The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-06-24
F|REMEN GO TO SPlRTiNBuRe
CHIEF LOUIS BEHRENS RE.
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF
STATE ASSOCIATION.
Races Begin Today and Will be Fea.
lures of COnvention-Sessions at
Orangeburg.

Orangeburg, June 20.-Spartanburg
was selected as the place of meeting
in 1917 by the South Carolina Fire
mems Association here tonight. Chief
Louis Behrens was reelected presi-
dent Of the Association and the fol-
lowing other officers were also chos-
en-.
First vice president, c. B. Reaud-
rot, of Greenwood; second vice presi-
dent James p. Doyle, Of Orangeburg;
secretary, r. s. Hood, of Sumter;
-reasurer, T. o. Flowers, of Rock
Hill; statistician, c. j. Levy, of An
drews. Every officer was chosen
unanimously. Newberry and Bishop
Vile were the other places after next
years convention.
The twelfth annual convention Of
the South Carolina Fircmen's Associa-
ton was called to order at IL o'clock
this morning by Chief Louis Behrens,
of Charleston, president, in the court
house, which was filled with firemen
and visitors from many sections of
the State and from the surrounding
community. After the invocation, Of
fered by the Rev. w. A. Massabeau,
pastor of st. Pauls Methodist church,
OF this city, the address of welcome
from Orangeburg was made by Mayor
r. F. Bryant, who spoke in behalf of
the officials and citizens of the city
on the Edisto who have been looking
forward with much pleasure to the
| coming Of the flremen, and then turn
ed. over the city to them to do as they
pleased.
In behalf of the fire department of
Orangeburg, the Hon. Robert Lide
then addressed the association and
visitors, in which he set forth the
progress made by the fire department
since the days of the crude weapons
Of battling with the flames, compared
with the modern and efficient modes
OF combating the, enemy fire." and
that the State has just right to be
proud OF her organizations.
| Response to the addresses was made
by the president. Chief Behrens, who
spoke appropriately in behalf Of the
association. thanking the people of
Orangeburg for the warm welcome
received while here among them, and
of the pleasure they were enjoying
through the friendly relations exist
ing between the Orangeburg c-gani-
zations and the firemen representing
companies throughout the State. He
also paid tribute to the brave fire.
men\ who had sacrificed their lives in
the performance Of their duties, and
to those who had departed this life,
and also to those that are now rem
dering valuable service to their COM
munities. The president then called
upon Ex-Chief James, of the Darling
ton fire department, who responded,
pointing to the fact that the visitors
were attending the greatest meeting
ever held by he association; that they
were having big time, and that be-
fore adjournment Thursday evening
Orangeburg will have been completely
in the hands Of the visiting firemen
and friends. He also paid a high tri-
butte to the monument erected on
court house square, in the shape of q
drinking fountain, to the volunteer
fire department of Orangeburg.
Letters Of regret from several
prominent speakers and firemen who
were unable to attend the convention.
including Gov. Manning and Senator
j. ID. McNeill, expresident Of the Ma
tional Fire Association and president
or the North Carolina State Firemen's
Association, were read by the presi-
dent OF the convention. The Hon. F.
II. McMaster, insurance commissioner
or South Carolina, then addressed the
gathering. stating that every effort
should be bent toward fire prevention
oy the proper inspection of premises
and that the State should be cleaned
from cellar to garret to reduce fire
waste.
After the addresses and responses
the meeting was opened for regular
business. The first matter to be dis
posed of was the appointment of the
following committees by the presi-
dent:
Credentials: Assistant Chief H. d.
Hunsenger, Spartanburg; Chief S. l..
Hogans, Manning; Chief c. d. Beaud-
rot, Greenwood.
Auditing: Ex-Chief T. 0. S. Dibble.
Orangeburg; w. H. Hope, Rock Hill;
Chief j. ID. Elgin, Abbeville.