's Convention and, therefore,
unless the citizens and the business
men cooperate with the local fire
mems committee and extend financial
assistance, there will be no alterna-
\ tive other than to notify the State
Y Association Of our failure. 1t is said
committee from the Fire Company
] recently made a tentative SubScrip-
ton tour of those business houses
which will-which always do-profit
the most from a Firemen'S COnven-
tion and all such enterprises, and the
result of the canvass was less than
5000. 1t is needless to say that il
those who will profit the most from
the large crowds that will be brought
here for the greater part of an entire
week early in June, will tighten
up" to the limit Of $20O-or even
$500-it will be useless for the Fire
Company to proceed further with the
arrangements, as it would be unfair
to expect the merchant, the dry goods
furniture and like business houses tx
donate even 30 per cent. of the amount
required, inasmuch as they will be
! benefited probably not more than II
per cent by all the money spent here
during the convention week. 1t has
come to the point now, however
where the business men who viii
benefit through the convention mus
come forward with liberal and gen.
erous contribution or pledges on sub.
scription, otherwise the affair mus
/ be called Off, the colors of the towns
hospitality lowered for the first time
and the officers of the association no
titled that they must select another
town in which to hold this years con.
vention, in order that the executive
| board may have time to make such
selections, and the town thus chosen
may have time In which to make nee
essary preparations also. The sit.
uation is acute and requires prompt
action one way or the other.-Cum-
| hprland Times