New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association

Nearly four hundred members of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association recently met in Paterson, N. J. The local fire department made elaborate preparations for their guests. They met the visiting firemen at the depot with a band and escorted them to the banquet hall, where a lunch was served, followed by the opening of the convention. Various city officials welcomed the visitors and spoke on the fire department of the city. Battalion Chief Michael J. Ryan of the local department acted as presiding officer and also spoke to the delegates on the twoplatoon system. He explained how Paterson had secured the system by a large majority vote of the people. “Everything has worked smoothly,” he said. The following officers were elected: George A. Henry, of Atlantic City, president; Anthony Deal, of West New York, first vice-president; George Steth, of West Hoboken, second vice-president; John King, of Jersey City, financial secretary; John M. Holt, of Elizabeth, treasurer; Benjamin Beecher, of Jersey City, was elected sergeantat-arms. The officers who served during the past year were: President, Frank M. Beckett, of Atlantic City; first vice-president, George Henry, of blast Orange; second vice-president, Anthony Deal, of West New York; recording secretary, Robert D. Bender, of Newark; financial secretary, John J. Kingham, of Jersey City, and counsellor, George B. Astley, of Newark.