Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-24

Stating that he believed that the
wonderful record for efficiency Of the
Augusta Fire Department was largely
due to the splendid spirit Of coopera-
ton existing within the force, Mayor
Ernest L. Mclean sounded the call
for the same cooperation on the. part
Of the citizens Of Augusta to make
the firemen's work even more ef1-
cient, in his talk to the members OF
the Eiremen's Relief Association at
their annual meeting Wednesday
evening. The meeting was held In
the assembly hall at the Hartford
fire station and was preceded by a
luncheon enjoyed by about forty
members Of the Association. with the
Mayor and members Of the f1fe de-
partment committee of the City Gov
eminent az their special guests.
The luncheon was prepared and
served by members Of the fire depart
ment in q most acceptable manner.
The menu consisted Of saltines.
cheese, doughnuts. coffee and ice
cream, and cigars were passed at Its
conclusion. The good fellowship
amongst the men, which charcterizes
the department and has been one
reason for its effective work, was
particularly apparent when the chairs
were pushed back from the tables and
the cigars lighted. while Frank Chad
wick, president of the Association
took charge OF the meeting.
When called upon for remarks,
Mayor Mclean took occasion to COM
mend the men on the fine equipment
and quarters, and their care Of the
fire apparatus, as well as for their
splendid record In fire fighting. In
recalling visits to many stations In
various sections of New England.
when the city government was con-
sidering the purchase of a new mo-
tor hook and ladder truck. the Mayor
said that nowhere did he see q fire
station as clean. orderly. and syste-
matically cared for as are the build
ings Of the Augusta department.
In speaking of the necessity for
driving the motor apparatus through
Water street at rate IF speed which
will be reasonable and yetenable the
department to reach the scene of the
fire as quickly as possible, the mayor
stated that in his opinion the citizens
, were under greater obligations to the
firemen in seeing that they had a
clear passage through the street. thar
were the firemen to the citizens
Mayor Mclean stated that he believ-
ed that the people Of the city should
be educated into making every~effOr'
! to- aid the procedure # the trucks
/ when an alarm is sounded.
Chairman Shaw Of the fire depart.
! ment committee Of the city govern.
ment seconded the mayors remarks
as did Alderman Charles p. Kinsman
also n member of the committee, ant
| Councilman A. w. Creaer.
Chief Engineer Roy x. Small. ex.
pressed the appreciation of the mem
bers Of the department for the heart,
! cooperation they have received from
the city government. Chief Small in
dicatcd his pride in the personnel o.
the Augusta Fire Department. ant
said that the men were not in It fol
the nominal remuneration they re.
! ceived for their services. which would
not pay for the clothes they spoiled
hut rather because they were rec
/ blooded and loved the game. "Thert
isn't man in the department. who
hesitates to iumn out If warm hef
on the coolest nights of winter to rur
to fire when an alarm sounds. ant
when they get there. they do mo-