Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
BARGAGN|'S GOAL
ADVANCES STEP
Sees Day When Suburban
Companies viii Form Re-
serve for Capital.

The fanfare and festive fraternalism
of tomorrow's big firemen's celebration
on Pennsylvania avenue will bring It's
organizer step nearer long-nurtured
goal-organization of the Capitals
suburban fire fighting forces into an eff
ficient second line of defense"
Sergt. A. j. Bargagni Of No. Is Truck
Company, has had vision OF that
achievement in the back of his mind
ever since he started the movement for
an annual firemen's jubilee six years
ago.
Each year he has encouraged a spirit
OF brotherly cooperation and under
standing between the local firemen and
the volunteers beyond the District Line,
by getting them together annually to
replace the tendencies toward ridicule
and discord which once prevailed.
Barriers Swept Aside.
The barriers which formerly existed
between the "city boys" and those from
the country" now have been swept
aside under the enthusiasm that has
grown around the annual fire-hghting
review down the Avenue.
And Sergt. Bargagni is well pleased
He has right to be.
Out into the suburbs where the COM
panies are volunteer for the most part,
Sergt. Bargagni has gone with his en-
thusiasm, his veteran knowledge OF fire
fighting in Washington. and built up
a spirit of good will. He has voluntarily
constituted himself the liaison officer
between Washington and its many out
lying suburbs, in the business OF fire
fighting. Scarcely fireman'S conven-
ton or carnival within radius of r1any
miles is held without the presence OF
the sergeant.
WHAT he is driving at is not yet
fully accomplished, he says. He Is
prG I'D of the growing evidence OF CO.
operation between Washington, and its
suburbs as demonstrated in the in
crcasingly larger list of departments
from out of town in the parade each
year But now he is looking forward
to the time when there shall be de-
veloped In all the nearest freight
ing companies knowledge of the sys-
tenn used here. which will be of i'm
mediate and perhaps vital use in case
OF great distress in the National Capital.
Foresees Reserve Force.
Sergt. Bargagni's plan--and his eyes
sparkle as he expoundS his VISIONS
to have each company outside the city
so well drilled, not only in the funda-
mentals, but in the details. such as the
routine of station houses, that they
can move up like the reserves in an
army and take their places In station
houses in the city as the city companies
themselves are called out to some con-
fiagration. Such plan, he believes
would give the National Capital re-
81 co ayYHnrf
as to protect adequately against any
possible great disaster from fire.
For instance, he would have the VOL
unteer companies drilled In the use of
the books at the station houses here.
The volunteers in the absence of the
regulars would know when the calls
come in, when and where they were to
act. The volunteers would know how
to respond to fires like the veterans OF
the paid department here.
Already volunteers in many of the
outlying sections have been inspired
and benefited from the many talks and
drills which have been given by the
Washington sergeant.
And the benefit is not all on enc
side either. he believes. Admitting
that he is highly enthusiastic over the
spirit of the volunteer companies in
outlying sections. Sergt. Barganni be-
iieves there is an eagerrless and Wiling
ness in the spirit of the volunteer that
kindles something anew in the heart
of the veteran fireman here who draws
pay for his everyday job. and conse-
quently becomes used to it as COM
monplace thing.
New Features Yearly.
Then there Is the spectacular. dra-
matte part of the annual celebration
which Is growing, and proves OF deep
satisfaction to his worker from the
ranks. He has seen 1t grow from a
few clowns to help draw crowd for
the annual f1renen-police ball game,
to full days celebration OF its own.
Year by year have been added new
features. "who knows" queries the
grow to the proportions OF the great
New Orleans fete? Or greater?"
The modest fireman who has also
been energetic enough to develop in
Washington the Honor System Newsbox
Co, now familiar to citizens in every
corner of the city at street car and bus
stops. has been % years In the depart
ment, and some day before long will
retire. He has three daughters and a
son, and the boy. Joseph Francis. Is
working into the newbox company BUSH
ness. One daughter, Louise. Is q
teacher In the Hayes School. and there
are two other daughters, Mildred and
Elsie. They live at 212 X street north
east
The firefighter from the ranks Is see
ing his vision come true. not for his
own glory, but for the greater protec-
ton Of the Nations Capital.