The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1939-06-15
Presented
Well Planned
Program
Over 800 Delegates
From State In
Attendance
INTERESTING MEETINGS
Splendid Enter
tainment and In
structive Talks

Ovcr GU delegates registered for
the State Ffremen's convention held
IN this city Monday, Tuesday and
wednesday, gathered in the Junior
High School Auditorium for their
convention program and annual
meeting. George Fish, president of
the State Association, called the
opening meeting to order at $3.50
Tuesday morning.
Following the invocation by Msgr.
Plachta, pastor Of st. Paul's church
Mayor G. F. Yager welcomed the
firemen to Sank Centre. He stated
that a good volunteer firemen's or
ganization Is the community's best
asset, and in closing presented the
key to the city to President Fish.
Chief Frank w. Hanson, of Rush
City, responded to the welcome,
stating that the firemen appreciat-
ed the efforts Of local people. He
said that the purpose of Volunteer
firemen is two-fold, first, to save
lives and second, to save property,
without remuneration. Firemen in
the State Association, he said, are
each dear learning more and i'm
proving service. AS one Of the old
er firemen he found that each year
gave opportunity to learn more. He
completed his talk in stating that
Sank Centre was a swell place to
come and that the people here had
fine homes and had provided good
entertainment.
Chief George Fish then was pre-
sented fine chair, gift from the
businessmen Of Sank Centre. The
members of the local department
sang welcome song, and Assist
ant Chief John Mondloch present
ed Chief Fish with wrist watch,
gift Of the Sank Centre fire men.
Supt. w. A. Kohl conducted COM
munity singing.
w. M. Parker, pinch hitting for
d. B. Caughren, president of the
Community Club, in representing
the club stated that all cities have
many organizations, but that the
most valued are the Volunteer fire
department, composed Of men who
want to do something for the home
town and their neighbors. They
offer perfect security. He compli-
mented Chief Fish and the fire
men Of the state and in behalf of
the Community Club hoped that
they would enjoy a successful con-
vention.
William Merten, Of Caledonia,
spoke about the Firemen's Benefit
association, presented its history
and successful growth in detail.
He said that a group Of men in
1926 at a convention in New Ulm
chose nine men from the floor and
assigned them to the task Of build
ing a benefit association for vol
unteer firemen. Six Of these MEM
bers are serving that association
today. They put the organization
on solid footing until today it Is
successful beyond the expectations
Of it's founders. They found hard
going at first, but with the coop
Grafton Of the volunteer firemen
they soon grew. Assets grew and
the association expanded. 1t was
built along sound lines, so that ben
Gifts could be safely paid. He said
that at the annual meeting Monday
evening plans were made for an
other increase in benefits. TWEEN
ty-seven new departments answer
ed the roll call, he said, and he
invited others present to join. He
compared reserve fund, benefits,
assets, ETC., of this year with those
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