MASSACHUSETTS FIREMEN IN CONVENTION.

The twenty-fourth annual convention of the Massachusetts State Firemen’s association met in Memorial hall, Springfield, on October 1. Over 250 members attended its sessions. President William T. Cheswell, chief of the Boston fire department, presided. Mayor Stone welcomed the members, and spoke in terms of appreciation of the high position firemen occupied in the community. James E. Dunleavy, chairman of the board of fire commissioners, congratulated the association on its work in the way of its relief fund, and on its being increased to $12,000. Chief Littlefield, of the local fire department, also added his words of welcome. Capt. William Brophy, of Boston, chairman of the association’s legislative committee, responded. President Cheswell made a brief introductory address, in which he had words of praise for Governor Bates and his efforts in behalf of the Firemen’s Relief fund. It was through the governor’s good judgment that there was now a new hoard of commissioners to look after that fund. At the evening session Ernest E. Ryder, of Saugus, read a useful and practical paper on “The need of some form of technical instruction for firemen prepared by competent authorities on fire service. He pointed out that, except in the great cities, there was no scientific instruction in methods of fire protection. Such training was necessarily limited to the few, experience partially supplying it to the great body of firemen. To the visiting firemen, their wives, and other ladies Mrs. Littlefield gave a very enjoyable reception at her home. During the morning session on October 2 considerable routine work was got through, and an exhibition was given of the system of curtain sprinklers, with which the Forbes & Wallace block windows are equipped. In the afternoon a parade and inspection of the Springfield fire department took place, on which occasion it made the best appearance in its history; it had about 170 men in line, and was headed by Chief Littlefield. At the evening session Theodore T. Horst, of Clinton, spoke on “Forest fires: Causes of increase annually and suggestions on their prevention and control.” “Past and present” was the subject of an address by the Rev W. G. Puddefoot, of South Framingham. Capt. William Brophy, of Boston, followed with a paper on “What benefits, it any. do the firemen of the State derive from membership in the State firemen’s association? And why should they continue to support it?” He spoke of the benefits of organisation, of conventions, and those derived by firemen injured while in the performance of their duty. Several interesting questions were brought out from the question box of the convention. One concerned the $100 funeral benefits for firemen losing their lives while engaged in fighting fires. After a discussion, it was voted that it was the sense of the convention that this benefit, which had been discontinued, should be restored. At the closing session were read the following papers: “Improvement of sanitary condition of the sleeping rooms for the privates of fire departments. and also the bathing facilities connected with the department houses”—John J. Sullivan, Brookline: “Protective departments:— James F. McKissock, Lowell; “Class kerosene lamps—Should there he a law prohibiting their use?”—Fire Marshal Joseph E. Shaw, Boston. The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: President, Chief W. J. Littlefield, Springfield; secretary, D. Arthur Burt, Taunton (re-elected); treasurer. Superintendent Hiram R. Williamson, Worcester (re-elected).