Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-24
F|REMEN'S FIGHT
IS TURNED DOWN
Silver Spring Volunteers
Troubles Not Recognized
by Association.
By WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.
stsr Correspondsnt Of The Star.

Ueer FIRE department. air lCS recent
troubles before the Montgomery Fire
mems Association at its quarterly meet
ing at the Sherwood High School here
last night met with failure, when it was
ruled that internal matters were not
part of the business of the association.
However, the difficulties through
which Silver Spring just passed, and
which nearly threatened the disruption
of the organization, with possible with
drawal Of county monetary support,
were declared to have been bettered,
and 1t was said that assurance was re-
ceived from the county commissioner.
Lacy Shaw, that the organization would
receive the aid as long as it continued
to render efficient service.
Legislative Resolution Passed.
However, the organizat ton did adopt
unanimously lengthy resolution direct
ing its legislative and executive commit
tees to exert influence on the delegates
to the next General Assembly Of the
State to have them guard against legis-
lation that would destroy the volunteer
fire. departments without the indorse-
ment of such units or by the people of
the several districts, as shown by a
referendum.
The Silver Spring difficulties and the
action last night were both precipitated
by q bill introduced in the last Legis-
lature which would have authorized She
county commissioners to issue bonds to
the extent of 100000 for the purpose
of establishing and maintaining a fire
department in Silver Spring, with two
paid firemen one for day and one for
night duty, and the levying of tax of
not to exceed 10 cents for the purpose
OF paying of the bonds and the mainte-
nance of the proposed organization.
The bill failed in the Senate, following
the appearance there of a delegation
from the Silver Spring department, and
shortly after the Legislature adjourned
j. MACH.
there was reorganization of the Silver
Spring department.
Commentator Letter Proposed.
Following the action on the resolu-
ton, John Feist of Silver Spring moved
that the secretary be instructed to write
a letter to Senator Jones of Kensing-
ton commencing him for using his in
f1uence in keeping politics out of the
volunteer fire departments. However,
r. Barnard WEIGH of Rockville said that
the motion had decided political tinge,
and moved to lay it on the table. He
said that one way to wreck the volun-
teer departments was to mix politics
-NlJAL 4l dLld ola ILLdb Vic
wanted the politicians to do was to
leave them alone. He said that the as
ISOLATION should not permit itself to be
used for the promotion of any mans
political future. The association took
no action on the Fest motion.
Then E. G. Rainey of Kensington
moved that the Silver Spring Fire De-
partment report what happened in their
organization, but President Francis
Thomas of Sandy Spring said that the
organization couldn't compel Silver
Spring to make such a report. Rainey
insisted that it was an association mat
ter, but motion of Harry HoWes of
Rockville that the association not med
die In Silver Springs business was ulti-
mately adopted.
Stress Company's AiIment.
John Hunter of Silver Spring said
that the volunteer company there had
little ailment that was purely our
own, but we have had an understanding
with the county commissioner that
everything would be all right as long as
we conducted ourselves efficiently. It is
q matter of our own
Leo Bender, also of Silver Spring ex-
planned that the department at Silver
Spring had accomplished what it want
ed, and refused to give the information
sought by certain members from the
floor, but added that If the individual
departments wanted to know all about
it. he would be glad to appear before
them and tell all.
Propose Relief Fund.
Rainey, who made the original request
motion, then told the delegation that he
made it because several members from
the Silver Spring organization had re-
Quested him to ask for 1t from the floor.
R1w, 4mk~1 f@t%, -
relief fund to pay part of the hospi-
tai and medical bills Of any fireman in
jured while going to, returning from,
or at fire, contained in committee
report precipitated a long discussion,
and the organization finally adopted a
motion of Leo Bender that the matter
be put off until the next quarterly meet
ing so that the matter could be dis
Cussed by the various departments.
Copies of the report were ordered sent
20 each volunteer organization.
The plan provided that the central
relief fund would pay not to exceed ons-
half Of any amount contributed by any
company In case Of injury, and 5000 in
case Of death. The fund was to be pro-
vided by $25 assessment against each
organization. The. eight organizations
were evenly divided on the matter, and
1t became necessary for the president to
cast the deciding vote.
Washington Represented.
Capt. H A. Chapman of No. Is En-
CINE Company of the District of Column
bia Fire Department, was present as
representative of Chief George Watson.
He told the organization of the great in
terest of the District fire chief in the
volunteer companies in the territory
adjacent to the Capital City because of
the aid they had rendered in the past.
He told the organization that the
county and State ought to take care OF
the relief of firemen injured. and added
that those whose homes are protected
should also aid in providing relief
fund.
He told the volunteers that the chief
Of the Washington department stands
ready at any time TO send apparatus to
help the volunteers but added that the
chief would not send the Washington
apparatus unless a call for aid came
from some one in authority, either from
the chief or captain of volunteer de-
partment or from a mayor or other Of
fetal of a town where there Is no
volunteer department. He pointed out
that in the past apparatus has been
sent on long runs, only to find the
volunteers on the ground with the situa-
ton in hand At such times surprise
was expressed by the volunteers that
the apparatus had come. In such cases
IL had been sent on the request of some
citizen. To prevent this, he said, 1t was
necessary to restrict the service to Of
fetal calls.
Discuss Fire Cooperation.
Capt Chapman said that the chief of
the District department would appreciate
the sending of list of the volunteer
companies, together with a report on