Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-02-16
flREnEN HELD Big BANQUET
ATTENDANCE OVER 1OO-SPI.EN-
DID. FEED AND GOOD
TALKS

A hundred firemen, and a few in
vited guests, including the city coun'
Gil, mayor and press representatives,
last Monday evening partook of
most splendid repast at the Odd Fel-
lows hall, the occasion being the annu-
al firemens banquet The, hall was
decorated with bunting and American
flags, and presented most inviting
appearance. After the eats had been
partaken of there were several speech
es, followed by a social time.
F. w. Lyon, president Of the Fire
men, g Relief association, acted as
toastmaster. He said he was pleased
to see SO splendid turnout {or the
banquet and expressed the hope that
many more such affairs would be held
in the future. He told of having in.
vited the city council to the banquet,
saying that he believed it right that
they should attend. They are entitled
to the good things we have. he said,
and the bad things we try to take care
of ourselves.
Mr.. Lyon first called upon Mayor
Fortier. He opened by saying that he
once was fireman in this! city, but
he quit when he got too old to be Of
any service. He said it did him good
to be present at this banquet, as 1t:
reminded him Of the past, when, as a
student, he attended big banquets. He
said the fremen were the only ones
to extend to him invitations. to at
tend banquets during his service as
mayor the past three years, and he
was very thankful for the invitation
shows that the firemen have appreciat-
ed the efforts of the mayor. This was
the last banquet he expected, to attend
as mayor, he said, as he considered
three years. service in that office full
filed his duty as citizen to the pub
lie. In closing, Mr.. Fortier stated
that good fellowship always existed
among the firemen, and he expressed
the hope that the banquets, which, he
understood, had been held regularly
for thirty wears, would be continued,
as this is the best manner of keeping
harmony among the Gremen. :
D. M. Cameron was called on next,
and was asked to tell how the Little
Falls fire department of today differs
from the department of few years
ago. He said that he would not con-
fine himself to so limited a subject,
as a few years ago there was no muni,-}|
cipal Judge and he could have said any
thing, but now he might be hailed before
the Judge if he happene~- to say some
thing that did not sound right to the
Judge. One or the noticeable changes
in the department., Mr.. Cameron said,
was the adoption of the truck system,
to replace the hand drawn appara
The fire fghtino system has nexer4h hseas
under so effective control as it has
been during the past two years, ne
said. The amount of property saved
has been remarkable and the truck
system and those incidental in getting
it are responsible. The excellent pro"
lection should entitle the city to q
lower fire insurance rate, he said, and
the city council has already taken
steps to get the rates lowered. w..
Cameron praised the city council, say
ing that in recent years this body has
been very progressive and the result
has shown in improvements in the city
generally In the next five or ten
wears there is no reason whv this city
should not have a full paid depart
ment, in line with the growth Of the
city, he said.
n G. Gordon was asked to tell what
could be expected of the Water Power
company 8 concerning the water SUP"
ply for fightinq fires. He said that he
had always taken an interest in. fire
fighting and at one time was a MEM
Der Of the fire department. He said the
company is willing at all times to CO.
operate with the city for the welfare
Of the community at large and that
they will ALWAYS do what they can to
help better the fire fighting system. He
would be glad to meet with commit
tees at any time, he said, to take up
the present and future needs Of the
fire department and to help improve
it, if possible. Mr.. Gordon closed his
talk by saying that he agreed with
the mayor as to the value Of these get
together meetings and he. suggested
that if possible thev be made semi-an-
nual instead of annual. -..-
A. A. Fueger, secretary of the fire
department and Of the relief assecia-
tion. gave figures showing the standing
Of these organiza Ions and what they
have done the rast year.. On Feb. o.,
1916. the relief association had on
hand in the relief fund $311.54. They
received from the per cent refund
for insurance premiums $941, making a
total of $1.25302. During the wear
$263 was paid out for relief, and 5000
was placed on deposit at a local bank,
leaving a cash balance on hand Of
$4,000. In the general fund, which
consists of membership dues and ini-
tiation fees paid in, there was bal
ance last year of $33O.36. Dues and
initiation fees brought in $102, making
a total Of $432.36. The disbursements
were $191.81, which included last
years banquet, amounting to $1O0.59,
leaving balance on hand If $240 055.
In the fire department treasury last
wear there was a balance of $54.19 on
hand. Dona tions amounting to $50
were received. making the total
$1l4.19. The onlv mone~ paid out was
for the secretarv's salary, $25. leav-
ing balance on hand Of $89.19. In
the emergency fund there is 1887.
The amount in this fund has not chang.
a. L.