Smyrna times., 1922-07-19
STATE FIREMEN PARADE At
DOVER BEFORE BIG THRONG
SMYRNA FIREMEN DID NOT GET
ANY OF THE PRIZES THIS YEAR
Rev. Thomas Getz Hill, of Smyrna,
Elected One of the State Directors
MiddletOwn to Entertain Next

MiddletOwn to Entertain Next
The second annual convention of the
Delaware State Firemen's Association
which was held in Dover Wednesday
was featured by one of the biggest
and most impressive parades ever wit
messed there. Fire apparatus from
many of the volunteer companies
throughout the State were in line.
Smyrna went down over so strong
with 16 piece Band, of Wilmington,
but were not fortunate enough to win
any of the prizes. Middletown was
selected for the meeting place next
year. The parade started at 8 o'clock
from Dover station, the line moving |
over the main streets of the town, and |
finally assembling on Dover Green,
where addresses were made by Mayor
A. B. Magee, of Dover; c. E. Varney,
president of the association; E. j.
Cattell, of Philadelphia, and ]. Sander
son Trump, assistant secretary of the
Philadelphia Fire Underwriters As
sociation, of Philadelphia. As the
parade passed the reviewing stand, a
committee judged on the appearance
of the various companies, and follow
ing the addresses on Dover Green,
prizes were awarded.
Election of Officers In the Afternoon
The feature of the afternoon ses-
sion was the election of officers for
the ensuing year. C. f. Varney, of
Milford, was elected president. Of
ficers elected were as follows: +. 5.
Jones, Middletown, vice-president; W..
D. Bennett, Laurel, treasurer; Samuel
| H. Carson, Dover, secretary. Direc-
tors: New Castle county, w. r. Carey
Middletown; Kent county, Rev. Thom-
as Getz Hill, Smyrna; Sussex county,
George Clifton Maull, Lewes. The
convention went into session in new
fire headquarters of the Robbins Hose
Company Wednesday afternoon. Re
ports by the president, secretary and
80 delegates from the several volun-
teer fire companies throughout the
state in attendance. President Var
nev was in the chair. The business
meeting was opened with the presen-
tation of verbal reports by the presl-
dent, secretary and treasurer. The
secretary reported two additional vol
unteer companies having Joined the
association since the last meeting
The new companies were from New
Castle and Clayton. President Var
ney, in his report, brought up the sub
iect of fairs and carnivals as held by
the several fire companies, and OF the
efforts of local authorities, spurred OF
bv reform advocates, to prohibit then
because of the alleged gambling II
the form of chances" on various ar
ticles for sale. There was some dis
cussion of this subject, and although
the majority of delegates warmly de
! Tended the carnivals and fairs ther
was no action taken as to dealing witt
future attempts to stop the fremen Il
their efforts to raise funds.
Seek Incorporation for organization
After general discussion regarding
the possibility of obtaining state al
: for volunteer fire companies, the presl
dent of the association was authorize
to appoint legislative committee I
look after the interests of that body
One of the duties of this committed
when appointed, will be to take step
toward having the state associate
Incorporated and the preparation OF
bill to be presented to the next De
I aware Legislature, asking for an al
> preparation of $4,000 annually. VI
: der the subject of state aid, the que'
tion of county aid was also discusse
at some length. The New Cast
county members stated that the vo
funteer companies of the upper coul
ID ties were receiving aid from the Lev
1t Court, and suggested that the con
'e panies of Kent and Sussex cOuntit
should bring pressure to bear upo
the officials of the lower counties. III
only business transacted at the afte
noon meeting was the election of o
ficers, followed by the parade.
the close of the addresses by Mr.. Ca
tell and Mr.. Trump, of Philadelphl
le on the Green, the committee appointt
to award prizes announced their d
cisions.
Prizes Awarded Interested Many
= The Governor Denney Loving Gu
awarded to the company having Il
! largest representation answering r'
call, which was won by Milford la
year, again went to the Milford col
n pany. This entities the company
U permanent possession of the cup. II
cup given this year by President
= : E. Varney to the company having t
largest representation in per cent
active membership, and making t
E. best appearance, was awarded to t
ST New Castle Company. To gain pc
manent possession of the cup, col
panv must win it three years in sU