The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1920-01-08
LUBBOCK FIRFMFN HOLD
THEIR ANNUAL BANQUET

The Volunteer Firemen or Luz
book held their annual banquet ana
business meeting New Years night at
the Manhattan Parlor In addition
10 the firemen and their families, the
local insurance agents and ther
wives were guests at this banquet.
As a prelude to the feast that fol-
lowed. the firemen and their guests
were entertained at the Lyric Thea
ire. This proved a very interesting
hour and had the effect of putting
everybody in a very happy mood
From the Lyric the jewellers advanc-
ed on the Manhattan Parlor where
O. R. Phillips. the proprietor, had
concocted list Of the finest dishes
Of good things to eat ever calculated
10 appease the cravings OF the inner
man.
At the conclusion Of the feasting
the Officers for the ensuing year
were elected. with l.. II Simpson as
chief, Ed Twitty as Assistant, and
Roche Newton as Secretary 4 Treas
urer. Following this number OF
interesting talks were made by the
firemen and their guests in which
was emphasized the need Of greater
cooperation between the business
men and other citizens of our city
and the firemen.
The fact that few Of our pro
gressivc citizens have maintained an
organization Of volunteer firemen IN
our city for number OF years with
but very little aid and cooperation
from the remaining population
whose property they have so faithful
ly protected, is conclusive evidence
that it is now high time our people
should wake up TO the importance
and merit Of our volunteer fire force
and evidence some material signs Of
appreciation Of their services and sac
rifices. For number OF years the
members Of this force have been
subject to call day or night and un-
der all weather conditions. They
have responded faithfully to these
calls and have discharged their duties
in an efficient and creditable man
ner. In return for this, about the
only comment heard with reference
70 them and their services is an oc-
casional criticism Of their methods
Of handling some particular confia-
grafton. Constructive criticism and
suggestions are always IN order and
our firemen are open to such at all
times but malicious and destructive
criticism IL apt to have a pernicious
effect upon the morale Of our fire
figh ,ers ard cannot successfully be
applied in connection with any work
or undertaking. No denial is made
70 the charge that our firemen have
made mistakes in the past, but at
tention il called to the fact that
while doing so their efforts have saw
ed thousands of dollars worth Of pro
pe-.y. Il should also be borne IN
mind that the exists nee of our fire
department tends to -cduce insurance
rates very mater nlly and thus works
q gecat 1agng f. the property own
err II our city.
There Is hardly member Of our
fire force but who has upon numer-
Gus occnsions ruined or damaged
costly clothing and been at no little
resulting expense through his efforts
% save other peoples property from
destruction by fire, to say nothing Of
having risked his health and eyposed
himself 20 injury In the face of this
fact comparatively iit;le has been
done to encourage our firemen IN the
faithful discharge Of their duties or
70 reward them for their sacrifices or
reimburse them for their expenses.
II seems to the writer. who was a
guest at the above mentioned meet
ing. that the time is ripe for our citi-
zens and property owners to recog-
nize the efforts and sacrifices of
these men in a much more material
way than has been the practice in
the past From the talks and discus
sions at the meeting Il was evident
that some Of our boys are becoming
somewhat discouraged with their cf-
forts 70 serve the people and city in
this capacity. Such an attitude is
justified under the circumstances
and unless the people Of Lubbock
rally TO their support and accord
them the recognition and co-opera-
ton their services merit the time Is
not far when our city will be con-
fronted with serious difficulties IN
maintaining an efficient fire depart
ment.
This is a matter which demands
the earnest consideration of the peo-
pie OF Lubbock and immediate steps
should be taken to assure our fire
men that their services are appre-
ciated and to encourage them in dis
charging their duties as faithfully
and efficiently in the future as they
have in the mast.