Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-06-18

Senator Edge Speaks
AT Convention In CITY
Mayor Wilson Greets Large
Gathering of Exempts-
Election This P. N.

With nearly thousand delegates
seated the thirty-eighth annual con-
vention of the New Jersey State As
sociation OF the Exempt Firemen
convened at the Strand theatre at
1870. o'clock this morning. The
convention was called to order by
President John Andes following the
playing OF the Star Spangled Banner
by the Goodwill Band, who gave a
concert in front of the theatre before
the delegates and members filed into
the convention hall. Rev. Wilbert
Westcott, pastor of Simpson Metho-
dist Episcopal church, offered prayer
and this was followed by the address
of welcome by Mayor William G..
Wilson, who extended the freedom
of the city to the visiting firemen
and presented = gold key to Presi-
dent Andes during his remarks.
Mayor Wilson, who Is a member
of the state association and honorary
member of the committee OF ar
rangements for the entertainment
of the visiting firemen during their
stay here was then given the honor
of introducing United States Senator
Walter E. Edge, who made the prin-
cipal address of the convention. The
convention hall Is arranged in Sec
tions for delegates coming from the
various congressional districts of the
state. The session il being held
throughout the noon time and one
of the principal matters being taken
UP outside Of the election of officers
this afternoon is for q two day ses-
sion for the annual. convention. This
will be fought out on the floor to-
day it was learned at the openins
OF the cpnF1hfton this morning. -
At the close of the session q beef
kt6Ak dinner will b4 seefYed at the
New Auditorium. There Will also be
a review Of the city fire department
this afternoon.
Senator Edge said his appearance
at the convention was not a political
errand on his part but he considered
It privilege to address a body of
'.red blooded citizens" made up of
Republicans and Democrats alike.
He told of ADDRESSING the same con-
vention in Perth Amboy seven years
ago, during the World War, when
he came from. Sea Girt to speak.
The New Jersey senior senator told
of the changes that have taken
place since then. At that time, he
said, hundreds were In uniform, the
trials of war were foremost in the
minds of all. and they were days of
and responsibility. Now,
he said. things are different and
efforts are being made to get back
to normalcy.
THE people should realize their
peace responsibilities as well as
their responsibilities during war,
Senator Edge said.
The public does not seem to be
able to see a crisis when at peace,
Senator Edge said, and as result
little Is done by the citizens who
are patriotic and mean to do well in
preventing the tearing down of the
American constitution and govern
ment. I'VE. should recognize our
responsibilities, he continued, land
although it is doubly hard now than
during the. war. when we were all
united In a common cause. we
should work together for the pre-
servations of American standards
and ideals. He warned against the
injection of new ideas by bolshevic
propagandists who would make
everyone believe the government is
in need of drastic changes of policy.
Governor Silzer. was unable to be
on hand to deliver his scheduled ad-
dress, the appearance of Senator
Edge coming as q surprise and TAX
Ing the place of the governor on the
program. State Senator Morgan F.
Larson of this city, welcomed the
visiting firemen to the city, compli-
menting them upon the sacrifice
made by f1remen and their bravery.
Following the addresses much of
the time was taken up by the read
ing of reports from various commit
tees. A most Impressive moment of
the session came at the conclusion of
the reading of the list of those who
have departed during the past year
and a memorial to them. In re-
of those who have pass
ed, the audience rose and stood at
attention as a musician outside the
theatre PLAYED taps and Nearer My
God to Thee"
The matter of death funds was
then taken - and lengthy discus
sion took place concerning the way
in which the funds are administered.
was made that the
matter is now in the hands OF COM
mittees and will be acted upon so
that all firemen of New Jersey will
get what is coming to them and
their relatives.
The executive committee was au-
thorized to purchase suitable MEM
bership buttons to lie distributed to
the various local organizations.
CONTINUED on page 81