Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-08-05
rs Delegates Present. Mr. ana nsr..
A. L. Winstsn Delegates feo@
Belt. volunteer Firewen


sion Of the State Firemen's conven-
ton, Chief c. v. Steele Of Billings
was elected president Of the a.
ISOLATION for the ensuing year. MF.
Steele Is one Of the most active
members Of the association, and hms
never held office before. He is chief
Of the Billings fire department and
was the unanimous CHOICE of the
convention.
Helena Gets 1897 Meet
While a number Of towns were out
to secure the 1927 Firemen's eonven-
ton, the boys from Helena landed
the plum and next year the firemen
will gather at the Capitol city for
their S6th annual convention.
Approximately 125 delegates, Wis
iting firemen, ladies' and guests are
participating In the 35th annual
State Firemen's convention in Big
Timber this week. The convention
opened at the High School auditor
ium Monday morning and was called
to order by State President G. w.
beware. Rev. Arthur Prior gave the
invocation and Mayor J. H. Tower
delivered the address Of welcome
which was responded to by A. j.
Baker Of Lewistown. President G.
w. beware of Havre delivered the
annual president's address,.
Discussion Of a proposed legisIa-
tive bill for a state wide fire preven-
ton program occupied much Of the
time.
II is proposed to take per cent
Of the firemen's relief fund which is
secured from a tax upon fire insur-
ance companies doing business in
the state and use it in an educative
campaign TO acquaint people with
fire hazards and the avoidance. This
general program would take the
place Of the campaigns which are
put on each year in most Of the cities
by the fire departments.
Various angles Of the proposed
measure we're considered at the con-
vention with State Auditor George
Porter, State Fire Marshal W. G.
Brooksa nd Charles w. Cook Of
Butte, representing the fire UNDER
writer's association attending the
conference. T he bill was drawn up
by the board Of directors Of the as
sociation, consisting Of r. j. Raker,
fire chief Of Harlowtown; Charles
Collins, Anaconda, fire chief; and v.
H. Steele, chief at Billings.
Monday evening was devoted TO
getting acquainted. Chas. Kepplers
Grey Cliff band was the evenings
chief entertainment feature,
Tuesday morning was devoted TO
business session and addresses by
prominent speakers.
Charles w. Cook of the board of
discussed the methods
IF making rates before the Tuesday
morning session Of the convention.
He showed how companies arrive at
the different rates in various cities
and the influence which fire protec-
tion means have on the cost. He
emphasized the Importance of having
better fire apparatus and showed the
Influence il has on lowering rates.
VIC. Brooks, state fire marshal,
pleaded for cooperation between the
state fire marshal's office and the
ire chiefs throughout the state. He
stressed particularly the investiga-
ion Of fires thought TO have been Of
ncendiary origin. There is consid-
rably difficulty in this respect alt
yer the state at this time, he said
nd the state marshal's office is fill
ed with pending Investigations.
Discuss Fires
To help alleviate the trouble aris-
ng from incendiary fires through
ut the state at this timeeetaOinetaoi
he state, IL is planned to deputize
everal fire chiefs to help with the
and hit the bottom and
ind the persons causing incendiary
ires. Appointments in these cases
iii come out Of the office Of George
}. Porter, state auditor.
Tuesday afternoons trip up the
BOULDER valley was an eye opener to
iany visiters who were touring that
ortion Of Sweet Grass county for
he first time. The caravan of about
,irty cars. which had been donated
,r the trip by the local Liony and
Tiers LETT the high school at i2:30
nd was met at the forestry bound
~ line bv Ranger Harrv Kaufman
n welcomed the fireman on behalf
/ the forestry department. Points
interest wcro pointed out BY cour-
ICON. on last page.)