Smyrna times., 1935-09-26
WILLARD BOYCEI
HEADS FIREMEN
Elected President of State AS
sociatiOn at MiddletOwn
Last Week
NEXT MEETING SEAFORD

WIZARD y. bOyCe, Oh OOVeI, /,
formerly of Cheswold, was elected
president of the Delaware Volun-
teer Firemen's Association at the
18th annual convention held in the
Middletown Fire House Wednes-
day. During the past year he has
been vice-president of the organi-
zation. Other officers elected were
e-president, Reuben A. Steward
of Seaford; secretary, Sam III. Car
son, of Dover, reelected; treasurer
John t. Guyer, of Richardson Park
reelected; executive committee
man, for Kent county, Thomas Ba-
ker, chief of the Dover Fire De-
partment, replacing Ralph g. Hay
es, of Harrington, whose 3-year-
term expired. Two invitations for
the 1886 convention were received
from Sussex county companies, Re-
hoboth and Seaford. The conven-
ton was given to Seaford. Alfred
F'lemming, of the National Board
of Underwriters, New York city
was guest speaker and spoke on
New Hazards in Fire Fighting
In the past four years 36 states
have organized schools for educa-
tion in fire fighting under the spon-
sorship of the state universities, he
said, declaring the need for more
and more education as the new
hazards develop along with new
developments in industrial and
home fields. Mr.. Flemming was
made an honorary member of the
Delaware Volunteer Firemen's As
sociation and presented with an
emblem of the organization. In the
business session, during the after
noon, permission was granted the
ladies' auxiliaries of Delaware to
wear the emblem of the State As
Sociation. Lieutenant Governor
Roy F. Corley, of Smyrna, was
present at the afternoon session
and presented greetings from Gov
ernor c. Douglass Buck, express
ing his regret at not being able to
attend, but congratulating the vol
unteers on their splendid work dur
ing the past year and the progress
made by them. President Hubert
said fire companies of the State
now own $481 900 worth of real es-
tate equipment, $500 worth of
hose, S72,850 worth Of other equip
ment, and have $14,050 worth of
new equipment purchased during
the past year. He said 4,249 men
belong to the various volunteer
companies, and 573 women are
members of ladies' auxiliaries.
During 1884, he said, 1,O65 calls
were answered.
Past Presidents Organize
A Past Presidents Association
was formed at a meeting of the
ID past presidents of the State as
sociation. c. D. Varney, of Mil
ford, who was the first president of
the State body, presided. He said
the purpose of the organization
was to keep the past presidents to-
gether and to assist the State
president in every way possible.
The group organized by electing
the retiring president of the State
association, Walter Hubert, as
chairman, and Sam H. Carson, of
Dover, as secretary. These are the
only officers to be named for the
president. The body will meet
once a year on the first day of the
State convention or at the call of
the chair.
State Fire Chiefs Organize
The Fire Chiefs Association also
met with the president, Thomas
Kellum, of Claymont, presiding
All the officers were reelected and
included: President, Thomas Kel-
lum; first vice-president, Thomas
E. Baker, of Dover; second vice
president, w. T. Bennett, Laurel;
secretary, H. A. Colt, Dover; treas
urer, William A. Thompson, Will
mington. A dance at the Century
Club house closed Wednesdays ac-
tivities. The final session was held
Thursday morning followed by the
annual firemen's parade in the after
noon which closed the 1885 conven-
ton. Approximately IS fire COM
panies from Delaware, Maryland
Pennsylvania and Virginia took
part in the firemen's parade or
Thursday. A motorcycle escort OF
v Delaware State Police led the par
ade followed by the State officials
and past presidents. Next in line
was a platoon from the Whining
ton Bureau Of Fire Middletown'
Volunteer Hose Company led the
volunteers with a band and appar-
atus. Five pieces represented the
Middletown company dating from
1887. Twenty-four prizes were
awarded to visiting volunteers and
auxiliaries for a varied list of Sc
lections. Special judges were pro-
vided to select the musical organ